Senegal cuts internet access as citizens protest presidential poll delay.

Senegal cuts internet access as citizens protest presidential poll delay.

Mobile internet in Senegal has been temporarily cut by the government following protests against President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election.

As reported by the BBC, Communication Minister Moussa Bocar Thiam stressed the necessity of taking action to prevent the dissemination of “hateful and subversive messages relayed on social networks in a context of threats of disturbances to public order.”

Sall had on Saturday announced the indefinite postponement of the presidential election, which was originally set to take place on February 25, just hours before official campaigning was due to start.

AFP reports that it is the first time a Senegalese presidential election has been postponed.

The decision comes after a disagreement between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court regarding the rejection of candidates

The Economic Community of West African States expressed concern regarding the delay in the presidential election.

Today, lawmakers will discuss a bill that suggests scheduling the presidential election for August 25 and allowing President Sall to remain in office until his successor is officially sworn in.

Several dozen protesters could be heard chanting “Macky Sall dictator” outside the parliament on Monday, referring to the incumbent president, after being scattered by security forces, as reported by the AFP.

The protesters are reportedly being rallied by opposition figures.

BBC reports that former Prime Minister and opposition candidate, Aminata Touré, announced on social media that she had been released after being arrested during Sunday’s protest.

“Let us all mobilise to defend our democracy. No to the postponement of the presidential election,” she said in an online post.

Another opposition candidate, Daouda Ndiaye, also claimed he was attacked by police.

He shared on social media that he had been hospitalised but stressed the importance of holding an election on February 25.

The hashtag #FreeSenegal is currently trending on X.

Oyebanji Receives RCCG Pastors Delegation, Conveys Condolence Message from Pastor Adeboye.

Oyebanji Receives RCCG Pastors Delegation, Conveys Condolence Message from Pastor Adeboye.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday, February 5th, played host to a delegation of senior Pastors from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), with Pastor Tunde Abdullahi leading the group. The purpose of their visit was to deliver a condolence message from the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, to the Governor.

In the letter of condolence presented to His Excellency, Pastor Adeboye commiserated with the Government and people of Ekiti State regarding the recent security situation that tragically resulted in the killing of two traditional rulers and the abduction of school children. He offered prayers for the Governor, invoking the Lord's strength to uphold him and thwart every plan of the enemy against the state.

The meeting concluded with a collective prayer for the well-being and security of Ekiti State, emphasizing the unity of voices in seeking divine intervention.

Civil Service: EKSG Pledges More Motivations for Ekiti Govt Officials.

Civil Service: EKSG Pledges More Motivations for Ekiti Govt Officials.

To achieve excellence in their services, the Ekiti State Government, has promised provision of requisite facilities for all government's agencies for their officials to discharge their duties optimally for Governor Biodun Oyebanj's administration to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens.

The government posited that it wasn't unaware of the various challenges confronting the officials in their duty posts, pledging that all these frictions will be lubricated by government for the dream of delivering for the state not to be jeopardised. 

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the assurance, on Monday, while receiving briefings from government's officials across the Agencies and Ministries under her supervision, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

The offices were: The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, represented by its Permanent Secretary, Mrs Olabisi Akindele, Human Capital Development Agency, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo and the Ekiti State Boundary Commission, represented by its Secretary, Surveyor Olalekan Olajide.

Others included: The Ekiti State Christians' Pilgrimage Board, represented by its Executive Secretary, Barr. Malomo Agbaje and Secretary of Muslims' Pilgrimage Board, Mr. Isiaka Egbeyemi, and the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, represented by its Director of Administration, Mr. Toluwase Bewaji .

During the interface, Mrs Afuye, praised the officials for their diligence, commitments, sacrifices and industry to deliver for Ekiti in spite of all the daunting challenges. 

 She appealed to the officers, particularly those in the Human Capital Development Agency, to partner private organisations to bolster what the government was offering in the areas of funding, trainings and empowerments for unemployed youth.

The Deputy Governor, urged the officials to be managing the facilities the government has currently provided to deliver optimally, knowing full well that Ekiti State is currently challenged by paucity of funds.

Mrs Afuye said: "Government has been dutiful and committed in providing facilities and funding for officials, so that you can deliver. We will continue to give incentives that will make you discharge your responsibilities , but we can't do it alone; you have to up your games.

"Part of what you can do is to reach out to individuals, private bodies and international agencies to fund some of your activities. You can even reach out to politicians, especially the State and Federal Lawmakers. They can help in funding empowerment programmes and sponsorship of people for Pilgrimages.

"You will all bear with me that the current spate of insecurity in our dear state is one area that will sap the state financially, because Governor Biodun Oyebanji is incurably committed to make our residents safe wherever they are.

"Let us be more committed and honest in our workings and duties to the state, so that we can all achieve the task of building Ekiti we can all be proud of".

In their separate briefings, the officials lauded the government of Governor Oyebanji for providing enabling environment for them to operate within the ambit of the available funds accruing to the state.

However, they raised the issues of low funding, scarcity of utility vehicles and dearth of office accommodation as three major crises being confronted by their respective offices, calling on government to look their ways in this regard . 

Specifically, Hon Agbeyo, who is in charge of Human Capital Development, promised that the agency would go all hogs to reduce joblessness by partnering stakeholders like National Directorate of Employment and Bank of Industry to get training facilities for applicants.

Oyebanji's Administration Excels in Fiscal Transparency and Engages Citizens with 2024 Budget Presentation.

Oyebanji's Administration Excels in Fiscal Transparency and Engages Citizens with 2024 Budget Presentation.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's commitment to shared prosperity and transparency has yielded significant results within his first year in office. Ekiti State secured the top position in the Transparency, Integrity Index by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) in October 2023.

In line with the Governor's promise to involve citizens in government activities, the public presentation of the 2024 budget occurred last week. Representing His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji, was the Honorable Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, Niyi Adebayo.

The fiscal document, titled "Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development," aligns with the administration's six pillars to ensure shared prosperity. Adopting a zero-based budgeting approach, the budget serves as a blueprint for realizing the administration's vision, as outlined in the 2024–2026 medium-term expenditure frame (MTEF).

Key Focus Areas of the 2024 Budget:

●Create an Enabling Environment for MSMEs.

●Expand the Revenue Base

●Ensure Civil Servants' Capacity Building.

●Promote Arts and Culture.

●Cushion Fuel Subsidy Effect.

●Create Employment Opportunities.

●Complete Development Projects.

●Tackle Insecurity.

Additional Objectives of the Budget:

●Promote Youths and Women Empowerment.

●Collaborate with Development Partners.

●Instill Good Governance.

●Guarantee Food Security.

●Develop Human Capital Index.

●Stimulate Economic Activities in Ekiti State.

This comprehensive approach underscores the Oyebanji-led administration's dedication to holistic growth, development, and the well-being of the people of Ekiti State.

Ekiti State Government Boosts Higher Education with Subvention Increase.

Ekiti State Government Boosts Higher Education with Subvention Increase.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

In a significant move to prioritize higher education and enhance the role of state-owned higher institutions, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has approved a substantial increase in the subvention allocated to these institutions. This strategic decision is aimed at reinforcing Ekiti's standing as the education capital of Nigeria.

The approved increases are as follows:

●Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH): Subvention raised from N261 million to N411 million.

●Ekiti State University (EKSU): Subvention increased from N260 million to N410 million.

●Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere - Ekiti (BOUESTI): Subvention raised from N175.8 million to N275.8 million.

●Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan: Subvention increased from N45 million to N95 million.

●Ekiti State College of Health Science and Technology, Ijero: Subvention raised from N26 million to N76 million.

This results in a total monthly subvention increase from N767.8 million to N1.27 billion across all higher institutions in the state.

Governor Oyebanji, since his inauguration, has demonstrated commitment by approving the payment of one month of outstanding subvention to all tertiary institutions, a payment that has been duly disbursed. Furthermore, he has directed the extension of the Independent Power Plant (IPP) to both EKSU and EKSUTH, ensuring these institutions have access to 24-hour power supply.

These financial boosts, coupled with infrastructure improvements and governance interventions, signify the government's strategic efforts to position the state's higher institutions as exemplary and equipped to provide contemporary education for the evolving demands of the 21st century.

New York to host 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

New York to host 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, organisers FIFA announced on Sunday.

The New York bid held off a strong challenge from Dallas to secure the July 19 game, the culmination of the expanded 48-team tournament being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The competition will kick-off with the opening game at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium on June 11.

Atlanta and Dallas will host the semi-finals while the third-place game will take place in Miami.

The decisions were announced on a live television broadcast in North America which featured FIFA president Gianni Infantino alongside comedian and actor Kevin Hart, rapper Drake and celebrity Kim Kardashian.

The 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium, across the Hudson river in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets but has held a number of international football games including the final of the 2016 Copa America tournament.

The New York bid had lobbied hard on the city’s experience at hosting major international events and it’s position as a global city with easy transportation connections for fans.

Dallas had hoped that AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, would benefit from having a roof to protect the game from the elements.

Los Angeles had also thrown their hat into the ring but their attempt struggled amid disagreements with FIFA about tournament upgrades needed to their NFL venue, SoFi Stadium.

The Azteca will become the first stadium to host World Cup tournament games in three separate editions after 1970 and 1986.

The venue hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.

The United States will kick off their group stage campaign at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12 and will also play in Seattle.

Toronto was selected to host the first game for the Canadian team. Vancouver is the other Canadian venue which will host the team.

Police parade suspected killer of Ekiti monarchs.

Police parade suspected killer of Ekiti monarchs.

The Ekiti State Police Command, yesterday, paraded one Baboga Alhaji suspected for his alleged involvement in the killing of the two traditional rulers in Ikole area of the state last Monday.

Briefing journalists, the AIG in charge of Ekiti, Dare Ogundare, said the suspect was arrested in the forest between Ayedun and Ayebode by the combined efforts of police and other security agencies.

The AIG, who said no arrest was made during the rescue operation of the abducted school pupils and their teachers, added that some suspects had been arrested at Oke Osun, in Ikere Ekiti, Igbo Okah and Iju-Ikere boundary forest.

Ogundare denied payment of ransom to secure the release of the abducted victims, noting that that the Nigeria Police would never encourage ransom payment.

According to Ogundare, “In our bid to flush out criminal elements in the county following the killing of the two traditional rulers and abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, a combined team of the police, Amotekun and OPC embarked on a secret operation into the thick forest in Ikere.

“During the operation, five suspects were arrested and several dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

“The team further extended their operation through Emure-ekiti Forrest where eight other suspects were apprehended.

“During interrogation, a suspect named Babooga Alhaji admitted that he took part in the assassination of the two traditional rulers. He is currently giving credible information that will lead to the arrest of other gang leaders.”