Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake Dismisses Gubernatorial Aspirations in Ekiti State.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake Dismisses Gubernatorial Aspirations in Ekiti State.

The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Oladele Alake, has unequivocally refuted claims suggesting his interest in running for governorship in Ekiti State. Addressing the circulation of a poster across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups positioning him as a gubernatorial aspirant with the slogan 'Take it Back', Dr. Alake clarified that he has no intention of contesting for the governorship position, neither now nor in the future.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Dr. Alake emphasized that the poster in question lacks his endorsement and should be disregarded as it is deemed fraudulent. He expressed his commitment to his current role as Minister of Solid Minerals, tasked with the responsibility of reforming and revitalizing the sector to enhance its contribution to Nigeria's economy.

Dr. Alake reiterated his dedication to President Bola Tinubu's mandate to transform the solid minerals sector into a significant revenue generator and job creator for Nigerians. He emphasized his focus on fulfilling this national assignment and debunked any distractions posed by unfounded political speculations.

Furthermore, Dr. Alake affirmed his support for the incumbent administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State, pledging to continue contributing to the state's growth and development as a proud indigene.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Dr. Alake's unwavering commitment to his duties, undeterred by the activities of detractors or speculations about his political ambitions.

The assertion by Dr. Alake's camp serves to dispel any misinformation regarding his purported gubernatorial aspirations and underscores his steadfast dedication to his ministerial responsibilities and national service.

Don’t relent in protecting Nigeria, Tinubu tells Armed Forces.

Don’t relent in protecting Nigeria, Tinubu tells Armed Forces.

President Bola Tinubu has charged the Armed Forces to continue to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity against all threats, commending them for their dedication to duty and sacrifices for the nation.

The President, while speaking at an event marking the Diamond Jubilee of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna on Saturday, assured the military of his administration’s commitment to its welfare, as well as unflagging support in the discharge of its duties.

The NDA was established about six decades ago, on February 5, 1964.

The institution has undergone various stages of transformation in its quest to fulfill its mandate of training officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Tinubu highlighted some of the milestones recorded during the transformation of the NDA to include the subsequent addition and training of Air Force cadets, the successful reunification of the country after the Civil War in 1967 as well as the various short-service military training programmes instituted to fill the manpower needs caused by the Civil War.

Other noteworthy achievements, he added, include the upgrade of the NDA from a non-degree awarding institution to a full-fledged degree-awarding university in 1985, thereby phasing out the Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education hitherto awarded to cadets.

“The government is also pleased to note that the curriculum approved by the National Universities Commission, the regulatory body is sufficiently robust and broad-based to enable the cadets to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, character, and discipline required for effective and efficient service in the Nigerian Armed forces in peace times and in times of crises.

“I understand that other giants’ strides recorded in the NDA include the establishment of post-graduate programs, the creation of research centres and centres of excellence to facilitate research and enable cross fertilization of ideas.

“The consistent academic calendar devoid of industrial disputes and strikes should make the NDA postgraduate school an institution of first choice not only for Nigerian students but also for students across the globe.

“I therefore charge the academic staff both military and nonmilitary to transform the NDA into ‘Nigeria’s Silicon Valley,’ a hub for startups where ideas are not only incubated but also actualized,” the President said.

Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, commended the past and present leadership of the NDA for the quality of military and academic training, which has continued to attract clientele from other African nations.

He said with the quality of training at the Academy, the military was capable of bringing to an end all acts of banditry, insurgency, and criminality that have ravaged the country.

Oyebanji Mourns Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

Oyebanji Mourns Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

.….Says Ekiti lost a friend, strategic partner, supporter.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed condolences on the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Limited, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in an helicopter crash in the United States of America on Friday.

Wigwe, 57, was reported to have died alongside his wife, son and three others in the chopper crash around the California-Nevada border in the United States.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement on Sunday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the death of Mr. Wigwe, his spouse and son as a monumental tragedy for Nigeria.

Governor Oyebanji described the late Wigwe as a great friend of Ekiti State and a strategic partner and supporter of the state’s development programme. 

Oyebanji described the late Access Holdings CEO as a phenomenal philanthropist, who served humanity eminently with his time, talent and resources and would be remembered for the impact he made on the lives of the people as much as his notable contributions to the development of the nation’s financial sector. 

He prayed God to grant the Wigwe family and the Access Holdings the equanimity to bear the loss and also grant the families of other victims of the crash the fortitude to bear the huge loss of their loved ones.

The Governor said Mr. Wigwe made lasting and unforgettable impact during his earthly sojourn, urging all his proteges to build on his legacies of service and innovativeness as a way to immortalize him.

“It is indeed a sad and devastating news, a tragedy of immense proportion not only to the Wigwe family and the Access Holdings which he headed, but to us in Ekiti State, where he was regarded as a great friend and supporter of our development programme; and Nigeria where he was a shinning star and an icon in the financial sector. 

“Our hearts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and to the families of the late Abimbola Ogunbanjo and others who died in the ill fated flight. We pray that the Lord will comfort the entire families, much more than words can.”, the statement added.

Edo PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.

Edo PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.

The Peoples Democratic Party has commenced a reconciliation process among all the aggrieved aspirants of the Edo State Governorship election as part of its efforts to emerge victorious on September 21, 2024.

The PDP had earlier on January 30, cleared all the 10 screened aspirants including the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, and the daughter of Esama of Benin Kingdom, Blessing Igbinedion, for the state party’s governorship primaries scheduled for February 22.

Other aspirants are Anselm Usiose Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Umoru Hadizat, Osaro Osaze Onaiwu, Arthur Esene and Omoregie Ihama.

Although Governor Godwin Obaseki had been at loggerheads with his deputy over the party’s governorship ticket, the crisis became more complicated when the chairman of the three-man committee, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who was supposed to conduct the party’s state delegate election, resigned from the position.

On February 4, nine aspirants out of the 10 that would participate in the primary election were said to have boycotted the election which took place all over the state last Sunday. The nine aspirants in their letter to the acting National Chairman, Umar Illiya, and copied to the National Vice Chairman South-south of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, protested the process and compositions of those to conduct the delegates election.

The aspirants, in a petition signed by the Shuaibu and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama among others, demanded the cancellation of the state delegate election.

A chieftain in the PDP National Working Committee told Sunday PUNCH that some party leaders are already reaching out to aspirants and stakeholders for the party to go into the election united.

The source, who spoke anonymously, said the first reconciliatory meeting of all aspirants and stakeholders would take place after the primaries, while some party leaders had been tasked to reach out and pacify as many aspirants as possible to embrace peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday disclosed that the party leadership would receive all committee reports and meet with aspirants to enhance peace among party members.

Edo 2024: APC clears all 12 governorship aspirants.

Edo 2024: APC clears all 12 governorship aspirants.

Ahead of the February 17 shadow election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, its National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee has cleared all the 12 governorship aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket for the September state governorship election.

Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja-led 7-man screening committee on Friday night after a two-day screening exercise gave all the aspirants a clean bill to contest Saturday party’s primary.

APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammadu Arugungu on Saturday presented all the cleared aspirants with Certificate of Screening clearance at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.

The aspirants cleared include former Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District; former deputy governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen; member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu and Engr. Gideon Ikhine.

Others cleared are the immediate past APC state chairman, Col. David Onabure Imuse; former Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); former governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Blessing Agbohmere; member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; and Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.

All the aspirants but Prof. Osunbor who was represented by his wife, Lady Ussieh Osunbor were presented to receive their certificates.

Assuring the aspirants of a free, fair, transparent shadow election on Saturday, February 17, the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru told the aspirants that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) remains the only clearing house for all the processes for the election.

According to Duru, “We (NWC) are working closely with the state acting chairman of the party. We will brief him constantly on the steps being taken by the NWC to ensure free, fair, and transparent primaries in the state. Where you are in doubt, please feel free and make a call to the state chairman. If you cannot reach him, you can call on the national organising secretary or myself to answer any questions at any point in time.”

He also advised the aspirants to acquaint themselves with a schedule of activities towards the conduct of the party’s primary.

Earlier the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Prof. Adedoja who was represented by Hon. Adeoye Adelakun said the committee after scrutinising the expression of interest and nomination forms along with all the backup documents, found all the aspirants worthy to contest the party’s primary.

Commending the NWC and the screening committee for a thorough job so far, the acting state chairman of the party, Hon. Harriet Tenebe said the party was ready for both the primary and the state election in September.

Tenebe also refuted rumour of differences between the State Working Committee (SWC) and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the party in the state.

“We don’t have any difference with our leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is our leader in the state. The leader of the party. We are working together. Everything you see here today, he is aware. So there are no cracks in the wall.’

Food crisis: States in anxious wait for FG’s grain allocations.

Food crisis: States in anxious wait for FG’s grain allocations.

The 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are eagerly awaiting the delivery of the 102,000 metric tons of grains pledged last week by President Bola Tinubu for the purpose of ameliorating the current high food prices.

The ministry will, in the first instance, release about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities in its strategic reserve for distribution to the states.

A senior official of the ministry told The Nation on the phone yesterday that the matter was being treated with “utmost urgency” with a view to easing the suffering of the generality of Nigerians.

But the sharing formula of the items was not available last night.

 “We are very sure that the release of 42,000mt of grains from the National Strategic Grain Reserve as well as release of 60,000mt of rice by the Rice Miller’s Association at a subsidised rate will be immediate,” the official said.

He added: “The minister has given his word that we cannot waste time on the distribution, but he is in the best position to tell us when it will commence.

 “This is in response to the nation’s growing food crisis and the rising cost of commodities, and it has to be immediate.”

The Director, National Strategic Grain Reserve, Engr. Sule Haruna, who was also contacted, said there were enough grains in reserve to be released as directed by the President.

He said: “We are ready. Once we are given approval, we will commence and it will be done in a transparent way.”

Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, said the President’s directive was part of the government’s short-term measure to address the high cost of food.

Idris warned that the government would sanction hoarders of food items, noting that emergencies require emergency measures to ensure the availability of food to Nigerians.

 He also said the government would embark on importation to plug any shortfall that might be experienced after the release of the food items.

On February 6, the presidential committee on emergency food intervention met at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the rising cost of living in the country.

Ekiti Commissioners, Special Advisers face first performance review March.

Ekiti Commissioners, Special Advisers face first performance review March.

Commissioners, Special Advisers, and other political appointees serving in the cabinet of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji will face their first performance assessment in March, 2024.

The Ekiti State government will begin the first assessment of the performance of all the Commissioners, Special Advisers, and other key appointees serving in the cabinet of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in March.

Special Adviser, Office of Transformation Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo disclosed this at a one-day pre-assessment briefing of cabinet members as well as accounting officers held at the popular Lady Jibowu, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

Ekundayo said the briefing was aimed at exposing the cabinet members and top echelon of the state’s civil service to the performance assessment metrics upon which they would be evaluated.

He said the assessment would be conducted every six months based on their job descriptions to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

He said that such appraisal had become necessary for the effective and efficient delivery of the six strategic actionable pillars of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration’s targets to improve the livelihoods of Ekiti people.

According to him, the periodic evaluation will ascertain the status of implementation of the administration’s shared prosperity agenda through the six thematic priority areas of focus, identify bottlenecks, and proffer immediate solutions.

He said “I am in alignment with Governor Oyebanji that in the best interest of the people of Ekiti state, the Public Service should continuously showcase results and achievements instead of efforts and intentions, hence the need to evaluate the performance of the participants in this meeting.

We are convinced that for our transformation agenda to gain traction, there must be a forensic assessment and in-depth appraisal of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that the assessment exercise seeks to explore, moreso that the present administration is now more determined to turn around the fortune of the people of our dear Ekiti State.  

Giving the reports of monitoring exercises to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oyebanji on Monitoring and Evaluation, Adetunji Aribasoye bemoaned the low compliance to the Transformation Tidbits.

Aribasoye who canvassed for the systemic recording of correspondences including memos and emails, charged the Heads of MDAs to adjust their modus operandi in conformity with Governor Oyebanji’s administration’s shared prosperity agenda.