Celebrating a Pillar of Arts and Culture: Arch. Tope Ogunleye Honored at Ekiti State Festival.

Celebrating a Pillar of Arts and Culture: Arch. Tope Ogunleye Honored at Ekiti State Festival.

The 2024 edition of the Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture, fondly known as #EkiFest2024, was a resounding success, marked by the recognition of a true champion of the arts - Arch. Tope Ogunleye.

Arch. Tope Ogunleye, a renowned philanthropist and ardent supporter of the arts, was honored with the prestigious award of "Distinguished Supporter of Arts and Culture in Ekiti State" for his unwavering commitment to uplifting the cultural fabric of the state.

Beyond his support for the arts, Arch. Tope Ogunleye's legacy of service to the community knows no bounds. Records show that he has donated boreholes in strategic locations across Ado Ekiti, illuminated streets with the installation of streetlights, and undertaken renovations of community buildings - all in the pursuit of bettering the lives of his fellow citizens.

"Arch. Tope Ogunleye's contributions to the arts and culture sector in Ekiti State are truly commendable," remarked the organizers of #EkiFest2024. "His tireless efforts to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of our state have been instrumental in inspiring the next generation of artists and cultural ambassadors."

Arch. Tope Ogunleye.

While Arch. Ogunleye is known for his humble demeanor and reluctance to seek the limelight, his impact on the Ado community has been profound and lasting. Through his philanthropic endeavors and unwavering support for the arts, he has cemented his place as a true pillar of our community.

The honor bestowed upon Arch. Tope Ogunleye at #EkiFest2024 is a testament to the profound and far-reaching impact of his work. As Ekiti State continues to celebrate its vibrant arts and culture, the name of Arch. Ogunleye will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of those who cherish the preservation and advancement of this rich heritage.

Lawal Ismail Ayodeji

Ado-Ekiti, Ward 9.

Samira Buhari Launches Empowering Mentorship Program, Receives African Award for Advocacy and Community Development.

Samira Buhari Launches Empowering Mentorship Program, Receives African Award for Advocacy and Community Development.

Dr. Samira Buhari launching the Samira Buhari Mentorship Program (SBMP) during her launch speech at the 100 Most Notable Africans Business Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, 2 August, 2024.

 At the esteemed 100 Most Notable Africans Business Summit in Kigali, Samira Buhari, a leading advocate for women's empowerment, announced the launch of the Samira Buhari Mentorship Program. This groundbreaking initiative is poised to transform the lives of young African women by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to excel in leadership and entrepreneurship.

The Samira Buhari Mentorship Program aims to empower emerging leaders, promote sustainable development, and enhance business acumen. The program features a meticulous mentorship matching process, pairing mentees with experienced industry leaders for tailored guidance and support. This initiative seeks to provide participants with invaluable insights, expand their networks, and equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in their chosen fields.

Dr. Samira Buhari receiving the Africa Award for Advocacy and Community Development presented by Hon. Sen. Dr. Aplonia Munzerengwi, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe.

In her address, Dr Samira expressed her deep gratitude to the summit organizers for the opportunity to share her vision.

She stated, "I believe in the boundless potential of Africa's young women. By providing them with the right support and opportunities, we can cultivate a generation of strong, independent leaders who will drive positive change across our continent."

Group photo of attendees at the 100 Most Notable Africans Business Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, 2 August, 2024.

The significance of this announcement at the 100 Most Notable Africans Business Summit is underscored by the presence of notable attendees such as H.E. Dr. Dauda Lawal, Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Nigeria, and Hon. Sen. Dr. Aplonia Munzverengwi, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mashonaland, East Province, Republic of Zimbabwe. Their presence at the summit highlights the importance of the event and the collective effort to recognize and foster leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa.

During the event, Samira Buhari was honored with the prestigious Africa Award for Advocacy and Community Development. This award acknowledges her relentless efforts and significant contributions to advocacy and community development, reinforcing the value and impact of her work through the Daurama Foundation.

The Samira Buhari Mentorship Program exemplifies the Daurama Foundation's commitment to addressing critical issues such as health, education, and economic empowerment for women and girls. Through this initiative, Samira Buhari aims to inspire and equip the next generation of female leaders to make a significant impact in their communities and beyond.

The Daurama Foundation, established by Dr. Samira Buhari, is committed to improving health outcomes and championing the rights of women and girls across Nigeria through advocacy, comprehensive education, and active community engagement. We work to tackle pressing issues that affect the well-being and rights of girls and women in the communities we serve. Our programs aim to address domestic violence, improve neonatal health, and advocate for menstrual health and hygiene. Empowering women and girls, fostering sustainable development, and attaining equality heavily rely on these pivotal focus areas.

Press Contact:

Press Office, Daurama Foundation: press@dauramafoundation.org

Gov. Oyebanji Approves Elevation of Primary School teachers to GL 16.

Gov. Oyebanji Approves Elevation of Primary School teachers to GL 16. 

Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
Executive Governor of Ekiti State.

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has approved the advancement of primary school teachers in the state from grade level 15 to grade level 16 with immediate effect.

In a statement by the Executive Chairman of Ekiti SUBEB, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, the approval was given in order to bring the primary school teachers in the state to a parallel peak with their counterparts in the civil service.

According to the statement, Governor Oyebanji's continuous provision of incentives to primary school teachers in the state was in fulfilment of his vision of shared prosperity for all categories of the state's workforce.

The statement added that the teachers' friendly Governor will continue to support the teachers at all levels by providing for them a conducive teaching - learning environment in order to motivate them for effective service delivery.

It enjoined them to work harder to sustain the present level of development in the state's education industry which has earned the state it's nickname as the ''fountain of knowledge and land of honour".

It will be recalled that the Governor had in a couple of months ago started disbursement of cars and housing loans for Primary School teachers in the state among several other incentives as part of the steps to review the policy which had hitherto discriminated the primary school teachers against their counterparts in the civil service.

Our huge investment in Creative Industry is to boost state's economy - Oyebanji.

Our huge investment in Creative Industry is to boost state's economy - Oyebanji.

... Lays foundation of world class centre for arts, culture.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his administration’s commitment to huge investment in the creative industry in the drive to boost the economy of the state.

Governor Oyebanji, who stated this in Ado Ekiti on Monday while performing the ground breaking ceremony of Ekiti state International Centre for Arts and Culture, said the state is already developing systems and infrastructure to enable it take advantage of all that the sector can offer to make the state an art and tourism destination of choice for both national and international communities.

While affirming that Ekiti State, over the years, had demonstrated comparative advantage in the creative industry, the Governor said the state will continue to harness its natural endowment to sell the huge potential in the creative industry and boost the economy.

At the event, which was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon.) Adeoye Aribasoye, members of the state Executive Council, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, members of the state traditional council, led by its chairman and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro, the Governor commended the state cultural troupe for their escapades nationally and internationally and assured them that his administration would continue to provide veritable platforms and support for them to continue to excel in all their future endeavours.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering determination and commitment to nurture talents, promote cultural exchange, and foster economic growth through the arts. He urged residents of the state to direct their passion towards efforts that will ginger everyone towards achieving the shared prosperity agenda of the government. 

The Governor, who noted that culture has grown to become the very essence of a people which shapes the identity, preserves traditions, and connects to the past, present, and future added that he was not only constructing a mere physical structure but laying the groundwork for a vibrant cultural ecosystem that will inspire future generations.

He used the opportunity to express his gratitude to some notable indigenes of the state, such as wife of the former Governor of the state, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Senators Babafemi Ojudu,  Olu Adetunbi and Tony Adeniyi, who have dedicated themselves to the preservation and promotion of the state’s cultural heritage and had assisted in making the project a reality. 

"We are laying the groundwork for a vibrant ecosystem that will inspire generations to come. Ekiti State International Centre for Arts and Culture will be a melting point of creativity where artists from diverse cultures will converge to exchange ideas, showcase their talents, and celebrate the boundless beauty of human expressions.  It will be a place where Arts transcends language and borders, fostering understanding  and harmony among those who work through its doors.

"We recognize the transformative power of art in shaping society, igniting imagination and bridging divides. This centre will not only be a sanctuary for artists but a catalyst for social change and progress.

"Together, we are creating a legacy that will endure for generations,  inspiring creativity,  fostering unity, and showcasing the indomitable spirit of our people.  As we lay this foundation stone today, let it stand as a symbol of our collective vision, our shared passion for the arts, and our unwavering dedication to the cultural enrichment of Ekiti state. He stated.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Ojo Bakare commended Governor Oyebanji for all his investment in the creative industry and promised that the state performing arts company would continue to do the state proud in all its national and international engagements.

While describing the edifice as a world hub to engage in critical thinking by the befitting infrastructure, the commissioner added that the new project, when completed, will provide greater opportunities for the performing company to have better and improved platforms to excel.

Police nab ex-convict, others for killing PoS operators.

Police nab ex-convict, others for killing PoS operators.

Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State, Mr. Adeniran Akinwale

The Ekiti State Police Command says its operatives have arrested an ex-convict, Omowaye Ayodele, and two other suspects – Ojo Temidayo and Busarí Lookman, who confessed to killings and kidnappings of Point of Sales operators in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

This was according to the state Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale in a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, and made available to journalists on Sunday.

The CP said the three suspects, upon investigation, narrated their roles in the death of a woman, Aina Adeyemi, who was robbed and shot dead at the Federal Polytechnic Satellite Campus area in Ado Ekiti.

He stated that Ayodele confessed that “himself and his gang members have attacked and robbed different Point of Sale operators at different locations in Ado Ekiti such as Bawa Estate Area, Better Life Area, among others.”

He stated that after Adeyemi was killed by a gunman riding on an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, the command “immediately deployed the Rapid Response Squad operatives to the scene. Investigation by the command led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Ayodele.

“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to having taken part in the commission of the crime and mentioned Temidayo and Lookman as accomplices.

“Ayodele said that Lookman robbed and shot the victim while himself and Temidayo were standing beside the road very close to the crime scene to monitor the environment and to describe the victim to Lookman who carried out the operation.”

The CP said Lookman “confessed during interrogation that he shot the deceased victim and robbed her of N155,000. He also mentioned one Sunday Onyema who is currently at large.

“According to him, the money was handed over to Ayodele, who in turn gave N50,000 to him. Temidayo, on his own, confessed that he is an Indian hemp seller and a fraudster.”

The police boss said the suspects are “currently undergoing investigation and shall be arraigned accordingly, while effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing member of the gang who is allegedly in custody of the arms they use for their operations.”

The ex-convict, Ayodele, who completed his jail term in May 2024, was a member of the syndicate that kidnapped a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Femi Olaofe, from his residence on July 9, 2024.

Olaofe’s corpse was exhumed from a shallow grave and deposited in a morgue.

Politics Should Unite, not Divide us, Oyebanji Charges Ekiti Citizens.

Politics Should Unite, not Divide us, Oyebanji Charges Ekiti Citizens.

...As Ogoga commends governor for Developing Ikere town.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has advised the citizens not to allow politics to stoke unwarranted cleavages and rift among them, urging that they should stand united to collectively pursue and achieve the development of the state in all spheres of the economy.

Oyebanji urged political players to perceive politics as instrument of unity, development and progress, rather than a weapon of destruction and enmity.

Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the charge in Ikere Ekiti, on Saturday, during the 2024 edition of the Annual Odun Oba Festival, held at the palace of Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado.

Oyebanji, who showered encomiums on the monarch for championing uncommon and radical development in the town since his enthronement, urged the royal father to work relentlessly to ensure that the indigenes remain bonded in love, regardless of political affiliations.

Oyebanji assured the town that his administration would continually provide water-forced security and rev up the pedal of project delivery, by fasttracking speedy completion of the Ikere-Igbara Odo and Ikere-Ilawe roads to further expose the town to modernity and business opportunities.

On the persistent case of power outage being experienced in a section of the town, Oyebanji revealed that efforts are on top gear for the supply of transformer to restore electricity in the affected area to bolster business activities and improve local economy.

“Approval has been given for the procurement of the transformer to restore electricity to the affected area. We are supplying new one and not refurbished one. Just be patient with us. This government is ready to make Ikere a beacon of development and progress.

“The development of all the towns in Ekiti is very paramount to us as a government. We have started the progress and no community will be neglected in our development plans”.

On the significance of the Odun Oba Festival, Oyebanji stated that it was primarily organised by the community to reinforce the unity among the people and celebrate the town’s rich cultural endowment.

In his submission, the highly elated Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, commended Governor Oyebanji, for partnering the community to tackle perpetrators of recurrent bank robbery and marauding Fulani herders allegedly attacking farmers and subjecting the town to food shortage.

The monarch further applauded the governor on the construction of of Ikere-Igbara Odo, Ikere-Ise and Ikere-Ilawe roads and other highbrow projects in Ikere Ekiti, thereby exposing the community to better economic activities.

Revealing communal efforts being made to complement the government to combat insecurity, Oba Adu stated that the community was currently working on a Security Trust Fund that would be used to build a magnificent building that will be used for by the police as Area Command to ease policing work

Specifically, the monarch saluted the elites, honourary chieftaincy titles, private investors and all the indigenes of the town for their commitments to Ikere development, saying their partnerships have ushered in unquantifiable dividends to the citizens.

Harping on the imperative of all the indigenes standing united to strengthen the cord of unity among them, Oba Alagbado stressed that the annual Odun Oba, was specifically conceived to celebrate the town’s rich cultural heritage and to further unite the town.

“Let me specifically thank Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his Deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye for their love for Ikere Ekiti. Their contributions have been reflecting in the development being witnessed across the town and in the success of this festival.

“But a lot more needed to be done. Let us be more committed, because there is no other town we can call ours. I know some people wanted to destroy the image of our town, but we must be patient with them. Don’t let us fight anybody, we have to protect our heritage”.

In their responses, the duo of the Chairmen of Ikere Local Government, Hon.Olu Adamolekun and his counterpart in Ikere West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rufus Olorunfemi, described the festival as opportunity to celebrate and showcase the adorning cultural heritage of the town.

The council bosses, who warned against political bickerings and division, solicited the efforts of all the citizens for the community to be launched to a higher pedestal and become epicentre of progress.

Other high profile dignitaries at the event were: Former Deputy Governor Abiodun Aluko, Vice Chancellor, University of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Victor Adeniyi, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, traditional rulers, politicians, members of Ikere Development Forum, youth groups, among others.

Ambassador Owotomobi Calls for Dialogue Over #Endbadgovernance Protest.

Ambassador Owotomobi Calls for Dialogue Over #Endbadgovernance Protest.

The Global Chairman of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard (BATSV), Ambassador Dr. Dare Owotomobi, has urged the organizers of the ongoing national #Endbadgovernance protest to pursue dialogue instead of engaging with disgruntled politicians from the last general elections.

Dr. Owotomobi disclosed that after he exposed the involvement of these politicians, Omoyele Sowore volunteered to lead the protest, while Atiku Abubakar offered his support. He added that Peter Obi and other supporters were seen at the Freedom Park protest venue in Abuja.

Expressing shock, Dr. Owotomobi noted that Peter Obi chose to protest despite the recent deaths of Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu and Onyeka Onwenu. Obi, who had been present when Onwenu collapsed, was criticized for not honoring the deceased by mourning.

Last week, Dr. Owotomobi advised Nigerian youths not to let presidential election losers exploit them for protests. His concerns were validated when hoodlums hijacked the protest in Kano, leading to looting at the National Communications Commission office. Tragically, the unrest resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including security personnel.

The Global Chairman commended President Tinubu for allowing the protest, demonstrating democratic principles. However, he emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for arson, vandalism, and security threats. He insisted that actions causing loss of lives and properties should be treated as treasonable offenses.

Dr. Owotomobi called for national unity, urging Nigerians to support the government or prepare for the next election rather than plotting political coups. He warned that mishandling the situation could lead to economic and human losses, citing the "stay-at-home" order in the South East as an example.

Concluding, Dr. Owotomobi appealed to protest participants to reconsider their actions to prevent further violence and destruction.

Jimmy Nanyak Lar.

Special Assistant Media to BATSV Global Chairman.