Kaduna accidental bombing deeply regrettable – Tinubu.

Kaduna accidental bombing deeply regrettable – Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the accidental bombing that occurred at Tudun Biri community in Kaduna state. The president described the incident as deeply regrettable.

He also sent a delegation led by the Minister of Defence for State, Bello Matawalle to the state to condole with the government and citizens of the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau on Tuesday night.

It read, “In response to the regrettable incident at Tudun Biri community in Kaduna state, President Bola Tinubu, has swiftly dispatched a high-level delegation to convey heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kaduna.

“Led by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, the delegation met with Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, members of Kaduna state security committee, and religious leaders to express solidarity and empathy during this challenging time.”

While reassuring the Federal Government’s resolve to prevent such incidents in the future, he said a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.

” Matawalle emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the facts surrounding the incident. He assured the public that the findings would be transparently communicated, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to preventing future occurrences. The Minister appealed for cooperation, calm, and continued support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“Matawalle extended prayers for the souls of the departed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He urged religious leaders to enlighten their followers, emphasizing that the incident was an operational error deeply regretted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which remains unwavering in its mandate to secure every part of the country, ” the statement added.

In response, Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the prompt delegation visit.

She highlighted the state government’s continuous engagement with the affected community and religious leaders to maintain peace and mitigate tensions.

The delegation also visited the Kaduna Nursing Home to extend well wishes to the wounded.

Among the delegation were Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence; General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, and other distinguished members

I have no regret appointing PLWDs, says Kwara Gov.

I have no regret appointing PLWDs, says Kwara Gov. 

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday, explained why he appointed persons living with disabilities into positions of authority in his administration.

He said he deliberately made such appointments to allow persons living with disabilities to lend their voice to issues of governance.

He said he has no regret taking the decision.

The governor spoke during the celebration of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Ilorin, the state capital.

The governor in June appointed two PWDs as Permanent Secretaries.

Represented by the Senior Adviser and Counselor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, the governor recalled how he held the budget meeting with the management of ministries, departments and agencies at the School For Special Needs, Ilorin at the inception of his administration.

He said that singular action has enabled his administration to fix many of the facilities in the school to cater for the conducive learning of, “our wonderful special students.”

“Let me remind you that at the beginning of this administration, I noticed that society often dissociates with special needs people. I purposely took the budget meeting with the management of all MDAs to the School for Special Needs to make everyone realise the challenges you are facing.

“We desire to recognise your contributions to national development and to give hope to all of us that there is no limit to the height we can attain in the society irrespective of our peculiarities,” the governor said.

AbdulRazaq who assured persons living with disabilities of the willingness of his administration to always accommodate their needs within the available resources, described the theme of the event, “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for persons with disabilities” as very apt.

“You will recall that one of you was appointed into this government to represent you in our administration. We have also appointed persons with special needs to senior roles in the civil service. This speaks to the fact that this administration is inclusive; it’s to allow you to lend your voice to issues of governance. I have no regret over this important decision.

“I want to use this occasion to reiterate that our administration is always operating an open-door policy to incorporate people of different categories without discrimination. You are highly esteemed by the government and I will be willing to accommodate your needs within the resources available to us'” the governor said.

In her remarks, the director of the Human Rights Commission, Barrister Olaoye Jumoke, emphasised that human dignity, whether disabled or abled should be respected and individual rights should be protected.

She reiterated the readiness of the commission to always come to the aid of the people living with disabilities whenever their right is infringed upon.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Comrade Yusuf Bashir, thanked President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq for their support for the PLWD.

He specifically thanked President Tinubu for appointing one of them as a Special Adviser and Governor AbdulRazaq for seeing to their wellbeing as well as appointing some of them into public offices and the state civil service.

ASUU laments mass resignations in public varsities.

ASUU laments mass resignations in public varsities.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, on Tuesday, raised the alarm that most departments and units in Nigeria’s public universities were short-staffed due to the resignation of lecturers in search of greener pastures.

The Chairman of the University of Ibadan Chapter of ASUU, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, who disclosed this in Ibadan, Oyo State, said Nigeria’s public universities were in very pitiable conditions with stress and frustration visible in the faces of poorly-remunerated lecturers.

He said, “Except President Bola Tinubu arrests the situation by reviewing the conditions of service in terms and salaries, allowances, and infrastructure, many good hands will continue to resign and leave the country. Unfortunately, the same government that is not funding education has a National Assembly proposing to establish 32 more universities.”

The chairman said poor and delayed salaries, unpaid allowances, poor infrastructure, lack of respect for the academic community, and the seeming dwindling hope are some of the factors responsible for the resignation of lecturers in the past few months.

Akinwole suggested that establishing more universities will not solve the problem, but rather improve the capacity of existing universities to be able to admit more students.

“The union has received reports on how colleagues resign on a monthly basis because of the way lecturers are treated and poorly remunerated in Nigeria. Universities around the world are poaching more quality hands, and if not halted by the government, through intentional reviewing of upward conditions of service, it will be difficult to retain the best hands.

“Vice Chancellors can not single-handedly employ to replace staff as urgent as it is needed again. They have to contact Abuja for approval, which may take six months to a year, if not more, before they get approval. By this time, the best candidate has gone to a more serious country that respects quality. Sadly, people from higher up there from the Ministry of Education to legislators themselves want to dictate who the universities should employ,” the don said

Gratitude in Action: Ifedara LCDA Chairman-elect, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence, Honours Ekiti Dignitaries and Gains Insights on Promise Fulfillment.

Gratitude in Action: Ifedara LCDA Chairman-elect, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence, Honours Ekiti Dignitaries and Gains Insights on Promise Fulfillment.                                                                   By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a series of thankful gestures, Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday, Chairman-elect of Ifedara LCDA, embarked on a gratitude-filled day, expressing appreciation to key figures in Ekiti State.

First on his list was a thank-you visit to Rt Hon Hakeem Jamiu, Member of EKHA representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency II. During the visit, Hon. Lawrence conveyed his gratitude for the unwavering support received during the local government elections.

Continuing his expressions of gratitude, the Chairman-elect visited Rt Honorable Kanronwi Oladapo, Ekiti State Commissioner for Town Planning. The Commissioner was acknowledged for his role in community planning and development, with Hon. Lawrence emphasizing his commitment to collaborate for the progress of Ifedara LCDA.

On the same day, Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence extended his appreciation to the State Chairman of APC, Barr. Paul Omotosho. The Ifedara LCDA Chairman-elect expressed gratitude for the party's support, highlighting the crucial role played by APC in his electoral success.

Notably, Hon. Lawrence didn't reserve his gratitude solely for political figures but also extended it to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Information, Rt. Hon. Chief Olatunbosun Taiwo Franklin. The visit to Chief Olatunbosun's office was marked by expressions of thanks for the role of information dissemination in governance.

During these encounters, the dignitaries offered words of advice and encouragement to Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence. They emphasized the importance of fulfilling campaign promises, upholding transparency, and ensuring accountability in his administration. The collective sentiment conveyed was one of belief in Hon. Lawrence's capabilities to lead Ifedara LCDA to new heights of development.

As the Chairman-elect wrapped up his day filled with gratitude, the echoes of well-wishes and assurances of support reverberated, creating an optimistic outlook for Ifedara LCDA under his leadership. The people of Ifedara LCDA eagerly anticipate the positive impact of their newly elected leader, Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence.

Earlier, Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence extended gratitude appreciation to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and commended his developmental projects across Ekiti State. He also praised the governor for supporting the less privileged, handicap, and elderly citizens of the state. Likewise, he praised the overwhelming contribution towards good governance and uplifting the education sector in the state.

Oyebanji to Inject N1bn into Ekiti Cooperative Societies.

Oyebanji to Inject N1bn into Ekiti Cooperative Societies.                                                               ......Warns against loan default.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged to inject a staggering sum one billion naira to strengthen cooperative societies in the state for better operations and radical  economic prosperity. 

Governor Oyebanji disclosed the readiness of his Government to release a sum of N500 million, while same amount  will be sourced from an interested financial institution in order to raise the benchmark to a billion naira thereby  fortifying the operations of cooperative societies.

In Pic: His Excellency,  Governor Biodun Oyebanji At The Occasion. 

As a way of making lives better for civil servants, Oyebanji said  that his government will soon reach a robust conclusion with the leaders of Organised Labour on the implementation of a new  Living Wage for all State  Civil Servants in the state .

The Governor stated these on Tuesday, at a ceremony marking the  2023 Cooperatives' Day, held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Addressing various cooperative societies, whose members were adorned in colourful Aso, Oyebanji promised to involve the cooperators in the running of all government's economic activities to promote investments in Ekiti.

In Pic: Gov Biodun Oyebanji Receiving warming welcome from civil servants. 

At the occasion, Oyebanji assured the civil servants of regular payment of salary deductions to strengthen and ensure a hitch-free running of all cooperative societies in the civil service. 

"You sent me a job with your votes in 2022, and part of the job is to make lives better for you. Cooperative societies are good and strategic  for economic prosperity. In advanced nations like India and China, they are the ones that are helping the government, trade and economy to move forward.

"We will do what we are expected to do to make your societies functional. But before we can do it, there are things we must do. When I head-hunted the Commissioner for industry, Trade and Investment from Dublin, I told her to help our cooperative societies, traders and artisans to develop. 

"We have reached out to financial institutions for partnership, but they locked their doors against us because our people were indebted to them. Because of this, many have not been able to access loans in banks.

"By January, we will look for N500 million to inject into our cooperate societies. We will add another N500m sourced from the bank to make it N1 billion and this will happen by end of January, when I will distribute cheques to you. Get me correctly, it is bank that will add that N500m, we will look for that bank. 

"But I want to beg of you, let us do the first tranch very zealously by ensuring that we refund the money. Many of us wouldn't have gone to school if not for cooperative. It happened to my parents, they funded my education up to the university level through cooperative money.  

"So, this government will do everything possible to promote you and make you succeed in your businesses and other ventures".

Oyebanji advised Ekiti citizens to patronise those cooperative societies that are under regulation, and with safe investment, warnng the citizens against joining financial groups that impose outrageous interests on loans acquired.

In Pic: Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji Addressing the Cooperative Societies. 

The Governor said he had instructed the Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Akomolafe  to enlist the name of a cooperative  society in the Ministry to coordinate the activities of these societies .

"Let me tell you the civil servants around that your right to a living wage will not be denied you. What distinguished me from others is that, I don't join the multitude. Let me work with the labour unions to arrive at a conclusion on a new wage that will be affordable to all of us . I don't want to rush into conclusion on this issue. I know you deserve a better deal from this government. Just be patient with me, we will get back to you soon".

In her submission at the event, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Mrs Omotayo Adeola, said Government  will continue to involve the cooperaiative societies in all economic and trade activities or state government.

"Look at  countries like China and Indian, they have good cooperative societies. They always received good attentions from government. You are the engine of growth, the engine of development. Every fund made available by government will go round to all cooperative members. So, let us join hands to build a virile economy for our state and for the good of all".

Rights group commends Ekiti voters for peaceful LG poll, identify grey areas.

Rights group commends Ekiti voters for peaceful LG poll, identify grey areas.              ..….asks FG to assist SIECs with BVAS devices.    ..….Says Ekiti needs more polling units.

The people and government of Ekiti State have been commended for a peaceful Local Government election in the South West State. The election of 38 Chairmen and 177 councilors was held on Saturday.  

The Nigerian Human Rights Community, NIHRCO which monitored the election in 177 wards said the exercise has once again demonstrated the quality of leadership in the State. NIHRCO which is a coalition of 135 civil society and community based groups spread across the country was established in 2003.

It said the election was peaceful, devoid of violence and rigging while the outcome represents the freewill of the voters. 

In Pic: Gov Biodun Oyebanji Abayomi performing his political rights.

The coalition in a statement signed by its officials asked State Governments that are yet to conduct Local Government elections to do so, stressing that local government administration is essential to democracy and development. 

Citizens exercising their political rights captured in group photographs. 

The NIHRCO said a comprehensive report on the election is being put together which will be distributed across democratic institutions at home and abroad on lessons learnt and the challenges.

‘The Local Government election was not perfect, but it represented a remarkable achievement in building sustainable democratic culture in Nigeria’ the group said in a statement signed by its Programme Officers, Mr Taiwo Adeleye and Fredrick Ojinika. The group called on the National Assembly to create special intervention funds to assist State Electoral Commission to meet democratic obligations in line with the fiscal support given by the Federal Government to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

The group commended the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC for early arrival of materials and effective administration of the entire process that had almost zero hitches. ‘The Ekiti Local Government election is a confirmation that states can run their own affairs even better in many respect than the central government’. NHRC said there was no single case of violence. The security was excellent. The materials arrived on time while the voters were orderly and cultured. It said that there was no intimidation of voters while financial inducement was not witnessed by any of our observers.

The coalition however said the turnout was above national average but not in line with global expectations. It said monitors observed that the opposition parties were non-challant towards the election adding that those interviewed argued that the leading opposition parties did not show keen interest in the election build up neither did they campaign during the run up to the Saturday election indicating that the opposition in the state has been weakened compared with the situation in the past. It also said that Ekiti needs more polling units given the growing population and the increasing number of new settlements observed during the election which were not hitherto covered either by INEC or SEIC.

The coalition said monitoring local government elections is as important as observing National elections adding that there is always the need for a third party opinion so that the content of the elections and its impact on the future of democracy in Nigeria will be better appreciated.

‘At this time that Nigeria faces internal threats to democracy and growing concerns about of public trust, it is important to deepen democracy and strengthen governance at the grassroots. This is exactly what has happened in Ekiti State’ NIHRCO said urging other state governments that have not conducted local government elections to do so The rights groups however pointed out certain challenges that it said should be urgently addressed in future local government elections.

"The National Assembly and the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC needs to work with the State Independent Electoral Commission, SEIC to ensure that Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, (BVAS) are deployed in local elections adding that National elections are as important as Local Government elections

The group said using BVAS for National Elections is good but that the same technology should be used in Local Government elections which may require special funds for SIECs to enable the institution develop the technology that will broaden popular participation, ensure real time transmission of results taking local government elections into a higher level 

NIHRCO said the election had its own strength, opportunities and shortcomings that should be addressed to deepen democracy and people's representation at the grassroots.

"We commend what appears to be the high moral ground of the Governor of the State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who earlier embarked on a non-violence campaign across the state, using the extensive media space ahead of the Local Government election." The coalition said deliberate policy of non-violence by state actors is essential for sustainable development.

The group said Nigerian should be encouraged to show interest in Local Government elections adding that if Nigeria gets it right at the local government level, it will be easier to conduct credible elections at the National level.

Gov Oyebanji's Impact: 24-Hour Electricity Coming to Oba Adejugbe Hospital, EKSUTH, and Specialist Hospital Ikole.

Gov Oyebanji's Impact: 24-Hour Electricity Coming to Oba Adejugbe Hospital, EKSUTH, and Specialist Hospital Ikole.

In a remarkable stride towards improving infrastructure and uplifting the lives of citizens, Governor Oyebanji's administration in Ekiti State is making waves with its commitment to reliable power supply. The governor's proactive approach to fulfilling campaign promises is evident, and recent developments highlight the significant progress being made.

The transformation is especially notable in the enhancement of electricity across various communities in Ekiti. Governor Oyebanji's efforts have led to a substantial improvement in power supply to towns and communities such as Ekiti East, Ijan, Iluomooba, Aisegba, Ikogosi, Erijiyan, parts of Ado Ekiti, Imesi, and more. The commissioning of the Independent Power Plant stands as a testament to this commitment, ensuring a consistent power supply to key government institutions like EKSU.

Presently, the installation of 50KVA solar inverters has commenced in Oba Adejugbe Hospital, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, and State Specialist Hospital Ikole Ekiti. This development is poised to bring 24-hour electricity to these health facilities, significantly impacting continuous service delivery.

The initiative is part of projects assisted by the World Bank and Rural Electrification Agency (REA), initially slowed by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic but reinvigorated and reactivated through Governor Oyebanji's proactive intervention in December 2022.

Each solar inverter in the hospitals comes equipped with an 80KVA generator to address any power deficiencies, ensuring uninterrupted service in these critical health facilities.

As these projects near completion, Ekiti State is on the verge of a new era in power supply, promising improved healthcare services for the benefit of all residents.