We've Lifted 922 Businesses Through EK-CARES, Says Ekiti Government.

We've Lifted 922 Businesses Through EK-CARES, Says Ekiti Government. 

The Ekiti State Government says it has lifted over 922 vulnerable micro and small businesses across the State through the Ekiti State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (EK-CARES) initiative.

Speaking during an impact assessment tour of benefiting businesses across the State, the Technical Head, EK-CARES Result Area 3, Mr. Kehinde Otitoju expressed delight that the programme has not only helped to stabilize the local economy and restore livelihoods but has also repositioned them for future growth and resilience in the face of on-going economic challenges.

Otitoju who emphasized the objectives of the programme to include: provision of relief, facilitation of recovery and enhancement of the capabilities of business owners affected by COVID-19 pandemic, explained that the programme has played a crucial role in revitalizing the State’s economy by safeguarding jobs, stabilizing local industries and laying the groundwork for a more robust and resilient economic recovery.

He said the programme benefited businesses on Disbursement Link Indicator (DLI) 3.1 which is credit grant, operational grant on DLI 3.2 and Information Technology enhancement grant on DLI 3.3.

While assuring that the Oyebanji led-administration remained committed to its shared prosperity agenda of by fostering a conducive business environment and supporting local enterprises in the State, Mr Otitoju maintained that the programme had provided much-needed relief to micro and small enterprises which are the back bone of the State’s economy.

The impact assessment tour took the monitoring team to beneficiaries of EK-CARES programme in the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

Traditional Rulers Value Oyebanji’s Genuine Commitment to Ekiti Devt – Olojudo.

Traditional Rulers Value Oyebanji’s Genuine Commitment to Ekiti Devt – Olojudo.

The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro, on Friday expressed the readiness of all the monarchs in the State to backing Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the realisation of his progressive vision to the citizens.

Oba Faboro, who is the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti and a Pelupelu Oba, the highest ranking hierarchy within the Traditional Rulers’ Structures, said his colleague royal fathers are profoundly appreciative of Governor Oyebanji’s genuine commitment to the development of the state.

The First Class Traditional Rulers spoke, while playing host to the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, who paid a courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace in Ido Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the State.

Applauding the government for being inclusive, Oba Faboro maintained that the traditional rulers are appreciative of the governor, for placing high premium value on the welfare of Ekiti citizens.

Specifically, the traditional ruler praised Governor Oyebanji for making requisite sacrifices for the progress of the state.

“All the traditional rulers value the culture of humility that you are bringing back and the one being displayed by our governor, Biodun Oyebanji and the Deputy Governor.

“Most importantly, we value your perfect and genuine commitments to the development of our state.

“Let me say clearly here, all the Kabiyesis are happy and you can see the prevailing situation in Ekiti, we are all relaxed and happy that this is our government. We have progressed and we have the evidence everywhere.

“We are happy with the way this government has been respecting all our royal fathers, we are indeed very grateful for this show of love and respect”, the monarch said.

Reacting, Mrs Afuye, declared that Oyebanji’s administration values the strategic and invaluable roles being played by traditional rulers to foster peace, stability and unity among Ekiti residents.

Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, said most precious and outstanding among their roles, was the help being rendered to coordinate the locals against those, who wanted to make Ekiti unsafe for investors and predispose citizens to unwarranted insecurity.

Applauding Ekiti monarchs for their solid backings for the governor, Mrs Afuye, appealed to the monarchs to ensure peace and unity in their respective domains, for the aggressive actions being taken to expand the frontiers of development to all communities come to fruition.

Ajoni LCDA Stakeholders Meet To Boost Council's Revenue.

Ajoni LCDA Stakeholders Meet To Boost Council's Revenue.

The management of Ajoni LCDA led by the Council Chairman, Hon. (Amb) Prince Michael Ogungbemi fcpa convened a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, including the Traditional rulers from Ajoni communities, Babaloja's, Iyaloja's and Iyalaje's of the various markets.

In an avowed commitment to drive down the LCDA'S economic blue print and geared up it revenue policy, the Chairmen of the various yam markets from Iyemero, Oke~Ayedun, Esun, Odo~Ayedun, Ipao and Ayebode were assembled to discuss strategies for enhancing the Council's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Chairman emphasized the importance of tax payment in supporting the Council's developmental projects. Also stressed, tax evasion is a criminal offense and urged stakeholders to cooperate with the local council's and state government. The Alaaye of Oke Ayedun, Oba Aribisala together with other royal father's present at the meeting also endorsed position of the Council, encouraging the people to support the Council's efforts.

The meeting resolved to:

~Increase awareness about the importance of tax payment. 

~- Improve tax collection mechanisms.

~- Enhance collaboration between stakeholders and the Council

The Council's management appreciates the stakeholders' commitment to boosting revenue, just as the state internally generated revenue has been boosted through the pragmatic and productive efforts of the state governor in improving the IGR and supporting development in Ajoni LCDA.

Tinubu, Labour Agree On N70,000 Minimum Wage.

Tinubu, Labour Agree On N70,000 Minimum Wage.

President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers with promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years.

President Tinubu also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage.

President Tinubu announced the decisions at the meeting held with leaders of TUC and NLC on Thursday in Abuja, the second time the parties met in 7 days.

The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries.

The President also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage.

He also announced the decisions at the meeting held with leaders of TUC and NLC on Thursday in Abuja, the second time the parties met in 7 days.

The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries.

The Tripartite Committee on the new national minimum wage recently submitted figures to the President as the organised private sector and the government team had offered to pay N62,000.

However, the organised labour insisted on N250,000.

Following the disagreement, the President had delayed sending any figure to the National Assembly through an Executive Bill.

At Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, Tinubu had asked the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, to draft a bill to amend the 2024 budget to accommodate a new minimum wage.

Ekiti Deputy Gov Lauds BOUESTI Stunning Successes in Academics, Research.

Ekiti Deputy Gov Lauds BOUESTI Stunning Successes in Academics, Research.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has lauded the management of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI), for its commitment to research and scholarship, to propel the institution’s ranking on webometric scale.

The Deputy Governor, said the focus of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was to make BOUESTI a world class institution, calling on the management, the host community and the students’ population to coalesce efforts with him to actualise the dream.

Essentially, Mrs Afuye stressed that the foregoing could only be achieved with prudent management of resources, stable academic calendar and churning out of graduates that are competent and outstanding, both in character and learning.

The Deputy Governor, in a statement by her Special Assistant(Media), Victor Ogunje, gave the commendation, on Thursday, while being decorated with an award of ‘Friend of the Researchers’, by BOUESTI’s management, at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

Saluting the management for their focus and dedication, Mrs Afuye, said Governor Oyebanji, had in his firm resolve to actualise the dream of making BOUESTI earn global respect increased its monthly subvention to spur good academic and research rating.

Specifically, she stated that the reason behind the increase was to bring radical improvement to workers’ welfare, boost research exploration and enhance infrastructural facelift.

“Let me commend the leadership of BOUESTI for what they have been doing in terms of producing graduates that can make Ekiti proud in line with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s dream.

“Within this short time the school was upgraded to a university status, the management team has done wonderfully well. They have not only impacted positively on the state, they are also making good impacts on the host community.

“The whole essence of having a university is to produce quality graduates and for expansion of research scope, so that we can make scientific headways. I want the leadership not to derail from this focus.

“I appreciate this award and I think it will further propel me to make further meaningful sacrifices to develop this institution, because it is our pride”.

Presenting the award, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Victor Adeoluwa, saluted the Deputy Governor, for her personal contributions to the university, and for backing Governor Oyebanji to execute the roadmap geared towards developing the institution.

Adeoluwa, represented by the institution’s Director, Centre for Research and Development , Dr. Bankoke Faloye, said the award conferment was in appreciation of the past and present contributions of the Deputy Governor to the institution.

The VC pledged that he would galvanise the intellectual and professional knacks of his team to realise the dream of making the institution deliver on its mandate of promoting scholarship and research.

“This award was to appreciate Her Excellency for her past and present contributions dated back to about 30 years. She is like a mother to the institution.

“Mrs Afuye has done much for us financially, physically and spiritually. We are here to appreciate her on behalf of our Vice Chancellor for her great exploits in making BOUESTI an institution we can all be proud of as Ekiti citizens”, he said.

EKSG Resolves Epe Land Dispute, Urges Citizens to Protect Customs, Tradition.

EKSG Resolves Epe Land Dispute, Urges Citizens to Protect Customs, Tradition.

The Ekiti State Government, has resolved the festering land dispute between the Elepe of Epe Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area, Oba Ayodele Adesoye and Atolagbe Family, warning against brazen distortion of customs and tradition by the citizens hiding under the facade of modernisation.

By this resolution, the State government ordered all the three Ruling Houses in the community to release to Oba Adesoye, resource like Palm Trees at “Oko Oba Farmland” to administer, in consonance with the tradition and customs of the town.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the order in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while resolving the land tussle between the royal father and Atolagbe Family, through a statement signed by her Special Assistant( Media), Victor Ogunje.

Based on the contention of Oba Adesoye that the age long tradition accorded him unfettered latitude to be custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, Mrs Afuye, said the monarch should be given such right since there were enough evidence to substantiate the fact that such practice existed.

The Deputy Governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other Princes and Princesses from all the three Ruling Houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.

Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.

In his response, Oba Adesoye, appreciated the government’s directive and promised to work hard to initiate peace building process to unite the throne with the subjects for accelerated development of Epe community.

Speaking on behalf of the Atolagbe family, Dr Yemi Agbeleoba, said the royal family was not opposed to the idea of surrendering Oko Oba land to the monarch, but insisted that all the three Ruling Houses must comply for such arrangement to be effective and conform to the age long practice.

Dr Agbekeoba thanked the government for the directive, saying it will help in resolving the lingering crisis.

Ekiti State Government Delighted with Return of Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup.

Ekiti State Government Delighted with Return of Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup.

….Lauds the Oyebode’s investment in grassroots football.

The Ekiti State Government has expressed its wholesome delight and total support for the 2024 edition of the sports talent discovery initiative, the Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup for boys and girls.

At a media parley held in Ado Ekiti, the Technical Advisor to the Ekiti State Governor on sports Development, Dr. Mrs. Olusola Osetoba, revealed that the state government under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is fully behind the project and is ready to provide the necessary support to ensure its success. 

The Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup has a strong reputation for unearthing young talents in Ekiti State and Dr. Osetoba noted that this keys into the Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s youth development and job creation developmental agenda for Ekiti and the government is confident its return will again provide a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills and potentially launch their careers.

Dr. Osetoba further praised Hon. Akintunde Oyebode for his contributions to sports development in the state, urging others to emulate his example.

"I'm happy to see this type of competition return to our state. The competition will keep our youths engaged and busy, and we are happy that it will reach all localities in Ekiti State. We want to encourage others to follow Akin Oyebode's lead and support sports development in Ekiti State," she said.

In addition, she said this a great opportunity for Ekiti United FC and Ekiti Queens FC to scout for young talents and bring them into their folds.

Dr Osetoba also praised Bayo Olanlege, the former FA Chairman and an important football stakeholder in the state, for his contributions to the development of football in Ekiti State. 

 "During Bayo Olanlege's time, competitions like this were the reason our stadiums were always busy. We are grateful for his legacy and commitment to sports development." She stated.