Edo poll: Aspirants not screened, disqualified yet, says APC.

Edo poll: Aspirants not screened, disqualified yet, says APC.

The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said that no aspirant has been screened or disqualified from the governorship race.

A six-man committee led by the House of Representative member (Owan, Edo State), Julius Ihonvbere, was set up last Monday to look into ways to prune the number of aspirants from 29 to a manageable number.

After the committee met with the aspirants, a report emerged that the committee had screened and pruned the number of the aspirant to 10, then 6, and finally four, a developmental which is causing rancour in the party.

Debunking the report on Tuesday, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Peter Uwadiae, said the Ihonvbere committee was an advisory one and not a screening committee. He said the committee was to meet with aspirants and see how the numbers could be pruned down so that their primary which would be held in February would be free of rancour.

He said, “There is no truth in the news making the rounds that governorship aspirants have been screened and about 25 have been disqualified. Based on the advice of the National Working Committee of the party, we set up a committee led by Julius Ihonvbere to interface with the aspirants on the need to reduce the number of aspirants to a manageable one. It is after the close of the sale of forms that the NWC will set up a screening committee.

“The Committee also advised the Edo APC to be in a talking relationship with the aspirants so that those who know they cannot go all the way can exit the race. So no aspirant has been screened and disqualified,” he added.

Uwadiae also said that the sale of expression form, which costs N10 million, and the nomination form, which goes N40 million were on sale for anyone who wants to vie for the governorship position on the platform of the party, noting that more aspirants are expected to join the race.

He said many of the aspirants saw the reason why they should not purchase the forms while others were still eager to test their popularity at the primaries, noting that those who lose at the primaries have promised to stay and work for the party in the election.

He said the party was going to the polls to win, urging members and supporters not to get agitated as the party believes in unity, fair play, and democracy.

He also urged party faithful not to allow the situation to cause rancour and disaffection among them which will rub off on the party negatively at the polls.

Chief Wole Olanipekun gifts lkere-Ekiti Specialist Hospital Ambulance.

Chief Wole Olanipekun gifts lkere-Ekiti Specialist Hospital Ambulance.

A legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun has donated an ambulance to Ikere+Ekiti Specialist Hospital in memory of his late mother, Iyaafin Bosede Olanipekun.

Handing over the ambulance to the Management of the Specialist Hospital in Ikere Ekiti on Tuesday, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said, the gift was to enhance effective performance of the health workers to the people of Ekiti state. Saying he built the Amenity Ward of the hospital few years ago for effective health care services.

Olanipekun while appealing to the HMB PS, Dr Olasunkanmi Alabi and the Chief Medical Director of the Ikere Ekiti Specialist Hospital, Dr Akinsipe Catherine to capture the staff of the Amenity Ward in the salary structure of the Ekiti State for regular payment. While reiterating his unwavering commitment towards humanity, he hinted that apart from paying salaries of Amenity staff for two years, he would repeat same in the next two years

Chief Olanipekun promised to employ two drivers to drive the ambulances, saying the drivers should come from Ikere Ekiti, his home town.

He commended the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado for demonstrating genuine love for the people of Ikere by donating a 500 KVA generator to the hospital.

Advising the Chief Medical Director, Chief Wole Olanipekun assured to give her all the support she requires to succeed in her position, he tasked Permanent Secretary ministry of health to to upscale the condition of the hospital.

Olanipekun equally promised to assist the local government Chairman to re-energized the Amoye Micro Finance Bank in Ikere Ekiti by rallying round the leaders of the Ikere Ekiti community in giving a new face lift to the community bank.

Giving her address, the Chief Medical Director of the Ikere Ekiti Specialist Hospital, Dr Akinsipe Catherine thanked the donor who she said has been supporting the Specialist Hospital in Ikere Ekiti over the years.

Akinsipe eulogized the precious roles of Chief Wole Olanipekun in single handedly building and equipping the specialist hospital with a brand ambulances and Mikano generator in the past.

She commended the philanthropist donating another ambulance for the same Amenity Ward of the Ikere Ekiti Specialist Hospital. She also called on other well meaning sons and daughters of Ikere Ekiti to continue to support the hospital in other areas of needs such as provision of solar lights in the hospital.

In his own remarks, the Chairman of Ikere Ekiti local government area, Chief Adamolekun Olu Egbejoda hailed Chief Olanipekun for counting it worthy to donate a new ambulance for Ikere specialist hospital. He described his donation of the new ambulance as an emblem for the people of Ikere Ekiti.

He described his previous contributions in the area of the provision of Bar Centre, Church building and Scholarship awards among other things as the major impactts of the legal luminary in his country home of Ikere Ekiti.

The local government Chairman urged the people of Ikere Ekiti to be inspired by the contributions of the Elder statesman to Ikere Ekiti community.

Also, speaking, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado appreciated the literacy already being exhibited by the Chairman of Ikere Ekiti local government.

The Ogoga commended Chief Olanipekun for his Philantropic gestures in Ekiti and Nigeria, saying indeed his God sent to Ikere Ekiti . He prayed God to give him sound health to impact more lives. He called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate Chief Olanipekun in putting smiles in the faces of the masses.

The Ogoga announced a donation of 500KVA generator to the hospital.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr Sola Badmus while speaking, promised to inform her Commissioner about the largesse from the Kabiyesi, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the staff employed by Chief Wole have written to the Ministry as well as the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, promising to work on the letters, so that the staff can have their employment retained as permanent staff.

She appealed to the Kabiyesi to caution the members of the public against being hostile on the nurses and doctors working in the hospital .

Abiodun swears in three new judges, two perm secs.

Abiodun swears in three new judges, two perm secs.

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, sworn in Mr. Martins Akinyemi as a judge in the State High Court, Mrs. Bolanle Awoyemi and Mr. Adeniyi Lawal as judges in the Customary Court of Appeal.

The governor charged the newly sworn-in judges in the state to be the last hope of the common man.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Abiodun described justice as one of the most important moral values in the sphere of law and politics.

The governor also noted that justice exists to establish law, order, and truth as it enhances the well-being of individuals through equal access to justice.

“Justice is one of the most important moral values in the spheres of law and politics. It exists to establish law, order, and truth because it enhances the well-being of individuals through equal access, advocating for justice, and promoting policies that address systemic barriers,” he noted.

Abiodun noted that the new judges have demonstrated unwavering dedication, integrity and a profound understanding of the intricacies of the judicial system.

The governor said the new judges must not only rise above temptations and trials but be honest in all ramifications adding that that he was confident that the tradition of integrity, diligence, industry and excellence that has been the hallmark of the state judiciary will not only be continued but also enhanced.

In a similar development, Abiodun also swore in two new permanent secretaries with a promise to make the state civil service a reference in the comity of civil service in the country.

The two permanent secretaries are Engr. Muritala Adekunle and Engr. Olufisan Osiyale.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta on Tuesday, Abiodun noted that his administration in the last years, positioned the civil service to be vibrant and result-oriented.

He said: “As a very responsive and responsible government, working assiduously with determination, we are therefore positioning the civil and public service to be vibrant and result-oriented towards the successful implementation of our Building Our Future Together agenda.

“By our vow principles of governance that solely predicate on inclusive leadership, we consider the civil service as the prime partnership of great value and significance. Therefore, we should continue to hold you in the highest esteem and treat you with the utmost respect and respect that you deserve.”

The Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, congratulated the newly appointed permanent secretaries, imploring them to work harder to justify their new positions.

I’m alive, legendary fuji musician Kollington Ayinla refutes death rumour.

I’m alive, legendary fuji musician Kollington Ayinla refutes death rumour.

Legendary fuji musician, Kolawole Rasaq Ilori, famously known as Kollington Ayinla, has refuted death rumours circulating about him on social media.

The 75-year-old fuji musician on Tuesday addressed his health status at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

The report Kollngton Ayinla was battling undisclosed ailments and in critical health conditions have been making the rounds on social media on Tuesday.

However, in a two-minute nineteen-second video shared by LagosGist (@LagosGist) on Tuesday, Kollington expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support during his recent illness.

Additionally, he thanked the CMD of LASUTH, Adetokunbo Fabanwo, and the hospital management for their care.

Above all, he thanked God for divine healing and thanked all his fans who have assisted him.

He said he is alive because of God, the governor, LASUTH and others.

“I want to thank Lagosians. I want to thank the government of Lagos State Government and the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the team under the leadership of Adetokunbo O. Fabanwo. It is only God that can save life but I want to appreciate him and the team because I would have gone to the great beyond.

I give it to the LASUTH. They are king for taking care of me. They deserve my salutations. LASUTH, you are king. They said I was dead, but I’m here speaking alive from the LASUTH now,” Kollighton Ayinla speaks in Yoruba in the short video clip.

Kollington, born August 1949 hailed from Ilota, a town on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara State, and he is also known by the aliases; Baba Alatika, Kebe-n-Kwara, and Baba Alagbado.

Kollington and his late friend and competitor, Ayinde Barrister dominated the Fuji music scene for decades, helping to popularise the genre.

Between the mid-1970s and late ’80s, Kollington ranked with Barrister as the leading star of Nigerian Fuji music.

As the popularity of Fuji grew, the market became big and the competition between Kollington and Barrister waned.

In 1983, both men stood side by side as mourners at the funeral of Apala star, Haruna Ishola.

Exhibit legitimate means to boost Ekiti’s rating in WAEC, NECO – Oyebanji tells Schools’ Principals.

Exhibit legitimate means to boost Ekiti’s rating in WAEC, NECO – Oyebanji tells Schools’ Principals.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has charged the principals overseeing the affairs of secondary schools across the state to use more legitimate commitments that would ensure better rating for the state in public examinations in the country.

Oyebanji said he would never relent in promoting the welfare of Principals and teachers to live quality and comfortable lives commensurate to the services they render in the process of building the human capital resources available to the state.

Oyebanji spoke on Tuesday, during the opening session of the three-day biannual Southwest Bloc’s Meeting of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), held in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, reminded the principals that high rating for Ekiti in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) remained a veritable yardstick to appraise the qualities of teachers being paraded by the state.

“Ekiti State is a Land of Honour and Fountain of Knowledge. Education is the major industry in Ekiti State, so we must make it thrives. You should also know that the overall performance of your students in external examinations is a direct reflection of of the qualities of principals and teachers.

“I, therefore, implore you to use all legitimate methods to ensure your students excel in their examinations. I also advise you to prevail on the parents to fulfil their own obligations toward their children”.

Harping on the need for the citizens to key into the policy of his government to promote education, Oyebanji advised the principals to partner private organisations and alumni associations to boost Infrastructures in schools.

“Education is a key to success in life. Ekiti State Government holds the principals of Secondary Schools in high esteem. This was demonstrated through the appointments of Principals as Tutors-General in the state.

“As of now, three former Principals are occupying the post of Tutors-General in the State. This appointment encourages other Principals to be diligent and hopeful of getting to a higher level before retirement”.

Oyebanji stated that State Government would not relent in fulfilling the agenda of putting machinery in place for more investment in the education sector, saying this reflected in the huge amount earmarked to the sector in the 2024 appropriation law.

“Government through the Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) had injected over N2 Billion for massive renovation and upgrade of schools throughout the state to making leading environment more conducive and interesting for both teachers and students.

“Other areas of intervention in the Secondary Schools included provision of science equipment, training of Teachers in ICT, perimeter fencing to secure the schools, provision of Information and Communication Technology gadgets in schools implementation of outstanding financial benefit of promotion, payment of WEAC fees, Distribution of JAMB forms deserving students and Regular payment of Running Grants”.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, appealed to teachers not to be disillusioned by challenges confronting their profession, assuring that the current government shall continually celebrate and reward them commensurately .

She revealed that the state government had expended a sum of N2.2 billion for renovation of structures in schools, while improvements have been made on ICT facilities and laboratories, saying high provision to education sector in the 2024 budget would spur more development in the sector.

Aderiye reminded the principals that the expectations and demands of Nigerians from them are high, describing them as the engineroom of education being executors of government’s policies and programmes at the secondary cadre of education .

She said: “Nigerians are expecting a lot from you because you are familiar with the policies that affect education. You are the executors and the engineroom . Put more efforts to ensure that education doesn’t suffer any degrade”.

The Commissioner urged the principals to get themselves acquainted with ICT and e-learning skills, saying the facilities are strategic to the survival and improvement of the sector under this 21st century.

Speaking at the event, the ANCOPPS Chairman, Southwest Bloc, Pastor Abraham Ojetunde, stated that the meeting, would afford them the opportunity to cross-fertilise ideas on how to uplift education sector across southwest that was widely respected as the hub of eggheads in Nigeria.

Ojetunde, who doubles as the President of Oyo chapter of ANCOPSS, added that the body should always maintain decorum, civility and intellectualism while handling any issue with the government and make education paramount to protect the future of the country.

In his submission, the ANCOPPS President, Ekiti Chapter, Mrs Adekemi Olukowade, applauded the current government for prioritising regular payment of running grants, WAEC registration fees to candidates, and for appointing principals as Tutors-General, among other giant strides undertaken to rejig the education sector.

Tinubu receives Blinken at State House.

Tinubu receives Blinken at State House.

President Bola Tinubu in closed-door on Tuesday talks with United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Blinken who arrived at the State House at about 06:53 pm local time on Tuesday was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, ushered into the President’s diplomatic room for a bilateral meeting.

Although the senior US official is visiting Tinubu for the first time since the latter assumed the Presidency eight months ago, it would be his second visit to the seat of power since November 2021 when he met President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria is Blinken’s third destination in his week-long whistle-stop tour which began in Cabo Verde through Ivory Coast and is scheduled to end in the Central African state of Angola.

Visiting a port in Praia, Cape Verde’s capital, that was expanded through US government assistance, Blinken remarked that the US was “all in” for Africa.

“We see Africa as an essential, critical, central part of our future,” he said.

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According to the US State Department, his visit is part of a bid to forge a united front with key African democracies as crises engulf the world.

In Abidjan, Blinken met Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, before heading to Abuja to see Nigerian President Tinubu.

The two West African powers, one Anglophone and one Francophone, have largely shared the US stance on arming Ukraine and, more recently, US support for Israel in its war with Hamas.

In 2022, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, and Ivory Coast, as well as Kenya in East Africa, joined the United States in a United Nations vote to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

This is in sharp contrast with another continental power, South Africa, which the US has accused of allowing arms shipments to Russia and which most recently pushed a genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.

Consequently, Blinken will not visit South Africa but he will visit Angola, which played a crucial role in mediating to end unrest in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ogun Speaker, Oluomo impeached.

Ogun Speaker, Oluomo impeached.

The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was on Tuesday impeached by 18 out of 26 members of the legislative arm during the house sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Bolanle Ajayi (APC-Yewa South).

Oluomo, representing Ifo State Constituency was impeached over allegations of gross misconduct, highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation and pursuit of selfish interests.

The erstwhile speaker was reportedly at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta attending the swearing-in of customary court judges a few metres away to the assembly complex, Governors Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta when his colleagues moved against him.

The Assembly also elected Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda) as the new speaker.

There were also reports of shootings by some security officers loyal to Oluomo who our correspondent gathered tried to stop the impeachment.

Adegoke Awoso (APC-Yewa North 1), moved the motion for the impeachment of Oluomo while it was seconded by Ademola Adeniran another APC lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency II.

Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso had reportedly entered the assembly chamber with the mace in the company of other lawmakers

Recall that the impeached speaker is standing trial over financial misappropriation of N2bn.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in September 2022 filed an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing against Oluomo, and three other staff members of the legislative arm.

The charge was filed by the EFFC’s Lagos Head of Legal Monitoring Unit, Rotimi Oyedepo, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

The Speaker had however maintained his innocence saying that he would eventually be vindicated of the fraud charges.

Speaking to newsmen after being elected as the new speaker, Elemide said the people of the state should expect the best from him.

“We are law-abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership.

“18 members signed for me to be the speaker. People should remain calm. We are in the custody of all the authorities of the house. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor.

“The governor does not know anything about this impeachment,” he said.

Also speaking to newsmen, Mr Damilola Soneye (APC-Obafemi Owode), noted that the office of the speaker is meant to be first among equals.

“The speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct which includes high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, also visited the assembly complex to ensure law and order.

This is just as Awoso alleged that policemen shot at the tyre of his car while claiming to be searching for guns said to be in his car.

He said “The police shot at my tyre, they said they were searching for arms which a member claimed was in my car and by the time they searched everywhere including the engine, they found nothing. I am embarrassed to have been treated with such disrespect and disdain as if one is a common criminal”.

The Commissioner for police, however, said that he was at the Assembly to ensure law and order.

Alamutu said, “We are here to ensure law and order and we also picked up the information that arms were kept inside one of the cars at the Assembly Complex but it has been searched and nothing of such was found”.

The house has adjourned sitting for a week.

The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk, Mr Deji Adeyemo and Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.