Why I Dissolved Ekiti Exco - Fayemi

Dr Kayode Fayemi

Why I Dissolved Ekiti Exco - Fayemi

 
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has explained that Wednesday's dissolution of the State Executive Council was a step aimed at reinvigorating his cabinet to make it more result-oriented.

The Governor gave the explanation during the swearing-in of eight new Permanent Secretaries in Ado Ekiti on Thursday; saying that the gesture was to re-energise and reposition the cabinet to meet the yearnings of the people,  contrary to insinuations that something was wrong with the Government.

  in a release signed by  Mr Yinka Oyebode the Chief Pres Secretary, Dr. Fayemi  likened the dissolution to the strategic approach of a coach in a football match, who at half-time can chose to reorganize the team, bring in some substitutes to replace those who appear to be tired and change the positions of some players  for better result.

"There are some players who are  strikers and can score goals. But there are also strikers who cannot score goals. Some score brilliant goals but lack the stamina to stay till the end of the match.

“There are also those who are put in the wrong positions so all these must be reviewed for us to have a government that is connected to the people", he said.

While stating that the appointment of the new Permanent Secretaries were based on hard work and merit determined by the various examinations and interviews that they and their colleagues who didn't make it were subjected to, the Governor urged  them to maintain an open-door policy and shun favouritism while discharging their duties.

Fayemi added that gone were the days of god-fatherism in the Ekiti State civil service even as he asserted that the "primacy of meritocracy has come to stay in the public service".

He urged the new Permanent Secretaries to brace up for the enormous responsibility of implementing Government policies and programmes.

Governor Fayemi however assured that his administration would continue to provide appropriate conditions under which the public service can serve the larger interest of the society.

The Permanent Secretaries include popular broadcaster,  Mr Kola Ajumobi,  Dr Joseph Adeyemo, Mr. Bamidele Agbede,, Dr Olufolakemi Olomojobi, Mr Olusesan Alabi, Engr Abegunde Ebenezer, Mr Owoseeni Adeyemi, and Mrs Olufunke Falodun.

In his remarks,  Mr Kola Ajumobi commended the state government for giving priority to merit in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries; saying that this would encourage upcoming workers to make hard work their watchword.

Stop playing with Tribune reporter’s ordeals, Oyo ACN tells PDP, lambasts Ladoja

Stop playing with Tribune reporter’s ordeals, Oyo ACN tells PDP, lambasts Ladoja

" its leader and former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the spokesman of the party were suffering from “a psychotic delusion of grandeur.”

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oyo State chapter, has likened the accusation of high-handedness leveled against its party-led government by the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a recent assault on a Nigerian Tribune reporter to a case of the proverbial thief who, because of failure to apprehend him on time, turning around to accuse the owner of the good of theft.

The party, in the same vein, deplored a recent statement attributed to the spokesman of the Accord Party (AP) in the state, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, which claimed that the party was the bride in Oyo State politics, stating that the trio of the party, its leader and former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the spokesman of the party were suffering from “a psychotic delusion of grandeur.”

The ACN made these known in a release issued by its Publicity Secretary, Hon Dauda Kolawole.

While reacting to the PDP statement, Hon. Kolawole said that since no state of the federation had any control of the military, if indeed the accusation that the Tribune reporter was beaten black and blue by a military man was found out to be true, then the PDP, which it says controls the federal apparatus of coercion, must be held guilty of the crime.

“Oyo controls neither the police nor the military but the PDP-led federal government. On the part of our government, we have demonstrated the humaneness which is the credo of our party, the ACN. Top functionaries of the government of Oyo State have, at least twice, visited the injured journalist on his sick bed at the UCH, offering physical, emotional and even spiritual comfort to Mr. Laolu Harold. We do not have any record of the PDP having any of its officers visiting or showing same level of support, either emotional or financial, to the journalist, other than their vacuous newspaper grandstanding,” said the ACN.

The party said that the government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi had demonstrated to the whole world that the violence which the PDP bequeathed to the body polity of the state, had become a thing of the past, stating that no responsible government, not in the least one that prides itself as a discontinuation of the violence of the past, would be involved in the kind of treatment meted out to Mr. Harold.  

The ACN said that even though the Ajimobi government had made a significant milestone in the area of urban renewal in Oyo State by changing the landscape of dirt inherited from the PDP, it had done this so far with the cooperation of the people, most of whom willingly removed their shops and other property obstructing the aesthetics of the state.

“It is apparent that the PDP cannot like us or our government, both of which have succeeded in attracting accolades to Oyo State for its sudden beauty, but they should not play politics with the Tribune journalist’s ordeals. Let us come together to denounce the brutality visited on Mr. Harold by whoever is responsible among the forces and let us commend a government that has succeeded where the PDP had failed abysmally,” the ACN said.

  While reacting to the Accord Party statement, the ACN said it was challenging the party to a debate on the achievements of Senator Ladoja as governor of about four years, placed side by side what Governor Ajimobi has done in 18 months.

“Ladoja is a dreamer who merely travels on a self-voyage of grandstanding, articulating a vision to build three over-head bridges while in government and a circular road which was constructed only on billboards. What did he do while he was governor? How many of those bridges did he build? He should tell the people. In 18 months, Ajimobi has done times-three of what Ladoja did in almost four years as governor,” the ACN said.        

2013, Year of reward for Oyo workers - Ajimobi

2013, Year of reward for Oyo workers - Ajimobi

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday assured workers in the state of his administration’s readiness to give them handsome rewards and add values to their lives this year for their commitment and dedication to work.

He gave this assurance while addressing civil and public servants at an inter-religious prayer session organized to usher in Year 2013 at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The governor noted that he had, since assumption of office, subjected the workers to series of challenges and created some stormy sessions, all aimed at getting the best out of time and making them more service-oriented.

``For you to have been able to withstand the pressure that we have brought to bear on you; for you to have survived our close-marking approach, shocking treatment and the pyramid of checks and balances, be assured that this year will be a year of reward for you.

``We have demanded a lot from you and you have given us; and for those of you who have survived the tsunami of change which was aimed at instilling discipline in the system and make the civil service service-oriented, you will be adequately compensated,’’ he told the civil servants who thronged the venue of the programme.

While giving glory to God for being with his administration, the civil servants and the entire people of the state, Governor Ajimobi said but for God, his efforts at transforming and repositioning the state would have paled into insignificance.

He stressed the need for the workers to be Godly and to re-dedicate themselves this year, pledging that his administration’s package for them for 2013 would be among the best in the South-West zone.

The governor also promised that his administration would build housing estates and arrange for mortgage for the workers to enable them own the houses without any stress.

He urged religious leaders in the state to continue to pray for his administration so that it could deliver on its promises and take the state to greater heights.

The Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu had earlier in his welcome address urged civil servants to key into the blueprint of the government for the successful implementation of the laudable programmes of the Ajimobi administration.

In their separate sermons, Rev. Francis Omolade and Prof. D. O. S. Noibi admonished the civil servants on the need for them to discharge their duties with the fear of God and shun corrupt tendencies which they said had virtually become a cankerworm, eating up the system.

Prof. Noibi, in particular, acknowledged the various accomplishments which had been recorded by the Ajimobi administration and commended it for running a government with human face.    

Ajimobi Has No Hand in Sen.Folarin's Ordeal ---- Oyo ACN

Ajimobi Has No Hand in  Sen,Folarin's Ordeal ---- Oyo ACN 
 
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Oyo State chapter, has said  that Gov Abiola Ajimobi has  no hand in Teslim Folarin ordeal  and  urged  former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, to face his ordeals squarely in the hands of policemen who swooped on his Ibadan home recently and stop searching non-existing places for causes of his travails.

The party made this known in a release issued by its Publicity Secretary, Hon Dauda Kolawole.

According to the ACN, Senator Folarin has several explanations to make to the whole world over his alleged unholy alliance with discredited NURTW kingpins in the state whom it alleged had been boasting all over town that they would help the former Senator become governor in 2015 through violence.

"The men of the Nigeria Police Force were just doing their lawful duties by searching Senator Folarin's home. The information that he is in cahoots with Tokyo is ten a dime on the streets of Ibadan" the ACN said.

The party distanced the Ajimobi government from the search, saying that the police would be failing in its duties if it does not search for arms and ammunition with which the Tokyo group had been threatening to destabilize Oyo State.

"But Folarin and his NURTW accomplices ought to know that the people of our state will resist every relic of violence of the past. Our people, who can now sleep with their eyes closed will not allow PDP's henchmen have another opportunity in Oyo State" said the release.

While exonerating the governor from the police invasion of the former Senator's home, the ACN said that the police was too sophisticated to chase shadows, stating that allegation from Folarin and his PDP was to railroad the police from their lawful search.

"The people of Oyo State are grateful to the men of the police for this search. We all know that the boasts to destabilize the state that are emanating from these discredited persons are not mere imaginations," the ACN said.

OYO PDP ACCUSES AJIMOBI OF HUMILIATING MEMBERS

OYO PDP ACCUSES AJIMOBI OF HUMILIATING MEMBERS

Sequel to the interrogation of the former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin and the search conducted on his houses by the police in Ibadan on Thursday, the Oyo State PDP has told the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi that intimidating and harassing members of the opposition party by the state government will not bring any reprieve for the administration which has been totally rejected by the masses of the people of Oyo State.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the party's chairman, Alhaji (Hon) Olayinka Taiwo. The party chieftain noted that the petition which the police acted upon by the police in questioning Senator Folarin was most likely to have been sponsored by the ACN and its allegedly failed administration in Oyo State.

Alhaji Olayinka Taiwo advised Governor Ajimobi to focus on readressing the injustices meted out to many traders and property owners whose sources of livelihood were destroyed by the government in sadistic manners. The party chairman noted that "the politics of intimidation and harassment embarked upon by Governor Ajimobi can only further alienate him from the people and make his unpopularity a complete one"

The PDP Chairman warned the state government that it will not fold its arms while its members are subjected to intimidation by the powers that be "We shall use legal means to defend our members as the race towards the 2015 gather momentum", the chairman asserted.

Aregbesola Tasks On Dev. Of Erin Ijesha Water Fall

                                        Aregbesola Tasks On  Dev. Of  Erin  Ijesha  Water Fall

Osun State governor Engineer Rauf Aregbesola   of the state of Osun seems to be taking a giant stride in the development of tourism in  Ekiti state.  His effort at boosting the economic development of the state through tourism is a welcome development which is appreciated by all and sundry.

A recent visit to Olumirin waterfall in Erin Ijesha reveals that the government of Osun  state is taking a  giant steps at  repacking the waterfall to meet the international standard.

It was noticed that the government has began repairing the   roads in the  town  and the one leading to the   waterfall. Also  there is an ongoing construction of staircase that will afford the  visitor easy access to other layers of the waterfall.

The presence of the government   revenue officer  at the entrance  of the site collecting  gate fees  symbolizes the  willingness of the government to   make something out of the  Waterfall economically   as from 2013.

Hundreds of picnickers  who stormed the popular Olumirin water fall in Erin Ijesha during the festive period has tasked the governor of the state of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola  to  hasten the ongoing  development  of Olumirin water Fall in Ijesha and  ensure that it is up to the international standard.

Though they lauded Ogbeni Aregbesola  on the ongoing work on the site and  described it as a preliminary stage  which needed to seriously improved upon   to make the site  a good tourist  destination.

 Engineer Abiodun  Awe, one of the visitors  from Lagos who  visited the site with his family in a chat with WNP said ”  i am happy seeing this kind of development going on  here , the staircase  been constructed will afford people the opportunity to climb to the peak of the  fall which is the seventh layers, the  art effects are also  good  attraction but i believe there is a lot more to do  at the  site.

 He added that “ i was at  Singapore  last year where i saw something like this, this place can be made to be like what we see outside the country, i see what  Ogbeni  Aregbesola  is  doing here as a preliminary stage  and  a way of making the presence of government  felt  on the site”. And that “ i am hoping to see a cable car, relaxation centre, restaurant  and safety  place that can guarantee  visitors  total enjoyment  of the site.

 Funmi Rotiba  an international tour operator who specializes in packaging   inbound and outbound tour  said the  site is  a wealth in the pot, though  she  lauded Aregbesola to taking a step in  developing the site “ i am a happy  for the development , if past administrations had been taking  this kind of steps this place would have been   better than this, but now that governor Aregbesola is taking a   good step at repackaging  Olumirin waterfall, he need to  be   lauded, more so,  there are  other things that need to be  available here   to attract tourist .

 Also, Vincent Orimogunje one of the picnickers from  St Benedict  Catholic Church Oloruntumo Apata Ibadan said the government of Osun state should be commended  for  the ongoing development  in the site but urged the governor to ensure that the road within the town especially the one  leading to the site are  constructed .”  a site like this need accessible  road , and others  facilities that will  not only  attract people to this site but also  will boost the economy of the town and  the state at large.

As at the time of visit,  about  two hundred picnickers were at the site while some were climbing the mountain moving to the seventh layers of the fall some were at the basement of the  fall  catching fun and taking pictures.

Economic activities also receive boost during the period as traders selling  drinks and  others varieties   express satisfaction with the increase in sales. “ when they first started , we thought it was  going to be as usual but later we  discovered that the government is  serious  about  transforming this place and we are happy, “ this development has   boosted  trading activities here and we have resolve to  cooperate with the government of Osun State and  pray for their success on this one, we know that if they eventually  get it right there will be  economic  improvement in the town .

About seven photographers were seen taking pictures with digital camera, one of the camera man simply identify as Sunday  told WNP that there has been  boost in  their business . 

Mimiko is Real Awoist —HID Awolowo

                                         Mimiko is real Awoist —HID Awolowo

YEYE Oodua, Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo on Friday hosted Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko at her residence in Ikenne where she described him as a real Awoist.
Chief (Mrs) Awolowo, who expressed delight for the visit, said she was happy Governor Mimiko was re-elected by the people of Ondo State.
She said although she could not take a tour of the state to see for herself the transformation wrought by the medical-doctor-turned politician, she nonetheless followed his achievements through reports she read about the Mimiko-led administration before, during and after the October 20 election.
She described Governor Mimiko as being a real Awoist not minding the number of politicians who appropriate the title unjustifiably, saying we now know who the true Awoist is.
She recalled one of the songs with which Awoists were recognised, intoning, “We are the scions of Awolowo. Ostrich is the avian king; lion the king of the jungle. Hitherto had they pretended to be Awo followers. Mimiko is real Awoist.”
Mimiko in his speech said that truth and robust journalistic output of the Tribune titles are the core essence of the newspaper’s staying and flourishing power in the media industry.
Mimiko was in company with a retinue of cabinet members including the Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, Information Commissioner, Mr Kayode Akinrinmade, his counterpart in the Environment Ministry, Chief Sola Ebiseni and others.
According to him, “Tribune’s staying power is not only because of the quality of the output of Tribune but also because God saw through the heart of the man that founded the Newspaper, Chief Awolowo- the purity of his heart in terms of serving the interest of our people. That contributes to the staying power of Tribune. The Newspaper is an enduring legacy of our sage left behind.
“On behalf of the people of Ondo State, we say thank you. You may not immediately know what you have done for us. You have shown to us that although money has value, Awolowo represented something worth more than money- truth and its perception in the struggle to liberate our people. To this we remain committed.
“For us, the struggle for the emancipation of Nigerians, especially the Yoruba kingdom over which Chief Obafemi Awolowo superintended as Premier is a continuous struggle and we believe every politics that should be called progressive in Nigeria must take a cue from the fundamental tenets of Chief Awolowo’s politics.
“It is using the instrumentality of government and all endeavour to make life more abundant for our people, especially those living on the margins of society, those for whom the circumstances of birth and socio-economic circumstances are not favourable. That is what we believe in in Ondo State and that is what we will continue to pursue unequivocally.
“You have convinced us that the cause we are pursuing is right. Whether one likes it or not, you and your newspaper represent the very quintessence of progressive politics in Nigeria.
“More importantly Ma, we thank God for your life and for holding the fort. You are strong in faith and you have been the keeper of that tradition. We are very proud to be associated with you and the Tribune Newspapers,” he said.
While wishing Chief (Mrs) Awolowo ‘Caleb anointing,’ the governor prayed to God to grant his host more years in good health.

By Dare Adekanbi
Culled from Nigerian Tribune.