My relationship with Fayemi, Adebayo, Fayose — Oyebanji.

My relationship with Fayemi, Adebayo, Fayose — Oyebanji.

Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who marked one year in office on October 16, spoke with journalists about governance, his six-pillar agenda for the state, menace of kidnappers vis-a-vis operation of Amotekun, among other issues. ‘YOMI AYELESO brings some excerpts:

To achieve your plans for the state, security of lives and property is key, but Ekiti has witnessed series of security breaches, especially kidnappings and other heinous crimes in the last few months. How do you intend to tackle this challenge, also bearing in mind noting that Amotekun in the state has not performed as well when compared to other states?

Well, I share your concern with Amotekun, I, too, have the same concern that we need to do more with Amotekun. When I came on board, I tried to examine their operations because Amotekun was under me when I was the Secretary to State Government under Dr Fayemi. Since I became the governor, I commissioned a team to look at Amotekun and I discovered the need to change tactics. We need to employ more people, we need to train them, we need to provide resources for them, but you know, we also need to provide clear direction for them. And when I was convinced that a new leadership is needed, I brought in the current Commander (Brig. Gen. Olu Adewa) who just left the North-east, he just retired from the Army, he has been leading Boko Haram fights in the northern states. Since he came on board, he has changed the face of Amotekun in the state. Currently, he is going round the state to even ascertain the status of the corps. He has not completed that; once that is done, we are going to sit with the local government. But, definitely, we need to recruit more people; we need to provide working tools for them. However, I agree with you that in the comparison with their counterparts in the South-West, there can be improvement and we will see to that. But this government believes in the Amotekun philosophy and we also believe that if properly managed, with the current leadership, our Amotekun will bite more. But, I must commend the new commandant; he has brought in a lot of discipline and direction into the corps. I am just waiting for him to come with his reports because Amotekun is a joint venture: the command for both the state and the local government. We have done something when I came on board, we have increased their salary like the other states, we have done that but in terms of providing tools for them, making them effective, we need to look into that but we are going to do it this time around in conjunction with the traditional institutions at the local level. So, there are a lot of structural issues with it but we will resolve that soon.

 

Many argue that for democracy and good governance to thrive, there is a need for a vibrant opposition. But it appears Ekiti is sliding into a one-party state with no visible opposition voice.

I believe that the best assessment of any government is by the people and if it is coming from journalists, it tells me that it is a position that one has to take seriously. As a government, we have a contract with the people of Ekiti State and we promised ourselves that we will work for them and work with them. We made certain promises to them and for the past few months, we have ensured that those promises are kept. Even if those promises come at a cost, it requires self-discipline, a lot of concentration, a lot of consultation and a lot of what I will call a stable and compassionate policy from the government. It also requires a lot of tactics and strategies and we have tried as much as possible to ensure that we are truthful to Ekiti people. We believe that trust is very key to governance. 

So, the first mark I set for myself is that I need to earn the trust of Ekiti people because if you are going to take them on a journey of four years, they must trust me to the point that they will follow me to that expected end and we have tried to do that. So, if this is the feedback, well, I give God all the glory but I also know that it is too early in the day for us to rest on our oars. So, the reward for  hard work is more work.

With respect to buying the opposition, it is not correct. What we have done is to ensure that we are running an inclusive government and we are communicating with everybody including the opposition. Election stopped the day I was sworn in as governor of Ekiti State. I don’t see myself as governor of APC, I am the governor of everybody in Ekiti State and I relate with all of them as Ekiti indigenes. So, politics has stopped, we are in the realm of governance and governance tells me that I have to be responsible to both my party members and people who didn’t  even vote for me. There are a lot of Ekiti people who don’t even belong to any political party, I am also responsible to them. So, before I assumed office, I visited every of our leaders in the state across political divides because I believe strongly that I need all of them, I need to learn from them, I also need to take feedback from them and we had useful discussions with leaders of my party, those that are non-political and those that belong to the opposition. Every time I go to them, I take note of whatever they tell me and when I have issues, because I have established that relationship, I can call them and ask for advice and all of them have been advising me. So, that may be responsible for the feedback you are getting in town, I have not bought anybody, all the support have been unconditional and none of them has asked me for any favour and that is the truth.

It is one year already and many people have been expecting what has now become the usual norm of successor-predecessor cold war and hostilities in our political system, but in your own situation, that is not the case. What is the secret?

There is no secret. Remember, I worked with Governor Fayemi for seven years. In his first term in office, I was the Commissioner for Integration, I later headed Office of Transformations and Service Delivery (OTSD) and later served as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning; so, I worked with him for four years. When he came back, in 2018, I was the SSG for three years. So, seven years working with him and God has used him to support me to be here. I see myself as the clone of both himself, Governor Niyi Adebayo and Governor Ayo Fayose. And since Oga (Fayemi) left, I am the one that is always disturbing him, because there are some doors I will ask him to go and open for me and he does that without any problem. I consult with him regularly, he has not foisted anything on me, he doesn’t disturb me for anything, I am the one disturbing his peace. I will call him to ask when he will be coming to Ekiti, he will tell me I should allow him to rest. There was a time he had to go to London to do something for me. He got there and he called me and I spoke with the person. Today, I have called him to do some things for me and he said he will do it. There is no basis for friction. I am actually blessed by predecessors that don’t disturb me, even those ones that belong to the opposition, I have found favour in their eyes, they give me advice unconditionally; so, I stand on the shoulders of giants and I know that it is only the grace of God who has made this to happen.

My relationship with all of them has been extremely cordial and I intend to maintain that. Governor Fayemi remains the leader, remains my boss, remains my mentor and because I worked with him for seven years, taking decisions, to a large extent, I can have a guess of what he would do on any matter. One day, we were having a discussion, I was telling him I want to do this, I want to do that, I was mentioning names and he told me that if he was the one taking the decision, he would pick those people too. This is because I sat at all the meetings as SSG with him. I was a member of the strategy team, I was a member of his think-tank, so, he has taken me through all these things. So, on any decision, I have an idea of what Oga will do. But where I have problem, I can pick my phone and call him that what should I do with respect to this. So, I am full of gratitude to him for his support and I can count on his stronger support going forward.

What should the people of Ekiti expect from your administration in the next three years?

We campaigned on the mantra of continuity and shared prosperity. Continuity of the programmes and policies of my predecessor in office which we have articulately adhered to in respect to the completion of some of the projects that he couldn’t complete, while he was here and also you will recall that before he left office, we launched the Ekiti State 30-year development plan from 2020 to 2050 and our manifestoes are offshoot of the development plan.The last budget was termed, ‘Budget of Strong Beginning’ and we named it so, so that we can put in place a very strong foundation for the prosperity of our people and now that the foundation has been laid, we have presented before the House of Assembly the budget of 2024 which is christened: ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development,’ and the budget is to put the building blocks gradually for the foundation that has been laid to dispense prosperity for our people. So, what Ekiti people should expect in the next three years is a faithful implementation of our six pillars in accordance with the Ekiti State development plan and in accordance with the 2024 budget. So, Ekiti people should expect new capital projects, improvement in the living conditions of the people, those in formal sector should expect government support for the informal sector and same for private sector and they should look forward to the establishment of industries in the state. Also, we are going to put a lot of emphasis on clean environment to ensure that we clean our environment, we put emphasis on the art, culture and tourism and also, we attack unemployment and insecurity in the state.

Fayemi Calls on African Leaders to End Dependence on Foreign Aid.

Fayemi Calls on African Leaders to End Dependence on Foreign Aid. 

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has called on African leaders to end the "supplicant mentality" of depending on foreign aid to solve the continent's problems.

According to him, African leaders must expunge the development aid framework and “instead embrace the audacity in defending our rights and interests in global affairs that has eluded us for way too long.’’

He explained that it is "demeaning" that African leaders are constantly summoned to the capitals of competing foreign powers to beg for aid and support.

The former Ekiti governor made these comments at the annual lecture of the Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA), where he was the keynote speaker and delivered the lecture with the theme “Africa in the Turbulence of a World in Search of Direction.’’

Fayemi, who is now a Visiting Professor at the School of Global Affairs, Kings College, London, advocated strong visionary leadership for Africa if the continent is to find its place in the turbulence of the current global order.

‘’This is where visionary leadership must come in to help, in a forward-looking way, to develop a strategic, coordinated, coherent, and shared African approach to managing the turbulence in the international system as the process of change gathers momentum,’’ he said.

Fayemi added that African leaders must ensure that Africans are not made "casualties and cannon fodder" as various interests compete for advantage in the world, adding also that the hard-won sovereignty of African countries must not be compromised.

“To rise to the challenge of the times, Africa must organize itself to develop and deploy the necessary strategic plans, policy packages and leadership resources that are fit for the era of rapid and complex change. It is this task of policy and leadership advancement that must be addressed as an urgent necessity if Africa is to play its rightful role in the ongoing dynamic of change in global order. “

Fayemi explained in the lecture that the world is currently experiencing a transition to a multi-polar order which comes with upheavals, challenges and opportunities, explaining that Africa must be prepared to navigate this new landscape and assert its interests in the world.

The event was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including top government leaders, serving and retired diplomats, ambassadors and representatives of foreign governments. 

Gov. Oyebanji Declares Free Malaria Treatment For Women, Children, Aged.

Gov. Oyebanji Declares Free Malaria Treatment For Women, Children, Aged.

..…free delivery for pregnant women.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has declared free malaria treatment for children under five years, pregnant women and the aged in the state, in addition to free delivery for pregnant women. These would be enjoyed in all the 177 primary health care centres across the state, under Ulera Wa Scheme.

Governor Oyebanji, made this known in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while commissioning the Okesa Comprehensive Health Centre, fully equipped with state of the art equipment, in Ado Ekiti, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of his administration.

He stated that the welfare and well being of the citizens remain a top priority of his government, adding that he would not leave anyone behind in the provision of quality health services, especially for children under five years of age.

He stated that his administration, had more than ever before, allocated more resources to both secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state, having approved an aggressive and immediate renovation of those facilities in the state.

On welfare, the Governor hinted that health workers in the state have started enjoying hazard allowance and other benefits since March 2023, just as his government has given approval for Hospitals Management Board to fill consequential vacancies occasioned by retirement of various cadres of workforce to allow for effectiveness and efficiency of the sector.

The Governor said he had promised the people of the state during his electioneering campaign that he would make healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone, especially, the vulnerable populace, adding that he would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the people live a good and healthy life.

Governor Oyebanji, who cut the tape declaring facility open, thanked members of the Response Resources Mobilization Committee (RRMC) for the wonderful job they did during the Covid-19 pandemic and urged them to rejig their efforts towards pulling more resources to the state to enable his administration drive effective and a desired health sector that would be an envy of other states of the federation.

He said the Primary Health Centre is the gateway to any healthcare delivery, adding that that was the reason he had joined hands with his siblings to build a maternity facility in Aramoko Ekiti General Hospital in memory of their late mother, due for commissioning later in the year.

The Governor also revealed that his government has approved the hosting of the 64th National Council of Health in Ekiti with the belief that their deliberations in the state would have positive and indelible impact on the healthcare delivery in the state.

“I am here this evening to commission this newly equipped facility which was built through the effort of the Response Resources Mobilization Committee (RRMC) in collaboration with Ekiti State Government.

“This administration has now equipped this facility to ensure it serves our people. You will agree with me that the health of Ekiti citizens takes front burner in the programmes and policies of our administration. We are living to our determination and promises not to leave anyone behind in matters if health services delivery.

“Our commitment in ensuring universal health coverage is daily yielding impressive results, as the state’s flagship health insurance programme known as ‘Ulera wa’ has become accessible in 177 health facilities in the state, fully covering children under age five as well as some people with disability.

“With Ulera wa, no woman should have to pay for delivery at any of our PHCs in Ekiti state. To ensure services are available at the point of use, we have in addition to this facility committed resources to our secondary health facilities as well. Our tertiary health facility, EKSUTH. It is currently being worked upon to make sure that our critical infrastructure is well maintained to provide comfort, quality and safe healthcare for our clients.

“I addition to this, the welfare of healthcare workers in the state has been prioritized, this administration has approved the payment of hazard allowance for health workers in the state public service. Health workers have enjoyed the implementation of hazard allowance since March 2023.

“Also in a bid to improve the human capital development in the health sector, government approves the recruitment of health workers for HMB to fill the consequential vacancies gap and to provide effective and efficient medical services to our citizenry.

“This administration has also approved the introduction of parity payment for health workers in the state. This is with a view to improve health workers motivation and to me, this is a campaign promise I made to you”, the Governor said.

Earlier the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani commended the Governor for the various motivation he had given health workers in the state by increasing their salaries and granting them hazard allowance.

The Commissioner noted that the importance of Comprehensive Health Centre cannot be underestimated as it is the gateway to any effective and efficient healthcare facilities as he stressed the need to providing all necessary requirements to deliver good quality services for the people at this level.

The event was also attended by the Wife of Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. ; members of the House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro and traditional rulers among others.

Court disbands Yahaya Bello’s task force on illegal firearms.

Court disbands Yahaya Bello’s task force on illegal firearms.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared as unconstitutional, the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms that was set up by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

A concerned indigene of the state,Ahmadu Danjuma, had in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2023, challenged the establishment of the outfit.

Bello, through his lawyer, A. M. Adoyi, had insisted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case which he described as incompetent.

But Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment on Tuesday, declared that regulation of firearms in the country was not within the powers of the governor, being an item on the Exclusive Legislative List.

The judge said the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser were the proper bodies to regulate firearms in the country.

Solomon Odeniyi

Credit: The Punch Newspaper 

Lagos committed to women’s welfare, says Sanwo-Olu.

Lagos committed to women’s welfare, says Sanwo-Olu.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged the support of the state government for the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials’ drive to improve the welfare of women.

Sanwo-oLu reaffirmed this on Tuesday at the 23rd National Women’s Conference of COWLSO held at Eko Hotels, Lagos.

“The Lagos State Government, under my leadership, stands firmly committed to the vision set forth by COWLSO, because we recognise the pivotal role that empowered women play in the development and progress of every society,” part of the governor’s speech read.

The governor’s wife, who is the Chairman, COWLSO, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the group would continue to assist women and the vulnerable in the state.

“The conference has the objective of inspiring ideas and robust intellectual conversations on issues affecting women and girls, and also men and boys,” she said.

Speaking further, Ibijoke lauded President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi, on her “indelible contribution to COWLSO.”

“We appreciate the massive support you’ve given and continue to give to our women and children. May the God Lord strengthen and uplift you ceaselessly,” she said.

“COWLSO participated actively in the sensitisation by the Renewed Hope Initiative, a pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria. The charity-based initiative is targeted at providing succor and relief to vulnerable women and girls in Nigeria,” she added.

Credit: The Punch Newspaper 

Stop attacking critics, PDP tells Soludo.

Stop attacking critics, PDP tells Soludo.

The Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to stop attacking critics of his administration.

The PDP spokesman in Anambra, Uloka Chibuike, stated this in a press statement he issued on Tuesday.

He said the continued verbal assaults against critics and commentators suggested that the Soludo administration was “adrift and marooned”.

Chibuike said the governor should remember that he occupies a public position of trust and he should expect the people to demand accountability.

He said, “He must be reminded that the Anambra State Government House is not his private business from which he launches attacks and throws punches at those with whom he has family or business disagreements; he must be accountable to the people of the state.

“The recent attacks by the Press Secretary and other senior aides of the governor against critics of his administration, policies, and supposed accomplishments, which can only be described as minimal or next to nothing compared to what was promised, portray him as someone who is struggling, unpopular, and has no substantial scorecard.

“The continuous verbal assaults against critics and commentators suggest that the current government is adrift and marooned.

“Critics and commentators are not adversaries of the government, but rather, citizens who want to see the government keep their promises and make suggestions on how the government might improve.

“It is unacceptable for Soludo to become defensive and resort to verbal onslaught when reminded that there is little evidence on the ground to justify his 19 months in office".

Impeachment saga: Ondo lawmakers reach ceasefire agreement.

Impeachment saga: Ondo lawmakers reach ceasefire agreement.

Ondo House of Assembly has agreed to stay action in the ongoing move to impeach the state deputy governor, Lucky Ayiedatiwa.

A decision to this effect was reached on Tuesday, October 17, after a closed-door meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Aiyedatiwa has been under the threat of impeachment by the House over allegations of gross misconduct and has been served with notice of the allegations levelled against him by the lawmakers.

The meeting which lasted for about two hours had in attendance members of the party’s NWC, the Aminu Bello Masari-led 9-man Reconciliation Committee, party state chairman, Ade Adetimilehin and 18 of the 22 APC lawmakers led by the speaker, Rt. Hon. Oladeji Olamide.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting the chairman of the reconciliation committee, Aminu Bello Masari said that the national leadership was committed to finding a lasting solution to the crisis in the state.

The former Kastina state governor further said that all actions towards the impeachment of the deputy governor have been put on hold to enable his committee to reach out to all stakeholders.

He said: “We are working hard with the House of Assembly and the National leadership of the party to find a lasting solution to the crisis bedevilling our party and the government in Ondo state

“All actions for the pros and against have been suspended for now to allow the committee to complete its work.

“The Speaker House of Assembly is here with us, he will collaborate with the leader of the party to see the final stand of the APC National Working Committee.”

Admitting that the lawmakers were in Abuja at the instance of the national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the reconciliation committee, Speaker Olamide said the lawmakers have agreed to cooperate with the party in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

He said: “We were invited by the National chairman and the chairman of the Reconciliation Committee. We promised to work with the national chairman and the chairman of the reconciliation committee to find a lasting solution to the political crisis in Ondo state.

We gave a promise that on our part, we are ready to cooperate as an arm of government with the party. At the same time, whenever they want to meet us, we will be of help to the committee.

“More importantly, we will allow the committee to do their work without hitches. Apart from that, we believe this is the only political solution that will be of help to resolve the crisis in Ondo State.”

Appreciating all the stakeholders in the crisis for allowing a political solution to the impasse in the state, the APC National Chairman said the decision by the lawmakers to ceasefire showed that they are democrats and committed party faithful.

Ganduje who said he had received an interim report from the Masari-led committee, disclosed that the reconciliation committed was yet to meet with the embattled deputy governor and his boss, Governor Olwarotimi Akeredolu, but confirmed the ceasefire agreement reached with the lawmakers.

According to him, “Now, having suspended the impeachment process, they (lawmakers) have created a conducive environment to continue dialoguing. We believe that we will reach a political solution.

“APC, as a political party, is an institution that is indispensable to democracy. Therefore, apart from our basic function for recruitment of membership, elected officers, and appointed officers, it is our responsibility to see that all the ethics of democracy are followed and crises averted in our government, both at the sub-national level and at the international level.

“It is a political crisis and we are a political institution. So there’s no way we can fold our arms and see that our children are fighting and we allow them to go like that.”

Credit: The Nation Newspaper.