Fayemi Lauds Ndigbo For Their Spirit of Industry
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has commended the Ohaneze Ndigbo for their spirit of industry, entrepreneurship and their contribution to the development of Ekiti State.
Speaking at the maiden inauguration of Ohaneze Ndigbo Southwest Executives and Launching of N100 million Youth Education Endowment Fund in Ado-Ekiti, the governor also commended the Igbo people resident in Ekiti for living in peace and harmony with everyone.
Governor Fayemi added: "We cannot thank you enough for the spirit of industry and entrepreneurship and your contribution to the development of all Southwest states. I have long standing relationship with our Ndigbo here. I have benefited from their support. They are good people, not just as residents, but as sons and daughters of Ekiti State. This was what informed my decision to appoint a Senior Special Assistant on Ethic Matters."
Governor Fayemi said he believed that what would make Nigeria a better place is the extent to which all Nigerians can forge cooperative existence, adding that his administration remains unrepentantly committed to the peaceful co-existence of all Ekiti indigenes and residents.
"Our commitment remains undiluted as far as promoting harmony between all our people, irrespective of where they come from," the governor said.
Describing himself as a committed lover of quality education, Governor Fayemi commended the education endowment fund initiative and donated N5 million to the cause.
"On behalf of myself and the good people of Ekiti State, I donate N5 million to the education fund."
A bus was also donated by the State Government to Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ekiti State.
The governor handed the ignition key to the Ekiti State Ohaneze Ndigbo.
Speaking earlier, the National Deputy President of Ohaneze Ndigbo N'Uzo ije, Barrister Nwabueze Obi, pledged their continued devotion to the promotion of peace and harmony in Ekiti State.
"What we owe this state is to continue to live in peace and contribute to its development. We are basically traders and we are peace-loving people. We will continue to contribute our quota to the development of Ekiti State," said Barrister Obi
The newly inaugurated Southwest President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prince Nathaniel Uzomah, commended the governors of Southwest states for their accommodating spirit and for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into their cabinet.
He thanked Dr. Fayemi for his love and support for Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ekiti State.
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Friday, 29 November 2013
Fayemi Is A Magician - Ewi
Oba Adejugbe said he was yet to understand the secret behind the governor's success given the meagre federal allocation that the state receives.
The monarch was speaking during the finale of the budget tour in Ado-Ekiti.
Oba Adejugbe said the governor had put his education to good use and had demonstrated that he was matured and well-prepared for governance.
While commending the governor for the good works of his administration in Ado-Ekiti, Ewi noted that he was aware of the pressure on the governor that he was spending a lot to develop Ado-Ekiti, adding that the town belongs to all Ekitis and that the infrastructure is for the use of all Ekiti indigenes and residents.
He thanked Governor Fayemi for promises fulfilled and the Ilera La'afin health mission.
The monarch also expressed his reservations about the Anambra election, stressing that he found it strange, highly disturbing and deserving of urgent attention that INEC could not conduct election successfully in one state.
Oba Adejugbe therefore urged all Ekiti indigenes to be vigilant about the 2014 governorship poll.
Speaking on behalf of Ado-Ekiti, the President of the town's progressive union, Chief Obafemi Ojo, highlighted their requests to include the reconstruction of Odo-Ado/Igirigiri road, construction of Olorunda/Olorunsogo/Pathfinder road, Omisanjana/Ajebandele road, Isinla/Bank road, creation of four more Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), illumination of Fajuyi/Police headquarters road, completion of Oba Adejugbe Genaral Hospital, amongst others.
Responding, Governor Fayemi said Odo-Ado/Igirigiri road, Ijigbo/Poly road, Olorunda/Olorunsogo/Pathfinder road would be taken care as part of the 5 kilometres in Ado Local Government next year.
He said the contract for Omisanjana/Ajebandele road had been revoked due to shoddy job and that it would soon be re-awarded.
He promised that the illumination of Fajuyi/Police Headquarters dual carriage way would be done before the end of this year, adding that the contractor is an Ado indigene whose job so far has been of good standard.
"The person who is doing the job is from Ado. He is also the one in charge of Ijigbo/Irona/Ilawe road illumination. He has been doing a good job," Governor Fayemi explained.
The governor noted that with the level of work done at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, it would be ready for use in March.
He announced that a committee on the creation of LCDAs will be set up in the next two weeks and that towns are expected to submit memorandum explaining why they deserve LCDAs.
Governor Fayemi urged the Ewi of Ado to always advise politicians on the need to play politics without violence, adding that whoever wants to run against him is free to do so.
"Whoever wants to contest should be allowed to do so. They should tell the people what this administration is not doing that they want to do. We know there are people who would always want to look for opportunities to foment trouble, but we must appeal to them. We are one in Ekiti," he said.
He thanked the Ewi and the people of Ado-Ekiti for their prayers and support, adding that his government would continue to fulfil its promises.
EMPOWERING NIGERIAN YOUTHS IN SENATOR BABAFEMI OJUDU’S WAY
These challenges are enormous in the 21st century globalized world. Perhaps, this explains why many developed countries of the world are investing huge resources in human capital development for effective long term developmental strategies. But in Nigeria, recurrent expenditures outweigh the necessary capital expenditures that would have helped catapulted the country to high economic standard. And a huge portion of governmental spending is allocated to the National Assembly. So, when I had the chance to ask the incumbent senator in Ekiti Central, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a question, it was on what progressives like him were doing in the National Assembly to help curb the monumental waste of resources through recurrent expenditures. The setting was a symposium organized by the parliamentarians of the department of political science, Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, O.A.U, Ile Ife in the last quarter of 2012.
The senator gave a satisfactory answer, which when analyzed critically, translated to mean that one tree cannot make a forest. Or better still, that the number of true parliamentarians in the National assembly is lower compared to those who have no moral qualification to be there.
The senator then informed the gathering of his numerous projects aimed at empowering his people and literarily giving back to his people. One of the projects, IBOLD ( Initiative of Babafemi Ojudu for Leadership Development www.ojudubabafemi.com/ibold), is designed for students of Ekiti origin in higher institutions in Nigeria.
It is an annual essay competition with lots of prizes and educational advantages. Since I am from Ekiti, I had to put in immediately. The first round was submitted online and we wrote on the topic “Nigeria’s underdevelopment and the challenges of Leadership”. We were shortlisted to 20 and invited to write the second round in Ado Ekiti. The second round was an on-the-spot assessment with no prior notice of topic. We were asked to write on the achievements and shortcomings of the incumbent administration in Ekiti. The senator was on hand to receive us in Ado and also gave us sufficient money for transportation back to our respective destinations.
The prize-giving ceremony took place on the 2nd of November in Ado Ekiti. I came second with a cash prize of three hundred and fifty thousand naira and a brand new laptop, the first got five hundred thousand naira with a laptop and the third place got one hundred and fifty thousand naira with a laptop. The fourth and fifth got new laptop each and the sixth to nineteenth got twenty thousand naira each. In addition to these, the top twenty each year automatically become students of the IBOLD Centre with opportunities for assistance in further academic pursuits and mentoring through leadership training for future responsibilities.
Beloved Nigerian youths, this is quite laudable. It is far better than those who hire us for thugs and killers. At least someone is investing in our future. Imagine if all the senators of the federal republic of Nigeria has a project akin to this. That translates to two thousand, one hundred and eighty youths being empowered annually with scholarships for further academic pursuits. That is how to invest in the youths, and any positive investment yields good results.
That is exactly what the developed countries have done. Are we doing same in Nigeria ? Any nation that intends to grow must have a blueprint of how best to empower her youths and engage them in productive activities for the overall good of the nation. No other way than through education. We have left too much for government to do in our lopsided and artificial federalism that the society has forgotten its responsibilities to itself. I salute you Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in the words of Max de Pree “Leaders should leave behind them assets and a legacy”. Posterity will judge you and we will not disappoint you. To whom much is given, there should be no quantifying what is expected.
And on the last note, if I were a Nigerian youth in another state now, I would urgently rally students and demand for initiative such as this from our senators.
Long live Senator Babafemi Ojudu !
Long live the IBOLD project !
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Eyitayo Adetunji Adeyeye,
Political science department, Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile Ife.
eyitayoadeyeye@yahoo.com
Ojudu Adopts Medical Student
In line with his pledge to make youth mentoring a priority, the lawmaker representing Ekiti Central, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has adopted an orphan from Winning Children Foundation, an orpanage in Usi-Ekiti.
The orphan, whose name was not disclosed for the sake of confidentiality, is a 400L male medical student of University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
Henceforth, Senator Babafemi Ojudu will be responsible for his education, feeding, accommodation and general upkeep.
The lawmaker also donated thirty computer sets to Winning Foundation Academy, an offshoot of Winning Children Foundation.
In his remarks, Senator Ojudu noted that he experienced poverty while growing up and had to survive through hard work, focus, people's benevolence and God's support, hence his decision to always use his means to give back to have-nots, especially youth who he described as the hope of the future.
The founder of Winning Children Foundation, Mrs. Funmilayo Adeyemi, said both the foundation and the academy takes care of orphans, children from broken homes, physically challenged and vulnerable children, adding that in some cases the parents contribute a little to their upkeep while the foundation takes care of the rest.
According to her, many of the children are in secondary school while some are in the university.
She thanked Senator Ojudu for the kind gesture and urged other well-to-do Nigerians to support the academy in fully realizing its objective of giving the children a sense of belonging and dignity, good education and care.
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Fayemi Is A Thoughtful Administrator - Ekiti Monarch
Governor Kayode Fayemi has been described as an impartial and thoughtful administrator who does not place one community above the other.
The Alaaye of Ayeoja, Oba Samuel Olatoye, who stated this during the governor's budget tour of Moba Local Governement, noted that successive administrations in the state had not given his community a sense of pride, but that the Fayemi administration had restored his domain back to the path of progress and development.
Oba Samuel praised the administration for the completion of his community hall and his newly built palace through the community empowerment grants.
While soliciting for the provision of water in newly developed areas in the community, he announced his support for another term of four years for the governor, promising that his people would repay the administrtaion's good deeds with massive votes.
The governor also visited other communities in the local government, except Ikun which Oba had just joined his ancestors.
The requests of the various communities range from transformers, road rehabilitation and construction to police post, health centre, amongst others.
The governor also commissioned some projects which include a newly built palace at Ayeoba and townhalls at Irare and Osan.
In all the communities visited, the people's love for Governor Kayode Fayemi was evident as they trooped out in large numbers, singing and dancing in appreciation of his admnistration's good works.
The budget tour continues today in parts of Gbonyin and Ado Local Governments.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Provision of Water is A Major Item in Next Year's Budget - Fayemi
While thanking the indigenes of these communities for their support and prayers, Dr. Fayemi noted that the oneness of Ekiti is more important than the ambition of anyone.
"We are one in Ekiti. What is important to me is that peace must reign. When there is peace, there will be development and progress. I don't want strife of any kind amongst our people. I know we are peace-loving and will always eschew violence," Governor Fayemi said.
Chief among the requests of Imesi are the construction of the road leading to the boundary of Ekiti and Ondo at Supare which the governor said would be taken care of in next year's budget, provision of water, police post and the amicable settlement of the boundary dispute between the community and the adjoining town in Ondo State.
Governor Fayemi in his remarks appealed to the people to remain peaceful and avoid loss of lives in resolving the dispute.
He added that both states and the National Boundary Commission are already working on resolving the impasse.
The governor also promised that the community would soon have pipe-borne water as soon as the Egbe Dam is rejigged next year.
He added that the provision of pipe-borne water is a major priority to which serious energies would be devoted in next year's budget.
At Egbe, Governor Fayemi told the people that the community's portion of the 5 kilometre local government road would soon be kick-started.
In response to their demand for more wards, the governor said it was not in his power to create wards, but that of INEC based on the population of the particular area.
He, however, promised to put in a good word with the electoral body on behalf of Egbe-Ekiti as he believes that the community is big enough to have more wards.
At Iro and Iro Ayeteju, the excitement of the people was clearly evident as they trooped out to welcome the governor in large numbers, oblivious of the nightfall.
Their requests include police post, establishment of a farm settlement in the area, employment for their youth, provision of water and autonomy.
They thanked the Fayemi administration for its good works in their communities which include amongst other things school renovation, monthly stipend for the elderly, a newly built staff quarters for workers of the health centre in the community.
Unlike other communities which have been presenting the governor with rams and cows as gifts, the people of Iro were unique in that they gave Dr. Fayemi a Bible and salt.
Responding, the governor thanked them for their love for him and his government and promised that all their requests would be considered.
Leadership:We Must Begin To Mentor Our Youths – Fayemi
Leadership:We Must Begin To Mentor Our Youths – Fayemi
L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; wife of CEO, Nigeria Leadership Initiative, NLI, Mrs. Sylvia Oyinlola; Chairman, NLI, Dr Christopher Kolade; his wife, Beatrice; and Vice Chairman, NLI, Mr. Jacobs Ajekigbe, during the NLI Annual Awards Gala, in Lagos.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at the weekend said Nigerian leaders across all walks of life must begin to mentor young people and help them build a future that they will be proud of.
Speaking at the Annual Awards night of the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI) held in Lagos, the Governor stated that any truly transformative movement in Nigeria’s current national circumstances has to be youth driven because 70% of the country’s population is less than 35 years.
Dr Fayemi stressed that the population means that young Nigerians have the greatest stake in “the political dynamics now shaping the country’s way forward in the next decade and beyond” as they will bear the consequences of the politics and policies of the present time in future.
“The youth are the constituency most affected by the policy measures of today’s government. This should make them a politically active constituency, far more engaged in public affairs, and a bloc influential enough to be courted by politicians. But this is not the case”, he said.
While asserting that young Nigerians frequently complain of being marginalized and alienated from mainstream politics and governance, the Governor affirmed that the youths have a compelling case even as the nation’s political system is still being operated by “old guard political elites who tend to depreciate the skills and records of the younger generation in ways that suggest that only their generation of veterans possess the talent and nous to move the country forward”.
This, according to Fayemi, has made the youth see politics as a dirty game played by mean spirited old people who “simply do not care about the legacy and inheritance they are leaving behind”.
He asserted that leaders have the responsibility to boost the next generation up on their shoulders and also realise that whatever successes they have are incomplete until the grounds for succession is well prepared.
The Governor who disclosed that one of his aims in public life has been to demystify leadership and ensure a shift away from seeing leaders as messiahs stressed that leadership should not be reduced to holding political offices.
Fayemi therefore charged the youth to find spaces and environments in which they can best exploit their leadership potential for success, adding that leadership so about the quest for something that transcends personal gains.
In his remarks, the co-founder of NLI, Dr Christopher Kolade urged youths to rise up and surmount challenges that hinder them from exploiting their leadership potentials, saying that the country cannot afford to let her youth population waste away.
Source: www.ekitistate.gov.ng
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