Empower Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor, APC leaders insist.

Empower Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor, APC leaders insist.

Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have insisted that the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa should be empowered as Acting Governor in line with constitutional provisions.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday asked the status quo be maintained and Aiyedatiwa resume office as Deputy Governor.

But the Ondo APC Progressives stakeholders, at a meeting in Akure, said the prolonged absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has crippled. economy of the State.

A statement at the meeting and signed by its Chairman Hon. Afe Olowookere and Secretary Hon. Raman Rotimi, called on the House of Assembly to empower Aiyedatiwa to function as the Acting Governor.

The statement resolved that party supremacy must be entrenched to facilitate inclusion and mutual respect.

It said: “All inclusive developmental agenda for socio- economic, industrial and cultural rebirth that will put the State in its rightful place should be designed by all parties and stakeholders to provide quality, sustainable economic and industrial development for the people

“That, APC party members should be allowed to participate and determine those to be appointed or elected into political and party offices

“Elders and Leaders of the party must be recognized and given their pride of place in the party, rather than being neglected and ostracised by the party.

“The system of writing names of party executives and candidates without due process will be objected and resisted with all political and legal means possible.”

Ekiti State Governor Joins Chief Wole Olanipekun in Scholarship and Empowerment Drive.

Ekiti State Governor Joins Chief Wole Olanipekun in Scholarship and Empowerment Drive.                                                                                    By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi.

In a remarkable display of commitment to education and community empowerment, Ekiti State Governor, H.E Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, joined forces with legal luminary Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) at the annual Wole Olanipekun Foundation (WOF) Scholarship Scheme/Youth Empowerment/Aged Widows Support Program.

The event unfolded at Iyaniwura House, GRA, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, drawing attention as a pivotal initiative in fostering education, empowering youth, and supporting aged widows.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, a legal luminary of great repute, spearheaded the event, reaffirming his commitment to societal development through educational support and community empowerment. The scholarship scheme, a core element of the foundation's activities, aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and promote educational advancement.

Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, recognizing the importance of such initiatives, actively participated in the ceremony, underscoring the collaborative efforts required for the progress and well-being of the community. His presence highlighted the government's endorsement and support for endeavors that prioritize education, youth empowerment, and the welfare of aged widows.

The event witnessed the distribution of scholarships, empowerment resources, and support to students, youth, and aged widows. This holistic approach addressed various aspects of community development, fostering an environment where education is accessible, and individuals, irrespective of age, are empowered to contribute meaningfully to society.

The Wole Olanipekun Foundation's commitment to social responsibility and community upliftment received a significant boost with the Governor's active involvement. The collaborative efforts of Chief Wole Olanipekun and Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji underscored the collective responsibility in shaping a brighter and more empowered future for Ekiti State.

As the news of this impactful event trends, it resonates as a testament to the importance of collaboration between public figures and private institutions in driving positive change within communities. The synergy displayed by Chief Wole Olanipekun and Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji exemplifies a shared vision for a better, more educated, and empowered society.

NAF’s strikes eliminate key Boko Haram figure, several others in Borno.

NAF’s strikes eliminate key Boko Haram figure, several others in Borno.

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated a key Boko Haram terrorist leader, Abu Asad and several others in air strikes on their hideout at Tagoshe on Mandara Mountains in Borno.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the air strikes which was conducted on Friday, was one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai in recent time.

He said the NAF discovered a massing of terrorists in an isolated location consisting of three zinced structures amid several trees.

He added that it was evident from the footage that the terrorists were massing up at the location for either a well-planned meeting or preparing for a major attack on troops.

According to him, over 100 heavily armed terrorists were observed throwing banters and moving randomly around the structures which also had four troop carriers.

“The aftermath of the air strike revealed that two out of the three structures, as well as the entire troop carriers were destroyed.

“There are also indications that Abu Asad, a key figure in the Ali Ngulde group under Boko Haram, as well as other terrorists like Ibrahim Nakeeb, Mujaheed Dimtu, Mustafa Munzir and several fighters were among the several terrorists eliminated in the air strike,” he said.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the Air Component Commander and his men for the feet.

Abubakar urged them to continue to synergise with the Land Component while maintaining the momentum in keeping the terrorists on their toes.

He said they must continue to justify the trust and confidence the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria have in them.

“You must ensure that we go all out in making life unbearable for these terrorists and criminals until they surrender or are completely eliminated,” he said. (NAN)

Ekiti First Ring Road Project, Game Changer in My Devt Plan, Says Oyebanji.

Ekiti First Ring Road Project, Game Changer in My Devt Plan, Says Oyebanji.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday flagged off the construction of the first Ring Road Project in the state, saying the project when completed will change the face of development and traffic management  in the state.

Oyebanji stated this in Iworoko Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, while flagging off the construction of Ado Ekiti  Ring Road Phase 1.

Describing the project as first of its kind in State Policy thrust , Oyebanji revealed that the road, which will link Iworoko to the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti and the Ekiti knowledge zone, will traverse  Iworoko, Are, Afao, Araromi Obo, Igbogun and terminate at Aso Ayegunle and Ijan Ekiti area.

Explaining the importance of the road, the Governor, said the concept will help in decongesting Ado Ekiti metropolis  that is daily being jam-packed with heavy trucks plying Lagos- Ibadan-Ado- Lokoja Abuja Highway, thereby causing traffic snarl and constituting a serious agony to commuters.

"This project when completed will put an end to a long time of pain being witnessed on some strategic roads in our state. This is a testament to the gains of continuity. It was first awarded by Governor Kayode Fayemi, but the contractor could not mobilise to site due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. 

"But the project was made possible today because the electorate voted for our party, so this is a beauty of continuity. If we have been doing this, we would have gone beyond this level . Any state where you witness development, it means they have a government that has the privilege of serving back- to- back and  enjoy the opportunity of sustaining their policies like they are doing in Lagos .

"This road will enhance trade and commerce ,promote tourism and facilitate easy movement of agricultural products.It is a game changer, so the contractor needs your support. I know that our people are hospitable. 

"I appeal to you to join hands with the contractor to deliver quality job. Don't disturb them, this could stop them from finishing on time. The beauty of it is that in my discussion with Craneburg Company leadership, they assured that labour will be sourced locally and whoever that is employed as a worker should be ready to work.

"The local Contents bill is in the State House of Assembly and when passed into law will mandate all contractors to source their labour locally. 

Oyebanji further revealed the proposition of his government to acquire vast portion of lands at the Ekiti State Cargo Airport area to execute suburban development plan that will create a prototype of Ado Ekiti town to attract investors to the state.  

Speaking about the centrality of the project, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Sola Adebayo, said with the ring road,  there is no reason for commuters to pass through Ado Ekiti before reaching some destinations in the state. This, he said, will reduce the persistent agony of traffic logjam in the state capital.

Adebayo stated that the government considered the project  a priority because it will service the Cargo Airport, Ekiti knowledge Zone and tertiary institutions  like the Federal Polytechnic and Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti. 

"This  will bring a significant transformation to the development of the state and it is a symbol that Governor Oyebanji places priority on the people  by way of reducing traffic hold up to the bearest minimal.

"Let me restate that this government is committed to transparency and accountability in the award of projects and this shall be strictly followed in the execution of this project.  We will ensure that quality job is delivered  and compliance to standard is followed".

The General Manager, Corporate Services, Craneburg Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, Mr. Elie Adem, exuded confidence  that it won't betray the trust reposed in the company's expertise and technical know- how in delivering the best for the state.

Adem appealed to the state government and communities where the road would touch to support the company to deliver in record time.

Saluting the industry and thoughtfulness of Governor Oyebanji for the choice of the site, the  Grand Patron, Iworoko Progressive Union, Chief Julius Ajayi, disclosed that the project will  attract huge commerce and industry to the axis and the entire state in general .

President Tinubu Resolves Ondo State Political Crisis.⁣

President Tinubu Resolves Ondo State Political Crisis.⁣                                                                  ..⁣.....Opposing Factions Vow to Uphold Peace, Maintain Status Quo.

In his bid to restore political stability in Ondo State, President Bola Tinubu, late on Friday, waded into the months-long crisis between factions loyal to the Executive Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.⁣

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This followed marathon negotiations between the President and the Deputy Governor, representatives of Governor Akeredolu, federal and state lawmakers of Ondo, officials of the state’s chapter of the All Progressives' Congress, and other stakeholders in the state at the State House, Abuja.⁣

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The President advised all opposing parties to bury the hatchet and embrace peace, eliciting commitments to this effect. ⁣

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This means that Governor Akeredolu remains Chief Executive of the State, Aiyedatiwa remains Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council continue their respective duties, even as the leadership of the State’s House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State is preserved.⁣

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Mr. Aiyedatiwa, who declared his decision to maintain the status quo and unite all the factions, said: “I want to say that I pledge to all of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind all that has happened before now. I’ve let go and also let God, just as the President has advised us.⁣

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“And I want to say that with no offence, no guile in my mind whatsoever. All that has happened is politics. Impeachment is part of politics. If you survive it, it is also politics. It has come. I’ve survived it, and every other thing is in the past. ⁣

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“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family and with the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken and in everything that we do, we will work together; the executive and the legislature will work together to ensure that governance is on the right track."

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He pleaded with all members of the State Executive Council to rally around the Governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State. ⁣

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“All the Executive Council members, I want to plead with all of you to cooperate with me, with the Governor, so that we can bring the dividend of democracy to our people.⁣

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“We should respect one another regarding the offices we occupy and our age differences. So, it’s going to be mutual respect. ⁣

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“And I want to assure the party structure that we will work together because the party is supreme. We will always give you your due respect,” the Ondo State Deputy Governor pledged. ⁣

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The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, who read the details of the resolution, said, “Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace. Secondly, there would be no more dissolution of the cabinet, and the Deputy Governor would maintain the status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned. 

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“We will maintain the status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain the status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.” ⁣

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On her part, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, stated, “Our Father, the President, has taken the trouble to settle our rancour in Ondo State. We owe you all the gratitude, Sir. We will not disappoint you. We have taken every word you said. And we are going home as one united family under the party, APC.” ⁣

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In his remarks, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, expressed delight at the outcome of Friday’s late night deliberations, affirming that the party will remain a watchdog to ensure that the new commitments are adhered to. ⁣

“Today is my happiest moment. And I know sanity has come to Ondo State. So, on behalf of the teeming supporters of our party in the state, we appreciate our leader, Mr. President.⁣

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“PDP has crumbled in the state; virtually, they decamp every day. The only problem we have is the one you have solved for us today. And that problem has been resolved permanently,” Adetimehin stated. ⁣

Service sector lifts Nigeria’s GDP by 2.54 percent in Q3 2023.

Service sector lifts Nigeria’s GDP by 2.54 percent in Q3 2023.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.54 percent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023. 

The growth rate according to the NBS is higher than the 2.25 percent recorded in the same quarter last year and higher than the second quarter 2023 growth of 2.51 percent.

NBS disclosed this in its GDP report for Q3, released yesterday. The bureau said the growth rate was driven by the services sector.

“The performance of the GDP in the third quarter of 2023 was driven mainly by the Services sector, which recorded a growth of 3.99% and contributed 52.70% to the aggregate GDP,” NBS said.

“The agriculture sector grew by 1.30%, from the growth of 1.34% recorded in the third quarter of 2022. The growth of the industry sector was 0.46%, an improvement from -8.00% recorded in the third quarter of 2022.

“In terms of share of the GDP, agriculture, and the industry sectors contributed less to the aggregate GDP in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.”

According to the NBS, the nominal GDP for Q3 2023 stood at N60.66 trillion while the real GDP was N19.44 trillion.

Nominal GDP and real GDP both quantify the total value of all goods produced in a country in a year. However, real GDP is adjusted for inflation, while nominal GDP is not. NBS said: “In the quarter under review, aggregate GDP stood at N60,658,600.37 million in nominal terms.”

“This performance is higher when compared to the third quarter of 2022 which recorded aggregate GDP of N52,255,809.62 million, indicating a year-on-year nominal growth of 16.08%.”

The report also shows that the nation in the third quarter of 2023 recorded an average daily oil production of 1.45 million barrels per day (mbpd), higher than the daily average production of 1.20mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2022 by 0.25mbpd and higher than the second quarter of 2023 production volume of 1.22 mbpd by 0.23mbpd.

“The real growth of the oil sector was –0.85% (year-on-year) in Q3 2023, indicating an increase of 21.83% points relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022 (-22.67%),” the report said.

“Growth also increased by 12.58% points when compared to Q2 2023 which was –13.43%.

“On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the oil sector recorded a growth rate of 12.47% in Q3 2023. The Oil sector contributed 5.48% to the total real GDP in Q3 2023, down from the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2022 and up from the preceding quarter, where it contributed 5.66% and 5.34% respectively.”

The NBS report said the non-oil sector grew by 2.75 percent in real terms during the reference quarter (Q3 2023).

This rate was lower by 1.52 percent points compared to the rate recorded in the same quarter of 2022 and 0.84 percent points lower than the second quarter of 2023.

“This sector was driven in the third quarter of 2023 mainly by Information and Communication (Telecommunication); Financial and Insurance (Financial Institutions); Agriculture (Crop production); Trade; Construction; and Real Estate, accounting for positive GDP growth,” the bureau said.

“In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 94.52% to the nation’s GDP in the third quarter of 2023.”

NBS said this is higher than the share recorded in the third quarter of 2022 which was 94.34 percent and lower than the 94.66 percent recorded in the second quarter of 2023.

NOA mobilizes electricity consumers for NERC complaint resolution meeting.

NOA mobilizes electricity consumers for NERC complaint resolution meeting.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State Chapter has mobilized electricity consumers in Ikeja and its environ to attend a customer complaint resolution meeting organized by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Lagos.

NOA, during a road walk to sensitise and mobilise electricity consumers in the area, enjoined them to seize the opportunity to lay before the commission the challenges they face.

Dr. Mustafa Adedeji Tukur, Acting State Director NOA, who was represented by Oyeyemisi Ogunaike, Deputy Director, Special Duties and Local Government Affairs, while speaking during the walk commended the NERC for organizing the programme, stating that such would afford consumers the opportunity to meet face to face with the officials to resolve their problems on the spot.

Hajiya Aisha Mahmud, Commissioner, Consumer Affairs Division NERC, in her remarks, said that the objective of the meeting was to meet with consumers face to face, note their challenges, and resolve them promptly especially as it concerns estimated bills and to sensitise the people on their rights as a consumer/customers.

She said that the Commission was working to ensure customers’ satisfaction and protection, while urging the consumers to know their rights so as not to be exploited illegally.

Folake Soetan, CEO/ MD, Ikeja Electric Distribution Company on her part noted that the essence of the meeting was to listen to people’s experiences and complaints and have the opportunity to resolve the issues on the spot or go further to investigate the challenges and improve on their services.

She assured the people of their intention to meter everybody as soon as possible, while she tasks the customers to rate their services and feed them back on how to offer the best service.

Uket Obonga, the National Secretary, Nigeria Electricity Consumers Advocacy Network (NECAN), urged the participants to always stand on their right and do the right thing which is paying for their electricity consumption.

He advised them on the Meter bypass which he said attracts a penalty to offenders when caught.