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News for August 2004 |
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The Guardian :Tuesday, August 31 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo is billed to pay an official visit to Ekiti State in November, during which he is expected to commission 10 projects. According to the state deputy governor, Abiodun Aluko, who disclosed this yesterday, the projects include Ajilosun shopping complex in Ado Ekiti, presidential lodge and banquet hall projects started by the Adeniyi Adebayo administration and the N1 billion integrated poultry project at Afao-Ekiti. Others are the yet to take off 100 housing units billed for Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Ikereâ Ise-Emure road and the Ikere - Igbaraodo road awarded by the Adebayo administration. Aluko said the above projects had been reserved to further showcase the achievements of the state government in the past one-year and make the visit of President Obasanjo a memorable one. He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to the provision of infrastructure that would make the state attractive to investors, saying no effort would be spared to make life more meaningful to the people. The deputy governor further stated that some of the projects billed for commissioning were executed through direct labour as part of government's policy to be accountable to the people. He restated the decision of the government to acquire some houses in the government reservation area of the state capital, which constitute a security threat to the occupants of the government house. The houses belonging to former political office holders who served in the Adebayo administration. Those affected include former Speaker of the state house of assembly, Chief Kola Adefemi, former commissioners for works, lands and housing, transport, finance, as well as the attorney general and commissioner for justice, Chiefs Diran Adesua, Segun Akinmiri, Bayo Aina and Obafemi Adewale and the former national vice-chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, Chief Ayo Fasanmi.`
ITF spends N28m on students in Ondo, Ekiti The Guardian:Monday, August 30 2004 From Julius Alabi, Akure ABOUT N28 million has been spent by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) as stipends on Students on Industrial and Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in Ondo and Ekiti states this year. According to the Director General of the fund, Prof. Olu Akerejola, efforts are being made to guide the programme to ensure that it does not lose the confidence reposed in it. Akerejola spoke at the weekend at a two-day workshop organised in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to train managers and accountants in grant and reimbursement scheme. The ITF chief, who described the training as an investment and not expenditure, charged companies to invest in their personnel for higher productivity, especially now that the world is becoming a global village through information technology. The director-general revealed that the (ITF) is now on the Internet and website to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Earlier, the Area Manager of the fund in Akure, Mr. Segun Laiyemo, welcomed the participants to the workshop and gave a brief history of the fund, saying that ITF was primarily set up to enhance human resources development in the country. The course which attracted participants from various corporate organisations, was designed to sharpen and broaden their horizon on ways by which employers of labour can process and claim their training reimbursement from ITF if they instruct their workers maximally. Participants at the workshop expressed happiness over the knowledge to be acquired and called on the fund not to relent on its efforts to maintain the standard of manpower development in the country.
Ekiti North, South resolve to produce next governor The Guardian:Monday, August 30 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti PROMINENT indigenes of Ekiti State at the weekend converged in Oye-Ekiti to chart the way forward for the state. The indigenes, including former governor of Old Ondo State, Mr. Bamidele Olumilua, Chiefs Ojo Falegon, Femi Balogun, a veteran journalist, Idowu Odeyemi and Senator James Kolawole representing North Senatorial District, resolved that the only way for the state to move forward politically was for the Ekiti-North and Ekiti-South Districts to be allowed to produce the next governor in 2007. Also at the meeting were members of House of Representatives, Chiefs Titilayo Akindahunsi and Sunday Adeyanju; leader of the state's socio-political group, Mr. Femi Ojudu; governorship aspirants, Chiefs Ishola Filani, Babatunde Odetola, Mr. Deji Adesina, former provost of the state College of Education, Dr. Afolabi Popoola, former Commissioner for Education in the state, Chief Diran Adesina and Mr. Segun Oni. The meeting reviewed the political situation of the state and urged anybody from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, including the incumbent Governor Ayo Fayose to forget the ambition of ruling the state in the next political dispensation. It was resolved that only people from the other two senatorial districts would be given the chance to rule the state. They claimed that it would be against democratic principles of fairness for the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, which produced the current governor and his predecessor, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo to present another candidate for the office in 2007. "After eight years of democratic rule, it is certainly unacceptable and indeed, intolerable for a particular senatorial district and a particular council area to continue to monopolise power in a state made up of 16 councils", the meeting resolved. It continued: "So in 2007, power must shift from Ekiti Central Senatorial District". Odeyemi, who is the secretary of the Movement for Power Shift in the state, maintained in a meeting held at Mayegun Hotel Oye-Ekiti, that it would be the height of insensitivity and political miscalculation" for anybody from Ekiti Central Senatorial District to aspire to be the governor in 2007. He was supported by the Olumilua, who insisted that a single council, Irepodun/Ifelodun must not be allowed to produce two consecutive governors of the state. Also addressing the gathering, which drew participants from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Mr. Ojudu said the issue of power-shift had attracted support from majority of indigenes of the state.
Daily Independent Online.:Monday, August 30 2004 david atalese, Ado-Ekiti No fewer than 12 governorship aspirants have emerged in Ekiti State on the presidential campaign platform of the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, otherwise known as ‘IBB Vision 2007.’ Reacting to the directive of the leadership of the state wing of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) that members should opt out of the IBB Vision 2007, a chieftain of the IBB campaign platform, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, said there was no such directive at the AD meeting which he claimed to have attended last Wednesday. He said he was surprised and embarrassed to have read the directive in the communique, which was issued at the end of the meeting. Dr. Ajayi said that members of the AD had the right of association with any political group saying that the decision of the party was “mischievous”. He stated that “one must be prepared to promote diverse interest within a political group so that democracy could survive”, stressing that AD today had narrowed itself so much. He stated that any political party that tended to limit the wishes and interests of its members would not progress. Claiming that the vision was bigger than both the PDP and AD in the state, he added it had succeeded in wooing key politicians in the state. According to him, the aspirants jostling for gubernatorial slot under the group included former Provost of College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Afolabi Popoola, Mr Segun Oni, Chief Bunmi Adetola, Prince Banji Oyinloye, Mr. Ayo Oladimeji, and Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi.
Ekiti in Diaspora Okay Fayose's Strides, Pledge Assistance ThisDay: Sunday, August 29, 2004 A carnival of some sorts was re-enacted last weekend in far away United States of America when indigenes of Ekiti State in diaspora held a reception for their Governor, Mr. Ayo Fasoye, who visited the country on the invitation of his hosts. No fewer than a hundred indigenes of the state gathered at Ramada Plaza Hotel, JFK International Airport, New York City, to honour the Fayose who was in US at the invitation of Ekiti Association in North America (EKAINA). The meeting was planned by EKAINA and was hosted by its New York local chapter, with delegates from all over the United States. In a statement by Idowu Adelusi, chief press secretary to the Governor, revealed that the convention, which held for two days began with a meeting of the committee and followed by a reception where all delegates were served with delicious African dishes by the host association. Executive Chairman of EKAINA, Engr. Mathew Ashaolu and Rev. John Ayodele, President of Ekiti Parapo Association of New York, lauded the landmark achievements of Fayose within 15 months in office. They said EKAINA was more impressed by the development projects such as the N1 billion poultry project, the dualisation of Ado Ekiti road, the road construction going on throughout the state, the water, electric projects and regular payment of workers' salaries. They enjoined the governor not to be distracted, adding that Ekiti indigenes in US were behind him and ready to assist in the development of the state. Earlier, Fayose in his address gave a briefing on what the government was doing in the areas of education, electricity, road construction, transportation, industrialisation and efforts to foster better political relationship.
Okemesi Monarch Gets Staff of Office ThisDay: Thursday, August 26, 2004 Ado-Ekiti By Moses Jolayemi Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has presented the staff of office to Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, Ariyowonye II. The event which attracted Okemesi sons and daughters from far and near, was the first such traditional function to be performed by the Ekiti State governor. Speaking at the ceremony, Fayose said he was particularly delighted at the due process observed before the selection of the Oba, who he said, is a young and dynamic man capable of lifting the town to greater heights. The governor promised to effect repairs on the deplorable state of the roads leading to the town. Fayose also used the occasion to thank Okemesi people who voted massively for him during the last election adding that since one good turn deserves another, it follows naturally that Okemesi people who stood stoutly by him in the time of need should be compensated. Speaking earlier, President of the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union (F.O.I.U), professor Ademola Adedeji called for a renewed sense of unity among indigenes for the development of the town reputed for its intellectuals.
.... picks holes in establishment of private varsities Vanguard:Wednesday, August 25, 2004 By Gbenga Ariyibi ADO EKITI — THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has picked holes in the alleged indiscriminate manner of establishing private universities by the National University Commission (NUC) without regards for basic infrastructure and technical personnel to run the institutions. A statement issued yesterday by the co-ordinator of Ilorin zone of ASUU, Dr. Eddy Olanipekun, noted that the development called for serious concern by well-meaning Nigerians who do not wish doom for the country. ASUU observed that based on NUC data in 2001 there were on ground only about 1/3 of the academic staff required to teach and run the public university system. “Three years later, many academic staff have left, either through retirement or frustration. New academic staff are hard to find, yet it is from this same pool of overworked, underpaid and abused academics that the private universities are recruiting their pioneer staff. The consequences are better imagined”, the statement further stated. The union decried what it termed commercialization and privatization of education, arguing that the present policy of the Federal Government only allows those who can afford education inspite of its high cost. It condemned the Federal Government for encouraging universities to introduce all sorts of sundry fees into various universities. “Right now on the various campuses, students and authorities are engaging in a battle of wits over the introduction of sundry fees”, ASUU further declared. It also called for the refund of N1.36 billion allegedly taken from the stabilization fund, claiming that the former minister of education, Prof. Babalola Borisade has admitted that part of the money was used to fund the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), adding that the Vice Chancellor of NOUN has since denied this. ASUU, therefore called on the Federal Government to honour its various agreements it entered with the union, and initiate dialogue between it and other stakeholders in education.
Counsel asks panel to dismiss five Ekiti senior staff Daily Independent Online.:Tuesday, August 24, 2004. By David Atalese, Special Correspondent, Ado-Ekiti Five senior staff of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) have been recommended for dismissal from the state public service for their alleged complicity in the financial mismanagement in the broadcasting house. They are: Messrs Olu Akerele (Store), Charles Afolabi (Commercial in Lagos office) Segun Lawrence (director of Commercials) Martins Ayoola (director of Finance and Administration) and Abiodun Olaofe. Four others, who were recommended for demotion for the same alleged offence were, Messrs Olusola Oyewole, Jide Ogunluyi, Laolu Omosilade and Remi Oguntuase. Counsel to the state judicial panel of enquiry into the activities of the state government between 1999 and 2003, Mr. Alli Yusuf, gave the recommendation when he addressed the panel on Monday. He told the panel that the affected staff defrauded the state government of large quantity of money and they allegedly paid cheques meant for the station into the account of their union, which they later deducted and converted to their own use. He also recommended that the Chairman and the General Manager of Road Maintenance Company (ROMACO), Messrs Olu Abolarin and Olorunfemi Ogunleye, be ordered to refund N2 million they allegedly expended on gifts, purchase of DSTV, GSM and unreturned impress. Yusuf recommended that Abolarin should be barred from holding public office for 10 years while Ogunleye be demoted to serve as deterrent to others. Meanwhile, the panel has adjourned sitting indefinitely.
Demolition: Ekiti gives condition for compensation The Punch, Tuesday August 24, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti The Ekiti State Government has affirmed that only owners of buildings with approved plans will be compensated as the demolition of structures along the major roads in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital begins, to pave the way for expanding it to a dual carriage way. Already, three blocks of shops stretching from Okesa area of the town to Fajuyi Park had been demolished, in what Deputy Governor, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, described as a model of what the residents should expect in the next few weeks. Aluko, holding the forte for Governor Ayo Fayose who is on two-week vacation abroad, said this while fielding questions from newsmen on Monday. The owners of the demolished structures at Okesa, would however, not be compensated as the deputy governor said their structures were illegal. For the construction of the road, he said government was still receiving tenders and would make the successful contractor public after perusing the documents in collaboration with the Federal Government, being a federal road. He clarified that the state government had received the nod of the Federal Government to bankroll the project, which would be reimbursed in next year’s budget according to the terms of agreement. Aluko also asserted that the decision of the state government to convert the multi-million naira Fountain Hotel, which is still under construction in Ado-Ekiti, to a new Governor’s Office was irrevocable. Though a lofty idea initiated under the administration of former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, he argued that the hotel’s contiguous location to the present Governor’s Office was not ideal. He added that such high profile hotel might not be viable given the conservative profile of majority of the people living in the state.
The Punch, Monday August 23, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti Ekiti State is set to join the league of foreign currency earners with the discovery of large deposit of tantalite, a solid mineral, in Ijero-Ekiti, which has attracted the attention of core local and international investors. Already, a Canadian firm, CME, in partnership with Trans Afric Nigeria Limited, based in the country, is investing about $200 million in the exploration of the mineral for the international market. The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, made this known at a forum in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, saying with the development, the economic base of the state would witness a meteoric leap. Aluko, who could not disguise his glee, first broke the news during a visit by a delegation of Nigeria Shippers Council, led by the Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Sanusi Raheem, and repeated it later in the day during a a press conference. The deputy governor stressed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals had already granted the licence for the exploration of the mineral, which barring last minute hitch would begin by September. He explained that tantalite, used in the manufacturing of aircraft, space shuttle and microcomputer software components was in hot demand in the international market. Addressing the shippers’ council delegation, Aluko called for a proactive initiative of establishing an office within the state in anticipation of a flurry of activities that would herald the mineral exploration and exportation. Not only this, the deputy governor added that importers based in the state stood to benefit immensely from such gesture as it would minimise the difficulties of processing their documents through the neighbouring states. Sanusi, coordinating Osun; Ondo; Oyo; Ogun; Ekiti and Kwara States sought the assistance and cooperation of the state government towards making the state feel the council’s presence. He explained that the council’s operation was primarily for the protection of exportation and importation of commodities within and across the African frontiers.
Ekiti first class monarch on the run Daily Independent Online: Saturday, August 21, 2004. david atalese, Ado Ekiti A ‘first class monarch’ who was illegally installed by some kingmakers in Ado-Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro, is now on the run following moves by the police to arrest him. Five high chiefs illegally installed Faboro early this month in spite of the fact that the matter was before the Ado- Ekiti High Court. The five chiefs have appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate court for illegal installation of Olojudo of Ado-Ekiti. They were later granted bail and are expected to appear before the same court on September 15 this year. Briefing reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state deputy governor, Mr Abiodun Aluko said Faboro’s travails were self-precipitated. He said the process of installing an Oba was clear and unambiguous but some chiefs unilaterally installed Faboro without any recommendation to the state government, which was expected to approve the recommendation. Aluko stated that the Chiefs’ Edict of the old Ondo State as applicable to Ekiti State states that anybody who illegally installs an Oba is liable to imprisonment without an option of fine. On the arrest, detention and prosecution of the Attah of Aiyede, Oba Joseph Orishagbemi, the deputy governor said the action was taken to restore peace to the town “because the Oba brought armed Odua People Congress (OPC) to unleash terror on his subjects.” He said the government was committed to the maintenance of peace and security of people and property in the state.
Rescheduled LG polls: Police officers indict Fayose Vanguard: Friday August 20, 2004 By Gbenga Ariyibi ADO-EKITI — TWO police officers attached to Ekiti State police command yesterday told Election Petition Tribunal how the State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose allegedly disrupted the conduct of April 3, 2004 rescheduled council polls in Ekiti South-West Local Government. The police officers, Taiwo Balogun and Titilope Aratile who were in the witness box in Ado Ekiti yesterday alleged that Governor Fayose stormed the council area with retinue of mobile policemen and some soldiers with fake name tags to hijack ballot boxes at the various voting centers. The evidence of the two officers came on the heels of the various petitions filed by the candidates of Alliance for Democracy (AD), National Conscience Party (NCP) and all Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), calling for the nullification of the result of the election, won by Mr. Joseph Omolase of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP). The trio of Alhaji Remi Badmus (AD) Chief Michael Ajasin (NCP) and Chief (Mrs) Abike Olowoporoku (ANPP) had dragged Omolase to the tribunal calling for the nullification of his election on the ground that the election did not take place in the council area on April 3, 2004. In her own evidence, Titi Aratile a mobile police officer attached to the local government equally testified that the governor; hijacked the ballot box at her centre. She said: “I was posted to the poling unit 11, at ward 11 in Ilawe-Ekiti at about 9.30 am. Governor Ayo Fayose came to the ward with mobile policemen and soldiers, and said he wanted us to cooperate. I said how and he replied that he wanted to collect the papers and cast them inside the box. But when I said no the governor replied that if I did not agree, they will carry the ballot box away. “Then I said our Divisional Police Officer had told us that the safety of the ballot box was our duty at the polling unit. The governor ordered those who followed him to carry the box, but I struggled with them. They then pushed me aside”.
Under cross-examination, the police woman said her information about the conduct of the election should be relied upon than that of the commissioner of police who was not in position to witness the exercise.
'Why Ekiti Arrested Royal Father' ThisDay: Friday August 20, 2004 From Dipo Okunmuyide in Ado-Ekiti Ekiti State Acting Governor, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, has explained the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest and detention of the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Adeleye Orisagbemi, saying the monarch was picked up for showing disrespect to constituted authority. Aluko, who was answering questions from journalists during a chat in Ado-Ekiti, said the Commissioner of Police was the first person to summon the traditional ruler over the recent disturbances in his domain which he turned down. "When Oba Orisagbemi refused the invitation of the police boss, I personally told the Chairman of Oye-Ekiti Local Government where Ayede is located to come and see me together with the traditional ruler but the Attah refused to come with him," he explained. Aluko, who is the Deputy Governor, said the police had no option than to issue a warrant of arrest for the traditional ruler as the crisis in his community is already assuming dangerous dimension. According to him, "following the recent judgment of Appeal Court nullifying the appointment of Orisagbemi, who was installed in 1999 by the old Ondo State government, indigenes of the town have been calling on the state government to look into nthe issue even though the traditional ruler had gone to Supreme Court to file his appeal against the judgment. I sent the paper to the Attorney-General in the state who advised government to wait for the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter," he added. Speaking further, the Acting Governor disclosed that the youths of Ayede took to the street and attempted to force the Attah out of the palace, following which government has to provide security by drafting police to the town.
Agency presents N1m to hospital The Punch, Friday August 20, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti Efforts aimed at rehabilitating health institutions in Ekiti State received a boost on Thursday with the presentation of a N1million cheque to the Mary Assumpta Hospital by the World Bank-assisted community-based Poverty Reduction Agency. The amount, representing the first installment of N3 million earmarked for the project was presented to the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Michael Fagun, by the General Manager of the agency, Dr. Ayo Daramola. Similarly, the agency presented another N1million cheque to the Mary Queen of Angels Secondary School, Orin-Ekiti towards the construction of a block of classrooms and students hall, estimated to gulp N3.3 million. EKCPRA is also committing around N2.8 million to the construction of a shopping complex and a viewing centre at Itaji, out of which N.9 million had been released to the community. The General Manager said the agency was intensifying efforts at reducing poverty in every facet of the people’s life with the provision of infrastructure and basic amenities to communities where they never existed. Daramola said credit must be given to the Federal Government, the World Bank and the state government for the collaborative efforts geared towards renewing the hope of the people.
AD’ll battle Fayose to a stand still, says Odetola Vanguard: Thursday, August 19, 2004 By Wahab Abdulah Since the defeat of AD at the last general election in 2003 in Ekiti state, controversy has continued to trail the political scene in Ekiti state. In this interview, a former senatorial aspirant on AD platform in the state, Bashorun Babatunde Odetola took a critical look at the situation of things in the state and concluded that all is not well. He disclosed that some politicians in the state have decided to take the challenge upon themselves and rescue the people from mis-governance of the state government. Excerpts: How do you view the on-going move by the Ekiti state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose to probe his immediate predecessor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo? I see the probe as a calculated attempt to distract people’s attention. Actually, there is nobody that has occupied a political position that would be probed and the investigators would not find one or two things against him. Definitely, they will find one way to nail him. But all the same, I still don’t see any need for the probe. It is amusing that a probe panel is being instituted a year after Adebayo left office. The same step is being taken in Osun state. Such moves are simply diversionary and serves to shift attention from the inactions of the new governors. I don’t actually see any need for it except the masterminds are actually looking for something. But, with all sense of sincerity, I have not seen what Fayose is doing in Ekiti. The party has no programmes unlike the AD. When AD was in control of the South West, there were free examinations fees, free health services, and other social services were provided. But now, right from primary school, parents are paying for their wards in public schools. What future does your party, the AD, has in Ekiti state considering the fact that the PDP is in control of the council areas. The situation is the same in four other South Western states of Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Oyo states. It appears the AD is in a coma. AD is a party for the future. It is a party that actually put the people first. It knows what is ideal for the people and it is ready to provide those things. It is unfortunate that the AD is going through a baptism of fire at the national level. But the elders of the party are already mending the cracked walls and by the grace of God, the internal wrangling amongst members will soon be resolved amicably. There are also plans to restructure the party by realigning with other progressives within and outside the party. I can tell you that the AD is going through some restructuring now. There is no doubt about it, AD will bounce back as the toast of the people. The PDP is there now as a tenant, the house (Ekiti) belongs to the AD, the PDP has only come to hire the place and the tenancy expires 2007. There is confusion over the rift between the Ekiti governor and the former speaker of the state House of Assembly. There were reports that the speaker and other principal officials of the House were forced out before they were impeached. What does this trend portend ? It is a clear indication that democracy is not working. It portends that the entire democratic process is on trial, and that we have an autocratic government in place. I don’t see any reason why any forward looking governor will seek for powers to put a clog before a democratically elected chairmen and councillors. Somebody of the calibre of the governor should be able to differentiate between appointments and elective offices. But for a governor to think he can, through a fiat, remove a chairman that refused to toe his line is a breach of the constitution and an abuse of power. Such idea is not only unfair but grossly unconstitutional. If it is true that the Speaker and other principal officers of the House resigned over such disagreement with the governor, I think they deserve a pat on the back. As it is now, there will be no peace in the Assembly for the rest of the year. But one thing that I foresee is that, he too could be consumed in the power play because if the lawmakers now discover that they could come together and one day pass a motion for the governor’s impeachment. He may lose out in all of this. What are the intellectuals in the states doing to save the situation? The Ekiti people as you know have one industry and that is education. Till now, there is no controversy that the state has an array of intellectuals. But it is painful that a state with such respectable people has been taken over by a dwarf. What actually happened politically to our people is the level of their exposure. They are well-read, but the fact is that they never went beyond the four corners of the state. But I think what really happened in 2003 was that the people wanted a change, and, they never had enough time to decide what type of change was desirable. The time Adebayo was there, they felt he was not doing enough. Most aggrieved were the civil servants who felt the administration was not doing enough to protect their interest. They thought that changes were possible because of the involvement of President Olusegun Obasanjo on the political scene. What is the future of AD as a party in view of the problems facing it? I would not say AD is really weak, but there is nothing beyond you when you are hungry. Politicians will always look for a place where they can benefit, AD is a party of the future because it has policies and programmes that will benefit the masses in education, health, housing etc. And these are the things the people need. So, AD is trying to re-focus, to re-position the party, and of course, there could be a sort of merger, a sort of alliance with other progressives that share the same philosophy with us. Do you have enough population to determine who becomes the governor of the state? Not really, but as we have three senatorial districts and zoning system, although not constitutional, but it can be done for convenient sake, so that people will not feel marginalised. As I have said, Adebayo and Fayose are from Ekiti central, Bamidele Olumilua is from the South and was the governor of old Ondo state. But come to the North, nobody has ever been the governor. But when it comes to voting, the voting strength of Ekiti north is much higher. So, if you as a candidate can get the vote from Ekiti North and perhaps part of the vote from either the central or south then you can be sure of winning the election. So, we have quite a large number of people who come out to show their interest and vote during election in Ekiti north.
Ekiti inaugurates committee on Obasanjo’s visit The Punch, Thursday August 19, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti Ahead of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit to Ekiti State in October, a committee has been inaugurated towards ensuring a rousing welcome and hitch-free reception for the President. In a related development Governor Ayo Fayose who departed the country for the United States of America on Tuesday on a two-week vacation is scheduled to meet with Ekiti indigenes resident in the country on Friday. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday. He added that the committee for the reception was also mandated to ensure the completion of projects to be inaugurated by the President. Among the projects are the ultra-modern shopping complex comprising 275 lock-up shops in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti; a presidential lodge as well as the ongoing dualisation project on the Ado-Ekiti road, stretching from Ikere end of the state capital to Iworoko. Also billed for inauguration, according to Adelusi is the N1billion poultry project which he said would begin production of broilers by October. When completed, Adelusi explained that the shopping complex would have a banking hall; fire station; police post; canteens; conveniences and a well laid-out parking space, among other modern facilities. He disclosed that the President’s visit would be a turning point in the annals of the state, saying it would herald a new dawn in the state. The reception committee, which included Health Commissioner, Dr. Sola Babalola, his counterpart in Education, Dr. Esther Fabusuyi, and the Head of Service, Mr. Segun Bankole, had already swung into action by visiting the project sites. On Fayose’s visit abroad, Adelusi maintained that the state indigenes in USA had been clamouring for such opportunity to fashion out modalities of extending their hands of fellowship to their birthplace. He asserted that the professionals, cutting across professional spectrum would have a roundtable with the governor to consider bringing their wealth of experience to bear in the state. On the governor’s entourage were his Chief of Staff, Mr. Kayode Osho; Chairman of the state traditional council of Obas, the Elekole, Oba Adetula Adeleye; a member of the House of Representative, Chief Abiodun Olujimi, personal aides and his Special Assistant on Information, Mr. Kola Ajumobi. Adelusi explained the inclusion of the Commissioner of Commerce, Tourism and Industry, Mr. Toyin Ojo on the governor’s plan to hold discussion with the business community in the USA. After Friday’s meeting, the governor would be expected to move to London, where he would spend the rest days of his vacation before returning to the state. The CPS insisted that the trip would not end up as a mere jamboree as the Ekiti people in diaspora had long been yearning to contribute their quota to the state development.
ThisDay: Thursday, August 19, 2004 By Olabisi Lawal Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has been commended for evolving policies which so far has improved the living standard of the masses. Making the commendation in Lagos, during the launch of Out of Compassion, a quarterly magazine dedicated to the rehabilitation of street beggars by Bimpe Sorinolu Charity Initiative (BISOCHIN), the association President, Chief Waye Oso said the various policies initiated by Fayose were worth commeding adding that the association was prepared to support the governor in developing and executing projects geared towards making the state one of the best in the country. Oso, in a statement made said, the association would continue to support whatever policy Fayose initiates so long as it is geared at alleviating the suffering of the masses. "On our part we will do our best to give him (Fayose) the needed support and we shall continue to rally round him in all his developmental effort'' the statement said. He added that inspite of the fact that the state needed to advance in all spheres of life, there was no need distracting the government mindset over issues that had little or no effect to the overall growth of the State. "It is under the atmosphere of peace that we can all enjoy him and have our own share of the dividends of democracy," Oso maintained. Commenting on the controversies over the council reform laws, he said "we are not bothered, because all the controversies are borne out of political intrigues, we have no doubt in our minds that the governor means well for the state, and as long as he continues to good, he should be allowed to carry on''.
Ekiti monarchs wade into rulership crisis The Guardian, Wednesday, August 18, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti EKITI State Council of Obas has intervened in the communal crisis in Ayede-Ekiti with a view to restoring peace to the trouble area. The community has not known peace since the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, nullified the appointment and enthronement of the Affa of Ayede, Oba Joseph Adeleke Orisagbemi last month. Subsequently, some elite in the town made futile efforts to eject Orisagbemi from his palace last week. The situation has pitted supporters of Orisagbemi against those of another contender to the throne of Affa of Ayede and a half brother to Orisagbemi, Mr. Lagunju Oso. The Council of Obas, which met under the leadership of the chairman and Elekole of Ikole, Oba Adetula Adeleke, resolved to call the aggrieved parties to order to ensure peace. Orisagbemi has been taken to court by Oso for what he called injustice meted to him by the old Ondo State government which approved the appointment of Orisagbemi. In its ruling, an Ado-Ekiti High Court had nullified the appointment of Orisagbemi but did not order that Oso be enthroned as the Affa of Ayede-Ekiti. Orisagbemi's appeal at the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin was equally thrown out by the court last month. He has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and another motion for a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal judgement. While the Supreme Court was yet to sit on the appeal, a section of the community made attempt to install Oso as the Affa. The situation led to a clash between supporters of the two parties. The intervention of the police later restored peace to the town. Orisagbemi, who pointed an accusing finger at a relation of the state governor of being the brain behind his travails, said the property of his supporters were destroyed by some hired thugs. Some of the higher thugs, he said, were later released by the police on the order of a top government official who claimed to be interested in the case. The monarch, who narrated his ordeal to reporters on Monday also spoke on his arrest last week on the order of the state Governor Ayo Fayose for inviting members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to the town to cause havoc on his people. Orisagbemi, who denied the allegation, said those the police claimed were OPC members were actually members of the community celebrating the yearly yam festival. He said it was unthinkable that he would bring hired thugs into the town to attack his people and their monarch. He added that the allegation by the police was spurious as he could not have asked people to attack himself (Orisagbemi) as the only monarch in the town.
Child-killer diseases worry Fayose The Punch, Tuesday August 17, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti Ekiti State is currently grappling with child-killer diseases, such as malaria; diarrhoea; polio and HIV/AIDS among others. Governor Ayo Fayose said this on Monday in an address at the opening of the second State Council on Health meeting, adding that the development underscored the clamour for more assistance from the Federal Government and world health institutions. In spite of earmarking a chunk of this year’s budget to the health sector, the governor stated that it appeared like a drop of water in the ocean of multifarious challenges besetting the state’s health sector. Fayose, represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, however, maintained that government would intensify efforts at making the best use of the available resources. As part of efforts in this regard, the governor said the ailing institutions across the state were being revamped with the purchase of drugs, provision of infrastructure and the procurement of new equipment to replace obsolete ones. In view of the adverse effects of many years of neglect by past administrations, the governor said a huge amount would be required to put the facilities in proper shape. Fayose stated that the SCH was the highest advisory body on health-related matters in the state, and was positioned as the melting pot of inputs from local and international health organisations operating within the state. The body was also charged with the responsibility of ensuring speedy and uniform implementation of government health policies across the local government areas. Fayose reaffirmed the resolve of the government to accord special emphasis to the improvement of the health status of rural dwellers, especially the inhabitants of remote settlements.
Ekiti warns community against violence The Punch, Tuesday August 17, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti Violence has been described as a catalyst for political and social unrest capable of retarding the economic development of a nation. Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, disclosed this on Monday while addressing a delegation from Ayede-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area of the state. Aluko urged the people to embrace dialogue and communal spirit as efforts were being intensified to resolve the chieftaincy dispute in the community. He said there was a case before the Supreme Court over the disputed stool of the Attah of Ayede, currently being occupied by Oba Joseph Orishagbemi. To both the monarch and his challenger, Chief James Osho, who interestingly were half brothers, Aluko urged them to work towards the enthronement of peace in the town. Despite the life appointment associated with kingship institution in the country, the governor said both men should note that only God ordained whoever he wanted. Aluko called for restraint and amicable resolution to the matter for posterity sake. The deputy governor absolved Governor Ayo Fayose of any complicity in the matter, saying the governor’s position required that he maintained neutrality in such matters. Aluko, however, warned that government would not hesitate to invoke the appropriate sanction on anyone found to be fanning the ember of disunity in the community, no matter the person’s status. The deputy governor appealed to the king to cooperate with the government as the search for solution to the protracted crisis continued. Orishagbemi and Osho had been in legal battle since 1993 over the installation of the former as the Attah of Aiyede. An Ado-Ekiti High Court had in March 1998 granted the prayer of Osho that the appointment of warrant chiefs who installed Orisagbemi was illegal, a verdict later upheld in 2004 by the Appeal Court. Orishagbemi, however, appealed to the Apex Court to set aside the decision of the lowest trial courts and declare his appointment appropriate. The crisis, however, led to violent crisis last week culminating in the arrest of the king, who was accused of importing members of the Odua Peoples Congress to the town to allegedly terrorise his challengers.
Deputy absolves Fayose of blame in rulership crisis ThisDay: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti EKITI State Deputy Governor, Abiodun Aluko has absolved the Governor, Ayo Fayose of any blame in the crisis rocking the Ayede-Ekiti community over the appointment of Oba Joseph Adeleye Orisagbemi as the Atta of Ayede-Ekiti. Aluko, who was addressing the people of Ayede yesterday, urged them to give peace a chance and allow the court to rule the matter. A contender to the throne of Atta of Ayede, Lagunju Oso, had challenged the appointment and installation of Orisagbemi as the Eketa of Ayede and urged the court to nullify them. He hinged his opposition to Orisagbemi on the grounds that the appointment of the warrant chief who picked him was against the provision of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State. Ado-Ekiti High Court in its ruling nullified the appointment and enthronement of Oba Orisagbemi, which led to his appeal at the High Court. The Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State capital in its judgement, upheld the ruling of the lower court that the process of the emergence of Orisagbemi was against the provisions of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State as applicable in Ekiti State. Orisagbemi, who has since appealed to the Supreme Court, also filed for a stay of execution of the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Following the ruling of the court, some elite in the town who were opposed to the appointment of Oba Orisagbemi, called on him to vacate the palace to enable the community start a new process of filling the stool. The situation got to its peak last week when Orisagbemi was accused of inviting members of the dreaded Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to cause havoc in the community. But his supporters said members of the OPC were in the town for a festival, saying nobody was attacked by OPC members. The situation took a new dimension when Orisagbemi was arrested by a team of policemen led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police for fomenting trouble in the community. He was subsequently arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate's Court last Thursday on a one-count charge of disturbing public peace. The Chief Magistrate, Joseph Apuabi, later granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 and two sureties in the like sum. The case was adjourned to September 20, 2004. The deputy governor who visited the community pleaded with Orisagbemi to forgive and forget his travail, saying the community must eschew bitterness and rancour to attract development. He said the state government would deal with anyone caught fomenting trouble, pointing out that it was only in an atmosphere of peace that the government could think of making life meaningful for the people of the state.
Fuel Depot for Ekiti, Ondo Soon ThisDay: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 From Funso Muraina in Akure Government's bid to provide gainful employment in the country would soon receive a boost in Ekiti state as a fuel depot will soon be established by a private company This was disclosed by the chairman, Global Fleet Oil, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim at a chat with newsmen in Akure after a dinner by the Akure branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He said when completed the depot would assist government to reduce unemployment by having over 3,000 youths gainfully employed. Estimated to cost about N3 billion, the depot which he said, would serve both Ondo and Ekiti States would be completed in six months. Ibrahim, a former governorship candidate of the all Nigerians People Party (ANPP) in the 2003 general election, said that youths the gesture was aimed at easing the youths restiveness which has become a dent on the image of the country. According to him, once this in place, more filling stations would be opened and more people would be employed in the area. Ibrahim who recently commissioned 30 filling stations promised to open 20 more in the next two weeks, adding that before the end of the year another 50 would have been added. By the first quarter of next year, said Ibrahim, Global flex's turn-over would be N40 billion from the present N933 million. "Global flect has opened 30 filling stations in one day and that is out of the 51 stations that are ready. Another 21 stations will be commissioned in the next two weeks from now and a depot will be commissioned soon."
Atiku's Wife Lays Foundation for WOTCLEF Secretariat ThisDay: Monday, August 16, 2004 From Dipo Okunmuyide in Ado - Ekiti Chief (Mrs) Titi Atiku Abukakar, wife of the Vice President, has laid the foundation of N50 million Secretariat of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. Named Titi Atiku Abubakar Women Centre, the secretariat will contain conference room, child drop in centre, cooperative office, mini-library, mini-mart and beauty salon, bakery and electro-mechanical workshop for the repairs of simple gadgets. Mrs Atiku Abubakar described technology as one of the most effective tools for societal advancement and rapid industrialisation, adding that technical education must be supported and encouraged as the only path to self-discovery of hidden talents in individuals. She congratulated the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, for the academic heights and physical developments which the institution has attained since it was established, saying the school has, no doubt justified its existence. She appealed to students to shun those tendencies capable of mortgaging their future such as prostitution, cultism, drug addiction and other social ills urging them to be wary of human traffickers who to lure them through tempting offers.
...Youths Back Fayose on Council Reforms ThisDay: Friday, August 13, 2004 A coalition of Ekiti youths under the auspices of G8 expressed support to the Governor Ayo Fayose's council reform law, saying it is geared towards sanitising governance at the grassroots. In a statement signed by the group's secretary, Mr. Wale Oba, "some of the council within a short period of assumption of office have turned a lord unto themselves and this 'headiness' needs to be corrected through such council reform law. "The council chairmen reform law is like a threat hidden somewhere and whenever any of them 'going astray' remembers there is a law which can deal with him they would whip themselves into line." Oba added that Ekiti people appreciate the effort of Fayose in the transformation of the state, nothing that "we know with the pace the governor is going, the lost glory of Ekiti would soon be restored." The group absolved the governor in the row that characterised the removal of the former Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker, describing the impeachment as a collective decision of the members of the Assembly. "The session to remove the Speaker was initiated by 19 of the 26 members of the Assembly, which is a clear majority," Oba explained.
Intrusion into lives of female broadcasters worries FRCN boss The PUNCH, Friday, August 13, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti The General Manager of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Bolatito Joseph, has decried public attitude of intruding on the private lives of female broadcasters, adding that this sometimes lead to wrong perception of their pattern of life. Speaking on “Media and the Gender Issue” at a forum organised by Justice Development and Peach Commission, the Progress FM boss regretted that their male counterparts were also not spared. Apart from broadcasters, she mentioned female theatre and film practitioners as another vulnerable group, whose private lives were daily being subjected to public scrutiny. These she noted, had led to stigmatisation of the affected people, who she defended as only engaging in make-believe as dictated by their script in an attempt to relieve the criticising public of stress. The FRCN boss also frowned at discrimination against women when appointments into certain positions or privileges and opportunities were being considered thus becoming a recurring decimal in every facet of the country’s life. She described the notion that certain positions or professions were the exclusive preserve of one gender as an aberration as well as being out of tune with the contemporary realities. Joseph said, “In politics for instance, most societies nurture the notion that women should be seen and not heard. I call this gender discrimination and it is totally unacceptable.” Today, she noted that women had risen to the challenge posed by the attempt to relegate them to the background, by making forays into fields of human endeavours otherwise regarded as the male enclave. The veteran broadcaster observed that the male-female dichotomy was an aberration in the arts and communication industry, where women and female practitioners had equal opportunities to exhibit their talents. From broadcasting to print media, advertising, public relations and theatre arts among others, Joseph asserted that both sexes had produced talents currently competing in a healthy atmosphere. She added that the media did not promote or encourage gender chauvinism, affirming that the glamour, fame, financial reward, including on-the-job hazards were applicable to both sexes.
AYEDE-EKITI: Oba Orisagbemi granted bail The Vanguard: Friday, August 13, 2004 By Gbenga Ariyibi ADO EKITI— THE Attah of Ayede Ekiti Oba Joseph Adeleye Orisagbemi was yesterday granted bail by a magistrate court after he was charged with levying war against his people. The prosecutor said Oba Orisagbemi committed the offence contrary to, and punishable under Section 42 of The Criminal Code, Cap 30, Volume II, Laws of Ondo State 1978, as applicable in Ekiti State. Immediately he was charged his counsel, Mr. Adeyinka Adeoye said the offence was a bailable offence. He applied for bail saying the indigenes could attest to the traditional ruler’s peaceful disposition, since he was installed as Attah of Ayede in 1994. He told the Chief Magistrate, Joseph Akpuabi that the royal father would neither jump bail nor interfere with police investigations if granted bail. Adeoye argued that Oba Orisagbemi should be assumed to be innocent, pending determination of charges preferred against him, saying that it was wrong and illogical to say that Oba Orisagbemi was fighting against himself as alleged by the police. “He is the only recognized Oba in the town as at today. The court of appeal’s verdict which kicked against his installation has been appealed against at the Supreme Court,” Adeoye explained. Before granting bail, Chief Magistrate Akpuabi asked the Investigating Police Officer, Mr. John Ayetiga on the true position of things in the community, to which he said was peaceful as at yesterday. “Armed mobile policemen have been deployed to mount guard on the monarch’s palace where we arrested some 19 members of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) on Monday,” he said. Granting bail in the sum of N50,000 and two sureties in like sum, Akpuabi directed Oba Orisagbemi to always appear at every court sitting in the course of hearing the charges preferred against him, and adjourned till September 30, 2004.
Fayose orders arrest of deposed Ekiti monarch The Guardian: Thursday August 12, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti THE embattled monarch of Ayede Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adeleye Orisagbemi, was yesterday forcefully whisked away from his palace by a team of policemen from the state police command. Oba Orisagbemi, whose enthronement was two months ago nullified by the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, has not been at peace with the elite in his domain who were opposed to his enthronement. The situation got to its peak when supporters of the Oba and his detractors, including his rival, Prince Lagunju Oso, clashed several times recently in a bid to get the royal father out of his palace. Though the monarch has appealed against the ruling of the Court of Appeal, including filing for a stay of execution of the judgment, some personalities in his domain had asked him to vacate his throne for the purpose of selecting a new Attah of Ayede Ekiti. However, the forceful removal of the traditional ruler from his palace on the order of Governor Ayo Fayose was informed by allegation that he brought members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to the town to provide security for him and to wreak havoc on his identified enemies. The team of policemen who invaded the palace of the monarch was led by two Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of Operations and Criminal Investigation Departments, Mr. Michael Okpara and Mr. Emmanuel Sannu, who delivered a warrant of arrest signed by the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Patrick Egbunniwe. On arrival at the palace, the royal father was said to have been asked to vacate his palace within 20 minutes. He was whisked away at about 2.25 p.m., dressed in a blue guinea brocade and wearing a sad look. Also, 20 suspected member of OPC were arrested in the town by the police who went to restore order to the crisis-ridden community. Speaking on the matter, Governor Fayode said that he ordered the police to arrest the monarch after the state security council met and decided to restore peace to the community. He said, it was wrong for Oba Orisagbemi to have invited OPC members to his domain to wreck havoc on his people, adding that he (Governor) also ordered that mobile policemen be sent to the town to ensure security of life and property. The deputy commissioner of police said the monarch was not expected to be in the palace in view of the recent judgment.
Critics of my administration are people’s enemy – Fayose The Punch, Thursday August 12, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has described critics of his administration as enemies of the people of the state’s who stayed in the confines of their homes in Lagos and Abuja without contributing to the state’s development. The governor said this on Wednesday during a meeting with head teachers of primary schools across the state, adding that rather than channel their energy towards the development of the state, they engage in scathing criticism. Fayose said he took exception to the criticism by the former governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, over the status of free education in the state. He added that most of the people, whom he described as “men of yesteryears needed deliverance because they don’t want our children to grow.” Fayose said, “Let them come home and build schools and hospitals. They will say Fayose is 419, but I thank God that I’m using my 419 to pay your (teachers) salaries.” Olumilua had in an earlier interview with newsmen accused the governor of stalling educational development with the cancellation of free education programme. The former governor held that the action had eroded the legacy bequeathed to the Yoruba by the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, since 1958. Olumilua argued that the cancellation would deny a vast number of indigent students of the state access to education. Defending the allegation of awarding contracts to non-indigenes of the state, Fayose at the meeting said he had all along been using majority of the contractors used by the past administration. Fayose said, “In any event, I believe what is important is the quality of job done and not the amount of contracts awarded. He said “Anytime you discover that I embezzle your money I will resign as the governor.” Meanwhile, at a news conference addressed by the state Chairman of the Nigeria union of Teachers, Mr. Joseph Arogundade, the union dissociated itself from the allegated cancellation of free education, insisting that the policy had not been abolished.
The Vanguard: Thursday, August 12, 2004 By Gbenga Ariyibi ADO-EKITI — A contingent of policemen yesterday stormed the palace of Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adeleye Orisagbemi to effect his arrest over the Obaship tussle in the town. However, Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that it was the decision of he state security council to let the police invite the monarch for questioning over invasion of the town by a group suspected to be Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) activists. The policemen, numbering about 100 arrived the town with about eight lorry loads of mobile policemen and were led by two senior police officers, Mr. Michael Okpara and Mr. William Sannu, an assistant commissioner of police in charge of operations and Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who came in police official car Peugeot 505 with registration numbers NPF5073B and NPF5027B respectively . Accompanied by the chairman of Oye Local Government, Mr. Bamidele Oguntoyinbo, the policemen on arrival at the palace served the monarch with a warrant of arrest signed by the acting commissioner of police, Mr. Patrick Egbuniwe. The police cordoned the palace and screened movement of people in and out of the palace, and gave the monarch 30 minutes to consult with his chiefs, and apparently to allow him to change his attire. The team finally left the palace premises at about 2.40 pm, while Oba Orisagbemi who was clad in blue guinea brocade with cap to march, was however allowed to sit with his wife in the official car of the chairman, Oye Local Government, Mr. Oguntoyinbo, a Peugeot 505 car with license plate number LG 01 YEE. Some of his Chiefs, however, volunteered to accompany the monarch to the police headquarters, Ado Ekiti where he was later ushered into the office of the Acting Police commissioner, Mr. Egbuniwe. After about 10 minutes closed discussion with the police boss the monarch was led to the CID unit of the police command for interrogation. Commenting on the arrest, Mr. Patrick Egbuniwe told Vanguard that the traditional ruler was arrested because of the allegation that the monarch invited OPC activists to his domain to cause commotion on Monday. Stating that the information available to the command confirmed that the monarch actually invited OPC, since he was around when they (OPC) came, adding that the OPC used the forum to cause breach of public peace and wanton destruction of property. “The information at our disposal has linked the traditional ruler with the invasion of OPC on the town, for the Oba was in town when the OPC came.” On how long the police would hold the monarch, Egbuniwe said it depends on the level of information the monarch provides, adding that this would assist police in getting to the root of the matter. But counsel to the monarch, Barrister Peter Alatise from Deji Gbadeyan’’s chambers, Ilorin said it was not the traditional ruler that invited the OPC to the town. “On Monday, when people were celebrating Orisa Ina festival, the OPC people came, at that time they did not meet Kabiyesi in his palace, and it was customary of the people to felicitate with people while celebrating such festivals. He said the arrest of the monarch was an abuse of court processes, since the monarch has filed a stay of execution of a Court of Appeal judgtement. It may be recalled that the 10-year old chieftaincy tussle between the monarch, Oba Orisagbemi and his opponent, Prince Samuel Osho reached its peak recently when the appeal court faulted the process of selection of Oba Orisagbemi in 1991. The monarch has however appealed against the judgment at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the monarch has been detained at Iyin Road, CID Headquarters, Ado Ekiti, while the chiefs who accompanied were turned back home when our correspondent visited the station as at 7:35 pm yesterday.
Police admit killing engineer in error, apologise The Guardian: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti HE was not a soldier at the battle-front neither was he an armed robber. All the same, he was shot dead as an armed robber and his death announced with pomp by the law enforcement agency that snuffed life out of him. But Muyiwa Popoola, a civil engineer, was not to go to his grave in disgrace. Yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Police Command admitted killing him in error three weeks ago and apologised, blaming it on laxity and unprofessional conduct on the part of its men. Describing the incident as a grave mistake, Mr. Patrick Egbunive, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police who stood is for his boss, Mr. Bashiru Azeez, who was in Abuja for the national security council meeting on the incident, told the state legislators that Popoola was actually killed in error while the police were chasing an armed robbery gang. Egbunive blamed the killing on over-zealousness, laxity and unprofessional conduct of his men. According to the state's deputy police chief, his command initially thought they had apprehended armed robbers only to later discover that the victims were innocent. They confirmed that the killing was celebrated by the police who saw it as a breakthrough in their attempt to reduce armed robbery. He, however, regretted that their acclaimed success had turned sour as the men were not armed robbers. Egbunive berated the police constable who fired the fatal shots for his over-zealousness. He also blamed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Lasisi Akinlabi, for his men's display of laxity when carrying out instructions that could have saved lives. Popoola was killed three weeks ago by policemen while trailing a gang of armed robbers that snatched a Mercedes Benz car from the owner of a filling station in Ado-Ekiti. Popoola and his colleagues in a Honda Civic car were mistaken for armed robbers and in a bid to arrest them, the police opened fire on them, killing Popoola and a telcom policeman who was at the scene of the incident. However, the police boss told the legislators that a senior police officer's directive that Popoola be taken to a hospital for medical attention was not complied with which eventually led to his death. He explained that the refusal of the policemen to carry out the instruction from their boss shows laxity on the part of the DPO for his lack of control over his men. He said the DPO had been relieved of his post and transferred to the state police command pending the decision of the Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, on the matter. The constable, who shot Popoola has been dismissed from the Police Force and already charged for murder. Also, the informant who identified Popoola and his colleagues as the robbers who snatched a car from him had equally been charged for giving false information to the police. Some of the legislators, who spoke on the matter, called for adequate compensation to the family of Popoola since he had been admitted to be innocent. Mr. Segun Ola called for the reorientation of officers and men of the police to enable them live up to the expectation of the public. He also called for adequate funding of the police by the Federal Government to make them perform better.
Fayose Denies Tampering with LG Funds ThisDay: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 From Dipo Okunmuyide in Ado-Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has again denied the allegation of tampering with local government funds, saying his administration only puts in place machinery to monitor the councils for effective performance. The governor, who spoke at the commissioning of a new administrative building of Irepodun-/Ifelodun Local Government to mark its 100 days in office said his government would give necessary support to the councils to enable them deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Fayose, who gave a pass mark to the council Chairman, Mr Toba Daramola, commended him for embarking on the construction of 10 kilometre road that will link Igede-Ekiti, headquarters of the council, to Iworoko, which is another end of the council. In his address at the occasion, Daramola said his administration within three months, has launched its Mobile Health Services Scheme (MOHESS) to take adequate care of the less privileged, who do not have access to health care facilities and to complement the effort of the state health rangers programme, launched by Fayose, at the inception of his administration. He sad the council has also donated beds and beddings to all health centres in the area and distributed exercise books to students of primary and post-primary schools. Daramola said the administrative block of offices will serve as the Phase II of the local government secretariat, and go a long way to solve the problem of shortage of accommodation at the secretariat. Other achievements of his administration, according to him, include construction of car parks at the secretariat, establishment and empowering of the Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA). Iintroduction of women farmers to the outside world through Women in Agriculture Scheme, (WIAS) and refurbishment of grounded vehicles in the fleet of the local government.
OPC faults Fayose over power to suspend council officers The PUNCH, Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Doyin Adebusuyi, Ilorin The Chairman of Oodua Peoples Congress for Ekiti and Kwara states, Mr. Bayo Ifabiyi, has criticised the Ekiti State House of Assembly for passing into law, a bill that will empower the state Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, to suspend any errant elected council official. Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday in Ilorin, Ifabiyi described the action of the governor and the legislature as unconstitutional, saying the action was capable of causing further tension in the state. Fayose during a dispute between him and the Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Taye Fasutua, forwarded a bill that would enable him remove any errant councillor or chairman from office. Following the criticisms that greeted the bill, the lawmakers, led by the former speaker, Mr. Sola Ajigbolanu, opposed its passage because it would not be in the interest of democracy. However, under the leadership of the present Speaker, Mr. Friday Aderemi, the bill was amended giving the governor power to suspend for three months any errant council official. The OPC leader, who is of the Gani Adams faction, decried the increasing rate of criminal activities in Kwara State. He advised the state Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the state police command to collaborate with his group to curb the trend. Ifabiyi, who claimed that members of his group had arrested and handed over to police alleged criminals in the state in recent times, said all the state government needed to do to secure its assistance was to route its request through the leadership of the group approval.
Ekiti Assembly reconstitutes committees Daily Independent Online: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 By David Atalese Special Correspondent, Ado-Ekiti The Ekiti State House of Assembly has reconstituted its standing committees recently dissolved in the wake of the recent changes in the leadership of the House. According to a statement from the information department of the House, its selection committee chairman is the Speaker, Mr Friday Aderemi, while chairman of rules and business committee is Mr Bode Adewole and Mr Sule Longe is to chair public petitions committee. Other committees chairmen are public account committee, Mr Olusola Omolayo; agriculture and rural development, Mr Gbenga Faleye; committee on appropriation, Mr Tope Ademiluyi; while committee on education, science and technology is headed by Mr Segun Owoeye. The state listed Mr Oluyeni Olatunji as chairman commerce, industries, cooperatives and tourism; works and transport, Mr Segun Ola; lands and housing, Mr Deji Akinola; judiciary and legal matters, Mr Gbadebo Ibuoye; and public service matters, establishments and training is Mr Omoniyi Ajaja. The House committee on health and HIV/AIDS is headed by Mr Edu Mayokun, Mr Bunmi Olugbade is the chairman, information, youths, sports and culture, while Kola Fakiyesi is the chairman of ethics and privileges committee. Other committees chairmen are women affairs and social development, Mrs Christianah Oluwafemi; public utilities, Mr Lekan Osasona; local government and chieftaincy affairs, Fadare Amogunniyi; environment, Olumide Falade; anti-corruption committee, Mr Sola Ajigbolamu; fund management, Mr Friday Aderemi; while cash allocation committee is headed by the deputy speaker of the House, Taiwo Olatunbosun.
Lawmakers may pass vote of no confidence on police The PUNCH, Tuesday, August 10, 2004 Akin Oyedele Ado-Ekiti Members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly may pass a vote of no confidence on the state Police Command this week over the unresolved gruesome murder of a 27-year-old engineer, Mr. Muyiwa Fapohunda-Popoola. This was sequel to the failure of the command’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bashiru Azeez, to appear before the House for the second time last week. Azeez was earlier summoned before the House on Thursday, July 29, but our correspondent gathered that the police boss told the House to postpone it till Tuesday, last week, when he would have returned from a trip to Abuja. In an interview with our correspondent on Monday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr. Bunmi Olugbade, said the inability of the police commissioner to appear for the second time had given the impression that something was amiss. Due to his status as a highly-placed public officer, he said the House consented to his earlier explanation on why he would want to appear at a later date. He expressed disappointment at the attitude of the police boss, who he said though wrote to the House that he had a pressing official engagement in Lokoja on Tuesday, last week, but failed to indicate in the letter when he would appear. Olugbade said the House was on the verge of passing a vote of no confidence on the command during last Thursday’s sitting but was prevailed upon by the Speaker, Mr. Friday Aderemi, to give the commissioner another opportunity. Subsequently, he stated that the Clerk of the House was mandated to write another letter to the commissioner, where he was asked to choose a convenient day within this week.
Olumilua berates Fayose over cancellation of free education in Ekiti The Vanguard: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 By Gbenga Ariyibi ADO-EKITI— FORMER Governor of the old Ondo State, Mr. Bamidele Olumilua has berated the governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose for his recent cancellation of free education in the state, saying the policy may deter the progress of the state. Olumilua told newsmen at Usi-Ekiti that free education was a legacy inherited from Chief Obafemi Awololwo since 1955 and it should not be jettisoned, adding that every successive government has tried to keep on to the policy, even in very trial situation. “ Free education was what we inherited from late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1955 ”. Olumilua, however opined that the state government should look for other avenues of raising fund instead of capitalizing on educational sector. He recalled the time when he became the governor of old Ondo State that he ensured the reinstatement of free education programme by setting aside the sum of twenty-seven million extra budgetary provision to take care of free education in the state. Olumilua, who is also a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described free education as primary and fundamental, wondered how Ekiti State which has been acknowledged as Fountain of Knowledge does not take high interest on free education. “ There are many people who are bright in the country side who would have been going to school, but their parents cannot afford it and when you cancel that privilege, it takes a step backward”, Olumilua further declared. The former governor also described the Ayo Fayose-led government as lacking what he termed road-map, noting that he could not be convinced of what the priorities of the government are. “Every government must have its own priority, I don’t know what the priority of this government is and you can’t go to a place and achieve something without a road map, every body must have a road map, so a road map is what is lacking in this situation.
Why Obasanjo Reappointed Me, by Borisade ThisDay: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 From Dipo Okunmuyide in Ado-Ekiti Minister of State for Power and Steel, Professor Babalola Borisade, has explained why President Obasanjo insisted on making him a federal minister in spite of stiff opposition from certain quarters, saying it was because he believes in uprightness and quality. Speaking at the thanksgiving service held at his hometown, Usi-Ekiti, Borisade said Obasanjo sometimes asked those opposed to his appointment whether they found anything criminal against him and urged them to point them out. "They went as far as my primary school where they checked all the files trying to justify their opposition, but could not find anything against me," Borisade added. While thanking the President for the confidence and trust reposed in him for appointing him as minister for the second time, he promised not to let him down by ensuring that the second term of the President is a huge success. He said he was not desperate for appointment, adding that "I was never a politician, but the President believed I could perform creditably well, saying his refusal to lobby the Senate for the second screening made people believed that he was arrogant and believe too much in himself. According to him, "the truth of the matter is that I refused to lobby, because I knew that the truth would prevail and that I would eventually be vindicated as I was innocent of all allegations levelled against me." Speaking on the installation of 132 KVA power transmission station in Ekiti State, Borisade said the project, barring hitches ,would be completed by December.
Govt to commission 132 KVA transformer in Ekiti, says Borishade The Guardian: Monday, August 9, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti POWER supply in Ekiti State will soon get a boost as the government plans to commission a 132-KVA sub-station in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, before the end of the year, the Minister of State for Power and Steel, Babalola Borishade, has said. The project, which was awarded three years ago, was billed for completion within 18 months. It was stalled due to non-release of funds to the contractors. Borishade, who spoke with journalists at the weekend at Usi-Ekiti, however, assured that the project would be commissioned in December this year. He also spoke on the abandoned Ado-Ekiti Otun-Ekiti Kwara State road, which has constituted a serious danger to motorists. According to him, the project would be executed in phases, starting with the award of contracts for the reconstruction of bridges on the road. The minister said the Federal Government would have reconstructed the road in the past but for a court action instituted by a contractor who had earlier handled the project. Borishade, who was in his home town for a special thanksgiving service for his appointment, called on the leaders to eschew bitterness and come together for the good of the state. He stressed the need for tolerance and unity among the people for the state to achieve greatness, adding that whatever animosity they have against one another should give way to love and total commitment for the good of the state. On the initial refusal of the Senate to clear him for his appointment, he said God's time is the best. Confronted with allegations that he is arrogant, the minister said: "I am not arrogant, but I have principles that I believe in and no matter the situation, I will stick to them because they make the totality of my life". On why President Olusegun Obasanjo stuck to him for one year as his ministerial nominee from the state, he said the President believed that he has not committed any offence to warrant the Senate's refusal to clear him. The President would have behaved in a like manner to any other ministerial nominee facing a similar situation. He added, however, that he had forgiven those opposed to his appointment and wished them success in all their endeavours.
Tribunal nullifies Ekiti councillor's election The Guardian: Friday, August 6, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo (Ado-Ekiti) A PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) councillor in Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Theresa Adejoke Fagboro, yesterday had her election nullified by the Ekiti State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal for forging a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate. She was, therefore, ordered to vacate her seat in the council for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate in Ward 5 councillorship election, Mr. Augustine Ojo. The three-man tribunal headed by Chief Magistrate, A.A. Adesodun, granted the prayers of Ojo who petitioned that Fagboro forged the WAEC certificate with which she contested the election. The verdict was hinged on the evidence of a WAEC official, Mr. Fatai Adekunle and headmistress of Ajao Estate High School, Anthony Village, Lagos gave at the tribunal. The headmaster, Mrs W. Olabintan, had told the tribunal that Adejoke Theresa Adeniyi's (now Mrs Fagboro) name did not appear in any of the school's records as having taken any examination in the school. She said the examination number on the forged certificate presented by Fagboro carried another name, Adenuga O. Margaret, in the WAEC school certificate examinations result for August/September 1991. Olabintan argued that it was not possible for two candidates to have similar number in WAEC school certificate examinations. She tendered the original computer list of the candidates who took the August/September 1991 WAEC in the school, which did not include the name of Theresa Adejoke Adeniyi. The tribunal, in its 15-page judgment, also recalled the evidence of the WAEC official, Adekunle, who said the examination body did not conduct any external examination in December 1991 as claimed by Fagboro in her forged certificate. Adekunle had told the tribunal: "WAEC did not conduct any examination either internal or external in December 1991 which the forged certificate claimed. "The number which appeared on Adejoke Adeniyi's (Mrs. Fagboro) result is only used for internal examination. In 1991, WAEC only conducted examination once as a result of a change in school calendar. And the examination was conducted in August/September 1991." The tribunal claimed that when Adekunle compared the result of Fagboro with his official master list from WAEC, he found out that the result belonged to one Adenuga Margaret of Ajao Estate High School. Based on this evidence, the tribunal concluded that the school leaving certificate which Fagboro used in contesting the concillorship election was forged and ordered her to vacate her seat for the AD candidate who came second in the election.
Falana faults new council law in Ekiti The Guardian: Friday, August 6, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado Ekiti LAGOS-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, has criticised Ekiti State lawmakers for passing into law a bill empowering the state Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, to suspend any erring councillor or council chairman. In a chat with journalists yesterday, Falana said that the law was against the 1999 Constitution, which stipulated how an elected political office holder could be removed from office. Fayose forwarded the bill to the state House of Assembly during his face-off with the Ado-Ekiti Council Chairman, Mr. Taye Fasutua. In the bill, the governor wants the House to empower him to remove any erring council chairman or councillor, who in Fayose's opinion, abuse his oath of office. Following the uproar that greeted the bill, the state legislators, led by the former Speaker, Mr. Sola Ajigbolanu, opposed the passage of the bill because according to them, it would not be in the interest of democracy. But the legislators, under the leadership of the new Speaker, Mr. Friday Aderemi, decided to amend the bill, which provides for the suspension of any erring councillor or chairman for three months by the governor. However, Falana said he had carefully studied the new law and the circumstances surrounding its passage, and concluded that the state was already in a mess The former National Conscience Party (NCP) governorship candidate in the state, stressed that the 1999 Constitution provides that councillors and chairmen shall be democratically elected. "As for as this provision (1999 constitution) is concerned, the House of Assembly or the governor of a state has no power to dissolve the council, remove the chairman or suspend even a councillor. "From the provisions of the new Local Council law, the governor is the accuser, the witness and the judge in his own case. This is very extraneous," he said. He insisted that the passage of the local council bill into law has portrayed the state in bad light, saying, "it has put Ekiti State in an embarrassing situation. "Imagine a state that was known as fountain of knowledge is fast becoming a fountain of monumental ignorance," he said. He added: "If there was the need to correct anybody in the state today, it is Governor Fayose, who has no regard for constitution or financial guidelines." Falana pitied the state lawmakers on the passage of the new law, saying: "I know that the House was in dangerous terrain." Falana however, stressed that the signing into law of the new local government (amendment) bill by the state governor was meant and targeted at a particular council chief, who has been courageous enough to challenge the authoritarian rule of the governor. He asked the governor to account for about N10 billion he has allegedly received in the past one year on behalf of the 16 local councils in the state, saying the public was watching and that the governor would soon be forced to render accounts of his spending.
Fayose, Odili in Joint Economic Pact The Guardian: Thursday, August 5, 2004 From Dipo Okunmuyide in Ado-Ekiti Ekiti and Rivers states are planning to go into joint projects that will provide mutual economic benefits to the people and governments of the two states. As part of the move to actualise the step, Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, will pay two days official visit to Rivers State from tomorrow to Saturday 7. A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Information to Ekiti Governor, Mr Kola Ajumobi, said Fayose is expected to arrive Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State on Friday. On his arrival, he will be treated to a state banquet by his host, Dr Peter Odili, after which a business forum that will witness the attendance of Ekiti indigenes resident in the state will come up immediately. According to the statement, the visit will wind up on Saturday with a tour of projects executed by the PDP-led government in the state which can be of benefit to Ekiti State. Ajumobi explained that the visit is part of the efforts of Fayose look outward and galvanise investments into the state through the cooperation of other governments, individuals and agencies both within and outside the state. Meanwhile, the Head of Nigeria Office of British Department for International Department (DFID), Mr William Kingsmill, has commended the reform programmes of the Ayo Fayose-led administration in Ekiti State. Kingsmill, who recently received Fayose who paid him a visit in his office in Abuja commended him for establishing the department of debt management, which he described as the first of its kind in the country.
Between Fayose and rising clamour for power shift in Ekiti Daily Independent Online: Thursday, August 5, 2004 By David Atalese, Ado-Ekiti Barely a year after the present ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State took over from the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the people of the state are now clamouring for power shift from the Ekiti Central senatorial district to the North senatorial district, which they said should produce the next governor in 2007. There are three senatorial districts, namely North, South and Central. The Ekiti South senatorial district had produced governorship candidates for the two elections conducted in the state since its creation in 1996. For instance, Senator Bode Olowoporoku, who is from Ekiti South senatorial district, contested the election in 1998 against the immediate past governor, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, who is from Ekiti Central Senatorial district. But Olowoporoku did not win the election. Last year, Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, who is from Ilawe Ekikit, in Ekiti South Senatorial district, also contested on the platform of the National Conscience Party NCP, alongside the incumbent Governor Ayodele Fayose and Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo who picked his deputy from Ekiti North. But all has gone down with history as politicians in the state are clamouring fervently for power shift to the North. The most interesting aspect of this campaign is that all members of the existing political parties in the state are clamouring for the power shift to the North, which has the winning votes because of its population. A first class traditional ruler from the North senatorial district of the state said: "I am not a politician, but a father to all politicians either in the North, South or Central, I feel there is nothing wrong with the intention of those calling for the power shift. You know a tree does not make a forest, this life is based on the principle of give and take, whereas greediness does not fetch good results. So I am in total support of the power shift from the Central to the North. A notable politician in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) said: "Ekiti State is not created for the people in the Central senatorial district alone, because all of us struggled for the creation of this state and it will amount to greediness if in the next dispensation, as from May 29, 2007, there is no power shift." He cited power shift from the northern part of the country to the South part since 1999. pointing out that after President Olusegun Obasanjo, the power will move to another part of the country "because this great nation belongs to all Nigerians, so also Ekiti State belongs to all Ekiti people and we must make it viable and develop it together a senatorial district cannot develop it alone". A chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Biodun Akin-Fase, said "everybody in this state is clamouring for the power shift to the North and the cooperation and the support of every part of this state cannot do it alone, they need the cooperation of the people in the remaining two senatorial districts". He recalled that since the creation of the state, people in the northern part of the state seemed to have been marginalised one way or the other through political appointments except during the past AD administration when the deputy governor came from the North, "but the left-over for the deputy governor is always the crumbs from the dividends of democracy. We shall ensure that power shift does not affect the cordial relationship between us because all Ekiti people are one no matter where you come from. We shall address the matter accordingly when the time comes. Our thinking is that if the governor could come from Ekiti Central twice, others should be given the opportunity to serve the state in that capacity". But a chieftain of the National Conscience Party (NCP) who hails from the South senatorial district, said, "there is nothing wrong with those clamouring for the power shift, but they should realize that we in the South deserve to lead this state, because we have produced two governorship candidates during the past two elections and through manipulation or rigging, we were denied the opportunity to become the governor". He said that things should be done accordingly by allowing the South to lead the state in 2007. He said "although there is the need for power shift, this must be done without rancour or ill-feelings. We must not let politics divide us as it is being done now by the present ruling PDP, which has no regard for love, unity and peaceful co-existence of the people of this country, especially the people of this state". But those clamouring for the power shift seem to have forgotten that Fayose's intention is to be in office for eight years. He has said so times without number in most of his public functions. This may be a stumbling block for those calling for power shift as the governor is not prepared to leave any stone unturned to achieve his objectives, no matter whose ox is gored. The incidents that took place during the last local government election can be used as the parameter that Fayose is always determined to crush any obstacle on his way to succeed. He has said repeatedly that he would not behave like his predecessor who could not use the resources at his to crush political opponents but opened his eyes and allowed his people to blindfold him. Apart from using the power of incumbency, there will be enough money at Fayose's disposal. But fillers from the elders in the state indicate that things will change before 2007 as one of them put it: "We have learnt a great lesson when we folded our hands, closed our eyes and allowed siblings to play with our manhood, because since the inception of this administration, we have lost sense of belonging, we have been separated physically and spiritually from one another because of the type of the administration we operate in the state which has no regard for tradition and elders." A former vice chairman of a local government council said: "I do not want to concern myself with what is happening either at the Governor's Office or Government House. I am looking forward towards 2007 and every right thinking Ekiti man or woman should prepare himself or herself toward that time, when we shall be liberated and be free from the shackles of the present regime." He said that ruminating on the present situation in Ekiti State would amount to a waste of time and energy, but "this is the time for us to wake up and lift the state from its present unfortunate situation to ensure brighter future for the coming generation, if we are to survive as a state and be reckoned with among other states in the federation". An executive member of the PDP in the state added his own frustration, saying that "I weep for this young state for its inability to produce a leader, because none of those we look up to as leaders can lead us because to be a leader, you must be wealthy, knowledgeable and be prepared to share your wealth with your people". He then asked: "Who among our leaders can give you just N50,000 without expecting you to refund it thrice? We do not have millionaire in this state and those who have some money are not prepared to share it with others as it is being done in other parts of the country, especially in the Northern states. According to him, it is time for Ekiti State to produce the national chairman of the party but a man who does not have enough to keep his soul and the body together or care for his people can not be the national chairman of the largest political party in Africa. Addressing the chieftains of the party during the crisis between him and the councilors recently, Fayose lamented over the weak leadership in the party hierarchy in the state, saying: "If there are leaders in the party, they would have called the councilors and the governor to order and this is why there is no discipline in the party." Whether there are leaders in the state who can move with the dictates of the time and turn around the situation or not, 2007 will be the deciding factor as the politicians are clamouring for power shift to the northern part of the state. The questions are how many politicians in the district are ready to part with their money because of politics. Will they be able to become philanthropists like Fayose who volunteered to spend his money without looking back when he campaigned for the governorship post in 2000 by distributing water and drugs free to the people in rural areas? The fact is that before the power can be moved to the northern senatorial district of the state, there must be a leader who can beat Fayose's record, there must be a leader who will be more accommodating than Fayose, there must be a leader who will be more forthcoming, aggressive sympathetic and humane than Fayose who has now become the friend of the down-trodden'. Such leader must be loved by the people, must be very intelligent and command the respect of every indigene of the state. Merely clamouring for power shift to the North without an outstanding leader who can stand the test of time will amount to a wasteful exercise, but there is still time to search for leaders who possess the quality needed to move the state forward come 2007.
Two brothers arrested for robbery The Punch, Thursday August 05, 2004 Akin Oyedele, Ado-Ekiti A student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa and his younger brother also a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (names withheld) were among the four armed robbery suspects paraded on Wednesday by the Ekiti State Police Command. Also paraded with them was one suspect (name withheld) who specialised in stealing National Electric Power Authority metres with his accomplice, who was implicated as the buyer of the stolen metres. Addressing newsmen in his office, the command’s Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Emmanuel Zannu, said the six suspects would be arraigned in court on Thursday (today). The brothers, according to him, were apprehended last Friday by a night guard, Mr. Oba Akinyode, at the Omisanjana Street in Ado-Ekiti around 10.00am. An on-the-spot search allegedly conducted on them by the guard, revealed that an axe, three mobile handsets and one locally made shot gun were concealed inside one of the suspect’s bag. Also found inside the bag were items suspected to be charms, while a mask and hand grenade were recovered from his house after a further search. Two other suspects, (names withheld) were said to have been arrested in Lagos in connection with the theft of a Nissan Blue bird stolen in Ado-Ekiti where it was parked. Six NEPA metres were recovered from another suspect who was caught with two of the items at Ijero Ekiti while trying to remove another. The remaining four were recovered from the bush. Based on his alleged confessional statement, the second suspect said to be the receiver who told newsmen that he was a retired staff of NEPA and an electrical contractor, was arrested in Ibadan.
Ekiti PDP moves to recall Olowoporoku from Senate The Guardian: Thursday, August 5, 2004 By Gbenga Ariyibi ADO-EKITI— PLANS have commenced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State to recall the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Bode Olowoporoku over alleged anti-party activities. Senator Olowoporoku, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District of Ekiti State in the Senate was expelled by the PDP in the state two months ago for anti-party activities, following the defection of his wife to All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). The Senator was also alleged to have given evidence against his party at the election petition tribunal in the state. Vanguard reliably gathered that the party has started the collection of signatures of registered voters from all the six councils of Ikere, Ekiti South-West, Ekiti -East, Ise/Orun, Gbonyin Senatorial district, with a view to carrying out the recall process. Though, the national secretariat of the party is yet to take a decision on the expulsion of the embattled Senator, the State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose who was alleged to have favoured the move said no individual is powerful than a whole party. Fayose while speaking with newsmen on the issue yesterday failed to give any categorical statement on whether the Senator is going to be recalled or not, adding that it is not impossible. He said: “The process has not begun, but it is not impossible, because one thing leads to another, especially in politics; if the people are convinced that an elected officer is not representing their interest as they deem it fit, they may decide to recall the person.
Ecological problems to gulp N1 trillion The Guardian: Wednesday, August 4, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti ABOUT N1 trillion is needed to combat ecological problems in the country, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Ecology, Mr. Dayo Oguniyi, said yesterday. He made this known in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, while exchanging views with Governor Ayo Fayose during his visit to the state's ecological disaster zones. Oguniyi lamented the spate of ecological problems in the country, saying measures are being taken to address them. Oguniyi, who also visited disaster zones in Moba, Ilejeweje, Idolosi and Ikere Local Councils, said there is the urgent need for the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state in combating the ecological problems. Stressing that the people living in the affected local councils were exposed to serious dangers, he further called for concerted efforts of both the federal and state governments in ensuring the safety of lives and property of the residents of the state. He noted that buildings in some of the disaster zones were built too close to drainage, water pipes and power supply transformers, pointing out that most of the buildings did not comply with urban and regional planning regulations. "It is unfortunate that we have erected structures indiscriminately in this country. Imagine many houses located in some areas were not guided by proper urban and regional planning and that is why we are having problems", he said. He assured that the Federal Government would give necessary assistance to the state and local councils to tackle the ecological problems in the area. Fayose called for the assistance of the Federal Government in making lives more meaningful to the people of the state, saying it was ready to co-operate with the Federal Government. Meanwhile, Fayose has called on the people to embark on massive tree planting to check rainstorm, assuring that his administration would continue to implement programmes that would reduce the level of poverty among the people.
NIPSS Boss Decries FG's Low Presence in Ekiti ThisDay: Wednesday, August 4, 2004 From Dipo Okunmuyide in Ado-Ekiti Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Major-General Martins Osahor, has decried the low presence of Federal Government in Ekiti State. Osahor, who paid a courtesy call on Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, as the Head of National Delegation of the Forum of Heads of Federal Establishment in Ado-Ekiti, said the state is presently in the eye of every Nigerian because it is fast changing from a rural set up to a developing state. He commended the developmental efforts of the present administration, which centred on provision of basic infrastructural facilities, especially in the state capital through provision of access roads, water supply and others. Osahor disclosed that the British Department for Foreign Affairs (DFID) has given a grant to NIPSS to conduct research in Ekiti and some other states on how to enhance grassroots development. The NIPSS director-general, who was the guest speaker at an annual lecture at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, appealed to the state government to provide necessary support for the few federal parastatals and institutions in the state. In his speech, the National Chairman of the Forum of Federal Establishment, Dr. Ehizokale, observed the forum has moved beyond the scope of civil service to render service to their host communities, saying they have established primary and secondary schools which rank among the best in places like Edo and other states. In his response, Fayose assured that his administration would continue to give necessary support to all federal agencies in the state, saying the state and federal agents are both stakeholders in the Nigeria project and must work together in the overall interest of the teeming populace.
Ekiti revokes contract for four roads The Guardian: Monday, August 2, 2004 From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti A CONTRACT covering four roads in Ekiti State has been terminated by the state government. Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Mr. Kola Ajumole, in a statement at the weekend said the contractor handling the road, Iworoko-Are-Afao-Igbemo, has not shown enough competence. Though he did not name the contractor, Ajumobi said the road project would soon be re-awarded to a competent contractor who would execute the job to the taste of the state government. He disclosed that the state government has acquired 25 hectares of land in each of the 16 councils of the state for its tree-planting campaign. Ajumobi explained that the emphasis on the tree campaign this year would be on forest regeneration and economic reawakening, saying trees such as teak and masonia would be planted. The state government's spokesman said electricity has been extended to the Egbe Dam owned by Ondo and Ekiti state governments. He maintained that the supply of electricity to the dam has boosted pipe-borne water supply to many communities in Gboyin Council Area of the state. On the national food programme, he said the state government has established its own special programme for food security, which resolved the cultivation of 404 hectares of land for the production of yam, cassava and maize. He said 253 farmers would be participating in the cultivation of the food crops, adding that the sum of N11 million has been set-aside for distribution to participating farmers. According to him, the 404 hectares are in Osin, Erifun and Eporo adding that bore-holes have been sunk in the three communities and motorcycles were given out to the heads of the farmers. Ajumobi also disclosed that personnel from the state are being sponsored on training programmes to Malaysia to learn the new technology of using mud bricks for building of low-cost houses in the state. This technology, he explained would assist the state in its rural housing programme, which is expected to take off very soon.
ThisDay: Sunday, August 1, 2004 Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, for displaying what it described as an unsolicited support for the association. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said the commendation was given in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend by the Chairman of the association, Mr. Ayodele Joseph, who said his group was happy with the assistance from the governor through his deputy, Mr. Abiodun Aluko. Adelusi added that the CFAN boss however, commended Fayose for allowing 80 per cent of agriculture input coming into the state to go directly to the state chapter. of CFAN. He said CFAN decried the lingering frosty relationship between Fayose and the former Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Bode Olowo-poroku, now Senator, and called on the senator to and other parties to the face-off to lay down their arms. Also in a statement, the farmers' association said it was dissociating itself from a recent publication allegedly orchestrated by its former leadership to disparage Minister of Agriculture and Rural Deve-lopment, Alhaji Adamu Bello, and Governor Fayose, saying that the current leadership of the association could never blackmail Fayose because his (Fayose's) administration has done what it called a tremendous job for CFAN in the state.
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