₦airaland Forum

The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (Ekiti APC) is announcing the nomination of *Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye* as the party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate for the June 18, 2022 gubernatorial election in the state. This development has been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in keeping with extant electoral guidelines, and necessary formalities concluded.

Afuye’s emergence is the outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders across the State, and has been welcomed enthusiastically, not only by party members, but also youth and women organisations, artisans, market women, the traditional institutions, and other grassroots stakeholders in the State. According to the State Party Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotosho, “We are pleased that the nomination of Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye has been well received by our people, especially amongst grassroots stakeholders. This has affirmed the correctness of our choice in response to the yearnings of the people for a Deputy Governorship candidate who is grounded in local realities”.

In his remarks, the governorship candidate, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji described the nomination of Afuye as a very strategic move to bolster the chances of the party at the polls. Oyebanji said, “I am most excited to welcome Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye as my running mate for the upcoming elections. Madam Afuye has been a part of the political structure in the state for many years now, and is an accomplished mobiliser and voice for the masses. I know her to be a woman of immense wisdom and generosity of spirit, and I am confident that she would be a great partner whose reach and connections with the grassroots would contribute to earning the mandate of the people and eventually running an inclusive and progressive government that works for all.”

Born on September 28th 1958, Afuye had her early education at Saint Joseph C.A.C Primary School Aramoko, Aramoko Ekiti, and Amoye Grammar school, Ikere-Ekiti – primary and secondary schools respectively. She earned her Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Crown Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Afuye is an accomplished entrepreneur, public servant, and community leader. She worked as a Catering Supervisor at the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (1979-1985) after which she went into private business. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Demolad Catering Services, and was until her nomination a member of the Governing Council of the Bamidele Olomilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti. Afuye, a formidable grassroots politician, is a member of the Ekiti APC State Executive Council as the State Women Leader. A Princess of Ikere who straddles two royal households in the Kingdom, Afuye holds the traditional title of Okinlua (Head of all Princesses) of Ikere-Ekiti. She is married with children and grandchildren.

In her reaction, Afuye thanked the leaders of the party and all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in her, and promised to maintain open doors and listening ears to ensure victory at the polls, and to subsequently work collaboratively to ensure the voices and perspectives of people at the grassroots are included in the planning and implementation of programmes and policies when a new APC administration is inaugurated. She said, “Your agitations have resulted in our leaders nominating me to be your voice, to ensure the things important to you the masses in the grassroots are given priority. I look forward to working with our candidate, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) to build on the great development legacies of H.E. Dr Kayode Fayemi. I will not disappoint you.”


*Segun Dipe*
State Public Relations Officer
Ekiti APC

A former banker and revenue generating specialist in Ekiti State, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunmilade, has declared that the combined effects of Governor Kayode Fayemi's superb achievements and the electrifying popularity of the All Progressives Congress Candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, will avail the party victory in the June 18 governorship poll.

Ogunmilade, who is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Service, declared that Governor Fayemi's impressive records in his first and second terms stand Oyebanji in good stead to win the coming poll by 65%.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti today, Ogunmilade commended Fayemi for scoring many firsts as Ekiti's Chief executive, thereby giving the people the dividends of democracy.

"In Ekiti State , Governor Fayemi has become a template to measure development. He was the first to introduce social security scheme, food bank, village kitchens, all for the elderly in Nigeria.

"In the area of education, Governor Fayemi introduced free education up to secondary school for Ekiti pupils, scholarship scheme up to PhD, financial assistance for law schoool students, Operation Renovate All Schools(ORASE), one- computer -per student and teacher, building of four model schools, introduction of Core subjects and Rural Allowances for teachers, running grants for schools, established Ekiti State State Polytechnic, among others, were initiated to change the face of education.

"In infrastructure, Governor Fayemi had tarred over 1500 kilometres of roads, renovated three dams to supply water regularly to 14 local governments, built five phases in the State Secretariat, built the State Civic Centre, Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, while the Bus Terminal , International Cargo Airport are under construction, among other Infrastructures facelifting programmes being initiated by this government.

"In security, Fayemi had procured a drone that will be shipped to Ekiti soon, set up computer and security control room and supported the establishment of Amotekun corps as well as Peace Corps to strengthen our security. While the Police, NSCDC, Army , and other paramilitary formations are enjoying robust relationship with government.

"In agriculture, Governor Fayemi introduced the Youth in Agriculture programme, which benefited over 1500 youth farmers, gave farm implements to farmers at subsidised rate, cleared over 1,000 hectares of lands for farming across six local governments, revamped Ikun dairy farm with $5m in conjunction with Promasidor Nigeria Limited ,attracted Dangote, Stallion and JMK companies for commercial rice farming in Ekiti, among others.

"In governance, Governor Fayemi has been paying salaries regularly, increased monthly gratuity fund from N10M to N100 million, approved housing and car loans for primary school teachers, and approved N30,000 minimum wage for workers.

"The list are endless and inexhaustible and combining these intimidating achievements with the electrifying popularity of the APC candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, then one can conclude that our party has a brighter chance in this election".

Ogunmilade appealed to Ekiti voters to allow the good work started by Governor Fayemi to continue by electing Oyebanji, who is incurably committed to take Ekiti to higher pedestal.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said he had every reason to thank God for the grace he had given him to serve humanity with commitment, sincerity and compassion over the years.

Dr Fayemi stated this at a thanksgiving mass organised to mark his 57th birthday at the Government House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.

The Governor, at the mass which was attended by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, top government functionaries, family members and political associates, asked God to continue to use him as instrument of peace, instrument of progress and prosperity for the people.
He attributed his successes to the privilege of God, noting that whatever he became today was not because he was the best in his generation, family or community but because of God’s grace.

The Governor, who prayed for the strength to finish well and strong, also implored God to ordain for the State a successor that would consolidate on the various developmental projects and programmes initiated by his administration for the benefit of the people.

“We have a lot to thank God Almighty for; He has used us to serve our people with commitment, with sincerity and with compassion in all of what we have been doing and as we roll into the twilight and season of our administration we pray that Almighty God would continue to use us as his instrument of peace, instrument of progress and prosperity for our people.

“And he will enable us to finish well and strong in the service of Almighty and to the benefit of our people and will give us the enablement to ensure that the goods that this government have been doing continues through the successor he will ordain to ensure that the gain are deepen and the gaps are covered.”

The Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti State, Rev. Fr., Odesami Adewusi in his short sermon, charged the Governor to look unto God for guidance and inspiration on his political endeavour.
Rev Odesami said that the Country was in dire need of people who would use leadership opportunity at their disposal to serve God for the benefits of the people. He said God has not ordained the Governor to be men pleaser but to live his life for God in a way that would benefit the people of the State and the country.

He said, “If you are to take a review of your life at 57, it should be the one filled with confidence and hope to embrace the future. Your life has not been a waste, God has blessed you and through you blessed others.

“At this stage you have to look up to God for direction to continue to be of good use in the hands of God, don’t be men pleaser.

“We are in a very difficult time in our country. We need people that can use whatever opportunity they have to serve the people and God. Do not seek to please men, God called you to live your life for him.

Jos, the capital of Plateau State played host to an unusual gathering of top government functionaries and frontline religious and community leaders on September 6, last year. These include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Co-chairmen of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, and Rev Samson Ayokunle; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto, Governor Sani Bello of Niger and Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, who was the host of the peace building meeting convened to resolve the ethno religious crisis that had threatened the peace in the North Central State. The meeting was frank and decisive as the SGF who represented President Mohammad Buhari at the parley hinted on the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
The second half of the meeting featured presentations by leaders of the various religious and ethnic groups. An octogenarian Islamic cleric, Imam Abdulahi Abubakar from Barkin Ladi Local Government, spiced up his presentation by recapping how Governor Kayode Fayemi awarded him a honourary doctorate degree of the Ekiti State University in recognition of his peace initiatives in the northern state some years ago. The celebrated cleric who is a chief Imam in his mosque had saved the lives of over 200 Tivs who were Christians by hiding them in his mosque and feeding them throughout the period of the crisis. Imam Abubakar told the cheering audience to appreciate the Governor for his gesture: “I have never met the Governor before. I was invited by the University for the award, I hope I can use this opportunity to thank the Governor for recognising my little effort”, the octogenarian cleric said as he made his way to the high table to have a hand shake with Dr Fayemi.

Instances abound of Dr Fayemi’s bridge building and peace -making efforts aimed at ensuring amicable resolution of knotty issues of socio-political, economic and ethno religious significance and in the process stabilising the Nigerian society and giving peace a chance to take a firm root. Indeed, effort at building bridges and salvaging situations remains a familiar pastime of Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, who has his signature in many fence mending efforts across the length and breadth of the country and beyond.

Fayemi’s penchant for peaceful resolution of conflict as a precursor to development made him come up with policies that addressed some inequalities and lop-sidedness in the mining sector during his stint as Minister of Mines and Steel Development between 2015 and 2018. Key among these was the win-win approach he engineered to address the contentious issue of land ownership. Through the right mix of policy, advocacy and consultation with critical stakeholders the exclusive right of the Federal Government on minerals and mining was retained, but a creative to enable the 36 states benefit from the resources in their domain was charted, while the host communities also get their deserved compensation.

It is generally believed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum under Governor Fayemi’s chairmanship has become a vehicle for bridge building and peace initiatives. What with many interventions on issues bordering on workers welfare, women and children, sharing formula of the commonwealth as well as ethno-religious crisis. Back home in Ekiti where he holds sway as the “Ilufemiloye”, (the people’s governor), his bridge-building efforts has made the adherents of the various religion live together in harmony. Opposition parties are also able to ventilate divergent views on state matters and hold political activities without any fear of molestation. His administration is reputable for effective handling of knotty traditional and chieftaincy issues through alternative conflict resolution methods. His annual meeting with communities for their input into the state’s annual budget preparation has been applauded by development partners and international donor agencies as a good model for development.

The Collins English Dictionary defines a Bridge builder as a person who attempts to connect or reconcile opposing parties. Fayemi, in his bridge building efforts, creates relationships that cut across the lines of conflict, helps to forge ties across borders, cultures, religions, power bloc. He establishes relationships, improve communication, and build trust between conflicting people and groups which helps opposing groups of people to understand each other or behave well towards each other.

Former External Affairs Minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, remarked on Fayemi’s bridge building efforts during a lecture marking the 60th anniversary of the Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos recently, and urged him not to relent. “The country needs this type of interventions at this critical period. And I am happy you are one of the respected voices preaching peace.”.

And like Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century, said: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” For Fayemi, going where there seems to be no path is a familiar pastime. And leaving a trail- an impact, a legacy comes to him naturally. He combines integrity, creativity and sincerity with passion for excellence and development. JKF stated this much in one of his books: “Reclaiming The Trust”. He admits that what he has brought into governance is the kind of trust that is based on and compels competence, openness, concern and reliability. “Trust is a public good; we cannot do great things collectively without trust. But trust has to be earned” he stresses.
The Ekiti State Governor had emerged on the peace building scene at the beginning of the Fourth Republic when he served as Technical Adviser to the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa- led Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission Panel that looked into cases of human rights abuses under the then military regime. Prior to that time, he had joined forces with an army of pro-democracy agitators outside the shores of the land, working for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

As Dr Fayemi turns 57 today, the question is no longer about what he is capable of doing as a leader, peace maker and bridge builder. He has been able to demonstrate his capability as an imaginative, innovative and exemplary leader. Instead, the question will be about what he would not do as a leader as many have come to believe that his past adequately prepared him for the present and the future.

Born on February 9, 1965, John Kayode Fayemi received his first degree in History and Politics from the University of Lagos in 1985, a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), in 1987 and a doctorate in War Studies from the King’s College, University of London, UK in 1993. His research and policy development interests include: Natural Resource Governance, Democratisation, Constitutionalism, Security Sector Governance, Civil-Military Relations and Regionalism in the Global Context.

Dr. Fayemi was the founding director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a research and training institute dedicated to the study and promotion of democratisation, peace-building and human security in Africa. As a central figure in the coalition of civil society actors that resisted oppressive military rule in Nigeria in the early 1990s, he was central to the founding and running of opposition radio stations while in exile. Dr. Fayemi is a prominent member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and chaired the party's National Convention Planning Committee that produced the Presidential Candidate for the 2015 general election and now President. He also served as the Director, Policy Research and Strategy of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
He was inaugurated as Governor of Ekiti State on October 16, 2010 and was named Minister of Mines and Steel Development in 2015. During his tenure as minister, he also chaired the governing board of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

However, he resigned his ministerial position in 2018 to contest the governorship of Ekiti State. He won and was inaugurated as governor for the second term on October 16, 2018. His colleagues unanimously elected him Chairman of the NGF in May 2019.
Dr Fayemi is married to Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the renowned women’s and children’s rights advocate, international development specialist, writer and social entrepreneur; and they are blessed with a son.

In the words of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo “It is not life that matters but the courage you bring to it.” Dr Fayemi, as a firm believer in the philosophy of the great leader, brings courage, resilience and tact to bear on every task the same way he drives his public service with great vision, working with imagination, insight, and boldness, his eyes fixed on the horizon, not just on the near at hand but the big picture and thinking strategically.

Regarded as a consummate intellectual in government, Fayemi’s strength lies in his ability to initiate and pursue peace processes to logical conclusion and finding creative ways to ensure every peaceful step taken yields dividends in form of sustainable development.

Today, I join millions of admirers to present 57 garlands to this exceptional leader, reliable mediator, bridge builder, change agent, thinker and innovator as he takes the fifty-seventh step in his untiring service to our dear state and country. The journey is just about to begin.


• Oyebode is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekiti State.

A vibrant political group in Ekiti State operating under the banner Ekiti Progressive Front (EPF) has saluted the contributions of the Chairman, Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Mr Muyiwa Eleazar Ogunmilade to the economic developement of the state.

The group described the Ijan Ekiti born revenue generating guru and financial expert, Ogunmilade, as an asset to the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi , who is deploying his intellectual prowess to ensure that Ekiti improves in revenue earnings to meet its demands to the good people of the state.


The progressive group, said this in a statement, on Wednesday, congratulating the former banker on his 56th birthday.

The statement co-signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Olaniyi Aluko and General Secretary, Architect Sola Ariyo, commended Ogunmilade for being skilful and ingenious in jacking up the revenue base of Ekiti from the paltry and abysmal N350m status in 2018 to the current N850m, with a projection to raise it to N1.5 billion in 2022.

The group’s leaders expressed delight in the unquantifiable and quintessential roles being played by Ogunmilade to make Ekiti more economically viable and sophisticated, branding him as one of the few eggheads in Governor Fayemi’s administration that can uplift the state after the expiration of the present administration.


They pointedly advised Governor Fayemi , who is widely reverred and venerated as a leader with passion and mission, that Ekiti needs Ogunmilade’s beyond the present administration, for the dream of having a state that is financially stable and governed by the right people to be attainable.

The group added that what the state needs after Governor Fayemi is putting the right people with cognate experiences in strategic positions of government to support the governorship candidate of the APC, Hon Biodun Oyebanji to pilot the state to a safe shore.

“We congratulate our brother, whom we considered as a gift to this generation, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunmilade on his 56th birthday. When we have a retrospect of the past, those years were deemed memorable and full of accomplishments.

“We are quite convinced that our Governor ,Dr Kayode Fayemi perceived and rated you as one priceless technocrat in his government and that accounted for your being placed in that strategic seat as the revenue adviser of Ekiti.

“We are also not unaware of that fact that Governor Kayode Fayemi is incurably committed to sustaining the several scintillating and superlative legacies of his government beyond now and that is why we believe that the state still needs your service beyond this current beneficial dispensation .

“We felicitate you as you celebrate your birthday today and wish you many memorable years ahead to be able to render more services to your fatherland”,the group stated.

Justifying why Ogunmilade would be pivotal in rallying support for OYEBANJI in the continuity Journey, the group said Ekiti requires one who can exhibit unalloyed loyalty and commitment to Ekiti kete and shares Omoluabi values, akin to one paraded by Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Biodun Oyebanji .

The group added: “We need someone with deep financial management ingenuity and sense and capacity to support BAO to manage/grow the economy of Ekiti. One with strong foreign/international investment contacts that can improve IGR of Ekiti State.

“A man that can Support BAO to revive and bring back the textile industry (that was an employment hub in time past. A highly sociable, yet serious -minded fellow, that is God fearing. A lover of Youth, sports, with passion for grassroots development.

“A detribalized Ekiti son that will Help BAO to bring out the Culture, Tourism, Hospitality and homogeneity Ekiti is known for.These and many other qualities and values that are expected from Such a person, that we look out for and we believe fervently that Ogunmilade has all these that would complement that of Oyebanji to lift Ekiti up in all spheres and bounds”.

The group revealed that Ogunmilade was born on February 2, 1966 and was armed with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Degree in Political Science and subsequently Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ado-Ekiti and being an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS), would be a better asset to Ekiti if elevated to a higher political pedestal.

” In 1999, he became the *pioneer Business Manager of Standard Trust Bank (now UBA) in Ado-Ekiti. At various times between 2001 to 2003, he was the *Relationship/Branch Manager for Apapa, Ado-Ekiti and Akure branches at National Bank (now WEMA Bank), between 2003 and 2005, he was the Branch Manager of Gulf Bank, Akure and rose to become Head, Zonal Services Group IV, Akure, Nigeria (Comprising of Akure, Ondo, Oshogbo and Abeokuta branches) setting up branches within the zones.

“In 2005, he was appointed the Deputy General Manager, Zonal Head, West, Nigeria of the then Oceanic Bank International Plc (now EcoBank of Nig. Plc)* and later elevated to Zonal Head (West) of the bank as a result of strategic restructuring and superior performance.

“As a Zonal Head, he was the *defacto MD/CEO of the west bank of the then Oceanic Bank International Plc which cut across six states namely; Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara States comprising of 40 branches and 7 regions.

“By virtue of his management position, he interacted closely with Governors, cabinet members, traditional rulers, senior civil servants, business magnates, entrepreneurs and opinion leaders in all of these States and this impacted greatly on the balance sheet size of the zone which grew to over N20 Billion (i.e. about USD $170 Million) before his appointment as the first MD/CEO of the then Oceanic Bank (The Gambia) Limited.

” In 2008, he was appointed as the first MD/CEO of the then Oceanic Bank (The Gambia) Ltd and he was mandated to set up a whole bank in The Gambia. The bank was able to achieve a strong financial parameter that ensured the bank occupied at least, the fifth (5th) position in her first year of operations”, the group revealed.

The group stated that a man with these intimidating credentials would do Ekiti proud if elevated to a more sophisticated position where he would display his mettle as a man of substance and intellectual prowess.

This morning, I woke up to see posters online for Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Senate Ekiti North. This information has been circulating for some time now so it is nothing new. Today's poster was however released the morning after Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) emerged as Gubernatorial Candidate for the next Governorship election in Ekiti State. Those behind this mischief have been floating the narrative that the Senatorial seat is going to be my reward for supporting Mr Oyebanji's aspiration. My position is as follows:

1. I have no interest whatsoever in contesting for a Senatorial seat. I have never discussed this with anyone and how this story keeps circulating is a mystery. Let me repeat, I am not interested.

2. My sole political agenda in Ekiti State is to support my husband, HE Dr Kayode Fayemi, and to ensure that he finishes well. My husband's success is the only reward I need.

3. The Ekiti APC Primaries were held on January 27th, and a winner was declared by the relevant authorities. Many people of all ages spent a lot of time promoting their candidates online, a very important part of the political process. However, this can be done without resorting to slander, libel, and other untoward acts. While the principals concerned will find ways to resolve their differences, those who bear arms in their name on all sides need to be careful. I would therefore like to appeal for a cessation of hostilities and for all hands to be on deck.

I congratulate BAO on his emergence, and I look forward to a successful campaign and victory in June. Once again, please ignore the fake news.

Erelu Bisi Fayemi
First Lady, Ekiti State

The governorship primary election of Ekiti State fixed by the National body of the APC slated for today, Thursday January 27, 2022 will hold as scheduled in all the 177 wards of Ekiti State.

The Ekiti State APC governorship primary election Committee wishes to assure the general public that a level playing field that will guarantee fairness, openness and transparency has been adopted by the Committee.

It is an incontrovertible fact that every member of the appointed Electoral Officers for today’s primary election is a bonafide member of Ekiti State APC.

You will recall that during the stakeholders' meeting between the Committee, aspirants and others yesterday, this issue was raised and exhaustively discussed, and to reinforce confidence in the process, it was agreed that each aspirant should nominate 20 people each to be part of the process. All the aspirants took advantage of this window of opportunity and submitted the list of their nominated electoral officers.

All the submitted lists have been added to the existing arrangement, assigned into various wards and local governments. They have all been incorporated.

We hereby call on all well-meaning APC members in Ekiti State to go to their respective wards to fully exercise their voting right without fear or intimidation. The adopted option A4 is the most transparent form of election.

Once again, the Ekiti State APC governorship primary election is holding as scheduled.

Thank you

*Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan*
Secretary

Recently, two notable leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Southwest, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr. John Kayode Fayemi had a closed-door meeting where undisclosed issues were discussed.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday 12th January, however had no third party present and had nothing to do with the presidential ambition or otherwise of either of the two political leaders.
It was a family meeting of minds. It is therefore disingenuous of the spin doctors who were no where near the venue of the meeting to begin to second guess discussions at the meeting.

In a democratic setting like ours with so many issues begging for attention, discussion will go on daily among political leaders at various levels. Political leadership plays an indispensable role in foisting great responsibilities on people, thus both formal and informal discourses cannot be wished away.

Creating a fictional social media frenzy out of such meeting where issues of national discourse are discussed would thus amount to an ill wind that blows no one any good.

Asiwaju Tinubu is a former two-term Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC, while Dr. Fayemi, also a chieftain of the party, is the governor of Ekiti State and current Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Meeting between the two leaders, dates as far back as their days in exile, when they were both involved in the struggle to wrest the country away from military jackboots, and has since been a regular occurrence both within and outside the country's political space. So there should not be any big deal in seeing them meet, except someone has opted to create a mischief out of it.

While the details of their recent meeting remain undisclosed, seeing the two of them who are being rumoured as potential presidential aspirants from the southwest together may naturally give way to speculations that the 2023 presidential election could form part of their discussions. This may have been further fuelled by the fact that Asiwaju Tinubu said he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari that he would be coveting the presidential seat in 2023. Dr Fayemi on the other hand; has yet to give any visible sign in that direction.

However, both Asiwaju Tinubu’s declared ambition and Fayemi’s undeclared ambition have now been taken up and given verve by some spin doctors, particularly those who believe such could rev up their relevance in the eyes of either of the political leaders.

What makes the matter worse is that such spin doctors, surreptitiously scrambling for relevance have been weaving, not half truths, but blatant lies into the Tinubu-Fayemi meeting, saying it signposted Dr Fayemi surrendering his undeclared ambition to Asiwaju Tinubu’s declared one.

Specifically, they have been dishing out barefaced and unsubstantiated lies that Dr Fayemi at the closed door meeting “debunked the raging rumour of his 2023 presidential ambition and pledged support for the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

This, no doubt, is a reckless and untruthful spin. First, since the perpetrators were not present at the meeting and none of the leaders could have divulged what transpired, one wonders from where they got their narrative.

Secondly, the spin doctors, were so consumed by their fictional hogwash that they could not consider it an impossibility for Fayemi to drop a rumoured, yet undeclared ambition, even when Asiwaju Tinubu said he was still consulting as to whether to run or not.

The story by the spin doctors thus stands logic in the head and stands not only disclaimed but condemned. It must have been sourced from the rumour mill, or as a beer parlour gist. At its best, it is a mere conjecture.

If and when Dr Fayemi chooses to declare his interest in running for the 2023 presidential ticket, he would not be embarking on an ego trip that would warrant going into into unhealthy contest with Asiwaju Tinubu or anyone else. Fayemi sees Tinubu as his leader in politics and reserves respect for him as a national leader of his party. Neither will he run the race with the intention of using it to negotiate with anyone. Rather he will run because he is convinced it is desirable for him to do so.

Perhaps the spin doctors are unmindful of the fact that Fayemi currently remains focused on finishing strong and well the assignment in his hand as two-term governor of Ekiti State. They also fail to realise that there is still a sitting President equally focused on finishing well his second term in office. Neither Fayemi nor Buhari would like to be distracted by such inanity at this juncture.

Should Dr Fayemi eventually choose to run in the 2023 Presidential race at all, he would not hide his intention to do so, neither will he involve himself in any clandestine meeting to discuss his chances, since he would have been x-rayed and classified among the preferred aspirants based on his credentials, even before he makes such declaration.

The masterminds of such fable are therefore advised to desist from doing so any further as it will not give them any political or social mileage. Rather it will wreak serious havoc on their personality, without reducing the worth of either Asiwaju Tinubu or Governor Fayemi who are respectable and respected leaders in their own rights.

Signed

Yinka Oyebode
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said the state’s partnership with the World Bank, through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEW-MAP), would put an end to perennial flooding in some areas of the state.

Dr Fayemi stated this in Ikere Ekiti on Monday when he led some officials on an inspection of channelization projects and Gully Erosion Control work in Ikere-Ekiti as well as other project sites in the state.

The Governor said the erosion control project is being accorded urgent attention in order to ensure the projects are completed before the rainy season, in order to checkmate the massive flooding usually experienced in the areas.

Accompanied on the inspection by the NEW-MAP Project Coordinator, Dr Akinyemi Akinyugba and the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Barrister Iyabo Fakunle -Okhiemen, Governor Fayemi said his administration was passionate about environmental safety of the people as outlined in its development agenda.

The Governor who inspected the channelization of Aiya I and II Gully Erosion Control Work in different parts of Ikere, including the 2.6km Bisi Aloba – Adun Ogbon channelization project, the newly completed Ajolagun bridge which had cut off thousands of residents from the main town for many years as well as Afao – Oreibu community gully erosion control project, told journalists at the end of the exercise that he was satisfied with the quality of work done by the contractors.

Scores of residents of the areas trooped out to appreciate the Governor for the timely intervention in the erosion matter, even as he disclosed that the World Bank was also monitoring the project in order to ensure quality work and timely delivery.

Dr Fayemi who also inspected the Ekiti Cargo and Passenger Airport project site, assured Ekiti people that the project would be commissioned before he leaves office in October. He said he would continue to invest in essential, economic and social projects aimed at improving the quality of lives of the people as well as reposition Ekiti as preferred destination of choice to investors.

“I have said repeatedly that we would work till the Last day in office and whatever it takes for us to deliver on the promises we have made to our people, we would do that. This network of roads and channelization for erosion management in Ikere is just one aspect of that, if you’ve seen all the places we’ve been to, it is a network that takes care of all the flooding issues that we’ve been having in this large community here in Ekiti south.

“I am sure that the contractors will finish the work on time and of course, we are mindful of the rains but we still have quite a bit of time, you can see that by the time they link all the channelized areas and resurfaced the roads and the drains, it should be finished by March latest and rain would not have taken over at that time so that the communities would no longer be under the threat of being submerged by water.

“That is what we are trying to address here with this erosion management project.” He added.

On the airport project, Dr Fayemi said: “This was the agreement we had that this project would be finished, the runway, the terminal building, the taxi way, the access road to the airport, control tower, everything will be ready and the professionals will not sign up to a contract if they are not sure they can finish it and you heard what they are doing with the runway alone which had now gone to 2.3km out of the 3.2km that we have for the runway, and this is the most critical part of the job”.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has commended the state’s civil servants for their dedication and commitment towards achieving the lofty goals of his administration, saying the state parades the best Civil service in the country.

Dr Fayemi, who stressed the need for civil servants to urgently embrace digitalization of all their activities to enable them move with modern times, called on them to shun partisan politics in order not to jeopardise their effectiveness.

The Governor who stated this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during a get-together with senior civil servants revealed that his administration was already working on automating land and property management service and Geographic Information System to allow for electronic management of activities such as electronic issuance of Certificate of Occupancy right from application stage to the stage of issuance.

While calling on civil servants to work with the time and ensure they are digitally compliant, Governor Fayemi commended the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi for the stability of the Civil service as well as high level of efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.

He commended the civil servants for keeping the government running during the peak of the covid-19 pandemic, stressing that government recorded and delivered more in terms of policy, programmes and projects during pandemic than when there was no Covid.

Sharing his experience during last week’s visit to some offices at the Secretariat Complex, Dr Fayemi urged them to discard the old culture of piling files and documents in offices and work towards the digitization of all their documents.

In addition, the Governor urged the senior civil servants to pay good attention to their health with regular medical check-up. He personally presented medical kits to the senior civil servants which comprised Permanent Secretaries, Executive Secretaries and General Managers.

“I agree with my colleagues who have spoken that we have some of the most qualified and dedicated civil servants in the country and we can be leaders in a variety of fields but we also must meet you half way and enable and support you to be able to achieve a lot more in the area of capacity development and change management.

“Let me stress that point about working smart, our leadership in the civil service and in the public service in general must look at this area and we also must work with you particularly in providing the necessary tools for you to be able to work virtually and work smartly because that is where the service is going. Yes, we would keep building and renovating and providing furniture for office use, but one thing that Covid has done for all of us, we’ve held exco now for two years virtually. And there is a lot more that can be done with digitization of your records.

“I think this is an area we need to pay particular attention and whatever we need to do to support that process, we will do that, but we need to move with the modern times and improve the accessibility of our workers to the information technology world. And I believe Ekiti can be a model in this area if we pay serious attention to it.

“The other point about de-politicization of civil service is something that I believe civil service public rules is very explicit about, it is a question of enforcement on the part of the leadership, but the problem that I see is that it makes an existing government even more of a lame-duck government. And when you start to align with incoming administration, your workload and effectiveness begin to dwindle and if you are working with someone like me who would work till October 15, 2022, you are going to have problems because I am not a lame duck and will refuse to be considered a lame duck governor till my last day in office.

“ “The last three and a half years have been very busy for our civil service because we’ve kept tolls, we’ve pushed you hard and we’ve demanded a lot from you in terms of the timely delivery of the various initiatives that this government has put in place. And it’s understandable because as I’ve always said to some of you on individual encounter. This is even more compelling in terms of delivery because of what we have witnessed in this term of office.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi commended the governor for giving the civil servants and auspicious avenue to rub minds with the governor on strategies for consolidating the gains of the administration in the last three years.

Mrs Babafemi said the forum would further enhance the warm comradeship and unity among the leadership of the civil service, adding that the success of the service flows from and reflects the transformative leadership of the Governor.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Olawale Fapohunda (SAN); Special Adviser and Director General, Bureau of Land Services, Mrs Funke Falodun and Director General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko.

The Government of Ekiti State is bringing an update on the subject following our pledge to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged brutalisation of a motorist Mr. Dayo Oshituyi, in Akure, Ondo State a few days ago.

Members of the public are invited to note the following, which are the outcomes of our preliminary investigation:

1. On the said date, Mr. Oshituyi who had been driving recklessly from behind, made to overtake the Governor’s convoy despite repeated warnings by the security operatives.

2. In the process of dangerously overtaking the convoy of vehicles, he was faced with an oncoming truck from the opposite direction of the road which forced him to swerve dangerously into the convoy – an action which caused a minor accident that affected one of the vehicles usually reserved for the Governor. Mr. Oshituyi further sped off into another direction breaching public safety and almost causing another accident along the route.

3. In consideration of the security situation in the country, and the need for appropriate tactical threat assessment to clarify if the incident was simply a case of reckless driving and not an attempt on the convoy, a detachment of security operatives pursued the fleeing driver while the convoy continued its journey.

4. At the point of being apprehended when the security operatives caught up with him, Mr. Oshituyi refused to alight from the vehicle and chose instead to create a scene. He was let go because of the pleadings of passers-by and people living in the area, who can corroborate our position that he was not assaulted in anyway or form.

5. We must reiterate that Mr. Oshitutyi’s claim that he was brutalised is just as untrue as his claim that the Governor was present during the altercation between him and the security operatives, which resulted from his indiscretions.

6. The development was subsequently reported at the Okuta Elerinla Police Divisional Headquarters, Akure, Ondo State capital. We further inform members of the public that the Ondo State Police Command, in whose jurisdiction the incident took place, is presently investigating the matter. The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has a sustained interest in the outcome of the investigations and has urged the police to handle the matter professionally and ensure fairness to all parties concerned.

7. As a responsible government that believes in the principles of the rule of law and fairness, further action on the matter is on hold pending the outcome of police investigations, which would guide our next steps. We assure members of the public that the Government of Ekiti State would not hesitate to recommend appropriate punitive measures against any of our officials who might be indicted, in line with the provisions of extant laws.

8. We are pleased that consistent with his character, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is well known for the civil and decorous way security details attached to him conduct themselves in the course of duty, which is why attempts by some detractors to use this development to cause disaffection against his person and office have failed. We use this opportunity to affirm our commitment to the protection of the fundamental rights of every citizen and assure that we would not do anything to jeopardise such rights.

9. Regardless of the circumstances, we are interested in the well being of Mr. Oshituyi following the incident and invite him to maintain open lines of communication with the Governor’s Office through the undersigned in this regard, and towards the ends of justice and clarity about the facts of the matter.

*Yinka Oyebode*
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekiti State
Monday, December 27, 2021
ooyebode@ekitistate.gov.ng

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has commiserated with his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, on the passing of his father, Chief Samuel Oladipo Oyebode, who died earlier in the week, aged 95 years old.

The Governor, in his condolence message to the family, described the late Chief Oyebode as a respected Teacher, Scout Commissioner and community leader who earned much respect for the life of service he lived.

Dr Fayemi said the late Chief Oyebode, whose teaching career and activities in the Scout Movement made him traverse many schools and communities in the old Ondo State, was a great influence on many of the youths who are now excelling in their areas of endeavours.

He described the deceased as a man of integrity, community leader of repute, committed Awoist and a respected elder in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

"As a Commissioner of Scout, Chief Oyebode moulded several young people into men of character and instilled in them discipline and leadership qualities.

“Baba lived a fulfilled life and departed at a very ripe age of 95 years and left behind a good name and worthy legacies for which he would be remembered and which would bring some consolation to the children.

“On behalf of my wife, the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Oyebode family of Ido-Ile Ekiti and the entire community on this irreparable loss. It is my prayer that the good Lord will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss”, the Governor added.


*Kunle Babalola*
Director of Press, Governor’s Office