Palliatives: Kwara distributes rice to residents.

Palliatives: Kwara distributes rice to residents.

Kwara State Government has begun fresh distribution of food palliatives to residents across the rural and urban parts of the state.

A government house statement made available to the press on Tuesday by Rafiu Ajakaye said that the government began the distribution of rice through religious leaders, nongovernmental bodies, and community-based groups, among others.

The statement noted that the food palliative is another layer of government support to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the high cost of living.

Speaking on the sidelines of the distribution on Monday at the Banquet Hall, Opposite Government House Ilorin, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe said the government is reaching out to the downtrodden through CBOs and religious leaders because of their closeness to the people.

“We believe these CBOs and clerics are closer to the people. They know where the shoes pinch in the communities. They know those who are actually in dire need. For the NGOs, they have been working with the needy all these while, and we want to make use of the existing structure to reach out to the downtrodden at this crucial time,” Olohungbebe said.

“For the CBOs and CSOs alone (apart from what is being shared through religious bodies), we have 20,000 bags of 10kg rice for the urban poor, especially in the state capital in this phase. So, more bags will be going to the densely populated local government areas through the CBOs. We have also picked some CSOs and NGOs that we know that are working with the poor. Every NGO has its thematic area, and we picked those working with the poor.

“We have considered the population of the community-based organisations that we have. Most of them are registered with the government. So, they are recognised and certified. We have picked some of them from this first phase of palliative distribution.”

Olohungbebe added that the state government has various channels of distributing palliatives to the masses aside distribution of 20,000 bags of 10kg rice through CBOs and NGOs in selected areas.

Recall that the State government had last year distributed 250,000 bags of 10kg rice across the state as palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The current distribution is in the state capital, while the next phase will move to other parts of the state, among other initiatives of the government.

Representatives of community-based organisations, who spoke with newsmen while receiving the rice applauded AbdulRazaq for his concern for the plight of the people, and said the palliative would bring relief to the people and reduce pressure on the state government.

AbdulRazaq Jimba of Magaji Ngeri Joint Youths Association in Ilorin West Local Government Area said: “We are here to receive 100 bags of palliative from the Kwara State Government on behalf of our community. Like the previous one, we believe this will bring relief to our people in the community.”

Babatunde Mashood of the Edun Development Association in Ilorin South also said: “We were called to receive 100 bags of 10kg rice on behalf of our community. This will go a long way in reducing hardship in our area, especially among the poor. The state government is doing its own to reduce the hardship in our community and the state as a whole.”

Let the poor breathe, Kogi gov warns against hoarding palliatives.

Let the poor breathe, Kogi gov warns against hoarding palliatives.

Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has warned political appointees against hoarding palliatives provided by the state government to cushion the effects of the rising cost of food items.

Ododo sounded the warning on Tuesday while unveiling the distribution of the relief materials at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja.

“These food items are for the downtrodden irrespective of political, religious or ethnic affiliation in fulfilment of our campaign promises to bring succour to the poorest of the poor members of the society,” he said.

The governor said his administration remains committed to serving the people in transparency and fear of God adding that he will not condone any act of inflicting further hardship on the people through hoarding of the palliatives.

“My administration will not allow any unpatriotic element to cheat on the people. The government has put mechanisms in place to track and apprehend those who plan to hoard the distribution of these food items.

“The palliative is not for the APC alone, religious group or ethnic agenda. It is for the people of Kogi State. I want to beg all of us to allow the poor breath. I am part of them. I was being raised by them. I am committed to serving them, not as a leader but as their servant. Political appointees will not benefit from these palliatives. They should also contribute to the society that made them

“I will not condone any act of indiscipline as I will personally monitor the distribution of the rice to ensure that the palliative reaches the downtrodden that gave the mandate to serve them,” the governor stated.

Ododo, who emphasised the need for the people of the grassroots to benefit from the rice palliative, however, vowed to sanction any political appointees that may wish to divert the bags of rice.

“This palliative is to alleviate the current hardship people are passing through and it should reach the people at the grassroots. This intervention is meant for the people and modalities for distributions are water-tight and we have put a mechanism to apprehend and sanction those who may wish to divert the palliative,” he added.

Jigawa eyes $50m agriculture investment from IDB, others.

Jigawa eyes $50m agriculture investment from IDB, others.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has begun discussion with officials of Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to attract agriculture investments exceeding $50m in the state.

The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Zainab Ringim, said in a statement on Tuesday that the governor is also having discussions with Saudi Arabia based investors.

Ringim revealed that the governor who led a high-powered delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is seeking to establish robust social and business partnerships with prominent financial institutions to enhance agricultural productivity to drive economic growth in the state.

The statement said, “Education remains a focal point of the mission, with discussions underway with the World Assembly of Muslim Youths to finalise plans for various educational projects.

“These projects include the establishment of an Islamic iniversity and 11 Islamic centres across Jigawa State to expand access to quality education.

She disclosed that Namadi”s delegation is also exploring collaboration opportunities to conduct health and medical outreach programmes on corrective eye surgery initiatives in the state.

Ringim explained that this collaborative effort is geared to address crucial healthcare needs to enhance citizens’ well-being.

Last week, the Jigawa State government said it would introduce a policy to guide youth development in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Mr. Sagir Musa, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse, the state capital.

He said that the policy would serve as a framework that would guide the operations of the ministry while leveraging the efforts of the state Governor, Umar Namadi’s administration for youth development.

Kano Assembly orders three agencies to refund N260m.

Kano Assembly orders three agencies to refund N260m.

The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered the state Road Traffic Agency, Primary Health Care Agency and Printing Press to refund N260 million misappropriated by the three agencies.

The Assembly issued the order during plenary presided by the Speaker, Jibril Ismail Falgore, on Tuesday.

The Assembly indicted the three state agencies for misappropriation of allocations and the internally generated revenue.

“The three affected agencies have been directed to refund N260 million they misappropriated,” Falgore said.

In a unanimous adoption of the recommendations of the House Committee on Public Accounts, the Assembly cautioned all ministries, agencies, and parastatals to comply with due diligence on public finance or face sanctions.

“The assembly will no longer accept any act of recklessness in spending of allocation and IGR and any MDA found wanting will be made to refund and face the wrath of the law.

Earlier, the Chairman House Committee on Public Account, and member representing Fagge Constituency, Mohammed Tukur, who presented the 2021 audited public account, expressed concern over financial ‘iniquity’ in government agencies.

In the report, Tukur narrated how allocations on COVID-19 and social welfare programmes got zero release of funds while the construction of 100 pit toilets with an estimated budget of N200 million secured 100 percent capitalisation.

The lawmaker also lamented how the previous administration refused to approve the audit of six years of public accounts, leaving behind a backlog of unaudited public expenditures.

Tukur equally raised concern about the misuse of public revenues and allocations by the Kano State Road Traffic Agency, Kano State Primary Health Care Agency and Kano Printing Press, which were indicated in the report.

The Majority Leader, Lawan Husain, moved a motion to compel the Auditor General and Accountant General of the state to ensure proper accountability and transparency of public funds and refund of misappropriated monies by MDAs.

Ekiti Govt Halts Moves By Kingmakers, Youth to Depose Monarch.

Ekiti Govt Halts Moves By Kingmakers, Youth to Depose Monarch.

The Ekiti State Government, on Tuesday, mediated in the crisis brewing in Ayegunle Community in Ijero Local Government Area of the State and halted attempt being made by kingmakers and youth to dethrone Oba Johnson Aderiye.

The intervention was sequel to a petition written by five out of the six kingmakers in the town, requesting the leave of the government for them to dethrone the Alayegunle of Ayegunle Ekiti, Oba Aderiye over alleged sundry offences.

Allegations leveled against the monarch were: Flagrant disobedience to tradition, arbitrary use of power, unlawful suspension and removal of chiefs, corruption , intimidation and unlawful arrest and detention of chiefs and youth of the community.

Addressing the matter, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, urged the embattled monarch to adhere strictly to the Ayegunle Chieftaincy Declaration, which pegged the number of kingmakers to six and refrain from increasing the number to nine as alleged.

Mrs Afuye, in a statement made available in Ado-Ekiti by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, advised Oba Aderiye to pay outstanding stipends to all the kingmakers for expeditious settlement of the imbroglio.

For speedy resolution of the crisis,

the Deputy Governor, ordered the monarch to withdraw all the cases pending in court as part of the trouble-shooting efforts, while also ordering the kingmakers to support the monarch to restore peace in the beleaguered town.

“We will also go to the council and get all the necessary vouchers regarding payment of stipends to Ayegunle chiefs. We will ensure that nobody is shortchanged in this matter . All the chiefs will get their entitlements, there must be cooperation between you”.

Speaking further on the petition, the Odofin of Ayegunle, Chief Ayodele Omoniyi and Sajuku of Ayegunle, Chief Olatunbosun Arowolo, said the embattled monarch has been ruling the town tyrannically, by allegedly increasing the number of kingmakers from six to nine without consultation.

The Chiefs accused the monarch of arbitrarily suspending and removing some chiefs without committing any offence, while also arresting youth and clamping them into detention without reasonable reason.

“The most pathetic of his action was the way he refused to release the N2m we made during the 2016 edition of Ayegunle Day to carry out development project. This was the beginning of restiveness in the town.

“In fact, we are tired of all these misdemeanours and that was why we demanded for his deposition, not because of hatred, no going back on his removal. He is not passionate about Ayegunle’s development”, they alleged.

In his defence, Oba Aderiye, who denied all the accusations, said the crisis began when some youth loyal to the estranged kingmakers attacked his palace and children over chieftaincy issue.

The monarch said all the people he installed as chiefs in the town received the blessings of the chiefs, including the kingmakers, contrary to the claims that he did the ascension arbitrarily.

On the arrest of the chiefs and youth by police, the traditional ruler claimed that those nabbed were held in connection with alleged attack on the palace and for causing unrest in the town, denying ever instigating the security agencies to clamp anyone in detention.

“Let the government go and check the financial records of our town, all the monies we made during our days were well appropriated. Even the monthly stipends for my chiefs were distributed to all the beneficiaries. My books are open, I have nothing to hide”, the monarch said .

Appealing to the feuding factions to shelve their swords, the paramount ruler of the kingdom and Ajero of Ijero -Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, appealed to all sides to forgive each other and work for the progress of the town.

Other monarchs; the Oluroye of Iroko- Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ekundayo and Onikun of Temidire- Ekiti, Oba Moses Fabusuyi, pleaded with the warring factions to place the development of the town over and above other interests.

Oyebanji seeks US partnership on economic growth, cocoa development.

Oyebanji seeks US partnership on economic growth, cocoa development.

….As American, Ekiti top officials meet in Ado-Ekiti.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has solicited the support and partnership with the United States of America in developing the critical economic sectors of the state to achieve his administration’s shared prosperity agenda.

Specifically, Ekiti State, according to Governor Oyebanji is desirous of the American government’s support for its Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on cocoa development as well as a collaboration between the state’s knowledge Zone and US technology hub, the Silicon Valley.

Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed these in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during a meeting with a team from American Embassy led by the Charge d’Affaires, David Green, said the state would explore the American expertise, resources, and investment as a progressive partner in the areas of economy, security, climate change, innovations, among others.

The Ekiti State Governor, at the meeting which was attended by the Consul General of the American Embassy, William Stevens; Chairman of CAVISTA Holdings, who is also the Chairman of Corporate Council on Africa, Mr John Olajide; and some top embassy officials, thanked the American Government for the support the state has received in its agriculture development drive, especially the Ikun Diary Farm.

He explained that the collaboration is expected to strengthen the state’s economy, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life of her citizens.

Stressing that productivity remains the watchword in his administration’s economic drive, Governor Oyebanji said any state that desires growth must be productive.  “If a state must prosper, that state must work on productivity and for productivity to happen there must be collaboration with the private sector.”, he added.

He highlighted areas of collaborations with the United States to  include support in the Agriculture sector, Ekiti Knowledge Zone, Youth and women empowerment, art and culture, climate change, health care, renewable energy, and investment promotion, among others.

The Governor expressed confidence that the collaborations would also unlock opportunities for advancement within the state, said his government is committed to driving economic prosperity and improving the standard of living of the citizens.

The Governor assured that his government would continue to provide enabling environment for private sectors with the aim of turning the state into production hub, thereby growing the economy of the state

 “The State thank you for your support and investment Ikun Dairy Farm. Ikun is a game changer, they have done so well, but they can do better, so we will be looking for support at feed formulation and artificial examination because that will solve the foreign exchange problem." The Governor said.

Earlier in his remark, the Charge d’Affaires, David Green, expressed the readiness of the United States Government to work with Ekiti State government to achieve its economic growth, adding that the Embassy would identify potential areas of development where the US could lend a hand in enhancing the state’s economic performance.

The Ambassador assured the Governor that the United States government is keen on ways to foster fruitful collaboration with the state government especially in the fields of Agriculture, health, knowledge economy, among others.

He promised to further the discussion with relevant agencies of the state government.

Other top officials at the meeting include Speaker of House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Bolaji Olagbaju; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade; Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani; Special Adviser on Governance, Hon Odunayo Ayeni and Director General, Ekiti  Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA), Mrs Lolade Olutola.

The Embassy’s team included Foreign Agriculture Councelor, Chris Bielecki; Deputy Political and Economic Chief, Kenise Hill; Political Specialist, Mayowa Obilade; Foreign Agricultural Specialist, Tolani Abegunde among others.

The team proceeded on an inspection of the Agbeyewa farms and other agricultural investments in the state, shortly after the meeting.

No plan to scrap LCDAs, says Aiyedatiwa.

No plan to scrap LCDAs, says Aiyedatiwa.

Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has promised not to scrap the Local Council Development Areas created by his former boss, late Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu, before his death, signed the creation of the LCDAs Bill into law after it had been passed by the state House of Assembly last year.

The assembly also approved the list of the caretaker chairmen appointed by Akeredolu to oversee the affairs of the local governments and LCDAs till the time the local government election would be held.

But the court stopped the inauguration of the appointed LGA caretaker chairmen and that of the LCDAs, preventing them from assuming office.

Speaking at a meeting with the former members of the caretaker committees of the LGAs and LCDAs at the Governor’s Office in Akure, on Monday, Aiyedatiwa said he would not scrap the council development areas because it was part of the late Akeredolu’s legacies.

He however said the government would soon constitute transition committees for the 18 LGAs and the 33 LCDAs ahead of the coming local government elections in the state.

He said, “Our administration does not have plans to abolish the recently created Local Council Development Areas in the state.

“The creation of the LCDAs is one of the legacies of our late leader, former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and it must be preserved.”

According to him, the case instituted in court by the opposition party and subsequent court injunction had prevented the inauguration of the caretaker chairmen’s assumption of office. But he noted that efforts were being intensified to resolve the court case through a political solution which has been granted by the court.

He added that once the case was finally withdrawn from the court, all the errors made in the composition of the list of appointees would be corrected and transition committees would be inaugurated.

The governor urged the former appointees to demonstrate more commitment to the party within their respective local government areas.

“It is important for us to come together as one big family for the progress of the APC and the development of our state. But I know that there is no division in the party’s leadership.”

In his remarks, the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, echoed the governor’s words of unity in the party, commending the governor for the interface with the party members.