Friday, 28 February 2014

FAYEMI HAS STEPPED INTO AWOLOWO'S SHOES- AJIBOLA


….ex- ICJ judge leads group to monitor Ekiti Social Security scheme for elderly citizens

Elder statesman and former Justice of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) has commended Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for initiating the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, saying that the Governor is a perfect replica of late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was a noted welfarist.

The former Attorney-General of the Federation who gave the commendation while presenting Fayemi with the Senior Citizens Care Foundation Excellence Award, Thursday evening in Ado-Ekiti, described the Ekiti State Social Security scheme which is the first in West Africa, as "unique and historic".

The award is in recognition of Governor fayemi’s pioneering efforts in social security scheme for elderly citizens in Ekiti state.

Ajibola who described the Fayemi administration as one with "great foresight" to have initiated the scheme asserted that with the implementation of the scheme in the State, it is apparent that it is "do-able" and must be replicated in all states of the federation.

He recalled that it was Chief Awolowo who pioneered social safety programmes in Nigeria; saying that "for the first time in the history of the country, aside Awolowo, Fayemi is the only person whom we can call a welfarist".

Prince Ajibola, who together with members of the group, also witnessed the payment of the monthly N5,000 stipend to elderly citizens for February in Ikere Ekiti, asserted that the scheme is not a political gimmick but a welfarist approach to governance.

He described the scheme as a good example of how government should care for all its citizens.

"You have a government with foresight, a government that helps and has compassion. We have seen it and we are surprised because we never knew the scheme is this great. I am very happy to see these elderly citizens in good health. You might not really know the benefit of this scheme but this is indeed remarkable.


“We have seen it that it is do-able and it can be done. This is not politics, this is not campaigning, this is not electioneering affair, this is a show of welfarism in practice in Ekiti state.

This is a demonstration of how a government can be very dedicated and show care for the people. When Awolowo became the head of the Western Region in those days, he did a lot of work which we still remember today. We now have someone for the first time in the history of our country aside Awolowo whom we can call a welfarist. This is not politics. This can only come from the heart of someone who has the people at heart", he said.

The elder statesman who recommended the scheme for the Federal Government expressed possibility that the Boko Haram insurgency might not have ensued if there is a social safety net for the weak and vulnerable sections of the country.

Speaking at the payment of the monthly stipend to about 2000 elderly citizens in Ikere Ekiti on Friday, Governor Fayemi said government is established to benefit the people and lift up the weak and vulnerable in the society.

The Governor who opined that the scheme is an idea whose time has come described it as a crucial part of his administration's objective of banishing poverty from the state as it is borne out of the devotion to the Yoruba culture of social justice which "prescribes that the strong in the society must cater for the weak and the elderly in the great cycle of life".

"We have taken appropriate measures to institutionalize the initiative in perpetuity so that administrations coming after us would not be able to undo our legacy. In this regard, we have signed into law the Social a Security law 2012 which makes it compulsory for government to sustain the programme regardless of the political affiliation of the government of the day. Old age is not a crime and treasured members of society should not be made to suffer while going through the normal course of life", he said.

FAYEMI HAS STEPPED INTO AWOLOWO'S SHOES- AJIBOLA


….ex- ICJ judge leads group to monitor Ekiti Social Security scheme for elderly citizens

Elder statesman and former Justice of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) has commended Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for initiating the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, saying that the Governor is a perfect replica of late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was a noted welfarist.

The former Attorney-General of the Federation who gave the commendation while presenting Fayemi with the Senior Citizens Care Foundation Excellence Award, Thursday evening in Ado-Ekiti, described the Ekiti State Social Security scheme which is the first in West Africa, as "unique and historic".

The award is in recognition of Governor fayemi’s pioneering efforts in social security scheme for elderly citizens in Ekiti state.

Ajibola who described the Fayemi administration as one with "great foresight" to have initiated the scheme asserted that with the implementation of the scheme in the State, it is apparent that it is "do-able" and must be replicated in all states of the federation.

He recalled that it was Chief Awolowo who pioneered social safety programmes in Nigeria; saying that "for the first time in the history of the country, aside Awolowo, Fayemi is the only person whom we can call a welfarist".

Prince Ajibola, who together with members of the group, also witnessed the payment of the monthly N5,000 stipend to elderly citizens for February in Ikere Ekiti, asserted that the scheme is not a political gimmick but a welfarist approach to governance.

He described the scheme as a good example of how government should care for all its citizens.

"You have a government with foresight, a government that helps and has compassion. We have seen it and we are surprised because we never knew the scheme is this great. I am very happy to see these elderly citizens in good health. You might not really know the benefit of this scheme but this is indeed remarkable.


“We have seen it that it is do-able and it can be done. This is not politics, this is not campaigning, this is not electioneering affair, this is a show of welfarism in practice in Ekiti state.

This is a demonstration of how a government can be very dedicated and show care for the people. When Awolowo became the head of the Western Region in those days, he did a lot of work which we still remember today. We now have someone for the first time in the history of our country aside Awolowo whom we can call a welfarist. This is not politics. This can only come from the heart of someone who has the people at heart", he said.

The elder statesman who recommended the scheme for the Federal Government expressed possibility that the Boko Haram insurgency might not have ensued if there is a social safety net for the weak and vulnerable sections of the country.

Speaking at the payment of the monthly stipend to about 2000 elderly citizens in Ikere Ekiti on Friday, Governor Fayemi said government is established to benefit the people and lift up the weak and vulnerable in the society.

The Governor who opined that the scheme is an idea whose time has come described it as a crucial part of his administration's objective of banishing poverty from the state as it is borne out of the devotion to the Yoruba culture of social justice which "prescribes that the strong in the society must cater for the weak and the elderly in the great cycle of life".

"We have taken appropriate measures to institutionalize the initiative in perpetuity so that administrations coming after us would not be able to undo our legacy. In this regard, we have signed into law the Social a Security law 2012 which makes it compulsory for government to sustain the programme regardless of the political affiliation of the government of the day. Old age is not a crime and treasured members of society should not be made to suffer while going through the normal course of life", he said.

Thursday, 27 February 2014

UNEMPLOYMENT: EKITI GOVT SETS TO BOOST SMEs



... as Nation Newspapers hold Micro-SMEs Forum 


The Ekiti State Government has vowed not to relent in its fight to banish poverty and unemployment from the State by giving support to the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the State.

 The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi made the vow in Ado Ekiti at the 3rd South-West Regional Integration programme which focuses on Micro-SMEs; saying that the alarming rate of unemployment in the country is gradually turning to a wild fire which no one can play
with.

While stating that SMEs have significant roles to play in economic development as they form the backbone of the private sector and account for about 60% of employment across the world, Dr Fayemi explained that the Western Regional Integration agenda currently
focuses on SMEs as one of the vehicles for driving the "objective of presenting the region as a bloc for global competitiveness, by strategically harnessing its economic competitive elements".

This shift, he said, is to create wealth as well as address unemployment which is the cause of many of the social malaises bedeviling the society.

The Governor recalled that his administration last year inaugurated a 23-man State Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to coordinate the activities of SMEs in the state, having realized the roles that SMEs play in economic development, job creation and wealth
creation.

While disclosing that the State Government is in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria in its efforts to inject N220billion low interest long term development finance for the benefits of SMEs, Fayemi said the government has appropriated about N300million for private sector development aimed at providing soft loans to SMEs as well as "facilitate capacity building opportunities for operators on the rudiments of doing sustainable business".

"We are also in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria in its efforts to inject N220billion low interest long term development finance for the benefits of SMEs. The state government also recently set up a Cooperatives Board with a mandate to organize all cooperative societies in Ekiti State and to regulate their activities in a way and manner that the common challenges they encounter particularly in the area of accessing loans can be addressed. Our partnership with the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture is also exclusively pro- SMEs", he said.

In his remarks, the Director-General of DAWN Commission, Mr Dipo Famakinwa asserted that SMEs contribute a lot to the economic development of a nation.

Famakinwa who said the integration initiative is about the people stated that the regional integration agenda is aimed at harnessing the resources and providential endowment available in States of the region.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Integration in Ekiti State, Mr Funminiyi Afuye said many of the development recorded in Nigeria started in the Western Region as the region set the pace for infrastructure development because of the common policies and agenda in the region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Afuye added that the integration strategy is gaining ground as private, public and international organizations are now partnering with the DAWN Commission in the consummation of the development 
strategy.

Address by His Excellency Dr. Kayode FAYEMI Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria on the occasion of the 3rd Southwest Regional Integration Programme on MSMEs tagged Ekiti 2014


Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Thursday, February 27, 2014


Protocols

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this great occasion. I particularly welcome all participants from other states in the region, and wish you all a pleasant stay in the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria. I want to particularly commend the Nation Newspapers for asking Ekiti State to host the third leg of the programme. 

This event is of particular significance because it addresses the core of sustainable development. According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), “SMEs have a significant role to play in economic development. They form the backbone of the private sector; they make up over 90 per cent of enterprises in the world and account for 50 to 60 per cent of employment. They also play an important role in generating employment and poverty alleviation.” The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put the total number of SMEs in Nigeria at over 17 million.
However, because of some challenges in the economy, a lot of SME operators find it very difficult to thrive. Some of their challenges include poor infrastructure, burdensome tax regimes, lack of capacity in accounting, management, marketing, economic planning and limited access to finance.
Also of note is the fact that most SMEs are operated by young people who constitute a majority demographic group at over 70% of the population.  These youth are the bastion and future of our region and great nation. Therefore, I consider this event a major step in the right direction towards setting the Southwest region on the path to sustainable economic development.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that this program was held in Oyo State and the State of Osun in the years 2012 and 2013 respectively. I am delighted to note that the two previous editions were huge successes. I, therefore, have no doubt in my mind that this one will be a greater success.

It is on record that the Old Western Region’s development legacies are yet to be surpassed in the history of our nation. Of all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria today, The Yoruba have been pacesetters in development for other regions to follow. The Region has equally been the hub of civilization, trade, industry, commerce, education and other social advancements. Our past leaders, particularly the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, laid the foundation for the development of the region through free education which produced many of the leaders of today.

The Region with a population of about 50 million people is educationally resourceful, politically stable, religiously tolerant and economically endowed. We realise that bringing the dreams of our forefathers to reality is our collective responsibility. That is why we have come together to pursue this noble dream. This objective gave birth to the new thinking and renewal of the idea of regional re-integration of the southwest states. I am certain that our founding fathers will be happy seeing that the hitherto partitioned region is taking steps to reintegrate and collaborate. Our values are known and respected globally, we are a respected people all over the world and we need to maintain our place in history. 

I must at this point celebrate my brother Governors who as true visionaries have laid a solid foundation for the integration of the region with the adoption of the blueprint to guide our exertions namely the Development Agenda of the Western Nigeria (DAWN). We have further consolidated our position by establishing an institution – the DAWN Commission with headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, with a mandate to drive the attainment of the goals of the agenda. 

Regional integration of Southwest Nigeria is not just about the unity of the region but also focuses on:

(1) Presenting the region as a bloc for global competitiveness by strategically harnessing its economic competitive elements; 
(2) Making a radical Infrastructural development in the Region; 
(3) Having a strong focus on both social and human capital development of the Region; 
(4) Building inclusive institutions; 
(5) Homeland affairs and security; and
(6)Raising and sustaining the enviable culture of the Region.

I must however state that sustainable economic development is the platform from which all other objectives can be tackled successfully. It is for this reason we are focusing on SMEs as one of the vehicles for driving our objective of “Presenting the region as a bloc for global competitiveness, by strategically harnessing its economic competitive elements”. This is the main reason we are holding the 3rd Edition of the Southwest Regional Integration Programme on MSMEs tagged Ekiti 2014.

As we all know, the world is dynamic and as such we need to follow the trend of development in order to be relevant in the global economy. This necessitated our quest to move away from a focus on the traditional commercial activities to modern Medium, Small and Micro Entrepreneurs (MSMEs). The reason for this is to create wealth and at the same time address unemployment which is the cause of many of the social malaises bedeviling our society. This programme therefore aims to open our eyes to opportunities that abound around us through available resources, modes of financing, modalities for carrying out businesses, e.t.c.

As i conclude my remarks, I would like to share with you some of the efforts we have made in Ekiti State to leverage MSMEs development. Our overarching vision is to make poverty history in the state. Since the inception of this administration, we have created opportunities for the employment of both graduates and non graduates into the Civil Service, empowerment of the youth through Youth in Commercial Agriculture Programme (YCADs), employment of youths as Volunteer Corps, putting in place necessary infrastructure that can attract and sustain investors, training of youth in various vocations, renovation and establishment of new Technical Colleges, etc. in a bid to reduce unemployment and eradicate poverty.

In December 2013, the Government of Ekiti State inaugurated the Ekiti State Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises constituted of 23 high profile members to coordinate the activities of SMEs in the state. This is in recognition of the important roles that SMEs play in economic development, job creation and wealth creation. We are also in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria in its efforts to inject N220billion low interest long term development finance for the benefits of SMES. The state government also recently set up a Cooperatives Board with a mandate to organize all cooperative societies in Ekiti State and to regulate their activities in a way and manner that the common challenges they encounter particularly in the area of accessing loans can be addressed.

It would also interest you to know that, for the first time, in the 2014 budget, we appropriated about N300million for private sector development with far reaching goals to provide soft loans to SMEs as well as facilitate capacity building opportunities for SME operators on the rudiments of doing sustainable business. Our partnership with the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture is also exclusively pro- SMES.

We are also establishing a One-Stop-Shop in the state which would streamline all the regulatory steps needed to be taken to conduct business in the state. This would ensure business start-ups can meet all requirements by visiting just one office and spending a very short time. This would go a long way in improving the ease of doing business in the state.

The state government also remains committed to improving the administration of justice in the state, so as to ensure robust legal framework for the enforcement of contracts and the protection of honourable business interests.

Let me at this junction once again express our appreciation to all our Governors who are present and those who sent representatives to grace this occasion. We believe that the transformation of our region is our collective responsibility. To all other invited guests, we appreciate your presence. 

I also want to commend the efforts of Vintage Press, the Publishers of The Nation Newspaper for sharing in this vision of regional integration and supporting this initiative.

I welcome you all and pray that the Almighty God would bless our good efforts.

Ajose wa ko ni baje o, Odua a gbe wa o!
Thank you.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Thursday, February 27, 2014

EKITI EMPOWERS 108 PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS


Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has distributed
another set of empowerment materials worth over N5m to 108 People
Living With HIV/AIDS in the state.
The First Lady, who is also the Chairperson of Ekiti State AIDS
Control Agency, said the gesture underscored the commitment of the
state government to giving the beneficiaries a new lease of life.
The exercise, which was the third since the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led
administration came on board, took place at the Office of the Wife of
Governor, on Wednesday.
The beneficiaries, who converged under the aegis of the Network of
People Living With HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), received deep
freezers, computer sets, video cameras, sewing machines, grinding
machines, photocopy machines and clothing, among other items.
The EKSACA boss pledged the continued support of the government for
the NEPWHAN members to live a meaningful life, adding that a lot more
was being done to reduce the HIV/AIDS prevalence to the barest minimum
in the state.
She said, "When I became the Chair of SACA, I insisted that in
everything that we do around HIV/AIDS in Ekiti state, we should ensure
that we empower people who are living with HIV/AIDS and we should be
able to tell people that being HIV positive is not the end of the
world.
"We need to be able to set an example and demonstrate practically what
it means to be living with HIV/AIDS and still have hope. Testing
positive is not the end of the world."
She appealed to those yet to know their HIV status to visit the
nearest health facility and submit themselves for testing and
counselling.
She added that the state government has provided free medical care for
the people living with HIV as part of measures to mitigate the
challenges confronting them. She stressed that the measure has
resulted in tremendous improvement in their life expectancy.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi said, "If you are living with HIV/AIDS and you have
access to good medical care, nutrition and have a means of livelihood,
you can live for as long as God has designed for you on earth."
She thanked the state government and SACA management for their efforts
at ensuring better living standard for the people living with HIV/AIDS
in the state.
While wishing the beneficiaries well in their endeavours, the
governor's wife charged them to use the materials to maximum benefits
to care for themselves and their families.
The Project Manager of SACA, Dr Charles Doherty, said the distribution
of empowerment materials to NEPWHAN members was part of efforts of the
government to reduce poverty and death among them.

He said, "The beauty of this exercise is that one of the NEPWHAN
members supplied all the items being distributed today. This in
essence means that 109 people were empowered today."

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

NATIONAL CONFERENCE: YOUTH REPRESENTATION


Dear all, 

It is important to correct the impression that the Ekiti State Government did not choose any young person as part of the team which will represent the state at the National Conference.

Going by the recommendations of the Okunrounmu committee, there must be a slot for an elder statesman which is being filled by Chief Deji Fasuan. This slot definitely cannot go to a young person.

There are two (2) other slots for ethnic groups which must be filled by people who have adequate knowledge of the ethnic nationalities they are representing. They must be some sort of custodians of the traditions of their people. These two (2) slots are filled by the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas, the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Idowu Adamo Babalola and Dr. Kunle Olajide, the Secretary of Yoruba Unity Group.

The three (3) representatives of the senatorial districts, Professor Akin Oyebode, an international Law expert (Ekiti North) is up to the task. He is not only agile, he is competent and versatile. As my Vice Chancellor in those days at UNAD (University of Ado-Ekiti, now Ekiti State University), he was respected for his brilliance, quick-wittedness and nimble-mindedness, and this was a time admission was not an all-comers affairs. So, is he competent enough to represent Ekiti North? I strongly believe he is.

Bishop Felix Ajakaiye is representing Ekiti South. This incurable lover of football is agile, well-versed and bold. He is 52 years old. There is no doubt that religion will feature in the discussion at the conference. This is another area where the services of Bishop Ajakaiye, an unbiased lovers of Muslims and Christians, will come in handy.

Professor (Mrs.) Bisi Aina, who is representing Ekiti Central, was picked because of certain considerations. She is a Professor of Sociology and the Director, Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife. She will not just represent Ekiti Central, she will also be a voice for women at the National Conference.

Please, take a look at her resume:

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION (WITH AWARDING UNIVERSITY/BODY):

a. B.Sc (Sociology/Anthropology), University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, 1979

b. M.Phil (Sociology/Anthropology), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, 1985

c. Ph.D (Sociology/Anthropology), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, 1992

d. Certificate in Gender Policy and Planning, University College, London, 1996

Areas of Specialization/Research Interests:

• Gender Studies : Gender policy and planning frameworks


*Trainer in Gender Diagnosis/Analysis and Gender Mainstreaming; 

* Gender, Sexuality, Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS;

* Gender and domestic violence;

*Gender, Conflict and Peacekeeping;

*Gender Equality in the workplace;

*Gender and Poverty

*Gender and Human Rights Issues (including the rights of the child) 

* Gender and the Environment

• Social Development

• Human Resource Management

• Studies in Higher Education

• Poverty studies

• Social Policy Analysis/Strategic planning.

• Project Monitoring & Evaluation

Professor (Mrs.) Aina has won several awards and has written so many books on not just gender issues, but other areas of endeavour.

The allotment of slots by the Okunrounmu committee is responsible for the exclusion of youths at the state level. However, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has turned around the situation.


YOUTH REPRESENTATION
Part of the recommendations of the Okunrounmu committee is to allot slots to youth bodies such as the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The Southwest representative of NYCN at the National Conference, IbukunOluwa Oluwole, is from Ekiti State.


The NYCN representatives of the five (5) other geo-political zones in the country were brought to Ekiti, alongside the representative of the Southwest who is from Ekiti State. They were taken through a crash course on leadership with the theme "Legitimising The Representation".

The letter of invitation sent to them reads in part: "The main objective of the session is to take the delegates through a crash course on the basics of leadership, evolution of the Nigerian state, consensus building and communication skills. The initiative which is at the pleasure of Governor Fayemi is in no way aimed at influencing the agendasof the delegates, but is with a view to equipping the delegates withcrucial skills needed to appropriately represent a very importantdemographic group in the country - young people below the age of 35 whoconstitute about 70% of our population.The delegates would be taken through sessions as follows:1. Nigeria: The Past, The Present and The Future2. Out of Many; One: Managing Diversity and Forging Unity3. Seizing the Moment: The Role of Youth in National Development4. Communicating the Position: Etiquette, Maintaining Robust FeedbackMechanisms with Youth Constituency, Consensus Building and Articulation ofPositions".

The youths were joined by other Ekiti youths numbering over 30 and for three days, facilitators took these youths through a leadership training. There was an extensive interface between the six NYCN representatives and the Ekiti youths. They also had an interactive session with Governor Kayode Fayemi on Wednesday, 26 February, 2014 (the last day of the leadership training).

This particular attention to the youths by the Ekiti State Governor left all the participants in awe as it was first of its kind.

The love and respect of Dr. Kayode Fayemi for youths is not in doubt. This is reflected in appointments. Three days ago, I was with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Jide Arowosafe, a brilliant young man who is below 40 and has performed wonders in the state's Agric sector. There are many other youths who are SSAs, SAs and in many other capacities. Dr. Fayemi is the first governor to appoint a Special Assistant on Students' Affairs since the creation of Ekiti State. 

Dr. Fayemi's belief in the potentials of youths is unbelievable. He would never do anything to undermine the youths.

Thanks.

'Dimeji Daniels.


Spokesperson, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation