Gov Oyebanji's Transformative Initiatives Reshaping Ekiti State's Future.

Gov Oyebanji's Transformative Initiatives Reshaping Ekiti State's Future.

By Olamide Akinwumi

In Ekiti State, the administration of Governor Biodun Abiodun Oyebanji, fondly referred to as BAO, has embarked on a series of remarkable initiatives aimed at improving the lives of its citizens and fostering economic development. These initiatives, covering various sectors, highlight the government's commitment to addressing key challenges and creating opportunities for growth.

●Significant Approvals and Payments:

●Salary Arrears Cleared: The governor approved the payment of one month salary arrears to State and Local Government workers, totaling over N2.7 billion.

●Increment in Subvention: An increment of N600 million per month was approved for autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and all tertiary institutions.

●Pension Arrears Settled: Two months pension arrears owed to State and Local Government workers, totaling N1.5 billion, were cleared. Additionally, the monthly gratuity payment for state pensioners was increased to N100 million, and for local Government pensioners to N100 million, bringing the total monthly gratuity payment to N200 million.

●Investments in Agriculture and Livestock:

Boosting Food Production: A commitment of N1 billion was made to improve food production, with a focus on land preparation and support for small-scale farmers.

●Transforming Livestock Subsector: A significant sum of N1.2 billion was committed to transforming the livestock subsector through the World Bank-financed Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.

●Support for Businesses and Economic Recovery:

●Loan Programmes: A N500 million loan programme in partnership with Access Bank was launched to support medium and small-scale businesses. Additionally, a N1 billion cooperative fund was established to provide low-interest working capital for cooperatives and members.

●Continuation of Relief Programmes: The governor approved the continuation of the conditional cash transfer to low-income households and the CARES programme, with a focus on livelihood support, technology support for small businesses, and support for agric produce, with N3.5 billion earmarked for these initiatives.

●Social Welfare and Infrastructure Development:

Free Bus Service: The provision of free bus service for students and workers within Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti, with plans to extend it to Ekiti State University (EKSU) and other major towns.

●Food Distribution: Distribution of food items to the 177 wards of the State, coordinated by the Local Government Councils and Community Development Associations.

These initiatives underscore Governor Biodun Oyebanji commitment to touching lives and solving problems in Ekiti State, driving positive change and progress across the region. With a focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development, the administration continues to make significant strides in improving the welfare and well-being of its citizens.

NANS backs out from NLC planned protest, seeks dialogue with FG.

NANS backs out from NLC planned protest, seeks dialogue with FG.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned industrial action and embrace dialogue with the federal government.

A statement by NANS Senate president, Akinteye Afeez said the impact of the strike on academic activities would be particularly devastating for students, who are already grappling with various challenges within the educational system.

He said disruptions to academic calendars, examinations, and other educational activities could derail the progress of students and exacerbate the already precarious situation in the education sector.

The student body stressed the importance of unity and solidarity in times of crisis, urging the NLC to join hands with the government and other stakeholders in advancing the development agenda of the nation.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian government has reportedly fulfilled approximately 60 percent of the demands presented by the NLC, indicating a commitment to addressing the concerns of workers and improving their welfare. However, the looming threat of a strike poses a significant risk of further exacerbating the economic challenges facing the nation and disrupting the lives of ordinary citizens, including students.

“We are appealing to the NLC to shun the path of strike action and explore alternative avenues for resolving disputes with the government. We believe that dialogue and constructive engagement are essential for addressing grievances and achieving meaningful progress in improving the welfare of workers and citizens alike.”

NANS pledged its support for the NLC in their advocacy and efforts to address challenges facing workers while ensuring the well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians.

Protest over economic hardship paralyses commercial activities in Edo.

Protest over economic hardship paralyses commercial activities in Edo.

Protest by members of Edo Civil Society Organisations, (EDOCSO) on Monday, February 26, paralysed commercial activities in Benin, the Edo State capital, and its environs.

The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to address the economic hardship in Nigeria.

Members of EDOCSO, who were armed with placards, bearing various inscriptions, took the protest march from the popular Ring Road and moved to Akpakpava Road, and other busy roads in Benin.

Inscriptions on their placards included: “Nigerians are starving to death”, “Tinubu, end hunger and suffering in Nigeria” and “FG, end hunger in Nigeria now” among others.

EDOCSO’s interim chairman, Austine Enabulele, while addressing reporters at the venue of the protest, stated that the 14-day ultimatum given to President Tinubu to fix the Nigerian economy had since elapsed, with nothing done to address hunger in the country.

Enabulele said: “On February 10, 2024, we held a news briefing and gave the Federal Government two weeks to fix the problems of Nigeria and end hunger in the country. Two weeks have long expired, and nothing has been done.

“So, we have come out today to tell President Tinubu to fix the hunger and suffering in Nigeria. Enough is enough. We cannot take the pains anymore. Enough of the hunger, enough of the hardship, enough of bad governance in Nigeria.

“Nigerians are dying every day. Children are now becoming orphans, because their fathers are dying, because of the hardship in Nigeria.

“The President should give value to our naira, because Nigerians do not use Dollars. We cannot be living our lives in Dollars.”

A cleric with Omega Fire Ministries (OFM), Benin, Pastor Azemhe Azena, who is the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the September 21 election in Edo, during the protest, declared that the situation was getting out of hand while admonishing the government at all levels to urgently take steps to checkmate it.

Azena said: “Hunger is biting harder in our country. The people are suffering. We are here to draw the attention of the government to the state of the economy in the entire country. The leaders should do something fast because a hungry man is an angry man.

“To prevent anger, crime, and violence in society, you have to attend to hunger. The prices of things are going up in Nigeria per hour. So, we should control, and regulate the prices of goods. So, that the poor can breathe, and afford the items.

“I am a pastor, I can feel it in the faces of members of my congregation. The load is becoming too much on the clerics because they need to pay people’s school fees, feed them, transport them, and pay hospital bills. We meet them daily, but government officials do not meet them on a daily basis. Government officials only meet them during elections.”

The NNPP’s governorship candidate also urged the government officials to quickly do something about the difficult situation in Nigeria.

FEC adopts Orosanye Report for implementation.

FEC adopts Orosanye Report for implementation.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Monday, February 26, approved the adoption of the Orosanye Report, aimed at the reduction of cost of governance, for implementation.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists during a media briefing after the FEC meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Idris, the adoption of the report means that some agencies, commissions and departments of government would be scrapped, some merged, some subsumed under some others and others moved under new ministries where they are supposed to perform better.

“In a very bold move today, this administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consistent again with his courage to take very far-reaching decisions in the interest of Nigerians, has taken a decision to implement the so called Orosanye Report.

“Now, what that means is that a number of agencies, commissions, and some departments have actually been scrapped, some have been merged, while others have been subsumed. Others, of course, have also been moved from some ministries to others where government feels they will operate better.

“Like I said, this is a very far-reaching decision. It is aimed, one, to fine-tune or to restructure government operations as a whole. Secondly, it’s in line also with decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance”, he said.

He, however, explained that the adoption of the report did not mean people working in the affected agencies and departments will lose their jobs.

Everton’s 10-point deduction reduced to six.

Everton’s 10-point deduction reduced to six.

Everton have had their 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) reduced to six following their appeal hearing.

Everton will now be on 25 points which moves them up to 15th and five points above the bottom three.

It was reported Everton were sanctioned by an independent commission on November 17 after being found to have exceeded permitted losses by £19.5m over an assessment period ending with the 2021-22 season.

The club appealed the decision with the hearing taking place over three days, which concluded at the start of February.

“Everton FC appealed the sanction imposed against it on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction rather than the fact of the breach, which the club admitted,” the Premier League said in a statement.

“Two of those nine grounds were upheld by the appeal board, which has substituted the original points deduction of 10 for six.”

Everton said they were satisfied the appeal had resulted in a reduction in the points sanction.

Everton said in a statement they were “particularly pleased with the appeal board’s decision to overturn the original commission’s finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith”.

“That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the club on appeal,” the statement added. “The club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal.”

“Notwithstanding the appeal board’s decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023.”

Court to rule on Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application March 19.

Court to rule on Nnamdi Kanu’s bail application March 19.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 19, 2024, to rule on the fresh bail application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The court also scheduled March 20, for the commencement of the resumed trial.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyanko, adjourned after listening to the argument by counsel to parties in the matter.

The trial resumed on the matter on Monday after being suspended after the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Kanu in October 2022.

The appellate court also declared illegal and unlawful, the rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

However, the FG appealed against the judgment at the apex court.

The Supreme Court in its judgement on December 15, 2023, ordered the continuation of the trial of Kanu on terrorism charges.

The court held that there is no law in the country stopping a trial based on the violation of the rights of a suspect.

Kanu has been in DSS detention since June 2021 when he was repatriated from Kenya to Nigeria.

At the court proceedings on Monday, the counsel for the defendant, Alloy Ejimakor told the court he had applied for the bail of his client and a preliminary objection.

He urged the court to grant Kanu bail on health grounds.

Ejimakor also said the continued incarceration of Kanu would affect his defence in the trial.

Constitution review: NASS to prioritise transparency, says Speaker Abbas.

Constitution review: NASS to prioritise transparency, says Speaker Abbas.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday, said the review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly would be guided by the spirit of transparency, oneness, inclusivity and national cohesion.

He stated this on Monday while speaking at the inauguration of the House Special Committee on Constitution Review.

It was reported during the weekend that the committee chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, had received over 44 bills seeking alterations in the 1999 Constitution on many issues including rotational presidency, State police, and local government autonomy, among others.

According to Abbas, the parliament will work hand-in-hand with the executive arm of government at the federal and state levels to ensure that the process enjoys the backing of Nigerians.

The constitution review exercise is expected to be completed within 24 months.

He said, “The process will be deeply rooted in engaging with the Nigerian people at all levels, including traditional and religious institutions, pressure groups and trade unions, ethnoreligious organisations, the diaspora community, and much more.

“We intend to harness the inputs of all Nigerians at the level of senatorial districts through open forum public consultations, and digital platforms, ensuring that every voice is heard and considered.”

Commending past exercises, Abbas who represents Zaria Federal Constituency added that the current review which is the 6th would focus on “devolution of powers, state policing; enhancement of fiscal federalism through local government autonomy; further decongesting the exclusive legislative list; recognising and assigning constitutional roles for traditional institutions; and promoting inclusivity, particularly greater gender equity and women representation into appointive and elective positions.”

He called on members of the committee, and Nigerians at large “Not to shy away from the complexities and the debates that will arise during this process, adding that “Instead, let us embrace them as vital components of a vibrant democracy. The discussions and disagreements are not signs of weakness but rather indications of our strength and diversity. They remind us that we are a nation of many voices, each with something valuable to contribute to our collective future.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, Kalu said the panel would work tirelessly to deliver on its mandate within the next 24 months.

Kalu stated that in the discharge of its assignment, the committee would ensure “that every voice is heard, every perspective is considered, and every citizen is empowered to participate in the shaping of our nation’s future. ”

He listed areas of consideration in the amendment to include “Establishment of state police, state access to mines; increased participation of women in politics; clear specification of the taxes/levies to be collected by each tier of government and the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

The deputy speaker also assured Nigerians that proposals passed in the last constitution review exercise but which were not assented to by the President, would be revised.

“It is important to reiterate that we are willing to accommodate more proposals to enhance our Constitution and strengthen our democracy. In addition, we await executive-sponsored bill proposals that reflect issues on the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, ” Kalu further stated.

Chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, on his part, said the State Assemblies would stop at nothing to ratify the Constitution alterations bills once they are transmitted by the National Assembly.

Ogundoyin who doubles as Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said, “I assure you that through the conference of speakers, that all the States will work to ratify the documents once they are passed on by the National Assembly.”

However, Ogundoyin added that the debate on the review of the Constitution is an endless one until Nigerians get the Constitution they deserve.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, assured that the Senate and House Committees will work seamlessly to ensure a comprehensive review of the constitution, adding that the process was not just a law review, but an amendment with the potential to reshape the nation’s democracy.

Represented by Barau Jibrin, Akpabio said that the process would be guided by the highest principles of transparency, diligence, inclusiveness as well as collaboration.