Sunday, 15 June 2014
Muslim Women Endorse Fayemi for Re-election
Monday, 9 June 2014
Education: Between Fayemi's Midas Touch and Fayose's Voodoo Policy
'Dimeji Daniels
When controversy-courting impeached governor and present candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, challenged incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi to a debate on education, not a few found it a suicidal mission for the PDP hireling who at the same venue he called for the debate used 'grandson' as the opposite of the word 'godfather'.
Fayose has been boasting to no end that the success rate of Ekiti students in SSCE increased during his time, but this was due to no policy of the one-day one-trouble Fayose administration which left many dead, maimed and emotionally wounded before he was finally shown the door on 16 October, 2006. What many in Nigeria know as 'miracle centres' dotted the landscape of Ekiti at this time. These 'miracle centres' are where parents pay more to register their children for SSCE with the hope that mercenaries would help them write the exams or that the questions would have leaked before the exams. This was the success Fayose keeps attributing to his administration, a success deeply seeped in fraud like the man boasting about it.
The term 'miracle centres' has become non-existent in Ekiti with the advent of Fayemi, a man who can proudly, without doubts in any quarters, lay claim to education attainments and professional qualifications. Through the recommendations of an education summit chaired by late renown economist, Professor Sam Aluko, and peopled by eggheads like the Professor of International Law, Akin Oyebode, the education sector of Ekiti State began to witness a steady but sure-footed turn-around which would take several years of unfortunate retrogression to the days of half-baked governance to revert.
The first noticeable signs of this painstaking turn-around was the the increase in SSCE pass rate from a nauseating 20% to a heart-lifting 70%. To rubbish this success, Fayose and his PDP cronies who are riding on Nigerians' nonchalant attitude towards data-gahering went to town with the lie that Ekiti now ranks 34th on WASSCE pass rate. The truth, however, is that there is no such ranking by WAEC. How Fayose was able to come up with this fable remains a mystery which he and his co-travellers in the vehicle of retrogression to drag Ekiti back to the backwaters may someday explain in their usual 'je ki njayin si' manner.
Part of the gains in the education sector under the truly certified educationist, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is the many reputable national awards now garnered by Ekiti students and teachers. What with the emergence of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Law graduates as the best at the Law School.
Unlike what obtained under the Fayose administration when students of EKSU needed not show up in school to graduate - a situtation that existed due to the forced sacking by Fayose of the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Akin Oyebode, who had restored sanity to the institution - EKSU has now been repositioned in terms of content and structure. The beauty that greets one on entering EKSU creates the necessary ambience for students to learn and be certified without any doubts, whether now or later.
The institution's College of Medicine which was scrapped by the Fayose administration is now running smoothly. While Fayose who scrapped the College of Medicine now goes around pleading and pledging like the biblical serpent which deceived Eve with guile and vile to reverse the merger of EKSU which has brought more progress to the institution, students and alumni of the institution like me walk around with our heads high and our shoulders squared because Fayemi has given us something to be proud of, unlike the days employers hardly believed anything good could come from our 'Jerusalem'.
During an interface of the staff of College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti - which students were mowed down during the Fayose administration - with Governor Kayode Fayemi, I listened with awe as they reeled out the progress made under the present administration such as the implementation of a new salary structure, payment of 21-month arrears of the salary incurred by the previous administration, resuscitation of capital grant to the institution, accreditation of courses, on-time payment of monthly subventions, a building masterplan for the institution, new structures, resuscitation of inaugural lectures, sponsoring lecturers to national and international conferences, consultancy job for the appointment of principals, recruitment and training of teachers.
What caught my attention most during the interface was an encounter with the governor narrated by a member of staff of the college, one Egunjobi Charles Afolabi:
"Dr. Fayemi is a blessing to this college. Before he got his mandate, we were in a struggle for a new salary structure. Immediately he became the governor, we presented our case and he promised to pay, and he has paid.
"I remember a time we went for another negotiation. He said something not many Nigerian leaders would say. He looked at us and said 'It is your legitimate right. Government will pay'. And he has paid already."
In that pregnant statement is the key to understanding the person of Fayemi - a leader who sees government's welfarist programmes as the right of the citizens, which they should be, and not as privileges which some egomaniacs think they are.
John Kayode Fayemi and education are like siamese twins. For someone whose credentials are to say the least doubtful to challenge him to a debate on same is comic, but no doubt part of the comic relief the Ekiti electorate would witness in the run-up to the June 21 governorship poll when the victory of Dr. Fayemi as given by God and Ekiti people would send some permanently out of politics.
Daniels is the spokesperson of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation
Monday, 12 May 2014
PDP, INEC Plan to rig Ekiti Polls
PDP HAS CRUMBLED BEYOND REPAIR, SAYS EKITI GROUP
The Ekiti State Chapter of Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation (AGF) has said the campaign podium of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, which collapsed in Ifaki-Ekiti while the party's standard-bearer was on it symbolized the irreparable collapse of the PDP in Ekiti State.
Fayose had mobilized chieftains of the PDP to a rally in Ifaki-Ekiti, former Governor Segun Oni's hometown few days after the latter dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the PDP candidate was busy abusing the APC candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the campaign podium on which he was standing alongside other chieftains of his party and his wife, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, collapsed, sending the campaign ground into disarray.
Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation in a statement by its coordinator, Mr. Adeleye Akintola, in Ado-Ekiti, said the collapsed podium not only symbolized the collapse of PDP in the state, but also the rejection of the party's candidate by God.
"God has a way of communicating his messages to homo sapiens. Before the ground swallowed up Korah, Dathan and Abiram, God spoke through Moses, saying 'Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.'
"Just like Korah, Dathan and Abiram conspired against God's anointed, Moses, these people went to Ifaki to vilify Asiwaju Segun Oni and Governor Kayode Fayemi and as in the days of Moses, their podium sank and they were disgraced in lieu of Oni and Fayemi."
AGF said Fayose paid people from other towns to attend the rally in Ifaki-Ekiti to create the impression that the PDP was still relevant in the town, adding that the blood of Tunde Omojola, however, cried out from the ground against Fayose and his campaign podium, sending him and his goons crumbling like a pack of cards.
Tunde Omojola was allegedly brutally murdered in Ifaki-Ekiti by Fayose and his thugs on 28 May, 2005 during a rerun councillorship election.
In a similar development, a socio-political group, Ekiti Truth Vanguard (ETV), said it was puzzling that someone who could not build a strong podium is attempting to build a state.
According to a statement by its chairman, Akeem Bello, the group said it was not surprising that Fayose had transported his cosmetic approach to projects to his own campaign.
"Fayose can never build any lasting thing. That's why all the roads he constructed in Ekiti didn't last for three months."
Sunday, 11 May 2014
FAYEMI LEADS IN EKITIPANUPO POLL, AS GROUP CALLS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been rated as the best candidate to win theJune 21 gubernatorial poll. The All Peoples Congress (APC) candidate scored 85.29% to beat other aspirants in a poll conducted by Ekitipanupo, the only indigenous and most influential network of Ekiti people at home and in the Diaspora. The coordinators of the poll and leader and secretary of the forum respectively, Professor Akin Oyebode of the University of Lagos and Mr.Kunle Oladele said the poll was conducted as a milestone intervention in the sustainable development in the state.
In the poll which was conducted by the Secretariat of the forum and in which members participated by voting online, the result shows that Dr. Kayode Fayemi of APC scores 85.29%; Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party scores 11.76%; Mr. Ayodele Fayose of PDP scores 2.94% while Mr. Kole Ajayi of Accord Party scores 0.00%.
The poll became necessary pursuant to the role of Ekitipanupo as the indigenous Ekiti people's parliament. Considering the fact that the interests of Ekiti people rest on the prevalence of peace, order, good governance, infrastructure and socioeconomic development, it was observed that 51.61% voted YES for continuity of the progress recorded so far while 45.16% voted YES, with amends, where necessary in order to avoid past misdeeds and 85.29% voted in favour of endorsing Dr John Kayode Fayemi for re-election for a second term as Governor of Ekiti State.
Coordinators of the poll, Professor Akin Oyebode and Mr. Kunle Oladele, Leader and Secretary of the group respectively, they said, “ Ekitipanupo, as the foremost, all-inclusive Ekiti sociopolitical group and indigenous intellectual roundtable that parades the best of the indigenes as members, representing most of the 131 towns in Ekiti State, we wish to intervene positively, as the need arises, in the state of affairs in our beloved homestead of Ekiti. Accordingly, our call for a free and fair June 21, 2014 election is in conformity with the discharge of one of the fundamental roles of the forum in the unfolding political scenario in Ekiti State.
Ekitipanupo recognizes the fact that every qualified candidate is entitled to contest for the Ekiti governorship seat. It added that the forum is favourably disposed to the state being governed by the candidate generally considered as the best in relation to personality, track record, programmes and manifestos, especially relevance to the collective interests and aspirations of Ekiti people home and abroad and, more importantly, the ideals that Ekitipanupo holds highly vis-Ã -vis the good and progress of Ekiti State.
The group stated, “We recognize that the period of political campaign in a democratic process offers parties and candidates the opportunity to showcase their programs and manifestos with a view to winning votes of the electorate. We also strongly believe that this can be achieved without resorting to violence as has been painfully observed lately”
The group appeals to politicians and their supporters to embrace peace and maintain orderliness in exercising their rights. Calling on the Nigerian Police, State Security Service and other law enforcement agencies to curtail any excesses. It urged INEC, to be vigilant and non partisan in regulating political activities in accordance with the Electoral Act towards a hitch free poll.
Some of the members of Ekitipanupo include erudite Professor of International Law, Akin Oyebode; Ifaki Ekiti-born former Head of Nigeria French Village and President of Ifaki Progressive Union, Professor Ade-Ojo; former Chairman, Odua Investment Company Limited and former Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Sir Remi Omotoso; former Minister of Health and Human Resources, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; former Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank, Chief Bandele Falegan; 81-year-old reputable retired health practitioner, Madam Bimpe Okunade; Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Professor Bolaji Aluko; Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Biyi Daramola; Mr. Kunle Oladele, a successful businessman; Igede Ekiti-born U.S-based, University of Ife and Harvard-trained Bunmi Fatoye-Matory,A U.S based University Don, Professor Joseph Aina amongst others.
Signed
Prof. Akin Oyebode Kunle Oladele
Ekitipanupo Leader General Secretary
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EKITIPANUPO - Thinking, Harmonizing and Serving
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Photospeak: PDP Unleashes Terror on Egbe-Ekiti
A car and a motorcycle vandalized by PDP thugs in APC Chieftain, Chief Dapo Aawojolu's house in Egbe-Ekiti, Gbonyin LG...on Monday
A section of the fence of Chief Dapo Awojolu's residence demolished by Labour Party thugs in Egbe-Ekiti, Gbonyin LG...on Thursday.
Egbe 3:
Shells of bullets fired by PDP thugs at APC Chieftain, Chief Dapo Awojolu's house in Egbe, Gbonyin LG...on Monday.
Egbe 4:
A damaged window by PDP thugs at APC Chieftain, Chief Dapo Awojolu's residence in Egbe-Ekiti, Gbonyin LG...on Monday.
Monday, 21 April 2014
Fayemi’s wife assures rural communities of more government presence.
…receives defectors into APC
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has said that the development of the state’s rural areas and farmsteads is work in progress, assuring the people of more dividends of democracy.
She gave the assurance during her visit to Ejiko and Aba Igbira in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, as well as Asaride Farm, in Ido/Osi LGA in continuation of her empowerment visits to the farmsteads, at the weekend.
Already, the governor’s wife had visited 15 farmsteads located in Ekiti South-West, Ijero, Oye, Ilejemeje, Moba, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ido/Osi LGAs.
At each stop, she gave out gallons of kerosene, treated mosquito nets, cooking stoves, garri and palm oil processing machines, and other empowerment materials.
The First Lady said that some of the requests of the communities were already being put in place, promising that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration would continue to address these needs if re-elected in theJune 21 election.
Scores of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party in the hamlets took advantage of the visit of the governor’s wife to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Addressing the defectors at Ejiko, the First Lady assured them that they would be given equal treatment and opportunities like the foundation members of the party.
She said, “I congratulate all of you for dumping darkness and coming into light. This is the party that has good plans for citizens, irrespective of age, social class, religion or ethnicity.
“Let me use this opportunity to admonish foundation members of the APC not to discriminate against the newcomers. Once you team up with our party, you have equal rights and opportunities.
“I want to task the defectors to go back to their former parties and woo more members for the APC. Go and tell them to also jettison darkness for light. The more the merrier.”
Erelu Fayemi later distributed APC customized hand bands and brooms to the defectors, assisted by the party’s State Women Leader, Chief Funke Owoseni.
The leader of the defectors, Sule Ahmed, said they made up their mind to defect to the APC when they saw the impressive activities of the governor and his wife, as well as indigenes of Irepodun-Ifelodun LG serving under the governor.
He said, “The (Caretaker Committee) Chairman of the Local Government, Major Tajudeen Awe (retd); and Jaru (Mr. Deji Adesokan, Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor) are helping the people a lot.
“I’m surprised to find out that they are complementing the efforts of the government by also executing some projects in this village with their personal resources.”
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
EKITI DISTRIBUTES BREAST CANCER EXAMINATION KITS IN MEMORY OF OLAYINKA
…AS GOVERNOR FAYEMI CAUTIONS WOMEN AGAINST TREATING CANCER WITH LEVITY
Ekiti State Government distributed thousands of breast self examination kits for cancer screening as part of activities organized in memory of the late Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.
The events took place at the headquarters of the three senatorial districts of the state: Ido-Ekiti (Ekiti North); Ikere-Ekiti (Ekiti South); and Ado-Ekiti (Ekiti Central), on Monday and Tuesday.
The Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, mobilised thousands of women for the two-day rally, which was joined by the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his Deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and other top officials of the state, as well as husband of the late deputy governor, Mr. Lanre Olayinka; her daughter, Yeside; and family members of the deceased.
At each stop, the Project Manager of the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre, Dr. Bola Solanke, took the gathering through practical steps in breast self examination using the distributed kits.
Tuesday’s event witnessed health screening for cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria, sugar level, blood pressure, body weight and other essential health screening.
It was rounded off with cancer awareness walk from the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre to Fajuyi Memorial Park, led by the governor’s wife.
Health officials from Chike Okoli Foundation, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Ekiti State AIDS Control Agency and Ekiti Development Foundation conducted screening and distribution of free drugs during the Ado-Ekiti event.
Addressing participants before the commencement of the walk, the Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said that the event was organized in remembrance of his late deputy.
He appealed to women to make regular check-up and screening for cancer and gender-specific ailments a habit to stem the tide of cancer and other diseases ravaging the population.
The governor said, “One of the pledges we made after her demise was never again should we lose women to any form of cancer particularly, cervical and breast cancer.
“I want to urge all the women to voluntarily use the facility at the diagnostic centre and make use of the advice they receive from the specialists who are handling the various equipment that we put there for use.
“We know that cancer is still a major scourge in our country and we know that we lose so many people to the scourge. We want to do everything within our own ability to stop this from happening and one of the basic ways of stopping it is through regular checkups that can detect early if anything has gone amiss.”
He urged women not to rely on traditional or spiritual means to cure cancer, but to go for medical examination and treatment immediately at standard health facility after detection.
The governor said, “I want to urge our women to see this beyond our approach to tradition and spirituality. It is okay to be spiritual. It is okay to believe in God, but there are several places in the Bible where the word physician comes up.
“Physician is not a term of abuse in the Bible, it is a term of endearment; it is a term of respect. I urge us to, in addition to praying, to also work to save ourselves. The Bible and the Quran urge upon us to always work and pray.”
Speaking at the rallies, the First Lady expressed the resolve of government to establish cancer screening centres in the three senatorial zones of the state for early detection of the scourge.
She said the best thing the women of the state could do in remembrance of the late deputy governor was to troop out and vote for her husband during the June 21 governorship election given his giant strides during his first term.
With superior numerical strength on the state’s voters list and the All Progressives Party’s membership, she urged the women to queue behind her husband during the polls.
She advised women to be mindful of their diet and to desist from consuming too much of carbohydrates and oil, but to consume more of vegetables and foods rich in proteins.