Makinde presents staff of office to new Soun of Ogbomoso.

Makinde presents staff of office to new Soun of Ogbomoso.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, presented the Instrument of Office and Staff of Office to the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye at Ogbomoso Township Stadium in Ogbomoso.

It was reported that Makinde had approved the selection of Oba Olaoye from Olaoye Ruling House, on September 2; while the kingmakers in the ancient town led by the Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, installed him, on September 8, as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland.

Makinde, while presenting the staff of office to the new Soun, said, “I will now hand over the Instrument of Office and Staff of Office to Oba Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege III.”

In his acceptance speech, Oba Olaoye said, “My service is premised on a clear vision. I am very aware of the words that the wisest of Kings recorded for us in the book of Proverbs that without a vision, the people perish.

“My vision for a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomosholand rests on a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months. I promise to serve this vision with all I have, the relationships I have built over the years here in Nigeria and abroad, the experience I have garnered from running several successful businesses, and the skills garnered from more than 30 years of pastoring churches and other pastors. As I have said on several occasions, I have stopped being a church pastor and now become a shepherd of a people”, Oba Olaoye assured.

The monarch, therefore, urged other contestants to join hands with him to move the town forward.

Among the dignitaries at the presentation included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja III, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, immediate past Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, former Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed, and a host of other eminent Nigerians.

Ekiti Govt Commits N2bn for Massive Upgrading of Schools — Deputy Governor.

Ekiti Govt Commits N2bn for Massive Upgrading of Schools — Deputy Governor.

......Solicits collaborative efforts for human capital devt.

Being part of the aggressive actions of the current government to revamp education sector, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, today revealed that a staggering sum of N2 billion was committed by Biodun Oyebanji's government for renovation and upgrading of schools .

Mrs Afuye added that government, has also been widening the scope of healthcare delivery and universal health coverage through great investments in primary healthcare cadre to mitigate the scourges of maternal and child mortality, low life expectancy and untimely death. 

The Deputy Governor said these in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, at a stakeholders' sensitization workshop on the implementation of Human Capital Development in the state.

Mrs Afuye, according to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, said the fact that Governor Oyebanji makes Human capital Development Pillar III of his policy- thrust, substantiated how desirous the government was to develop the productive population.

The Deputy Governor saluted the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) for release the first tranche of funds to Ekiti through the National office of Human Capital Development Programme to begin life-changing projects in some critical sectors . 

She said the heartwarming indexes the government is recording in education, health and human capital development , were clear and well amplified testimonies to the huge investment being made by government in those critical areas of the economy.

The Deputy Governor, said: "As a serious government, adequate attention must be given to healthcare, nutrition , quality education, skills and jobs provision. If care is not taken, idle youth population portend an increased risk of social instability.

"Therefore all hands must be on deck to invest in relevant skills as we provide good paying jobs and opportunities. As you are aware human capital development is pillar III of this administration with the hallmark to provide quality education and equip our children. 

"Over N2bn was committed for the massive renovation and upgrade of schools throughout the 16LGs and 18LCDAs of the state to make learning environment more conducive for both teachers and students.

"Between January and now, the current government, had injected 1500 teachers to primary and 500 to secondary schools. We want to assure you that we will continue to invest in Human Capital Development".

The Deputy Governor revealed further that the government has demonstrated significant commitment to boosting universal health coverage, unfettered access to family planning, antenatal care delivery, free treatment for under five children and free malaria treatment for all. 

"The current government had also approved payment of new salary structures for health workers in the primary healthcare development cadre to serve as morale booster".

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Human Capital Development (HCD), Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo, said the National office of the body was established in 2018 under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari , sequel to poor rating of Nigeria by World Bank in terms of HCD.

Agbeyo stated that the government of Governor Oyebanji has been taking proactive actions to put Ekiti on the world map of progressive states in job provision, access to quality education and wealth creation.

The Special Adviser stressed the state's readiness to synregise with the Southwest HCD Regional Consultant deployed to Ekiti, Mr. Adedayo Adeyanju to uplift Ekiti in the sectors captured under HCD.

Families of Fallen Heroes Deserve Empathy, Solidarity, Says Oyebanji.

Families of Fallen Heroes Deserve Empathy, Solidarity, Says Oyebanji.

..….as Governor, exco members, service chiefs launch armed forces emblem fund.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in Tuesday charged all Nigerians to express sympathies for those who died or suffered disabilities at the war fronts while defending the territorial integrity of the Nigerian nation.

The Ekiti State Chief Executive posited that the best honour Nigerians can accord them, is supporting their distressed families to overcome those harrowing challenges and sufferings caused by the deaths of their loved ones

Oyebanji spoke during an emblem launch/ appeal fund in commemoration of the 2024 Armed Remembrance Day in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, described the launching as a veritable opportunity to acknowledge the roles, contributions and and selfless services of the country’s fallen heroes and the living veterans of the Armed Forces.

The Governor expressed sympathies for those who died at the war fronts or suffered any form of disabilities while working assiduously to stabilise the nation, insisting that the country must exhibit huge appreciation to them.

“As people, we cannot overcelebrate our armed forces personnel, living or fallen, serving or retired, because of the contributions to national unity and security.

“Some of these Patriots returned from wars with injuries and medical challenges, thereby leaving their families to face hardship and depression and sometimes, live in abject poverty.

“As I speak, I am sure of the fact that thousands of military personnel are stationed across the country and beyond, preserving and protecting peace in the name of Nigeria. The bravery and vigilance of these officers must never be forgotten.

“Therefore, our gathering here is not only to celebrate the fallen heroes, but to also raise funds to assist the immediate families of the war veterans.

“As good citizens of this country, our concern and aspiration should be geared toward sustaining our peaceful coexistence. The adverse effect of war and unrest cannot be quantified as some of the damages and wounds caused by civil war and other violent occurrences in the country are still fresh with us.

Harping on the need for sustainable peace in Nigeria and his unflagging commitment to issue of security in Ekiti, Oyebanji stated that the focus and kernel of his administartion and policy thrust place high priority on security of lives and property.

Oyebanji added: “Since the inception of this administration, one of our major tasks is security of lives and property in the state. As much as you can witness, this administration has continued to improve on the security and we will not be deterred in sustaining the existing peace”.

The governor appealed to Nigerians to place priority on peace and refrain from acts that could stoke the fire of acrimony or unrest to allow the peace-building mission of this current administration be fully realisable.

In his address, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Atoki Abdurasaq (rtd), said Nigeria should continue to honour those galant soldiers, who sacrificed their lives, comforts and dedicated their energies to keep the sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.

“The emblem launch is aimed at raising funds in supporting the families of those who died at the warfronts, while fighting for our nation. This is the best honour we can do for their families, so that their efforts won’t be in vain”.

At the occasion, Governor Oyebanji, his Deputy, members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Chairmen and the service Chiefs, donated to the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem/Appeal Fund.

Ondo raises N900m from motorcycle, tricycle riders in 11 months.

Ondo raises N900m from motorcycle, tricycle riders in 11 months.

ODIRS Office, Akure.

The Ondo State Government said it has so far generated N900m from the sales of tickets to commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists across the state.

The government hoped to make over N1 billion before the end of December 2023.

The Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service, Mr Tolu Adegbie, stated this on Monday at the 2023 raffle draw ceremony for commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state which was held in Akure.

Adegbie, however, noted that the state recorded a revenue shortfall compared to 2022 when it generated N1 billion between January and November, attributing the decline to some factors which included naira scarcity problem experienced in the early part of the year and the removal of fuel subsidy.

He said, “A sum of N900 million has been generated compared to last year. I mean from January to November, we’ve generated about N900 million. Meanwhile, this time last year, January to November, we had done N1 billion. This is for motorcycles and tricycles, but the bulk is from motorcycles.

“For the tricycle, they are doing roughly about N250 – N350 million which is not much. That is why we are giving out more gifts to the motorcyclists. We’ve charged the tricycle owners, even fewer in number, to increase their performance.”

He expressed optimism that by the end of this month (December), the revenue generated from motorcycle and tricycle owners will be over N1 billion.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Special Duty and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, explained that when the present government came on board, the revenue being generated from commercial motorcyclists was about N400,000 in a month and N4.8million in a year. In 2018, Akeredolu administration was able to generate N350 million.

At the programme various items ranging from motorcycles, bags of rice, among others were gifted to operators by the ODIRS, to appreciate their commitment.

EU raises concern over violence ahead of DR Congo election.

EU raises concern over violence ahead of DR Congo election.

The European Union on Tuesday, warned against hate speech and violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo a day ahead of elections.

The EU gave this warning in a statement on Tuesday, amid fears that political tensions could boil over.

Forty-four million Congolese are registered to vote in Wednesday’s presidential, parliamentary, provincial and municipal elections, in a country ravaged by conflict in its east.

“The EU expresses its concern about the hate speech, violence and incidents that have marked the last few days of the campaign,” the EU said.

“Serious human rights violations and abuses have been recorded according to the United Nations, and it is up to the authorities to launch investigations in order to prosecute the perpetrators.”

President Felix Tshisekedi, 60, stands a healthy chance of securing re-election against a divided opposition in the country roughly the size of continental western Europe.

The election campaign has taken place in relative calm, a feat in a country whose first peaceful transition of power since independence in 1960 occurred in 2018.

But Bintou Keita, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in the country, said Monday there had been an “escalation of violence, acts of vandalism and destruction of campaign materials as well as hate speech”.

In a report published on Saturday, Human Rights Watch warned of electoral violence that “risks compromising the holding of the vote”.

The NGO said it has documented clashes between supporters of rival parties since early October that have led to “assaults, sexual violence and at least one death”.

The EU said in its statement that “efforts to divide the population on the basis of ethnicity or origin and any comments inciting violence are unacceptable.”

The bloc recalled “the responsibility of the authorities to ensure an inclusive, free, transparent and peaceful electoral process.”

Last month, the EU cancelled its deployment of election observers to DR Congo for “technical” reasons.

Several sources told AFP that authorities had refused to allow the observers to use satellite equipment, allegedly over fears it would be used to manipulate the presidential poll.

AFP

Gov Bago presents N613.3bn 2024 budget to Assembly.

Gov Bago presents N613.3bn 2024 budget to Assembly.

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has presented the 2024 budget estimate of N613.3 billion to the state Assembly

Bago, who described the budget as a budget of the future, said the budget would drive the government’s programme for a new Niger state.

The governor presented the budget on Tuesday to lawmakers.

At the budget presentation were government functionaries and the eight emirs of the Emirate councils.

He urged Niger residents to support the government in its programmes to transform the state.

Bago announced to the audience that he should henceforth be called the “Farmers Governor” in line with his determination to transform the state into a leading farming state.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Sarkin Daji, in his remarks, assured the governor and audience that the budget would be thoroughly screened and passed within one week.

Betta Edu Vows to Achieve 100% Mandate in Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Betta Edu Vows to Achieve 100% Mandate in Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

In a robust defense of the 2024 budget before the joint National Assembly Committee on special duties, humanitarian affairs, and poverty alleviation, Nigeria's Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, expressed her determination to fulfill the mandate given to her by President Bola Tinubu.

Addressing the committee, Dr. Edu highlighted the urgency of addressing Nigeria's humanitarian crises, emphasizing the need for a shift from emergency responses to sustainable solutions. She stressed that Nigeria, with 16 million people directly affected by the humanitarian crisis, including refugees and migrants, required a resilient system.

Dr. Edu urged the National Assembly to hold her and her team accountable for delivering on the mandate. She emphasized President Tinubu's focus on poverty eradication, highlighting over 23 programs designed to address multidimensional poverty. The Minister called for a budget that reflects the ministry's mandate, ensuring effective implementation.

"We will ensure we get to the grassroots, and we will go there with you to implement," she affirmed. Dr. Edu pledged improvements under her watch, vowing to make a tangible impact on Nigerians' lives, aligned with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, expressed the committee's readiness to embark on oversight visits. He assured Dr. Edu of their support in ensuring adequate funding for the ministry and its agencies. Senator Lawan commended Dr. Edu, stating, "You have started well; you will succeed."

The collaborative dialogue between Dr. Betta Edu and the National Assembly underscores a commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges and poverty in Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Tinubu's vision for a renewed hope agenda.