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General news

Akanni Aluko’s death painful, devastating – Ex- Daily Times MD, Tola Adeniyi 

Aluko

Idowu Ariwodola

Ado-Ekiti, July 1, 2022 (NAN) A former Managing Director and Chairman of Daily Times Newspapers, Chief Tola Adeniyi, on Friday, described the death of a renowned businessman and Publisher of the defunct Third Eye Newspapers, Chief Akanni Aluko, as painful and devastating.

 

He said that the news of Aluko’s passage was devastating and hard to believe, considering what the deceased stood for while alive, particularly his role as a great philanthropist of all seasons.

 

Adeniyi, also the pioneer Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian Tribune, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, while reacting to Aluko’s death.

 

The veteran journalist said that his death had robbed the country of a dogged fighter for justice and lover of the poor.

 

According to him, Nigeria has lost a great philanthropist, publisher, astute businessman and great patriot, with Aluko’s demise.

He stated that the vacuum that his death had created would be difficult to fill.

 

“I feel a sense of personal loss in his departure. We used to chat virtually on daily basis. He was a very close friend of mine.

 

“High Chief Akanni Aluko was a dogged fighter for justice, equity and human rights.

 

“A philanthropist of highest class, Aluko could, if possible, give one of his eyes to the needy. He was a cheerful giver, extremely compassionate and warm hearted”, he said.

 

Adeniyi noted that the trio of Akanni Aluko, the late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin and the late Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao were the shakers and movers of Ibadan metropolis in the mid-70s, up till each of them breathed their last.

 

“Aluko will be terribly missed by all those whose paths crossed his during his most-impactful and colourful life.

 

“I am really short of words. The news of Aluko’s passing is most devastating

 

“We are, however, consoled by the fact that he lived a fulfilled life in the service of God and humanity,” he said.

 

He prayed for the repose of the soul of the late publisher and that his wife and other family members would find comfort in God.

 

NAN reports that the Ijesa-born publisher died on Friday morning at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, following a protracted illness. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ARIS/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

General news

Police confirm 3 burnt to death in Ekiti road crash

Accident

By Ariwodola Idowu

Ado-Ekiti, May 17, 2022  (NAN) The Police Command in Ekiti has confirmed the death of three people in an accident which occurred on Tuesday on Ilawe-Ekiti Road in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Police spokesman ,ASP Sunday Abutu, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

“Five persons were in the vehicle and when the accident occurred, three of them got burnt to death, while the remaining two were rescued and taken to a hospital.

“Investigation has commenced to ascertain the actual cause of the accident,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an18-seater commercial bus with passengers suddenly plunged into a ditch at the outskirts of the town and went into flames.

Eye witnesses told NAN that concerned residents thronged the scene to rescue the victims.

The witnesses confirmed that three people were actually burnt beyond recognition, while others sustained serious injuries.

“The injured have been taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti,” said one of the locals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
ARIS/KOLE/KOK
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Kingsley Kubeyinje

 

Politics

2023: Buhari’s transparency, honesty my motivation, says Osinbajo

2023: Buhari’s transparency, honesty my motivation, says Osinbajo
Osinbajo
Idowu Ariwodola/Idowu Gabriel
Ado-Ekiti, May 12, 2022 (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said that he had all it takes, and well prepared to cope with the functions, rigours and challenges associated with  the Office of President of Nigeria
Osinbajo stated this in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, at a meeting at the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe in Ado-Ekiti.
The Vice President was in Ekiti in continuation of his consultation with stakeholders and All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates across the country ahead of the presidential primaries.
He noted that his aspiration was necessitated by his commitment to offer himself for service to the people and the nation.
Osinbajo said he was the most experienced among the presidential aspirants jostling to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
According to him, his interventions as the Vice President and Acting President, had exposed him to the peculiarities and opportunities in the country, which he was determined to build on and place the country on the pedestal of development.
Osinbajo stressed that working under President Buhari, whom he described as transparent and honest leader, was one of the things that prepared him for the bigger task in leading the nation in 2023.
“I want to say that my aspiration to be president of the country is one that is informed by the fact that God has given me the opportunity to offer myself for this country for the past seven years.
“Also for these years, I have served as Vice President and Acting President.
“I have worked under a very open and transparent President, who has given me every opportunity to understand some of the issues and challenges that affect a country of a size and diversity like Nigeria.
“So, having had those opportunities and when the time for people to put themselves forward to run as president, I believe it will be irresponsible of me after seven years, not to join the race.
“Among the aspirants, I am the most with the requisite experience and knowledge at the federal level, to do this job and we will hit the ground running from day one, God willing.
“The time has come for me to put myself for the task ahead and I must add that my sole objective is to serve this country and the people; that is the reason why I am here in Ekiti to consult with the stakeholders and of course the party delegates.”
He commended the traditional rulers for their fatherly advice and efforts at ensuring peace and stability in the state and country, noting that his visit to the palace was heartwarming and treasurable.
Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oba Adejugbe, spoke glowingly of the Vice President, and commended him for his contributions to the development of the country in the last seven years.
He said Osinbajo indeed, possessed good qualities of a potential Nigerian President.
The royal father prayed for him on his aspiration, saying “the next president should remember the traditional institutions for critical roles in nation building, rather than advisory or visitations during elections every four years.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
JIG/ARIS/KOLE/IA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Idris Abdulrahman
Agriculture

Mobilise youths to participate in farming, EKSG charges farmers

Mobilise youths to participate in farming, EKSG charges farmers
Mobilisation
Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Dec 29, 2020, (NAN) Ekiti State Government has urged farmers in the state to encourage and mobilize youths to participate in farming activities towards boosting food security and economic development of the State
Mr Olugbenga Odesanmi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, gave the advice in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday at the inauguration of the state chapter of the Pig Farmers Association and presentation of disease containment materials to the association.
The permanent secretary said the main focus of the present administration was to eradicate hunger and poverty through sufficient food production, saying that this could only be achieved with the involvement of all stakeholders.
According to him, Ekiti could become a pig production hub in the country if farmers are united and support government’s efforts at achieving the desired goals.
He noted that the formation of the association would attract more government’s support, but advised the farmers to make judicious use of the items given to them free of charge.
In his opening address, the Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Osayomi commended the pig farmers for coming together, as the move would boost their ability to access more government interventions.
Osayomi said the association had already before the formal inauguration, benefited from items disbursed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Regional Disease surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project to prevent the spread of animal disease.
He said the items distributed included disinfectants and motorized sprayers.
In his comments, the REDISSE Officer of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ado-Ekiti office, Dr Tunde Ahovey said that Ekiti State was the only beneficiary of the project in the South West, Nigeria.
Ahovey said that the state also benefited in the anti-rabies vaccination campaign, adding that cats and dogs in the state had been duly vaccinated while the distributed chemicals to pig farmers was to prevent the outbreak and spread of African Swine Disease.
He advised livestock farmers to report cases of strange ailments in their farms to Animal Health Officers nearest to them for prompt intervention.
According to him, such diseases could be transmitted to human beings, if not carefully and promptly managed.
Responding, the interim Chairman of the Association, Rev Albert Aribisin expressed gratitude to the state government and donor bodies for their kind gesture and assured that the chemicals would be fairly distributed to all pig farmers in all the 16 Local Government areas. (NAN)
ARIS/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
General news

Gunmen kidnap traveler in Ekiti State as Amotekun Corps, police rescue another

Abduction

By Ariwodola Idowu

Ado-Ekiti, Dec. 26, 2020 (NAN) Gunmen kidnapped a traveller on the Isan-Iludun-Ekiti highway in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Friday.

Amotekun Corps Commander in the state, retired Brig.-Gen. Joe Komolafe, confirmed the mishap on Saturday and said another would-have-been victim was rescued by the corps.

He said the Ekiti State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps and the police command in the state jointly engaged the gunmen before one of the travellers was rescued.

Komolafe said in Ado-Ekiti that the kidnappers were suspected herdsmen.

He said the assailants shot at the vehicle in which the victims were travelling on Friday, but were confronted by men of the Amotekun Corps and the police.

“We actually got a distress call from the people of the area on Friday that some persons were abducted on the Iludun-Ekiti Road and quickly, we dashed down and were able to rescue one person from the kidnappers after my men gave them serious manhunt in the bush.

“According to information made available to us, the victims were ambushed at a bad spot and when they were trying to make a detour to escape, another set of gunmen came out from the bush from behind them and started shooting at the vehicle from both ends.

“In their wisdom, the victims hurriedly opened the vehicle and ran into the bush in different directions.

“They were pursued by the gunmen and abducted but we were able to rescue one of them.

“Sensing danger from the Amotekun Corps, the kidnappers abandoned one of the victims and we have been in the bush with other security agents since Friday trying to rescue the other person,’’ he said.

Komolafe called on residents of Ekiti State not to panic as Amotekun men, in collaboration with other security agents, would ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victim and also intensify surveillance on all highways to guarantee safety of travellers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cases of kidnapping have been rampant in Ekiti State during the outgoing year, but became more pronounced in the last two months with about three cases recorded within two weeks.

Only recently, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti State, Mr Folorunso Olabode, was kidnapped on the same route while one of his political associates, a councillor, was shot dead by gunmen.

Chinese expatriates working on the new Iyin Road were also recently attacked on site by gunmen who killed one of their police escorts and took one of the expatriates away after seriously wounding another expatriate. (NAN)

ARIS/ALLI

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

General news

Gov Fayemi presents cheque of N100m for payment of pensioners’ gratuities 

By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado-Ekiti, Dec. 22, 2020 (NAN)
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Tuesday presented a cheque of N100 million for the payment of gratuities to 41 retired local government workers and primary school teachers in the state for December.
At the presentation in Ado-Ekiti, Fayemi said that payment of the gratuities was in fulfilment of his promises to ensure that pensioners enjoyed a worthy life after their meritorious services to the state.
The governor, represented by Mr Biodun Oyebanji, Secretary to the State Government, reiterated his commitment to prioritise issues relating to the welfare and well-being of the pensioners.
He promised to sustain the techniques adopted by his government in defraying the outstanding gratuities.
Fayemi promised to continue to utilise his position as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in leading a frontal advocate that would position issues and policies affecting the pensioners on the front burner of the government’s agenda.
He said that his administration would continue to try its best in making life comfortable for the retirees, urging the beneficiaries to spend their money on profitable ventures.
“You have laboured for Ekiti, and now you are to collect the fruit of your labour; it speaks to the commitment of the government at ensuring that gratuities and pensions are paid as and when due.
“It saddens my heart that many retirees that served their fatherland had not been paid their entitlements,” Fayemi said.
The governor assured the retirees that payment of pensions and gratuities would continue to be on the front burner of the state government policies.
“I can assure you that before this government winds down, there will be more batches of people that would have been paid.
“My advice is that as we collect this money, we should make judicious  use of it,” he said.
On the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic across the world, Fayemi cautioned the elderly citizens to avoid large gathering, maintain physical distancing and adhere strictly to other safety protocols.
According to him, this is to preserve their lives and contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor also urged old people, considered as one of the most vulnerable age groups, to take personal responsibility in observing the measures put in place to curtail the spread of the infection.
“I will advise also that as we celebrate Christmas and New Year, we should be guided and be reminded that COVID-19 is back.
“Science tells us that the second wave is deadlier than the first wave; from history, we learnt that the second wave is always more turbulent.
“So, I will advise our people to observe social distancing, to watch their hands and observe other identified COVID-19 protocol.
“If it is not compulsory for us to go any where, as we celebrate Christmas and New Year, let us stay at home,” he said.
The governor had earlier laid the foundation of the new Secretariat Complex of the union in Ado-Ekiti.
At the ceremony, Fayemi assured the retirees of his support toward the timely completion of the project.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ekiti, Elder Ayo Kumapayi, commended the governor for his policy on the payment of pensions and gratuities.
Kumapayi said that the payment had allowed his members to fulfil their financial commitments to the union.
He said the union’s new office complex was designed to accommodate an office, ICT section, a health section and a kitchen for the betterment of the union members.
Kumapayi said that funding of various projects, which his administration embarked upon, was drawn majorly from the check-off dues deduction of members. (NAN)
ARIS/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye
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Defence/Security

Community policing: Fayemi makes case for police reform 

Policing
Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Dec. 20, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has reiterated call for a reform in the Nigeria Police that will ensure purposeful community policing.
Fayemi stated this on Sunday in Ado- Ekiti at the end of a stakeholders’ forum on community policing.
The forum featured heads of security agencies, public servants, politicians, civil society organisations, youth and women organisations, among others.
The governor, represented by the state Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice Wale Fapohunda, said that the establishment of a police ombudsman to receive and address citizens’ complaints and address cases of abuse against police officers had become necessary.
 
Fayemi stated that community policing would be cardinal to addressing security challenges in the country.
He observed that a wide range of recommendations made at different conferences on how the Nigeria Police could be reformed in the past had not received enough attention.
The governor also called on the Ministry of Police Affairs to engage a reputable audit firm to undertake an audit of the salaries, the wages, allowances of police officers, including manpower and equipment available to the police.
He warned that a police with poor condition of service that was struggling to survive could not deliver the purpose of community policing.
“A large number of our people still don’t see police as their friends. So, it seems to me that an important way we can get that trust is through police reform.
“We cannot simply hope to achieve the intent of community policing without police reforms.
“The Federal Government should take seriously the reports of the judicial panel of inquiry that has been set up in the aftermath of the #ENDSARS protests.
“There are many high level reports on police reforms, including two constitutional conferences.
“The tragedy is that the recommendations of the committee and that of constitutional conference had largely been left unattended to.
“We need to look at those reports, bring them back to life and base on those reports agreed on an actionable agenda that is time bound for the use of the country as a whole and for the enhancement of police reforms.
“We absolutely need to revisit the conditions of service of police officers, the situation of police barracks, the situation of police stations and all the allowances entitled to the police.
“There has been too much theory about the need to improve the conditions of service of  police because an unhappy police force cannot deliver community policing, which is crucial,” he said.
In his presentation, former Inspector-General of Police Sunday Ehindero said that tackling security challenges solely from the angle of security personnel had shifted to community stakeholders.
According to him, the stakeholders can now play vital roles in providing intelligence that will assist the security agencies to perform optimally.
Ehindero noted that such approach of community policing was what assisted in the rescue of the abducted Kankara secondary school students in Katsina State.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 17 comprising Ekiti and Ondo State, Mr David Folawiyo, called on the stakeholders to take ownership of community policing.
He said that the inspector-general of police was committed to making constabularies who were nominated by their community to serve in their locality.
In attendance at the forum were the Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Secretary to the State Government Biodun Oyebanji, Head of Service in the state, Mrs Peju Babafemi and the state Chief of Staff Biodun Omoleye, among others.(NAN)
ARIS/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan
General news

Fayemi names new Surveyor-General, Auditor-General for Ekiti

Fayemi names new Surveyor-General, Auditor-General for Ekiti
Appointments
By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Dec. 16, 2020, (NAN) The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has approved the appointment of  Mr Samuel Ibidunmoye as the new Surveyor-General of the state.
The governor also approved the appointment of Mr Victor Adeuya as the new Auditor- General.
The approvals were known in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, via a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The appointment of the new Auditor-General was confirmed by the State House of Assembly on Wednesday, the statement said.
He will take over from the current Auditor-General, Mr Daniel Kayode, who is retiring next Monday.
The two appointments, according to the statement, take effect from Monday, Dec. 21. (NAN)
ARIS/DCU
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Edited by Donald Ugwu
Agriculture

140 Ekiti youths to benefit from FG’s digital Agric training.

140 Ekiti youths to benefit from FG’s digital Agric training
Training
Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Dec 15, 2020, (NAN) No fewer than 140 youths from Ekiti State will benefit from a Federal Government programme, tagged National Adopted village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA).
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), reports that the newly designed programme is being anchored by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Bode Adetoyi, made this known while welcoming the NAVSA team to his office in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
He appreciated the FMARD for choosing Ekiti as one of the pilot States for the commencement of the programme.
Adetoyi said that Ekiti State, under Fayemi, was mindful of the impact of digital technology for overall development of the society, which, according to him, explained the establishment of a Knowledge Zone in the State by the governor.
He said that the governor’s aim was to create a knowledge economy, that would be driven by digital technology across all sectors, adding that the choice of Ekiti State as one of the location for the pilot project was, therefore, timely.
The Commissioner called on NAVSA to embark on sensitisation and awareness creation for the youth to be involved in technology – driven agriculture for increased food production..
Earlier, the NAVSA team leader, Dr A. Yekinni, highlighted the objectives of the programme to include, wealth and income generation for farmers,  improvement in food production to guarantee food security, as well as engaging more youths in farming activities, using digital technology.
Yekinni said that the participants registered in the programme would be exposed to digital training for a week at Ikole Ekiti, beginning from Tuesday, Dec. 15, while they would be provided with electronic devices and customized SIM cards, to facilitate their learning in their chosen farming interests.
The Team Leader said that each of the beneficiaries would also be supported with N100,000 worth of farm inputs, which are to be supplied by Ekiti State-owned Fountain Agriculture and Marketing Agency (FAMA).
He also hinted that programme participants would equally serve as Extension Agents to farmers, because they would be exposed to advanced and modern agriculture, using digital technology that would avail them the opportunity to access international best practices in farming activities.
Yekinni assured that proceeds from the product sales would be deposited in an account, for the participants to access a certain percentage of the money, while the remaining kept for re-investment in the subsequent production period.
The team leader solicited the support of the ministry and the State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in the diligent monitoring of the programme in the State to ensure its success. (NAN)
ARIS/MMA
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Edited by Mouktar Adamu
Environment

Mobile Court sentences 10 environmental offenders to 2 months in Ekiti.

Mobile Court sentences 10 environmental offenders to 2 months in Ekiti.
Sentencing
Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Dec 15, 2020, (NAN) A Mobile Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 10 culprits involved in indiscriminate dumping of refuse to two months imprisonment each.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the offenders were apprehended and dragged before the mobile court by the Environmental Task Force of the State Ministry of Environment, as part of efforts to rid the state of open defecation and filth.
The prosecutor, Mrs Ogunsan Bolaji, said the offenders were caught ‘in the act’, at the popular Ajilosun and NTA road areas of Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Delivering his judgment,  Magistrate Timothy Abe said the culprits were found culpable of the offence under Section 7b and Section 12 (4) of Ekiti State Environmental Health and Sanitation Law of 2020.
The Magistrate, therefore, sentenced them to two months imprisonment but with option of fine of N5,000 each.
One of the offenders, Alaba Kolade who could not afford the fine, pleaded for leniency and was asked to observe community service.
Other offenders apprehended by the Environmental Task Force of the Ministry included: Adetimi Kemi, Iyabo Ojo, Ajayi Victoria, Olaoye Omolara and Sunday Risikat.
Others are; Ilori Wuraola, Olayemi Aarinola,Suleiman Hamed and Tadeolu Rotimi.
While speaking on the incident on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Iyabo Fakunle- Okieimen, who frowned at the incident warned people against violating environmental laws.
Okieimen stressed the commitment of the present administration to provide healthy and conducive environment for the people of the state so as to guard against outbreak of epidemics.
The commissioner said the Task Force would continue to move round to enforce environmental laws adding that whoever was caught would be prosecuted according to environmental extant law.
She advised the people of the state to always abide by the Environmental laws and keep their environment clean and safe from diseases. (NAN)
ARIS/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu