Ekiti Govt Distributes N20m to Disaster Victims, Warns Against Reckless Burning in Dry Season.

Ekiti Govt Distributes N20m to Disaster Victims, Warns Against Reckless Burning in Dry Season.

The Ekiti State Government, has distributed a staggering sum of N20 million to fire and raintorm victims in the state, warning those in the habit of incessant and reckless bush burning to refrain and be cautious of their actions in the coming dry season.

The government lamented that most of the emergency cases causing collosssal losses of lives and property are human-induced, urging the residents to be proactive in taking actions that could avert some of these incidences for the safety of all. 

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said this in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while flagging off the distribution of cash grants worth N20 million to 46 victims of fire and rainstorm disasters in the state.

Mrs Afuye assured the victims that Governor Oyebanji would continually respond positively to their cries to cushion the effect of disasters on them, insisting that the current government is more desirous of prevention, rather than taking palliative actions to put a soothing balm on their pains.

Applauding Governor Oyebanji's strides to relaunch some of those who lost their homes and businesses back to reckoning, Mrs Afuye, revealed that the governor had earlier approved a sum of N24.5 million to victims of rainstorm in Oke Ako Ekiti.

She appealed to those in the habit of building their structures across river valleys or waterways to desist , saying such actions would no longer be tolerated by government.

"If we are to rate the governors in terms of display of love for their citizens, Governor Oyebanji ranks best in the country. This money is not for you to go undertake family responsibilities or other extraneous things, but to relaunch your destroyed businesses and homes that got destroyed by fire or storm. 

"The people we selected were carefully enumerated by the State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) and those who have submitted their claims will soon benefit, it might be before the end of the year. 

"Let me place on record that the present government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a progressive and forward looking one, favorably disposed to collaborating with any group or individual, most especially with the federal government that is equally committed to raising the standard of living of the people. 

"I want to appeal to all of us to imbibe the culture of environmental preservation and avoid incessant bush burning during dry season, careless dropping of cigarette tips, storage of Prenium Motor Spirit within the house and always switch off electrical appliances when not in use in order to reduce future occurrence of this type of mishap".

Addressing the beneficiaries, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Head of Operations in Ekiti/Ondo, Mr. Olanrewaju Kadiri, applauded the government for taking actions to mitigate disasters, rating Ekiti as having one of the best in terms of emergency managements and responses in the country.

"Since the advent of this administration, we have enjoyed good emergency management and responses that really complemented our works. 

"If you check very well, we are having increasing cases of disasters. We had ransitorm in Oke Ako, fire disaster at Shasha market, flooding in various places, so we need to buckle up to be able to prevent some of these occurrences". 

Urging the victims to guard against actions that could trigger disaster situations, the Permanent Secretary, in charge of SEMA, Mr. Jide Borode, appreciated the government for speedily approving a sum of N20 million for the victims, saying this had further portrayed Oyebanji as a lover of the people.

The SEMA boss assured that those who had submitted their claims to the state government as victims would soon be attended to, warning the residents, particularly farmers to eschew reckless and unbridled bush burning as the state approaches dry season. 

Present at the event were the Director General, Office of Communications and Community Engagements, Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso, the Permanent Secretary, office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi , officials of SEMA, NEMA and the beneficiaries.

Describing the gesture as highly commendable, some of the beneficiaries, Mr Ikulayo Oladapo , Abduwahab Abubakar, who is from Kaduna State, Martins-Awomoyi Onyekachi, Mrs Agnes Akomolafe, and Abdullahi Umaru from Sokoto State, said it will go a long way in alleviating their sufferings.

They thanked Governor Oyebanji for being people-centric and passionate in driving some of his policies tend toward making lives more flourishing and bearable for the citizens.

Education, skills development panacea for ending poverty, hunger in Nigeria — Vice President Shettima.

Education, skills development panacea for ending poverty, hunger in Nigeria — Vice President Shettima.                                                                .....Seeks Gates Foundation Support To Enhance Agricultural Sector.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has identified education and skills development as panacea for addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria. 

He stated this Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led by the President of its Global Growth & Opportunity Division, Mr Rodger Voorhies, at the Presidential Villa. 

Sen. Shettima underscored the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and the urgent need to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to ensure food security for Nigeria's growing population.

Accordingly, the Vice President urged the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to forge a strategic partnership with the Nigerian government to enhance agricultural productivity, improve nutrition and strengthen the education sector.

He also charged the Foundation to support President Bola Tinubu’s gender empowerment initiatives, noting that the programmes which are focused on the girl child are critical to Nigeria’s drive to alleviate poverty.

Vice President Shettima expressed his appreciation for the foundation's significant contributions to Nigeria, particularly in the areas of polio eradication and primary healthcare delivery.

Highlighting the need for the foundation’s continued support in the Nigerian agricultural sector, the VP said, "We are investing heavily in agricultural innovation and best agricultural practices to enhance productivity. However, we need the expertise and resources of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate our progress."

EKSIEC Trains Staff Ahead Of Next Month's December Council Poll in Ekiti.

EKSIEC Trains Staff Ahead Of Next Month's December Council Poll in Ekiti.

A two-day training of the staff of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) is underway in Ado-Ekiti as part of preparations for the December 2, 2023 Council Poll in the state.

The theme of workshop is, "Towards the conduct of a free, fair and credible Local Government Election in Ekiti State". 

Declaring open the workshop, the Chairman, Ekiti State Civil Service Commission, Sir Bunmi Famosaya who was represented, described its theme as very apt, timely and could not have come at a better time than now when the nation is seriously yearning for free, fair and credible elections.

Famosaya highlighted some of the challenges facing credible elections in the country and enjoined EKSIEC to conduct next month's council poll with a very high sense of responsibility and in accordance with the electoral rules; thereby engendering peace and progress. 

In his opening remarks, EKSIEC Chairman, Justice Cornelius Akintayo rtd admonished participants which include, Electoral Officers EOs and Assistant Electoral Officers AEOs to make the best of use of the training.

According to him, their professionalism on election day is crucial to the success of the election and therefore urged them to be attentive to experts who are the resource persons as their trainers.

Akintayo announced that the training of the Ad Hoc staff to work with the EOs and AEOs on election day has been scheduled to hold after the two - day workshop.

EKSIEC Commissioners and other management staff of the commission also attended the workshop.

Papers presented on Day 1 are, Critical stakeholders and their roles in the conduct of Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas Election in Ekiti State; Operational Procedures for the conduct of LGAs & LCDAs election in Ekiti State and Professional Ethics and Conduct of Electoral Officials.

Permanent Secretary Emphasizes Prudence and Accountability through Central Audit Management.

Permanent Secretary Emphasizes Prudence and Accountability through Central Audit Management.

In a significant move towards reinforcing financial accountability and prudency in the Local Government System, Mrs. Titilayo Toba-Ojo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, has charged the Audit Management Committee of the Central Internal Audit Department. Mrs. Toba-Ojo expressed delight in the establishment of the department, emphasizing the pivotal role of financial records and reporting in ensuring accountability and prudency within the Local Government System.

Mrs. Toba-Ojo urged the officers in the department to ensure that data generated for audit-related matters are reliable and meet both local and global standards, including IPSAS, National Chart of Accounts, the Procurement Law, and various other financial instructions.

In response, Mr. Femi Olowolade, the Head of Local Government Administration, Central Internal Audit (CIA), briefed the Committee on the roles of the CIA in streamlining financial records and reporting processes in the Local Government System. Mr. Olowolade sought the support of the Audit Management Committee to achieve the noble objectives of the department.

The Committee's statutory members, including Executive Secretaries in the local government service—Mr. Rotimi Akomolede, Mr. Abiodun Adelupo, Mr. Foluso Akinwumi, Mr. Taiwo Adeojo, Mr. Ganiyu Bello, Mr. Yinka Borisade, and Dr. Kayode Abegunde, Director of Audit—were present at the event.

NDIS6: Nigerian Diaspora To Access About N50Million Housing Loan.

NDIS6: Nigerian Diaspora To Access About N50Million Housing Loan.

As the 6th edition of  Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), opens in Abuja, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, has launched the Diaspora Housing Scheme with a promise for Diasporas access up to N50 Million Naira loan for mortgage with an interest rate of 6.9%, to be paid over a period of 10 years.

The Minister who initiated the scheme while serving as the MD/CEO of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria described his position as a positive twist of fate.

Dangiwa also added that the Mortgage scheme is set to be formally launched in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States soon, while calling on the Diaspora community to take full advantage of this opportunity and massively subscribe to reap its short and long-term benefits.

“I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians in the Diaspora to take advantage of this Scheme which allows them to actualize their dreams of owning affordable homes in Nigeria”, he said.

The Minister assured the Diaspora of his commitment to protect their investments in the sector and his tenure will ensure that relevant incentives are provided as he will willingly support Diaspora initiatives.

Dangiwa also encouraged the Diaspora to prioritize the Diaspora City Project which is in collaboration with NiDCOM, FHA, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and even the Private Sector.

“This city will accommodate Bungalows, Semi-bungalows, Terrace, mansions and other infrastructures for the convenience of the Diaspora “, he explained.

NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa explained that the scheme has been in the heart of the Commission and will do all it takes to actualize this mandate hence the launch.

The theme of the 2023 hybrid summit is, ‘ *New Vistas, New Aspirations, New Opportunities: The Diaspora and National Development’.

Gov. Oyebanji Congratulates Ex- Governor Fayose At 63.

Gov. Oyebanji Congratulates Ex- Governor Fayose At 63.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated a former Governor of the State, Mr Ayodele Fayose on his 63rd birthday, describing the former Governor as a courageous leader who is loved and admired for his mastery of grassroots politics. 

The Governor, in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described Fayose as a patriotic Ekiti leader who defied partisan borders and embraced statesmanship in his sundry contributions to the development of the State.

Oyebanji described the former Governor as a leader who has an undying passion for Ekiti development as evident in some of the projects he executed during his tenure as Governor of the State. 

While describing Fayose as a thoroughbred politician, who connects easily with the people, Governor Oyebanji said the former Governor is also well respected for always speaking truth to power. 

Oyebanji said Fayose exudes the virtues of valiance, courage and resilience for which Ekiti people are well regarded.

“ We celebrate a distinguished leader, former Governor Fayose today and remain thankful for his undying love for our dear state as well as his support for this administration. Evidently Governor Fayose has chosen Ekiti development over and above partisan interest and we celebrate him for this statesmanship. 

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ekiti State, I congratulate this illustrious son of Land of Honour on his 63rd birthday and pray that the Almighty God grant him many years in good health and undiluted joy.”, Oyebanji said.

VP Shettima re-affirms Tinubu’s commitment to citizen’s welfare as committee submits report on flood response harmonisation.

VP Shettima re-affirms Tinubu’s commitment to citizen’s welfare as committee submits report on flood response harmonisation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration’s focus on improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians living in the most vulnerable communities in the country.

He spoke on Tuesday when the Presidential Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness and Response submitted a comprehensive report to him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The committee’s report outlines a roadmap for improving the country’s flood response and preparedness.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, in a statement said the report is based on the findings of three previous and ongoing assignments, including the National Economic Council Ad hoc Committee Report on Flood (ongoing), the National Flood Emergency, Preparedness and Response Plan (2022), and the Report of the Presidential Committee on Development of Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria (2022).

At the formal presentation of the committee’s report, the Vice President gave a definite position to speculations about the reality or otherwise of the impact of climate change in Nigeria.

He said, “Climate change is real and the existential threat it poses is glaring at us every day, from the extreme events being witnessed across the globe to the devastating climate facing Africa. Africa is disproportionately impacted and bringing it home to Nigeria, we have been witnessing drought, flood, etc. The saying on the climate crisis is that it is either too much (floods), too little (drought) or too polluted.

“We are all gathered to find a solution for the “too much” scenario that is flooding. Flood events have, in the past, affected communities with devastating impacts on livelihoods, people and the environment with loss of lives witnessed in some cases such as the last flood witnessed in 2022″.

Describing the report as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, VP Shettima stated categorically that the Tinubu administration is focused on improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.

The Vice President noted that in drafting the report, the committee was guided by science and forecasts from agencies such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

The report, according to him, identifies vulnerable communities prone to flooding and presents a roadmap with recommendations to address the issue.

Commending the committee for its hard work and dedication, Sen. Shettima said, “I would like to start by thanking this Committee for the hard work, commitment and dedication put in to develop the report.

“I particularly thank everyone for the time put in to deliver this assignment within the 7 days that I directed when we first met at this very chamber, which meant you all had to work through the weekend. The mandate was clear and it was delivered.”

The VP also directed the committee to present the report to the National Economic Council (NEC) for further deliberations and possible ascension by the council.

Earlier in his presentation, Prof. Emmanuel Adanu, the Director General of the National Water Resources Institute, a member of the Presidential Committee and Chairman of the Technical Working Group spoke about the major causes of flooding in Nigeria and the strategies for mitigating its impact.

He said the ultimate objective of the work of the committee is “to protect the nation from the devastating impacts of floods, safeguarding human lives and property while promoting the sustainable conservation and enhancement of water-related ecosystems.”

Prof. Adanu, however, noted that beyond the efforts of stakeholders in the public and private sectors, individuals and communities are required to pay attention to issues relating to drainage maintenance and healthy environmental practices.