Oyebanji expresses condolences on the death of kidnapped school bus driver.

Oyebanji expresses condolences on the death of kidnapped school bus driver.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed condolences on the death of the bus driver of the abducted pupils of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary school, Emure Ekiti, Mr Olugbaye Taiwo. 

It was reported that Mr Olugbaye was killed by the kidnappers while in their custody. 

The school pupils and their teachers were released on Sunday morning and are receiving medical treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. 

Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, expressed his condolences to the family of the late driver, assuring that the perpetrators of the hineous crime would be apprehended and brought to book. 

He said security agencies in the state have been put on red alert, adding that government would not relent in the efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

Oyebanji Felicitates Ex-Gov Adebayo On 66th Birthday.

Oyebanji Felicitates Ex-Gov Adebayo On 66th Birthday.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated the first elected Governor of the State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, on his 66th birthday. 

Otunba Adebayo who is also the immediate past Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, clocks 66 years old on Sunday. February 4th.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, felicitated Otunba Adebayo for witnessing his 66th birthday in sound health, happiness and fulfillment.

He hailed Otunba Adebayo for being one of the pillars of the Fourth Republic and for laying a solid foundation for the socio-political and economic development of Ekiti State.

Governor Oyebanji described Otunba Adebayo as a father, a teacher, a mentor and role model who has been famously declared as an Omoluabi that is worthy of emulation by contemporary and future leaders.

The Ekiti State helmsman noted that history would always be kind to Otunba Adebayo on how he successfully navigated the ship of the state with very minimal resources accruing to the state during his governorship but still recorded notable achievements.

He further described Otunba Adebayo as the father of progressives politics in Ekiti State and a man who has enjoyed God's immense grace having produced two successors from the same ideological leaning.

Governor Oyebanji further hailed Otunba Adebayo's contribution to national development as a former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (South) and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

He also extolled Otunba Adebayo's legacies in the corporate world and contribution to the investment profile of his home state and the Southwest geopolitical zone.

Governor Oyebanji prayed God to grant Otunba Adebayo long life, sound health and outstanding success in his future endeavours and quest for a greater Ekiti and a more prosperous Nigeria.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate our leader on this birthday celebration and wish him many happy returns of the day in good health and excellent spirit. May Honour continue to trail every step you take” the statement added.

Governor Oyebanji's Swift Action Ensures Safe Release of Kidnapped Pupils and Teachers.

Governor Oyebanji's Swift Action Ensures Safe Release of Kidnapped Pupils and Teachers.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

In a commendable display of leadership, Governor Biodun Oyebanji's relentless efforts resulted in the safe release of the kidnapped pupils and teachers from Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure-Ekiti. The children, who were brought to the Elemure palace around 4 am on Sunday, February 4th, were unharmed, marking a significant achievement in the Governor's commitment to security.

Governor Oyebanji took bold steps to ensure the swift return of the students, earning commendations for his proactive approach. The Governor expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for specific directives that expedited the search and rescue mission. He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of security agencies and appreciated the support from Ekitikete at home and abroad during the challenging security situation.

In a heartfelt address, Governor Oyebanji congratulated the children and their families and directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, to facilitate the children's medical treatment and post-trauma therapy at the state Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

This success follows Governor Oyebanji's recent engagements with top military officials, seeking additional personnel deployment and the establishment of a Forward Operating Base to eradicate criminal hideouts. The Governor's dedication to security is evident in various initiatives, including the renovation of the Ekiti State fire service HQ, acquisition and distribution of security equipment, and increased security votes for local government council chairmen.

Despite the security challenges faced by the nation, Ekiti State remains among the top five peaceful states, with Governor Oyebanji's strategic measures contributing to the state's safety. As the Governor continues to advocate for enhanced security architecture, Ekiti residents can trust in his commitment to ensuring their safety and well-being.

Oyebanji thanks President Tinubu, security agencies as kidnapped school children regains freedom.

Oyebanji thanks President Tinubu, security agencies as kidnapped school children regains freedom.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, wishes to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Security agencies and Ekitikete for their support which led to the timely release of the kidnapped pupils of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary school, Emure Ekiti. 

The children and their teachers were released in the wee hours on Sunday, February 4th, and brought to the Elemure palace around 4am. 

However, the driver of the school bus was reported killed in the custody of the kidnappers. 

The Governor while congratulating the children and their families, expresses his profound appreciation to President Tinubu for giving specific directives that put the search and rescue mission on top gear. He also thanks the security agencies for their collaborative efforts during the search for the students, just as he extends appreciation to Ekitikete home and abroad for their support during the security situation experienced last week. 

Noting the traumatic experience of the children in the kidnappers’ den, Governor Oyebanji has directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani to take the children to the state Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for proper medical treatment and post trauma therapy. 

The Governor, who kept vigil with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele till 3.00am to ensure the release of the children, acknowledges the solidarity shown by his colleagues governors, former governors of the state as well as religious leaders and traditional rulers. 

He also thanks members of the Ekiti State Caucus in the National Assembly and members of the state House of Assembly for their support. “And more importantly, we thank God for everything” the Governor said. 

Governor Oyebanji also restates the determination of his administration to stamp out crime and criminality from the state by making the environment unbearable for criminals operating under whatever guise.

Similarly, the Governor says killers of the two Ekiti obas would be fished out and made to face the maximum weight of the law. 

He urges the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities to the authorities.

Senegal’s President Sall postpones presidential election.

Senegal’s President Sall postpones presidential election.

President Macky Sall on Saturday postponed Senegal’s planned Feb. 25 presidential election, announcing in a televised address to the nation that he had cancelled the relevant electoral law due to electoral disputes he warned could fuel unrest.

With little more than three weeks to go before the vote, the unprecedented step of delaying the poll, to an unspecified date, pitches Senegal into uncharted constitutional waters that some opposition and civil society groups warn could destabilise the country.

Sall’s decision follows the constitutional council’s January decision to exclude some prominent contenders from the electoral list, which has fuelled discontent about the election process.

“These troubled conditions could seriously undermine the credibility of the ballot by sowing the seeds of pre- and post-electoral disputes,” Sall said in his address.

He did not set a new date for the vote, but said there would be a national dialogue to ensure the election would be free, fair and transparent.

He said the postponement would not affect his decision not to run for a third term – an issue that has helped fuel recurrent and sometimes deadly protests in what is normally one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.

The capital Dakar appeared calm after Sall’s announcement with no immediate sign of people taking to the streets in protest.

REUTERS

FG pledges to stabilise Forex.

FG pledges to stabilise Forex.

Following recurrent freefall of Naira in the Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it will implement macroeconomic reforms to stabilise the market.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Saturday in Minna, at the 2024 Press Week of the Niger State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Idris said government will implement reforms that will boost economic growth, curb inflation, ease the cost of living and stabilise the foreign exchange.

Represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Minister said, the year 2024 holds a lot of prospects for Nigerians as some of the promising initiatives of the administration begin to bear fruits.

He said 2024 would be a great year for Nigeria as the policies of President Bola Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda take firmer roots for the growth of the nation’s economy.

“The Tinubu administration will continue to implement macroeconomic reforms to achieve broad economic objectives of sustained economic growth.

“The reforms will bring down inflation, ease the cost of living, stabilise foreign exchange and create jobs, among others,” he said.

Idris said, against the backdrop of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, liberalising the foreign exchange regime, and the fight against corruption, the Tinubu’ government is showing fidelity to the rule of law.

According to him, the independence of institutions l, including the judiciary were demonstrated in the recent judgements of the courts.

The Minister explained that the recent decision to relocate certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the headquarters of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency.

He said the decision would also ensure a responsive financial system and cut operations cost.

Idris emphasized that the government’s directive aligns with global best practices and has no political motivation what so ever as wrongly propagated.

The Minister assured that no policy of the present administration would put any part of the country in a disadvantage position.

(NAN)

Nigerians to reap benefits of subsidy removal soon – Gbajabiamila.

Nigerians to reap benefits of subsidy removal soon – Gbajabiamila.

Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that benefits of fuel subsidy removal would be reaped soon.

Gbajabiamila gave the assurance after casting his vote at Poling Unit 014, Ward 08 at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School, Surulere, Lagos state, in the House of Representatives by-election in the constituency on Saturday.

The Chief of Staff in his reaction to the current economic situation being faced by Nigerians, said the President and his administration remained concerned about the plight of the people.

He, however, noted that it was a universal issue and must be handled with all caution.

According to him, the challenges we are facing are because some fundamentals were missing in the first place.

“It is those economic fundamentals that this administration is trying to put in place, including fuel subsidy removal which was a national concession that it must be removed.

“I assure you that the benefits of subsidy removal will be reaped soon. It’s not immediate but the President knows what he is doing, and at the end of the day, everything will work out fine.”

On Insecurity, the chief of staff urged Nigerians to support the President and his administration rather than pointing fingers and making negative criticisms.

Gbajabiamila stated that security remained everyone’s concern but assured that the President is deeply concerned and at the fore front of it all.

“This administration needs full cooperation of the people and in so doing, we will all defeat these kidnappers and terrorists.

“Therefore, we need to come together for the better and by so doing, make Nigeria a great nation that we will all be proud of.”

Speaking on the by-election, Gbajabiamila said the process had been peaceful and smooth from the point of accreditation and voting.

He advised the winner to be focused, dedicated and committed to the people of Surulere.

According to him, legislative work comes with a lot of experience and having the people’s interest at heart.

“It may seem difficult at first but once you put your head down, and focus on the people especially on national issues, success is assured.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 12 candidates of different political parties are scrambling for 121,111 votes of registered voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the election.

The seat became vacant due to the resignation of the former occupant, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, who after winning, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as his Chief of Staff. 

(NAN)