I Will always Protect Pensioners' Rights - Oyebanji.

 I Will always Protect Pensioners' Rights - Oyebanji.                                                             .....Retirees hold prayer session for Governor.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that he is irrevocably committed to fulfilling all his electoral promises to pensioners, who had expended their energies serving the state during their productive years.

The Governor also said that in order to fast-track the state’s development index and shore up Internally Generated Revenue, his government will introduce Land Use Charge in January, 2024 for all developers. The additional revenue, he said would help government undertake more projects across all sectors.

Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, during a special prayer organised for him by the State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), at Jibowu Hall, Government House grounds. 

The prayer session was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habitat Adubiaro and members of the State Executive Council.

Describing pensioners as central to the progress of the state, having served zealously in the past, Oyebanji said: "I will be a bastard if I fail to protect your interest as Governor of the State. As long as we have the resources, all your issues and welfare will be at the front burner.

"How could someone work for that number of years and now can't afford what to eat? This is not good enough. We will continue to attend to your welfare to make lives easier for you".

Governor Oyebanji said he was already working with the Head of Service to ensure a more regular payment of gratuity. “By January, 2024, we will dedicate a fix amount for the payment of your gratuity monthly at both state and local governments. 

"The labour is agitating for wage increase for workers, they also have the right. We will look for ways to balance the two. We have to balance the everything and make sure everybody is happy. 

"I appeal to my people in government to be selfless, we need to be sacrificial, because election has an expiry date. We will still go back to the people, what are we going to tell them if we fail them?".

Expatiating further on the proposed Land Use Charge, Oyebanji, promised that the impending tax would be made affordable to all citizens, and not one that will be considered outrageous and jaw breaking.

"We are going to make it affordable. And I want to assure you that we will use the money for development and when we do this, I know that our people will be motivated to pay".

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ekiti chapter, Mr. Joel Akinola, described the prayer session as the first of its kind that would be organised for a sitting Governor. He described it as another remarkable step in their relationship with Governor Oyebanji. 

Akinola, who stated that Governor Oyebanji's government has been a "God- sent" to Ekiti, described the Governor as a man of integrity, who values pensioners and always keep all his promises. 

"Governor Oyebanji is a politician but he is not behaving like a typical Nigerian politician who always deceive people. We are not here to praise him, but we want to appreciate the grace of God in his life. The pensioners are happy with you and we will always stand with you". 

Akinola appealed to Governor Oyebanji to pay part of the pension and check- off dues arrears to further cushion the effect of the current economic situation on pensioners and to also make name as a governor who values the lives of retirees. 

In their separate exhortations, a man of God, Pastor Kayode Odebode and Sheikh Abdul, applauded Governor Oyebanji for being passionate about the development of the state, particularly his commitment to the welfare of pensioners .

Pastor Odebode, in his sermon entitled : "Integrity and Morality in Humanity", at the spiritual event, a Cleric, Pastor Kayode Odebode, charged Nigerian leaders to always lead with integrity and display humanity to be able to etch their names in the hearts of the populace.

"All our Governor has been doing proved that he is a man of integrity. The Holy Book commanded in the Book of Leviticus that we should take care of the aged and the Governor is doing just that with prompt payments of pension and gratuity. He is a man of his words.

"I appeal to our governor not to drop his integrity and always b a man of his words no matter the situation around you, because whatever we are doing in this world we come to a close one day".

President Tinubu hails Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie On African Players Of The Year Award.

President Tinubu hails Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie On African Players Of The Year Award.

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Nigeria's Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award.

The President also celebrates the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women's Player of The Year for the sixth time, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women's National Team of the Year.

The President commends the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent. 

''Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us. 

''I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers. 

''I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams,'' the President says. 

Tambuwal appoints 64 aides.

Tambuwal appoints 64 aides.

The immediate past governor of Sokoto, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, has approved the appointment of 64 aides across the seven local governments in his constituency.

Tambuwal, who is also Chairman Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, announced the appointment of constituency and local government aides for the Sokoto South Senatorial District in a press statement made available to the newsmen on Monday by his media aide, Muhammad Bello.

Bello said, “This initiative is part of the senator’s effort to empower his constituents and drive the senator’s development agenda.”

The newly appointed aides consist of some of his former commissioners and special advisers while serving as the governor of the state.

Sanwo-Olu seeks framework for effective community policing.

Sanwo-Olu seeks framework for effective community policing.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for the development of a framework that will serve as a guide for effective community policing in the country.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday at a town hall tagged, ‘Community policing: Building a safer Nigeria together,’ organised by the Ministry of Police Affairs at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.

The governor said the framework must foster an understanding of responsibilities and set clear boundaries for every stakeholder involved in community policing.

“Community policing is not a new concept to us as a nation. It has, over the years, been at the centre of conversations on the best strategy to adopt in order to effectively address the challenge of insecurity manifesting in rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism, among others.

“The concept of community policing is receiving wide acceptance because it emphasises the involvement of the citizens who are encouraged to collaborate and partner with the police and other security agencies to secure themselves and their community. In other words, it is a concept that vividly agrees with the often-repeated notion that security is everybody’s business.

“It is, however, very important for us to recognise the need to develop a framework which will serve as a guide that will prevent the creation of gaps that will give room for uncoordinated efforts among all stakeholders.”

He added that the Lagos State government has always been in support of the desire to embrace community policing as a strategy to enhance the safety of lives and property.

Rivers: PDP urges INEC to declare lawmakers’ seats vacant.

Rivers: PDP urges INEC to declare lawmakers’ seats vacant.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seats of 27 Rivers lawmakers vacant for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said that by leaving the PDP, on which platform they were elected, their seats had become vacant.

He said this was by virtue of the provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The statement issued in Abuja reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if..

“(g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political Party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected…”

“By reason of the above Constitutional provision and its clear interpretation by the Supreme Court, the 27 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have vacated

“They have lost their seats, rights, privileges, recognition and obligations accruable to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The PDP therefore demands that the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly immediately comply with the provision of the Constitution by declaring the seats of the 27 former lawmakers vacant.”

“In view of the vacancy now exiting in the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State, the PDP demands that INEC should within the stipulated period under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) conduct fresh election to fill the vacancies.”

The PDP spokesman also cautioned the defectors from parading themselves as members of the House of Assembly as that would amount to impersonation.

Victor Osimhen Breaks 24-Year Jinx, Wins 2023 CAF Men’s ‘Player Of The Year.

Victor Osimhen Breaks 24-Year Jinx, Wins 2023 CAF Men’s ‘Player Of The Year.                               By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi J.

In a historic moment, Victor Osimhen, the 24-year-old Napoli striker, shattered a 24-year jinx by winning the 2023 CAF Men’s 'Player of the Year.' The announcement took place at the gala held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday.

Osimhen secured the coveted individual prize for male African footballers by outshining tough competition from Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco. This victory marked him as the first Nigerian to clinch the CAF Men’s 'Player of the Year' since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

The Napoli star had an exceptional 2023, starting with leading Napoli to its first Italian Serie A title in 30 years during the previous season. Osimhen's remarkable performance included scoring 25 league goals, making him the league’s top scorer and the first African footballer to achieve this feat.

His contributions extended to the AFCON 2024 qualification campaign, where he emerged as the top goalscorer with ten goals, playing a crucial role for Nigeria. Osimhen's achievements were acknowledged globally when he was named the eighth-best male footballer in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, finishing higher than any other African player.

Adding to his accolades, Osimhen recently received the Italian Footballers’ Association (IFA) Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 season, having been the highest goalscorer in the league with 25 goals.

This victory places Osimhen in the esteemed company of male Nigerian football legends such as Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, and Kanu, the latter winning the prize twice.

In a historic triumph for Nigeria, both the CAF women's and men's Player of the Year awards were claimed by Nigerians. 🇳🇬

Rape Epidemic Must End In Ekiti, Says First Lady.

Rape Epidemic Must End In Ekiti, Says First Lady.

.....Leads Deputy Governor, Deputy Speaker, SSG And Others In Street Procession Against GBV.

Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has rallied the people of the state to join hands with the state government to put an end to rape epidemic in the state.

Dr. Oyebanji said the state government is determined to apprehend perpetrators of rape, child molestation, defilement and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and bring them to justice to serve as deterrent to others.

Speaking during a street procession in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday to mark the end of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, Dr. Oyebanji stressed that the offence of rape now carries life sentence for any convicted offender in the state.

The First Lady was joined during the street procession by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju and other female Assembly members; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro and other members of the State Executive Council.

The procession which started at the Funmilayo Olayinka Women Centre, Fajuyi, took the First Lady and other participants who carried various placards to Ereguru, Post Office Roundabout, Bisi Market, Okeyinmi, Ojumose, Okesa Market and terminated at the starting point.

Some of the placards read "Stop Rape," "Rape Is A Crime," "Teach Men To Respect "Women," "No To Domestic Violence," "Stop Gender-Based Violence," "Stand Up For Women's Rights," "We Must Join Hands To End Sexual Assault," "Say No To Female Genital Mutilation," among others.

Addressing market women, their customers, motorists, motorcyclists, passersby and other members of the public, the Governor's wife warned that failure to report crime or any attempt to cover up the crime is also punishable under the law, noting that the rally was also aimed at enlightening the people to avoid running foul of the law.

The First Lady warned men and boys to discipline themselves and refrain from engaging in sexual violence and avoid spending the rest of their lives in jail over sexual offences, as the law must take its course on anyone caught committing the crime.

She also decried the increasing rate of domestic violence warning husbands against beating their wives and wives beating their husbands noting that such could lead to loss of lives within the four walls of marriage.

While advising parents to utilize the opportunity of free education from primary to secondary school in the state, the First Lady charged them to send their wards to school and not to use them for hawking which exposes the female ones to sexual abuse.

Apart from free education in public primary and secondary schools, Dr. Oyebanji said the state government also pays West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for School Certificate candidates and also sponsors Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to relieve parents of the burden of paying for their children.

She enjoined parents to be interested in the education of their children including the female ones noting that education has the capacity to set them on the path of greatness, also securing the future of the parents in their old age.

Apparently concerned about the increasing rate of sexual offences, especially rape in the state which has assumed an epidemic level, Dr. Oyebanji declared that there is no hiding place for the offenders again in the state vowing that they would be arrested and be made to face the law, no matter how long it takes.

She said: "The rate of rape, child defilement and molestation is very alarming in Ekiti State. Many of the rapists among us are people who are familiar with the victims and these include some family members living under our roof, stepfathers raping stepdaughters their wives brought in from previous marriage.

A recent report detailed the rape of a 16-year-old girl who struggled to free herself from the assailant. Shockingly, the rapist resorted to stabbing her in the chest and belly to subdue her resistance.The girl landed in the hospital as a result of the brutal attack.

" The perpetrator is still at large, but we are committed to pursuing and apprehending him to ensure justice is served. 

There is no refuge for rapists and sexual offenders among us; the law will reach them, and they will face the consequences for their crimes.

The First Lady also spoke against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) describing the practice as harmful to the girl child and no longer acceptable in our society.

While warning parents against the practice, Dr. Oyebanji said it is only the circumcision of the male children that is acceptable in the society and not that of the female children which she said exposes them to infections and other risks.

The First Lady appreciated the people of the state for their unflinching support for the Oyebanji Administration saying the government is always interested in their welfare and wellbeing and would not relent in making their lives better.