Akure South Empowerment Programme: Concerned Citizens Demand Accountability Over ₦33M Allocation.

Akure South Empowerment Programme: Concerned Citizens Demand Accountability Over ₦33M Allocation.

  Questions are being raised over the implementation of an empowerment programme reportedly organised by the Akure South Local Government under the leadership of *Hon. Gbenga Timothy Fasua* , with concerned citizens calling for greater transparency and accountability regarding the funds reportedly earmarked for beneficiaries.

The empowerment exercise, said to have taken place on September 18, 2026, was reportedly targeted at three major categories of residents — the aged, youths and women.

According to information made available by concerned citizens, ₦18 million was reportedly earmarked for the aged, ₦10 million for youths and ₦5 million for women, bringing the reported total allocation to ₦33 million.

However, concerns have emerged over the alleged level of disbursement to the intended beneficiaries.

The concerned citizens alleged that, as of the time of writing, no youth beneficiary had received any payment, while fewer than 10 percent of the aged were said to have received funds. They also said there was no clear account available to them regarding the disbursement to the women’s group.

Particular concern was raised over the experience of elderly residents who reportedly gathered for several hours during the exercise. According to the account, some of the aged beneficiaries spent approximately eight hours under the sun, only to return home without receiving the expected empowerment support.

The concerned citizens further alleged that the beneficiaries and groups reportedly targeted by the programme had not been able to satisfactorily trace the purported empowerment funds to the intended recipients.

Against this backdrop, we are calling on the Akure South Local Government Chairman, *Hon Gbenga Timothy Fashua* to provide a clear and comprehensive account of the programme, including the actual amount released, the beneficiaries reached, the mode of disbursement and the status of funds reportedly earmarked for the different categories.

The call, is not intended to undermine government programmes but to ensure that public resources meant for vulnerable residents are properly accounted for and that intended beneficiaries receive the support announced in their name.

The citizens therefore urged the Akure South Local Government to address the concerns publicly and provide verifiable information on the implementation of the empowerment programme.

Until such clarification is provided, questions surrounding the reported ₦33 million empowerment allocation remain a matter of public concern.

 The concerned Citizens of Akure South Local Government, Ondo State.

40 Million Women Votes: 176,846 Communities Activated for Tinubu in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kwara, Abia, Rivers, Others.

40 Million Women Votes: 176,846 Communities Activated for Tinubu in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kwara, Abia, Rivers, Others.

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Women Mobilisation Directorate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has activated women across 176,846 communities as part of its grassroots engagement and mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Directorate said women’s groups in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kwara, Abia, Rivers and other states have been holding action meetings and community-level engagements over the past month as part of efforts to build a sustained grassroots structure.

The structure, according to the Directorate, is designed to establish committed grassroots mobilisers who will maintain contact with households and communities while encouraging women and other eligible voters to participate in the electoral process.

Dr Betta Edu, Director of Women Mobilisation, PCC, working under the guidance of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has charged women across the country to strengthen grassroots engagement and mobilise fellow women and other citizens around the programmes and policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

From Afaka Ward in Kaduna State to Kemanji Ward in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, Angwa-Katsinawa and Daura in Katsina State, Dutse in Jigawa State and communities in Abia and Rivers states, women’s groups have continued to hold meetings and sensitisation activities.

The Directorate said the engagements are intended to connect government policies and programmes with the everyday economic realities of women in their communities.

It said the grassroots mobilisation structure would focus not only on political participation Campaign Rallies and election-day mobilisation but also on helping women understand the Achievements of the President Tinubu administration, government programmes, identify available opportunities, determine eligibility, access relevant interventions and engage implementing institutions.

Dr. Edu said the Directorate would continue to promote practical information-sharing, particularly on initiatives and reforms that could affect household incomes, businesses and livelihoods positively.

She identified the Renewed Hope Initiative programs, transportation, enterprise development, agriculture, energy and community development among areas where women could benefit from emerging opportunities.

The Directorate also highlighted the planned expansion of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, noting that improved access to affordable transportation could benefit women who depend on public transport to reach markets, farms, workplaces and schools.

The Directorate said the nationwide engagements would continue as part of its strategy to deepen grassroots contact, communicate information sharing on the many achievements of this administration to mobilise support for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead Of  the 2027 elections.

SENATOR CYRIL FASUYI: A RECORD OF SERVICE TO EKITI NORTH.

SENATOR CYRIL FASUYI: A RECORD OF SERVICE TO EKITI NORTH.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing the people of Ekiti North Senatorial District, popularly known as Ekiti Oke, has focused his representation on programmes and interventions targeted at improving opportunities and supporting communities across the senatorial district.

Since assuming office, his constituency activities have included initiatives relating to youth employment and opportunities, empowerment for artisans, and educational support for students in secondary and tertiary institutions.

Through various interventions, engagements and constituency programmes, Senator Fasuyi has continued to draw attention to issues affecting young people, students, artisans and other residents across Ekiti North.

Employment facilitation has featured prominently among the areas highlighted in reports on Senator Fasuyi's constituency activities.

For a senatorial district with many young graduates and job seekers, employment-related interventions have remained an important area of interest among constituents and stakeholders.

His supporters and beneficiaries have cited these initiatives as part of what they consider significant aspects of his representation, particularly in creating opportunities and providing support to people across the district.

Education and human-capital development have also featured in his constituency interventions, alongside programmes designed to support students and empower artisans and other members of the community.

These initiatives reflect areas of constituency representation that directly affect the everyday needs and aspirations of residents of Ekiti North.

As conversations about the future of Ekiti North continue, Senator Cyril Fasuyi's programmes, interventions and engagements remain part of the public discussion about his period of service to the senatorial district.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi Till 2031.

AAUA VC Applauds Governor Aiyedatiwa’s ‘Consistent, Unprecedented Financial interventions’.

AAUA VC Applauds Governor Aiyedatiwa’s ‘Consistent, Unprecedented Financial interventions’.

...Thanks Visitor for Implementation of FG/Unions Agreements.

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Tomola Obamuyi, has commended the Visitor to the Institution and Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the commencement and implementation of the agreements reached between the Federal Government and university unions.

In a statement of appreciation signed by the Vice Chancellor and released on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Prof. Obamuyi said it was heartwarming that the Visitor has been forthcoming with consistent financial interventions as and when necessary.

The statement said in part, “The governor last month approved a hefty sum of over one billion Naira to us to pay outstanding May and June salaries. He has also approved money for us to commence the payment of the salary increment reached between the federal government and university unions.

“That means that the CATTA/CONTTA agreements would henceforth be paid without hassles, and the academic calendar would henceforth be stable to enable our students to graduate as and when due.

“These consistent and timely financial interventions are unprecedented in the annals of Adekunle Ajasin University and should be commended by all lovers of education in the state and beyond.

“Adekunle Ajasin University will forever remain grateful for these commendable acts of the Visitor. And as Management, we assure Mr. Governor that we remain committed to the vision and mission of the University and would reciprocate the gestures by guaranteeing research that would positively impact the society, and the graduation of students who will hold their own among their peers globally.”

With the release of funds and the commencement of the implementation of the CATTA/CONTTA agreements, it is expected that normal academic and other programmes will resume soonest.

Oyebanji Pledges More Support for EKSCOTECH, Says State-Owned Institutions Must Function Optimally.

Oyebanji Pledges More Support for EKSCOTECH, Says State-Owned Institutions Must Function Optimally.

Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged continued government support for the Ekiti State College of Technology (EKSCOTECH), Ijero-Ekiti, and other state-owned tertiary institutions to enable them function effectively and deliver quality education.

Oyebanji made the commitment on Saturday at the maiden combined convocation ceremony of EKSCOTECH, held at the institution’s Sports Complex in Ijero-Ekiti.

The Governor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habitat Adubiaro, said his administration remained committed to strengthening the state’s education sector through sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital development and institutional capacity.

He said the transformation of EKSCOTECH from its previous status into a full-fledged polytechnic represented an important step towards expanding access to technical and vocational education in the state.

The Governor commended the Governing Council and management of the institution for their efforts in repositioning the Polytechnic and creating an environment capable of supporting academic and professional development.

Oyebanji urged the management to sustain the momentum and ensure that the opportunities created by the institution’s new Polytechnic status translated into better training and improved prospects for students and graduates.

He also called on stakeholders, alumni, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to complement government efforts by contributing to the development of the institution.

The Governor’s commitment comes against the backdrop of recent developments at EKSCOTECH, including its transition to full Polytechnic status and the expansion of its academic programmes. The institution has also secured accreditation for additional programmes from the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr 'Femi Thomas, described the institution’s recent transformation as the product of a deliberate effort to restore stability, strengthen its foundation and complete its long-awaited transition to Polytechnic status.

Thomas recalled that before the present Governing Council was constituted, Governor Oyebanji had expressed concern over the challenges confronting the institution and charged the council to restore order and reposition it for growth.

According to him, the council subsequently worked towards completing the institution’s transmutation, which culminated in its recognition as a full-fledged Polytechnic and accreditation by the NBTE.

He said the development had opened new opportunities for the institution, including access to TETFund support, JAMB recognition and NYSC participation for eligible programmes and graduates.

Thomas, however, identified increased government subvention as one of the immediate needs of the Polytechnic, alongside additional lecturers, infrastructure and other facilities required to sustain the expansion.

He listed the development of the permanent South Campus, construction of academic blocks, including facilities for the School of Engineering, library and laboratories, provision of buses for practical sessions, completion of the clinic and rehabilitation of internal roads at the North Campus among the institution’s priorities.

The Council Chairman also disclosed that the institution had cleared its backlog of staff promotions dating back to 2022, while efforts were being sustained to ensure that promotion exercises did not fall into arrears.

In his address, the Rector of EKSCOTECH, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, said the combined convocation was significant because it brought together graduands from academic sessions whose convocation ceremonies had not previously been held.

He said the ceremony was the second convocation in the history of the institution, following the last edition in 2017, and the first to be held under its new Polytechnic status.

A total of 5,742 graduands were presented for the conferment of National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and other certificates.

The graduating population recorded 343 distinctions, representing 5.97 per cent; 1,951 Upper Credits, representing 33.98 per cent; 2,720 Lower Credits, representing 47.37 per cent; 661 Passes, representing 11.51 per cent; and 67 Merits.

Olubamise said the transformation reflected the institution’s evolution from a Women Development Centre to a School of Health Technology, College and now a Polytechnic.

He noted that the institution had also recorded improvements in digital infrastructure, with campus-wide Wi-Fi deployment, digital identity cards, electronic fee-clearance systems and digital staff attendance management.

According to the Rector, 14 classrooms are now covered by CCTV, contributing to efforts to reduce examination malpractice.

The institution is also seeking further development of its infrastructure, academic programmes and technical capacity as it consolidates its new Polytechnic status.

Council seeks more investmentThomas said the achievements recorded by EKSCOTECH should not be seen as an endpoint, stressing that the institution’s expansion had created additional responsibilities.

He appealed for increased funding to enable the Polytechnic recruit lecturers for its new departments and strengthen its academic programmes.

He also called for greater investment in infrastructure, laboratories, workshops, transportation and other facilities required for practical training.

The Council Chairman urged individuals and organisations with an interest in education and human capital development to support the institution, noting that the progress recorded so far required collective ownership.

The overall best graduating student, Iji Alice-Omonya, in her valedictory speech, expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the Polytechnic for their role in shaping the academic and professional future of the graduands.

She said the quality of education and training received at EKSCOTECH would continue to influence the graduates positively as they ventured into the next phase of their lives. Alice-Omonya thanked the institution’s management and lecturers for their sacrifices and commitment to moulding the students into responsible and successful individuals.

In recognition of her outstanding academic performance, the overall best graduating student was offered automatic employment by the institution and also received a cash reward.

The convocation also featured the conferment of honorary fellowship awards on distinguished individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of EKSCOTECH.

Among those honoured were the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Dr Abiodun Arokodare; Hon. Omowunmi Ogunlola; the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr ‘Femi Thomas; the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo; and Mrs Bolanle Oladunjoye.

GOVERNOR OYEBANJI DISSOLVES BOARDS, TERMINATES APPOINTMENT OF POLITICAL APPOINTEES.

GOVERNOR OYEBANJI DISSOLVES BOARDS, TERMINATES APPOINTMENT OF POLITICAL APPOINTEES.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the immediate dissolution of boards, commissions, and parastatals in the State, as well as the termination of appointment of all political appointees.

Those affected by the termination include Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, and Technical Assistants.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the decision became imperative in view of the gradual winding down of the Governor’s first term in office, ahead of the inauguration of his second term scheduled for October 16, 2026.

However, chairmen and members of statutory boards are not affected by the dissolution. These include the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Civil Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, and Judicial Service Commission.

Similarly, the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions remain intact, in line with earlier directives by the Governor.

The Chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB),  Local Government Service Commission, and Teaching Service Commission are to remain in office, although their respective boards stand dissolved.

Also exempted from the termination of appointments are the Directors-General and Technical Advisors to the Governor.

Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the affected appointees for their diverse contributions to the success of his administration and their service to the State. He wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

Ekiti Tourism Needs Partnership, Not Division.

Ekiti Tourism Needs Partnership, Not Division.

By Olalekan Ojo

Something was troubling about recent remarks attributed to the Director-General of the Ekiti State Tourism Bureau, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre. While presenting his stewardship report before the Ekiti State House of Assembly, he reportedly claimed that Glocient Hospitality Limited, operators of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre, does not support the Bureau’s efforts to develop tourism in the state. The claim has since travelled far beyond the Assembly chamber. 

Public institutions have every right to account for their stewardship, just as private organisations have a right to expect their contributions to be assessed fairly. The available evidence, however, suggests a more complicated picture than the one conveyed at the Assembly, and one that deserves closer examination before conclusions are reached or reputations are unfairly judged.

Consider first the record at Ikogosi itself. Glocient Hospitality took over management of the resort in 2022 under a 15-year build, operate and transfer concession designed to revive and reposition the facility. Since then, the company has invested billions in accommodation, conference facilities and leisure infrastructure in an effort to match the site’s natural appeal with the demands of a modern tourism destination.

The transformation is increasingly visible in the resort’s role as a venue for government functions, business meetings, tourism gatherings and private celebrations. Its growing use by different categories of visitors and institutions points to a facility that is steadily finding its place within the Nigeria's tourism ecosystem.

Against that background, the suggestion that Glocient Hospitality does not support tourism development deserves proper scrutiny rather than swift acceptance. According to information available to this writer, the company’s 2026 sponsorship budget had already been fully committed when a further request for N4.5 million arrived from Wale Ojo-Lanre, making it impossible to accommodate the request at that stage.

Yet a decision not to fund one particular request is not, by itself, evidence of indifference to an entire sector. Sponsorship is discretionary expenditure, and companies operate within budgets and commercial priorities like any other organisation. The inability to fund a particular programme cannot reasonably become the sole measure of a company’s broader commitment to tourism.

The wider record tells a different story. When the Bureau sought support for the AKWAABA Travel Market, one of West Africa’s leading tourism exhibitions, Glocient supplied marketing materials for the delegation. Photographs from the event showed Ojo-Lanre alongside members of the Glocient team, suggesting an existing working relationship rather than an absent one.

A year earlier, a similar request relating to the Efon-Alaaye Hiking Event attracted N5 million in sponsorship from the company. Glocient’s relationship with AKWAABA’s organisers also predates and continues independently of the Bureau’s involvement, a detail that matters when assessing the fuller picture of its engagement with tourism promotion.

Glocient Hospitality does not stand alone in the wider corporate footprint across the state. For instance, Agbeyewa Farms, a sister company under the Cavista Holdings portfolios, has continued to invest in youth development through the Agbeyewa Cup, a state-wide football competition that has attracted more than 150 secondary schools, in collaboration with the Ekiti State Ministry of Education since 2023. Public records from the 2025 edition put participation at more than 150 schools, while Agbeyewa’s own account describes the competition as an annual initiative covering all 16 local government areas.

The company has also been involved in promoting Adire Ekiti, connecting hospitality with the state’s indigenous cultural heritage in a tangible way. In March 2025, the resort announced a partnership with the Ekiti State Government to promote Adire and integrate the fabric into the tourism experience offered to visitors.

None of this means every request from the Bureau must be funded, nor that Glocient should be placed beyond scrutiny. Private investors, like public officials, ought to remain open to fair and constructive criticism. The argument here is simply that judgement should rest on the complete record, not on one unmet request.

Government cannot do everything on its own, and private investors cannot reasonably be expected to do everything either. Tourism thrives when government, investors, communities and cultural practitioners work together within an ecosystem where responsibilities are understood and expectations remain realistic.

Ikogosi’s transformation from an underused public asset into a functioning hospitality and events destination illustrates what sustained private investment can contribute. Its progress also demonstrates why the relationship between government and investors should be managed as a partnership rather than reduced to a question of who funded which individual programme.

The larger issue is the kind of tourism ecosystem Ekiti wants to build. A state blessed with warm springs, hills, forests, cultural traditions, festivals and a rich history cannot afford unnecessary friction between institutions whose interests should ultimately converge.

Public agencies need effective partners, while private investors need an environment in which their contributions are recognised fairly and legitimate concerns can be addressed constructively. Neither side benefits when isolated disagreements are allowed to overshadow the broader objective of developing a sustainable tourism economy.

That requires candour on all sides. Where government believes an investor is not doing enough, it should say so and provide the evidence. Where an investor has contributed substantially, that record should also be acknowledged. The objective should not be to win an argument, but to strengthen the sector.

Public office holders, in particular, must be mindful of how they communicate. Public communication is not only about what is said, but also how it is said, when it is said and the meaning it may convey. Personal feelings or temporary disappointments should never outweigh emotional intelligence and institutional responsibility. In a knowledge economy, statements and silence, actions and inactions, can shape perceptions and affect the corporate identity of the people and organisations we represent. 

Taken in full, the available record presents a picture considerably more nuanced than the suggestion that Glocient has no interest in Ekiti’s tourism development. Sponsorship is only one form of support. Investment, infrastructure, partnerships, cultural promotion, destination development and sustained private-sector participation matter just as much in the long run.

Ekiti tourism needs more of these partnerships, not less. It needs investment without suspicion, accountability without hostility and public conversation anchored in facts. Above all, it needs stakeholders who understand that the destination they are building belongs not to one institution or one company, but to the people of Ekiti.

In conclusion, I feel that one single unfulfilled request shouldn't have been used to jeopardize investment, partnership potential, job opportunities and growth that took years and billions to build.

The Ekiti State’s tourism future is too big and important for division to become the story. Partnership should be.

*Ojo a Mass Communication Lecturer writes from Ilorin*

*P.S: My intervention in the ongoing debate was informed by two things: my recent visit to Ikogosi and  my Unity days at Usi in the late 90s where Uncle Wale Ojo-Lanre's name was loud among those of us in the Arts class. I couldn't just reconcile the then quintessential man of pen with the political jobber our dear Uncle has suddenly become. Could it be survival? Could the sudden change be as a result of craving for relevance? Who exactly  Uncle trying to impress with that outburst? How times fly? With this latest development, one can conveniently conclude that our darling brother is fast losing his qualities.*