Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers.

Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers.

Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has flagged off a payment of N1bn as a gratuity to teachers and local government workers who retired in 2011.

Some pensioners who retired in 2012 were paid while those the government termed as distressed benefitted from the N1bn payment.

Governor Akeredolu, who was represented by his special adviser on union matters and special duties, Dare Aragbaiye, said the N1bn was sourced from the October allocation from the federation account.

Akeredolu said the payment of N1bn marked gradual defrayment of the backlog of gratuity arrears for retirees of Local Government and Primary school teachers.

The governor said another tranche would soon be paid within the first quarter of next year.

He said his administration has fully paid all outstanding salaries and pensions including allowances for all retirees left by the previous administration.

Akeredolu said: “We want to make sure pensioners in the state do not suffer anymore. We are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals as well as those who engage in cult-related activities in our dear state.

“The state government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources. This is in addition to the provision of funds and other logistical support to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. Our government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Takuro Amidu, said the payment of the gratuity was initiated by Governor Akeredolu by ensuring that some money was saved every month.

He said Governor Akeredolu was poised to take care of senior citizens.

Some of the pensioners said it was suicidal for them to survive 12 years without collecting their gratuities.

Many of them would use a chunk of the money to pay accumulated debts.

Chief Ojo Samuel said it was difficult for him to cope with situations of life after he retired and his gratuity was not paid.

He said: “We thank God we are alive to collect and enjoy our benefit.”

The chairman of pensioners in Ondo state, Johnson Osunyemi, said the payment of N1bn was a reassurance that the governor would do more for them.

He said pensioners have not witnessed such a good gesture in the state.

President Tinubu confirms Adepoju as substantive Comptroller-General of Immigration.

President Tinubu confirms Adepoju as substantive Comptroller-General of Immigration.

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju as the substantive Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), The Nation has learnt.

Adepoju broke the news of her confirmation to the staff of the NIS during the Comptroller General’s Parade on Wednesday, November 29.

She told officers and personnel present at the parade that the date for her decoration would be announced in due course.

She was quoted to have said: “You may also wish to know, that through the grace of God and by the benevolence of the present government, I have been confirmed as a substantive Comptroller General of Immigration.”

As the most senior Deputy Comptroller General (DCG), Mrs Adepoju was appointed the acting CG on May 29, 2023, following the retirement of CG, Isah Idris Jere from the Service.

Meanwhile, Adepoju further announced at the Parade that some members of the top management team who took part in a promotion exam have been elevated to the ranks of Deputy Comptrollers General.

She added that the date of their decoration would be made known as soon as possible.

Adepoju also called on officers to observe a minute of silence in honour of members of the service who died some weeks ago in the line of duty while on their way back to the Headquarters from a trip to Kano. She enjoined them to pray that the Almighty God rest their souls in peace.

The CGI announced that the parade was dedicated to the memory of our fallen colleagues and assured that NIS would continue to support the bereaved families.

She said an Endowment Fund is being created by the Service for the upkeep of the families of the deceased.

Nigerians will enjoy improved power supply soon – Adelabu.

Nigerians will enjoy improved power supply soon – Adelabu.

The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu on Thursday, November 30, said the objective of making the 2023 Electricity Act is to improve energy supply. 

He vowed that the citizenry would soon record improved power supply nationwide.

He spoke at the 3rd edition Workshop of the Power Correspondent Association of Nigeria (PICAN) in Abuja.

The theme of the workshop was: “Resolving Nigeria’s Power Crisis: The Implication of the Electricity Act 2023.”

He said: “Taking all the above into consideration, especially with the liberalization of the sector, Nigerians will soon start to experience the objective that led to the Act which is improved power supply across the country.”

The minister noted that a key part of the 2023 Electricity Act is the development of the Integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan.

He revealed: “On this, we are working with the National Council on Power (NCP) to develop and send the implementation strategy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.”

He revealed that part of the federal government’s in its roadmap, is the emphasis on the bottom-up approach, unlike the top-down approach of the past.

According to him, the implication, with the bottom-up approach is that we will prioritize Metering, Distribution and Transmission infrastructure.

He added that the administration will focus on Customers down to distribution and transmission infrastructure in the short term, this is to ensure that a significant portion of what is generated currently gets to the end users.

Adelabu also said: “We will also pay attention to the generation segment particularly in areas of distributed (embedded) power from renewable energy sources, while at the same time, advancing baseload power through thermal and hydro plants in the medium to long term.

“We will further explore our regional energy potentials. We will focus on solar energy in the North, mini hydro power plants in the Middle belt and the Southwest, hybridized with solar while our coastal States will be identified for wind energy utilization.”

He tasked the media to stress advocacy to emphasise power theft, and vandalization and educate consumers against sabotage.

He also charged them to amplify that the financial liquidity in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is dependent on customers paying for electricity consumed.

He described the theme as quite apt, considering President Bola Tinubu’s avowed desire to provide a regular supply of electricity across the country by liberalizing the power sector through the enactment of the 2023 Electricity Act.

He said the 2023 Electricity Act is a significant part of our country’s energy roadmap as it signifies the present administration’s commitment to the transformation of the power sector as clearly stated in the agenda of Mr President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the Electricity Act has liberalized electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

Adelabu noted that it has also empowered States, Organisations and even individuals to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. Under this Act, the minister said the state government can issue licenses to private investors to operate power plants and mini-grids, within the States.

He added that private investors can also obtain licenses for generation, transmission, system operations, trading, distribution, and supply.

The Act, according to Adelabu, can also encourage the integration of renewable energy technologies into the existing grid system while licensees are expected to meet renewable energy obligations as stipulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

He added that among others, the Act also introduced mechanisms for incentives for investment in the sector.

He said such incentives include feed-in-tariffs which guarantees a fixed price for renewable energy fed into the grid and tax incentives for investors.

The minister said to ensure a level playing field for all players in the sector and prevent anti-competitive practices, the Act also provides clear guidelines for the licensing, monitoring and supervision of market participants.

He further noted that the Act guarantees asset protection by allowing investors to sell or transfer their undertakings in the event of revocation of licenses or compensation in the event of takeover of such undertakings.

Adelabu said: “Therefore when we consider the totality of the re-enacted Electricity Act, it has changed the entire landscape of the power sector.

“What this implies is that everyone involved in the power sector value chain must contribute meaningfully in ensuring the successes that are envisaged by the enactment of the Act.”

 In his remarks, PCAN chairman, Mr Obas Esiedesa, recalled that on November 1, 2013, the federal government handed over the distribution and most generation assets to the private sector, marking the beginning of private investment into the NESI.

According to him, since then, expectations raised by the entrance of private entrepreneurs into the sector have largely remained unmet.

He said that 10 years down the line, the time has come for the Federal Government to take a holistic review of the entire Power sector privatization. 

Esiedesa said what is now expedient is not necessarily taking away the assets from operators, but finding solutions to the huge challenges facing the industry.

Ekiti Government Cautious Residents Against Acts That May Cause Fire Outbreak.

Ekiti Government Cautious Residents Against Acts That May Cause Fire Outbreak.

As the year draws to a close with the attendant dry season, the Ekiti State Government has cautioned residents against acts that may lead to outbreak of fire.

The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, stressed the need for caution especially in the dry season.

Olatunbosun noted that fire outbreaks constitute one of the most rampant calamities during this period of the year as a result of the harmattan which is associated with extremely dry and dusty wind that makes it easy for fire to spread at the slightest ignition.

He noted that a lot of the disasters could have been averted if actions inimical to fire incidents are avoided, adding that activities like indiscriminate bush-burning, careless handling of lighted cigarettes and allied substances, mishandling of explosives, fire-crackers and knockout bangers as well as random storage of inflammable substances such as petroleum products are sure catalysts for fire disasters.

Stressing that the welfare of the people remained top priority of the State Government, Olatunbosun noted that the commitment of Government to the of residents lead to the impressive Nigeria Security Trackers’ (NST) tag as the safest State in Nigeria (2022).

He highlighted Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration’s intervention within one year in office to include repairs of operational pick-up vehicles and firefighting engines at Omuo and Ikole Ekiti, refurbishment of six firefighting vehicles across the State and approval for the renovation of the Ekiti State Fire Service Headquarters in Ado Ekiti.

The Commissioner however described the safety of lives and property as a collective responsibility, adding that residents must be ready to promptly report any untoward action to relevant security agencies for the safety of all.

EKITI LG POLLS: EKSIEC Distributes Election Materials Ahead Of Saturday's Local Government Elections.

EKITI LG POLLS: EKSIEC Distributes Election Materials Ahead Of Saturday's Local Government Elections.

About 48 hours to Saturday's Local Government & Local Council Development Areas Election in Ekiti State, election materials have been distributed by the election umpire - Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC).

The distribution which took place in Ado Ekiti at the premises of EKSIEC was witnessed by the leadership of the political parties participating in the election, election observers and security agents.

Speaking at the occasion, EKSIEC Chairman, Justice Cornelius Akintayo said the materials included both sensitive and non-sensitive and were being despatched early   to ensure timely arrival at all nooks and crannies of the state.

He explained that the materials have been customised in the names of each of the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.

One of the leaders of the political parties who witnessed the distribution, IPAC PRO, Chief Eponlolaye Olufemi, commended the exercise and urged EKSIEC not to renege on its promise of a level playing field to all parties on election day.

Eponlolaye who doubles as the Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) noted that his party would pull a surprise at the election.

The EKSIEC Chairman thereafter conducted the stakeholders round the election materials for them to see that they have not been tampered with.

Justice Akintayo also welcomed a contingent of Mobile Police Squad that arrived at the commission's premises as part of the security agents to maintain law and order during Saturday's election.

Meanwhile, the sensitive and non-sensitive materials have started to move to the various Council and LCDA headquarters via commercial vehicles and each of the vehicles went with armed police escort.

Ekiti State Launches Ambitious SURWASH Program for Water Supply and Sanitation.

Ekiti State Launches Ambitious SURWASH Program for Water Supply and Sanitation.

In a significant stride towards enhancing water supply and sanitation services, the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program has kicked off its physical operations in nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Ekiti State.

This World Bank-assisted initiative is set to transform the lives of communities by constructing 31 boreholes, rehabilitating 21 others, and establishing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in nine schools and three Primary Health Care Centers.

The primary objective of SURWASH is to elevate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services in the state. The ambitious program aims to provide approximately 672,830 people with unhindered access to water supply, declare 55 communities Open Defecation Free (ODF), and offer improved functional sanitation and handwashing facilities to 30,884 households, 221 schools, and healthcare facilities by the program’s conclusion in 2027.

The nine beneficiary Local Government Areas include Ado, Irepodun Ifelodun, Ikole, Ijero, Moba, Ilejemeje, Oye, Ekiti West, and Gbonyin (Ayekire).

Among the initial sites that have witnessed the commencement of operations are Ipole-Iloro Basic Health Center, Itapa Basic Health Center, and Ogunwusi/Jemiriye High School in Igede.

These developments mark a crucial step forward in realizing the SURWASH program’s overarching goals and ushering in a new era of improved water supply, sanitation, and hygiene for the people of Ekiti State.

Olagbaju elected chairperson of Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians.

Olagbaju elected chairperson of Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians.

Right Honourable Bolaji Olagbaju from Ekiti State has been elected as the Chairperson of Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians (CONFEPA).

Olagbaju, who is the Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, was overwhelmingly elected at the conference of the Nigerian Female  Parliamentarians held in Abuja on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Olagbaju, who doubles as the lawmaker representing Ado Ekiti Constituency II in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, was a Senior Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Government before she ran for and was elected as a member of the Ekiti State Parliament.

Olagbaju will take over from former Speaker House of Assembly Edo State. Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ativie and she will serve a four-year tenure as the chairperson of CONFEPA. 

She has promised to make her tenure impactful, saying some of her immediate goals would be to seek for more inclusion of women in Governance in Nigeria and a framework to reactivate the 35 per cent affirmative action in the Nigerian polity. 

The new CONFEPA chairperson also said during her tenure, the female lawmakers would devise legitimate means through which they would fight for the abrogation of laws that infringe on women and girl-child citizens’ rights in Nigeria.