₦airaland Forum

PRESS RELEASE

EKHA action akin to legislative rascality, says Fayemi’s aide

Reacting to Thursday’s resolution of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, calling for the constitution of a judicial panel of enquiry into the financial transactions of the immediate past administration led by Dr kayode Fayemi, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said the action of the lawmakers is nothing but legislative rascality.

Oyebode said in a statement made available to journalists that the decision of the lawmakers was not only ill-advised but reckless, considering the fact that two different law suits surrounding the purported probe are still pending in court.

“Simply put, the lawmakers’ attempt to institute a judicial panel or administrative panel, while the two cases involving the House of Assembly, its leadership and a top official of the present administration (In an Abuja High Court and Ado Ekiti Federal High Court) are yet to be determined is subjudice

“And, sadly, this is just a reflection of their poor knowledge of the law.

“The lawmakers are advised to study the constitution properly and understand their roles as well as the limit of their powers, as this desperate attempt to implicate the immediate past administration is nothing but another wild goose chase”, Oyebode added.

Olayinka Oyebode

Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister

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This is very pathetic!
I think the Landlord should have approach the issue with mercy if not outright pity! No damage, no theft, just a man and wife using your property albeit without permission for about 20 minutes or less and you want him jailed? Habaaa!
I appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to rise up in defence and assistance of this couple. What they need is definitely not purnishment but rehabilitation

Mbeki-Fayemi 1 and 2

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki with Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; at the just concluded Investing In African Mining Indaba 2017, in Cape Town, South Africa.

PRESS RELEASE

Fayemi to deliver UNILAG Convocation lecture

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, will on Monday, January 23rd, deliver the 2017 University of Lagos Convocation lecture.

Titled: “Building a Succession- Generation: Reflections on Values and Knowledge in Nation Building”, the lecture is part of the convocation ceremonies for the 2015/2016 academic session.

The lecture which is scheduled to hold at the Main auditorium of the University, would be chaired by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major-General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd). It commences by 2pm.

Dr Fayemi, immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, having graduated from the institution’s Department of History in 1985, before going for further studies.

A letter from the University, signed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, says Dr Fayemi’s nomination as Guest Lecturer was “informed by the established tradition of best practice in the University which extends such invitation to renowned scholars and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career and /or in service to humanity”.

Signed

Olayinka Oyebode

Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister

PRESS RELEASE Fayemi congratulates Akeredolu, Ondo people ....says Ondo voters made the right choice The Minister of Mines and steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, for his victory in Saturday’s governorship election, saying that the people of the State have made the right choice. Akeredolu, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeated the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN; and candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Olusola Oke. Dr Fayemi, in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said Akeredolu’s victory at the poll was victory for democracy as well as the people of Ondo State who have long clamoured for change. The Minister said the people of Ondo State have, through their votes, demonstrated their preference for transformative leadership and progressive governance which Akeredolu represents. He urged them to cooperate fully with the soon-to-be- inaugurated APC-led government which will usher the state to a new era of all-round development. He urged all the relevant stakeholders in the state to accept the verdict of the people and work with Akeredolu to move the State forward. He also urged Akeredolu to commence a process of reconciliation aimed at uniting the party in the state. The Minister said he was certain that Akeredolu would run a responsive and people-oriented government in the State. Noting the keen nature of the contest, Dr Fayemi also saluted the contestants for their maturity which contributed to the peaceful atmosphere under which the election held. “Ondo State people deserve to be congratulated for the right choice they have made. They have demonstrated their confidence in Mr Akeredolu’s ability to take the state to the next level of development and prosperity.” “The state would surely witness greater level of development, judging by Mr Akeredolu’s pedigree as a highly experienced professional, tested and trusted technocrat and strategic planner.” He added.

Signed Olayinka Oyebode Special Assistant ( Media) to the Minister

BREAKING NEWS: AD, PDP Plan Violence To Disrupt Collation, Result Announcement

Faced with imminent defeat because of feelers they are getting from almost all the strongholds of PDP and AD, thugs working for AD and PDP are strategising to invade the polling units to disrupt collation and results announcement.
The plan is to cause confusion to render the exercise a nullify as it is clear Jegede and Oke have lost the election.
Voters should be vigilant and make sure they protect their votes. Security agents should move to the polling units to protect the polling officers to ensure a smooth exercise as PDP and AD agents are determined to disrupt the counting of results.

• Sunshine Chronicle

NEWS ALERT: Beware Of Oke's Rice From Osun
...Osun Has Not Recovered From Lagos Rice Debt Six Years After

Throughout the night, the agents of AD's candidate, Olusola Oke, were busy distributing rice and vegetable oil to voters in the state.
As at yesterday morning, Oke's camp was angry that the money and other consignments promised by Lagos and Osun had not come. But late evening yesterday, the money, rice and vegetable oil came in large quantities from Osun and Lagos.
Good people of Ondo State, this is exactly how Lagos flooded Osun with money, rice, sugar and vegetable oil to help Aregbesola to defeat Omisore in the last election. But today, Aregbesola is paying the debt he owed to Lagos, and the workers of the state are today the victims of desperation by one politician to win his election by mortgaging Osun State.
Today, Aregbesola is paying his debts to Lagos sponsors and in the process, owing state workers several months in salary arrears.
The rice and oil they are distributing to you for this election for a few days enjoyment are not for free; you will pay for them in the most tearful manner Osun people are now paying for the rice, salt, sugar and vegetable oil that Lagos gave Osun people to deceive them to enable Aregbesola win his election.
His friend from Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, did the same and even went further to be eating with market women on the streets and drinking ogogoro with okada riders. Today, Fayose has abandoned his "friends" during campaigns.
Don't fall victims to election merchants. Their eyes are on Ondo State's oil money as oil-producing state They are dangerous to your lives. Think twice. We have warned you.
Ondo Youths Alliance

‎BREAKING NEWS: Ondo Poll: Dickson's Aide,Tuodolo, Storms Arogbo With Avengers Militants To Help PDP

Dr Felix Tuodolo, former President of the Ijaw Youths Council, who is also former Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs and now Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Bayelsa State, storms Arogbo with elements suspected to be Niger Delta Avengers. 
His hosts are Messrs Bekewei Ajuwa,  and Dickson Gbamila, Kingsley Kuku's in-law and first cousin respectively. 
The thugs are from Oporoma town in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State.

BREAKING NEWS: Ondo Workers In Last Minute Campaign Against Mimiko's Candidate
... Root For Akeredolu, Agunloye

In order to register their anger against Governor Olusegun Mimiko over alleged betrayal of the work force in Ondo State, civil servants and teachers have launched a last minute campaign against the candidate of PDP, Eyitayo Jegede, to have their pound of flesh on Mimiko.
The workers, who are now calling one another to vote against Jegede in tomorrow's election, hinged their grievances on Mimiko's deceit and uncaring attitude to them, saying that Jegede can't behave differently from Mimiko, who befriended workers during his first term only to start implementing anti-workers policies immediately workers voted for him to win his second term election.
On the announcement of mass promotions for workers, they said that Mimiko's trick of promoting a handful of workers leaving others till after the election would not work again this time after the governor tricked them with warm treatment in his first term only to abandon them and broke all the promises he made for their welfare during campaign for second term.
They also cited deceit in Mimiko's promise to pay six months salary arrears to workers today (Friday), but which the governor has again shifted to next Monday over excuse that today is a public holiday.
The governor had called workers to a meeting at The Dome Events Centre, Akure, on Tuesday promising to pay the six months salary arrears before the election. The workers were therefore shocked that the governor had again broken his promise in what they see as a grand deceit to play on their intelligence again.
Mimiko's wife's pleas with workers to have patience till Monday make no impact among workers, as they have vowed to vote against Jegede to end their misery.
The workers also warned against voting for the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Olusola Oke, over reports that he is being sponsored by Lagos and Osun politicians.
They argued that Oke will have primary responsibility to his sponsors after his victory while workers suffer. They also cited report that Oke had ceded many juicy political positions to his sponsors who will nominate trusted candidates they can control in the politics and economy of the state.
Surprisingly, workers are rooting for APC and SDP candidates, Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu and Dr Olu Agunloye.
Their argument is that the two candidates will be more people-oriented, as they have no outside sponsors who will hijack the government for the selfish interests of outside godfathers.
• The Sunshine Chronicle

BREAKING NEWS: ONDO ELECTION- Mimiko Trying To Bribe Judge with N500 million To Get Injunction Stopping Election

Confronted with hard facts and reality of the political situation on ground, the embattled Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, is about now trying to bribe a Judge of the High Court with N500m to obtain a black market injunction to postpone the gubernatorial election scheduled for tomorrow for about three weeks.

Mimiko has been advised by his political strategists that with what is on ground, his candidate, Eyitayo Jegede who just got his candidacy validated by the Court of Appeal 4 days to the election, stands no chance of winning the election as he has lost a lot of grounds to other candidates as a result of his long-drawn legal tussle over who flies the PDP's flag between him and Jimoh Ibrahim.
The only way Eyitayo Jegede can make any appreciable showing is for INEC to postpone the election for about three weeks to allow Jegede cover some lost grounds and restrategise.
Mimiko may be filing the the suit to stop the election anytime from now while he has also planned to sponsor violent protests in the state capital aimed at forcing INEC to postpone the election.
INEC yesterday stuck to its guns and insisted on going ahead with the scheduled election tomorrow as all materials and men have been deployed to the 18 local governments in the state.
Other parties apart from the PDP and some sponsored amorphous parties, have agreed that the election should hold tomorrow as scheduled. Nigerians are closely monitoring the judiciary if it would allow itself to be used once again by desperate politicians.

Ondo State Youths Alliance

Fayose's Aides Get Ultimatum To Retract Libellous Statements Against Fayemi

Former Governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has given a seven-day ultimatum to a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Samuel Omotoso, and Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Governor Ayodele Fayose, Mr Lere Olayinka, to retract libellous statements against him in a live television programme aired on the state television on July 6, 2016.

In a letter on behalf of the minister from the Law Chambers of R.O. Balogun &Co, dated November 19th, Dr Fayemi is asking both Omotosho and Olayinka to make a retraction and public apology, which must be given equal prominence like the offending statements and utterances.

They are also to pay Fayemi N100m for the offending statement within the period, failure of which an action would be filed against them in the law court.

The duo of Omotoso and Olayinka had during a live programme on Ekiti State Television (EKTV) tagged Ejiire on July 6, 2016, alleged that Dr Fayemi illegally took N1.5billion from Ekiti treasury and gave it to President Mohammadu Buhari, while contesting the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They also alleged that Fayemi looted Ekiti treasury, alleging fraud in the purchase of vehicles for traditional rulers and illegal withdrawal of N852million SUBEB money .

Olayinka had said during the programme that "Fayemi paid Ekiti N852m into SUBEB account at Access Bank, and now this is the fraud he committed: It was this money that qualifies Ekiti to receive Abuja’s N852m SUBEB money, but immediately the money dropped into Ekiti SUBEB account, Fayemi just withdrew the state counterpart fund from the SUBEB account and Abuja SUBEB caught them red-handed in the fraud game, just like 419."

Olayinka also said that Fayemi illegally collected N5billion from Ecobank in the name of Fountain Holdings for purported road construction.

He also alleged that Fayemi borrowed money on behalf of the state to build a Government House for his wife and children. He also alleged that Fayemi spent the state's funds to build a private university for himself in Ghana.

Omotoso said Fayemi refused to pay pensioners, but was "acting like armed robber and carted away Ekiti money", adding that he was not "just saying it for fun that Fayemi stole Ekiti money, but he went away with Ekiti money and destroyed the economy of the state".

But Fayemi in a letter by his lawyer, Chief R.O. Balogun, has demanded a public apology with the same prominence they committed the offence, retraction of the offensive comment and payment of N100m within seven days of receipt of the letter, otherwise they would be sued for criminal defamation of character.

The Minister had complained through his counsel that their utterances during the programme portrayed him as a very corrupt public office holder and fraudulent person who siphoned public funds at the detriment of Ekiti citizens while serving as governor.

He also complained that he was exposed to "public ridicule, odium, opprobrium, embarrassment and unprecedented disrepute", arguing that the duo had done "incalculable and tremendous injury to his image and personality as an international figure".

Balogun said if within seven days the defendants refused to comply with the demands, his client would have no choice than to drag them to court to ventilate the grievances.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE:

SLIGHT GROWTH SEEN IN NON-OIL ECONOMY, AS FG POLICIES SUSTAIN RISING GDP FIGURES IN AGRIC, SOLID MINERALS SECTORS

*Recession persists in third quarter report amid rebound in financial sector & overall positive outlook

Third Quarter GDP figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, reveal a consistent growth in Agric and Solid Mineral sectors, indicating the success of the Buhari administration's economic policies even though overall economy is still in recession.

The over-riding impact of the oil and gas sector, where vandalism and sabotage of critical installations negatively affected production output, explains the persistence of the recession, as the non-oil economy posted a very slight growth.

Efforts to resolve the Niger Delta situation are however continuing as the Federal Government has opened several channels of communication with all relevant groups in the Niger Delta. Also, urgent fiscal and monetary measures to spur the economy back to overall positive territory are certainly in the offing including those targeting manufacturing.

The following statement was made on behalf of the Economic Management Team by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu on the latest NBS reports today:

“The third quarter results just released by the National Bureau of Statistics show that the Nigerian economy is still in recession. Growth in Gross Domestic Product fell by -2.24% in the third quarter as compared to the decline of -2.07% experienced in the second quarter.

The slight deterioration in national economic performance owes largely to the continued poor performance of the oil and gas sector which worsened to -22.01% in the third quarter as compared to -17.48% in the second quarter of 2016. The immediate cause of this, as is now generally recognised, is the steep decline in oil and gas production in the third quarter of 2016 due to acts of vandalism and sabotage of oil export facilities.

Remote causes include the continued outsized influence of the oil and gas sector on the rest of the economy as typified by its contribution to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, which continue to be important motors of economic activity. Moreover, due to time lags, it is still too early for policy interventions of the Federal Government to begin to impact fully on economic activity.

There are however some 'green shoots' of economic recovery beginning to emerge.

To start with, on-going consultations to bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta have enabled an increase in oil and gas production which if sustained at current prices, will bring a measure of relief to the economy.

Other key sectors of the economy showed encouraging signs of improvement.

The growth in the non-oil economy although still weak at 0.03% showed a return to positive territory after two consecutive quarters of negative growth. This was partly due to the continued good performance of agriculture and the solid minerals, two sectors prioritised by the Federal Government. Agriculture grew by 4.54% in the quarter under consideration of which growth in crop production at nearly 5% was at its highest since the first quarter of 2014. Growth in the solid mineral sector averaged about 7%.

The financial sector rebounded quite strongly in the period under review growing by 2.85% from a negative growth of -13.24% in the second quarter. The recently approved first tranche of $600m to be borrowed from the African Development Bank will also provide some relief in budgetary terms and supplement capital inflows. Indeed, there was a slight uptick of capital inflows into the economy in the third quarter of 2016. Overall capital inflows in the third quarter of 2016 increased by 74.84% over the second quarter.

The performance of the manufacturing sector continued to be of concern given its key role in value addition and job creation in the economy. It is expected however that with greater local sourcing of raw materials, expected improvements in infrastructure, especially power and reductions in the cost of doing business, this sector will soon experience a sustained improvement in its contribution to the national economy.

Similarly, while inflation is still high at 18.3% on a year-on-year basis it has begun to level out on a month-on-month basis and should enable the deployment of more policy tools to support growth and employment. Indeed, growth of headline inflation slowed down appreciably from 13.8% in May to as low as 1.70% in September.

The year to date growth is about -1.58% and is set to improve given some of the points mentioned earlier especially regarding agriculture, oil and gas, and power supply. In addition, there have also been reductions in the rate of contraction of household and government consumption expenditure. Household consumption expenditure fell for instance by -3.25% in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to -6.0% recorded in the second quarter.

The ratio of investment to GDP also showed a notable improvement rising by 7.6% in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to a contraction of -7.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The Strategic Implementation Plan for the implementation of the 2016 Budget of Change prioritised capital expenditures for power, roads and rail as well as social investments. In addition to creating jobs and promoting social inclusion, these expenditures will also provide a stimulus by putting money in the hands of people. The usual economic activity that takes place in the Yuletide season will also likely have a positive impact on the wholesale and retail trade sector.

Overall therefore, it is expected that these factors which will be underpinned by the policies to be unveiled in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, to be adopted before the end of the year, will lend further momentum to on-going efforts to revitalise and reposition the economy.”

Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President November 21, 2016

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi inspecting mining facilities in ABAKALIKI and Aringba, Ebonyi State on Sunday May 9, 2016

This is ridiculous, to start with, who is CG of Prisons to weigh such powers, ride in a 20 car convoy and harrass a Federal Lawmaker on the road belonging to Nigerians. Not even in NASS premises. What then are we to expect from Chief of Army Staff's convoy?
This is arrant nonsense!
NASS must stop this now!

TKO REJECTS THE RUMOUR OF REPENTANCE AND DESCRIBED IT AS A JOKE OF THE CENTURY

"I did not beg Fayose, he approached me and it was courteous that I honoured Ekiti leaders who wanted peace to reign in Ekiti" -TKO

Contrary to the lies and rumours being spread by the mouthpiece of Ekiti State Governor Mr. Lere Olayinka that the former scribe of Ekiti State PDP Dr. temitope Aluko has requested for the forgiveness of the Governor Dr Ayo Fayose for his past misdeeds, Dr. Temitope Aluko has come forward in strong terms to rubbish the hypocrisy of Lere Olayinka with his distortions of facts about the reconciliation process. While describing the spread of lies about his repentance over his controversial position on Ekitigate as calculated, he condemned Governor Fayose and his paid agents as Cowards who only wanted sympathy through the back door describing their pranks as the joke of the century. According to TKO, "I knew Fayose is a chameleon and I also knew that he must have devised all these arrangements to further assassinate my character and that was why I was meticulous by not speaking with the press". He went further, "Like I said yesterday, I won't dignify that boy called Lere Olayinka and I won't join issues with him but the public should know that it was peace they claimed they wanted and now that they have indicated their insincerity, it therefore means the battle continues until there shall be a Victor and a vanquish. Expect my press statement on the matter very soon", TKO threatened

FAYEMI GREETS CHRISTIANS AT EASTER

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has felicitated with Christians in the country and Nigerians in general for witnessing another Easter season, urging them to always uphold the virtues of love and sacrifice which are the hallmark of the Easter celebration.

He also congratulated them for the successful completion of the Lenten season, a period of 40 days of fasting and prayer which climaxed in the Easter celebration.  

The Minister in his Easter goodwill message, signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, also called on Nigerians to make ample use of the opportunity of the season for sober reflection.

While urging them to celebrate with moderation, Fayemi also urged the people to spend quality time with family and friends, reflect on developments in the country and the world at large and pray for peace and progress.

“Aside taking time off to reflect and pray for peace and progress of the country, it is also a time to resolve within ourselves to become agents of peace and progress.”, the Minister said.

He urged Christians and adherents of other religions to continue to preach and live in peace and harmony with one another. This he said would put the country on the path of peace.
“The teachings on being our brother’s keeper is even more apt now. It can start with a conscious effort at living peaceably with one another regardless of religious views. Nigeria needs a peaceful environment for development to thrive. And when we pray for peace we should be prepared to work for peace and live peacefully. And that can start now” the statement added.

Olayinka Oyebode
Special Assistant (Media) HMSMD

PRESS RELEASE

           Fayemi mourns Amb Gbenga Olofin, APC Chieftain

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has condoled with the family of the late Ambassador Gbenga Olofin, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Ekiti Central in last year’s election, over the death of the amiable politician on Saturday.

Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Yinka Oyebode,  described Olofin’s death as “deeply shocking and saddening.”

He described the late Olofin as a highly refined politician, loyal party man and a lover of peace, who loved and served his people passionately.

Recalling his working relationship with the late senatorial candidate, Fayemi said Olofin was a politician of distinction, who had a clear vision and a huge sense of mission.

“He was a man of conscience, character and courage, who played politics without bitterness.”, Fayemi said.

Speaking further, the Minister said Olofin’s death has robbed the party and indeed  Ekiti State and Nigeria a distinguished citizen, a patriot, whose only motivation in politics was service.

“Ekiti State and the APC family would miss the contributions of this man of honour to the development of the state.

“Ambassador Olofin will be sorely missed. Our prayer is that God grants his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”, he added.

 

Olayinka Oyebode

Special Assistant (Media) to Hon Minister

It's saddening to read comments that portrayed stack ignorance or pretence or even 'selective amnesia'. How on earth can one explain the quick obliteration of Fayose's continual reign of terror in Ekiti. Is it the ratio 7>19, where 7Assembly members impeached the Speaker and sacked the 19 others who were APC members.
Where are these whailing haters when Fayose beat up a Judge and sacked the State Judiciary? Were they dead, when he personally supervised the destruction of opposition Posters and Billboards in the build up to 2015 Elections? Or was it his dead wishes amongst other to President Buhari that eluded them? Fayose's non tolerance of opposition is unparalleled, are the APC haters blind to this? (Igba t'esinsin nje elegbo, enikan o soro o)
Above all, Who amongst the "lovers" of Fayose can truly name his son after him? He's not a worthy role model!

‎Fayose Stokes Fire Of Community Strife, Tears Olukere's Portraits, As Rival Groups Unleash Mayhem On Ikere

As if under spell, Governor Ayodele Fayose this evening went berserk in an act of street brawl to stoke fire of community discord, setting rival groups against each other over destruction of Olukere's portraits strategically displayed in Ikere-Ekiti.
Eyewitnesses said trouble started when Fayose abruptly stopped his convoy and alighted from his vehicle and went straight to where the portraits of Olukere of Ikere were displayed and personally destroyed them.
Residents watched in disbelief as the governor moved from one portrait to to other, destroying them in the full glare of the residents.
Anger boiled over in a community sharply divided over the Obaship tussle between Ogoga of Ikere and Olukere of Ikere.
Within minutes, Olukere's supporters in their hundreds stormed the town and built bonfires around Post Office area stretching to Akure road. Motorists made detours, as travellers got stuck in the burst of mayhem while several others took streets roads to link the major road far away from the theatre of war.
Ogoga is reported to be Fayose's acolyte, and it is believed that the governor played a prominent role to ensure his emergence as the Ogoga of Ikere even when the matter was still a subject of heated confusion over tradition and right to the throne.
Till late this evening, the town is still tense and no one knows when the rage fired by the governor's reckless conduct will subside.

THE MONITORS
10/2/16

Fayemi’s day of 51 solid cheers
By Olayinka Oyebode
The recent widely reported declaration by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, that states could exploit mineral resources in their domains with the attendant positive response from states has, no doubt, opened another chapter in the federal government-states relationship. In the last one month, I haCve stumbled on a few group discussions on the declaration, which many see as a welcome development in the quest by the states to shore up their revenue profiles in the face of a dwindling oil price.
In one of such discussions, the emphasis was on the proviso which the minister added to the declaration: that such mining activities should be done in line with the laid down laws. “It has to be done within the provision of the law. Once you do it within the law, the government will at least get royalties from you (states), get taxes paid legitimately, have people employed in this area. This achieve our objectives of alternative revenue generation for the country and job creation for our people”, Dr Fayemi was quoted.
The development, seen by many as novel, would no doubt provide the needed lift for many of the states when it is eventually firmed up. Aside the states, many stakeholders are also excited by the plan which will see states participating in mining through partnership and joint ventures.
Whereas the new position has the backings of the law as noted by Dr Fayemi, what observers however find a bit curious is why it was never enunciated by previous regimes.
And that is vintage Fayemi. He embraces assignments with every sense of responsibility and pursues set goals with a huge dose of vigour, spiced with youthful gusto. To him the rule of law is paramount, just as social justice is an essential ingredient for socio-political and economic development/empowerment. He believes every policy must be a product of thorough process with the concomitant advantage for the majority. To him, every assignment must be discharged with precision and must come with its added value to national development and must of necessity bring succour to the people.
Whereas the constitution gives the federal government exclusive right to explore minerals. But, as an innovator, Fayemi knows that it would be difficult for the federal government to do that successfully without collaboration with the states. Hence the need to put in place a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Other plans being put in place by Fayemi to revolutionalise the solid minerals sector include upgrading the Mining Cadastre Office and the Mines Inspectorate Directorate; establishment of Mines Police; automation of the mining rights/titles; institutional support to artisanal and small scale miners for the purpose of integrating them into the formal economy. Others include building of bankable geosciences data; enforcement of the “use it or lose it” licence provision of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 ; external audit of revenue receipts as well as guaranteeing the integrity of mining licence.
He believes that the huge investments that will boost the fortunes of the sector would come when the right foundation is laid and investors confidence are restored.
For Fayemi, the desire to always think outside the box in order to provide solution and achieve set goals have remained the hallmark of his public service engagements.
In December 2015, clearly one year and two months after he had left office as governor of Ekiti State, the administration he led was recognised as one with the most transparent budget model among the 36 states in the country.
The Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) organisers of the award, had rated Ekiti State budget under him as being the one with the most transparent process. The survey was done with data collected in 2014. In the ‘Transparency Index 2015’, of the survey, Ekiti scored 79 – the highest score on the index ahead of Cross Rivers and Lagos States.
In achieving budget transparency for the state, Fayemi’s first major step was to enthrone a culture of transparency in the state. A few months after he assumed office as governor, the state Assembly passed into law the Freedom of Information Act. This ensured that government business was done in the most transparent manner.

Right from his days as a student union activist, to the era of pro-democratic activism, to his participation in partisan politics, Fayemi’s highly visible signature remains his integrity. “The only thing I came into government with is my integrity”, is perhaps his most common phrase.
He uses every opportunity to demonstrate that an activist in government can make a difference. In all his public assignments he continues to show, through proven results, that he is a builder of a new dawn, working with imagination, insight and boldness. He is a social innovator and change agent who is able to motivate people with good ideas for optimal productivity.
When he declared that repositioning the solid minerals sector to meet President Muhammodu Buhari’s aspiration was achievable. It is not because he does not recognise that the sector has its peculiar problems. It is simply because of his avowed belief that with the right mix of dedication, innovation and putting in place the right structure, it would be achieved.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State on February 9, 1965, Dr Kayode Fayemi is a native of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government of Ekiti State. He was inaugurated as Minister of Solid Minerals Development on November 11, 2015. He was Governor of Ekiti State from October 2010 to October 2014.
Prior to his involvement in politics, Dr Fayemi was Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a research and training institution dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa.
He attended Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti for his secondary education, Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) and received degrees in History, Politics and International Relations from the Universities of Lagos and Ife in Nigeria. He bagged his Doctorate in War Studies from King’s College, University of London, England.
Prior to heading the CDD, Dr. Fayemi worked as a lecturer, journalist, researcher and Strategy Development Adviser in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. As a prominent leader of the Nigerian opposition to military rule in exile, he was responsible for the founding and management of the opposition radios – Radio Freedom, Radio Democracy International & Radio Kudirat and played a crucial role in the opposition’s diplomatic engagements in exile.
The historic concession speech he made shortly after he lost the 2014 gubernatorial election in inexplicable circumstances is regarded as one of his notable legacies. He is also credited for superintending over the presidential primaries of the ruling APC in December 2014 which is widely adjudged as the most transparent and credible presidential primaries election in Nigeria’s fourth republic.
During his tenure as Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Fayemi pioneered several governance and accountability initiatives in Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure Development, Women’s Empowerment and Community Development that propelled Ekiti State to the top echelon of the development matrix at the sub-national level. The state was recognized severally both locally and internationally for these giant strides.
His administration instituted a social security benefit scheme – the first of its type in any state in Nigeria. The scheme while operational in the state covered over 25,000 indigent senior citizens.
For his pioneering and leadership roles, he was given several awards and recognition including the Leadership Newspaper’s Governor of the Year Award, 2012; the Zik’s Prize in Leadership (Good Governance) Award in 2013; Champion Newspapers Governor of the Year award in 2014.
Above all, JKF, as he is fondly called is a product of grace. This is evident in his life trajectory and the manner he overcomes every adversity on his path to greatness. It is this grace that defines and shapes his life right from his teenage years, when he served as an altar boy in the Catholic Church, that continues to define his upward journey on the political ladder. More than anything, it is this special grace -which comes only from above -that is the focus of celebration today as JKF turns 51.
From the four corners of the country and beyond come fifty and one cheers for this devoted father and husband; a reputable administrator, innovator, democrat and change agent, who remains a shining example to the younger generation in the areas of leadership, scholarship, social justice and political tolerance.
• Oyebode is Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.