By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The political feud between the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose appears to have gotten deeper as Governor Makinde has declared that Fayose will be sent to jail.

Makinde, who was reacting to this Monday’s proceedings of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) case against Fayose, said no matter what the former governor do on the case, he will be sent to jail.

Fayose was arraigned on an 11-count charge by the EFCC on October 22, 2018, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

Governor Makinde, who has pitched his tent with Fayose’s opponents within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, spoke
through one of his aides, Dare Adeleke.

In the comment circulated through social media platforms, Adeleke, said while responding to comment by Fayose’s Spokesperson, Lere Olayinka that; “You and your paymaster are bound for jail. No matter how you twisted (sic) the proceedings, he shall be jailed.”

It should be recalled that Governor Makinde has been at loggerheads with Fayose, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the PDP Chairman in Lagos State, Engr Deji Doherty, over the control of the PDP in the Southwest.

Chairmen of the party in Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Lagos States had pitched their tent with Fayose, leaving Governor Makinde with Oyo and Ondo States.

When contacted, Fayose’s Spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, described Dare Adeleke as a sycophant who is seeking to desperately sustain the crumbs he is getting from Governor Makinde.

He said it was funny that Governor Makinde too appeared to be in his support, saying “if the governor is not the one who directed Dare Adeleke to be abusing Fayose, he would have called him to order.

“However, we won’t go gutter with them because we are not in the business of wrestling with pigs.”

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) has joined the world to kick off the 2020 Customer Service Week, with the international theme for this year as “Dream team”.

According to the management, “at IBEDC our 2020 Customer Service goal is geared towards taking service delivery to higher heights through customer centric initiatives that will enable us attend and resolve our customer enquiries, complaints, fault clearing etc. speedily and efficiently across the franchise.

Engr. John Ayodele the Chief Operating Officer (COO) said part of our customer centric initiatives include the newly introduced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, designed to ensure that customers get prompt responses and resolutions. This platform allows customers to log onto the company’s website @ customer.ibedc.com to check their payment history, view both previous and present bills, make enquires and complaints conveniently. We have also introduced over 38 customer care offices this year alone across our franchise to facilitate easier and quicker access to us.

Engr. Ayodele stated that as part of activities lined up for this year’s Customer Service Week scheduled to run from Monday the 5th through Friday 9th of October, customers will also be rewarded with 40 units of energy credit vouchers across the franchise through a lucky dip starting from Tuesday 6TH – Friday 9th October.

Speaking on the theme “The Dream Team”, Engr. Ayodele emphasized the importance of the customer service week, adding that the week is an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate our most important stakeholders in line with our Mission statement “Distributing Power….Changing Lives”

“The theme for this year, reflects the importance of teamwork in providing outstanding service to all our customers. The IBEDC team are readily available to provide excellent service, which is our commitment to you,” because Without our customers, we will not be in business. “Engr. Ayodele added.

He also appealed to customers to fulfill their obligations as the company continues to invest on improving the quality of service provided through, prompt bill payment/vending and reduction in acts inimical to service delivery such as vandalism, energy theft, by passing and other vices.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced on Monday she has tested positive for Covid-19, three days after President Donald Trump was hospitalized with the disease.

“After testing negative consistently, including every day since Thursday, I tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms,” McEnany said in a statement.

“No reporters, producers, or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit,” added Trump’s spokeswoman, who said she was going into quarantine following the diagnosis.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N10 billion for the next phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise in the remaining 546 Local Government Area of the country.

This was disclosed on Monday by acting Chairman of the National Population Commission, Eyitayo Oyetunji during a press conference in Abuja.

“I am however pleased to announce that His Excellency, Mr President has reaffirmed his commitment towards the successful completion of the EAD and indeed towards the conduct of the next census by approving the release of the total sum of N10 billion for the continuation of the EAD in the remaining 546 local governments in the country,” he said.

He said President Buhari approved an additional N4.5 billion in the 2021 budget for the completion of the exercise, as part of the preparations for the next census.

According to Oyetunji, the exercise will outline areas in the local government areas into small geographical units called Enumeration Areas where the NPC will collate an accurate list of infrastructural facilities and households.

“The President has graciously followed this up by a further approval of an additional N4.5 billion to be included in the 2021 budget for the completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census,” added.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji on Monday warned all Mogaji (family heads) and Baale (village heads) in the 11 local government areas in Ibadan, not to betray their respective families and villages.

Oba Adetunji gave this warning during the installation of four Mogajis (family heads) and seven Baales (village heads) in Ibadan land. The event took place at Popoyemoja palace of Olubadan.

Those that present at the installation are the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, Asipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Amidu Ajibade, Ajia Balogun of Ibadan land Chief Adegboyega Adegoke and President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Adeyemi Soladoye.

The newly installed Mogajis are; Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode who was installed as Mogaji of Onibudo Compound in Opoo Yeosa, Alhaji Lanlehin Morokola Lukman who was installed as Mogaji of Aare Ago family in Oke-Odo, Chief Taofeek Adeboje who was installed as Mogaji of Aare Oje family in Adeoyo and Chief Oyewole Timothy Olukunle who was installed as Mogaji of Laamo family Beere.

Those who were installed as Baales are; Chief Ramoni Ogunkunle who was installed as Baale of Alata village in Oluyole local government area, Chief Fatai Ayilara who was installed as Baale of Alapata village in Ido Local government area, Chief Mudashiru Obisesan who was installed as Baale of Araromi Aperin in Ona Ara local government area and Chief Kamorudeen Ojelade who was installed as Baale of Ojelade Idi Peregun village on Oluyole local government area.

Others are; Chief Tajudeen Odebunmi who was installed as Baale of Igbodudu in Oluyole local government area, Chief Saka Olayiwola Ibitoye Ogundepo who was installed as Baale of Idi Sango/ Idi Osan village in Oluyole local government area and Elder Alamu who was installed as Baale of Isagade village in Lagelu local government area.

Oba Adetunji in his remarks charged the new Mogajis and Baales not to betray their respective families and villages because they (families) are the ones that nominated them.

He said, “You have now become Mogajis and Baales of your families and villages. You are to ensure that there is peace in your families and villages. You must be able to represent them well.

“Do not betray your families and villages. They are the ones that nominated you. Do not do what will tarnish the image of your families and villages. I am praying that your tenure will witness tremendous development in your families and villages. You are to serve as their good ambassadors”.

Fakayode while speaking after the installation described Ibadan chieftaincy system as the best in the world.

Fakayode, who is the founder of Ijo Imole Olodumare Agbaye in Alade, town in Ibadan, called for immortalization of the founders and warriors who fought for the survival of Ibadan land.

He said, “Ibadan chieftaincy system is the best in the world.

“We implore people to do things to immortalize the founders and the warriors who fought for the survival of the city of Ibadan. I will contribute my best towards the positive development of the compound in all ramifications”.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo state, Hon. Shina Peller has facilitated a-two day Community Support Fisheries Training Programme for women and youth in his constituency.

Commendably, hundreds of his constituents drawn from the four local governments in the constituency benefited from the training programme which was delivered by the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology on 3rd and 4th October 2020 at the Teacher’s House Oluwole, Iseyin.

The participants, who were thoroughly trained on the first day, received a sum of fifty thousand naira each the following day as a startup capital for the fish farming business.

Speaking during the training programme, Hon. Shina Peller, represented by his Legislative Aide, Kola Bello, explained that the decision to facilitate the fish farming training programme was driven by his desire to make his constituents self-reliant and economically viable as well as to ameliorate poverty and unemployment in the constituency and the country at large.

In the same vein, Hon. Peller added that fish farming is a lucrative business and one of the major sources of revenue for many countries in the world. He therefore expressed optimism that the training programme will make the beneficiaries to be employers of labour, which will help contribute to the economic growth of the country.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for support and synergy from the National Assembly in lifting 100million Nigerians from poverty in the next 10 years.

The President made this call on Monday during a joint Executive-Legislative Leadership Retreat which held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

According to him, the synergy is necessary to enable the government to easily realize development goals, and respond to changes in the economy faster like the COVID-19 that necessitated the review of the 2020 budget.

“There can only be one Government in a nation at a time and officials both elected and appointed in the Executive or Legislative arm must all be working for the peace, unity and development of our country,” President Buhari said

“Similarly, I unveiled a (9) Nine-Point Priority Development Agenda of this administration aimed at improving the livelihood of Nigerians within the next three years.

“These include: building a thriving and sustainable economy; enhancing social inclusion and reducing poverty; enlarging agricultural output for food security and export and attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.”

President Buhari said the Federal Executive Council had already streamlined its priorities to nine areas of development, and ministers had been mandated to align their targets with the bigger picture of making life better for all Nigerians, urging the legislature to align its priorities as well.

SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

HOW TO HANDLE LEGISLATIONS YOU HAVE MISGIVINGS ABOUT, BY PRESIDENT BUHARI

Appreciating members of the ninth National Assembly for understanding, support and quick response to policy directions of the government on Monday in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari called for more synergy to consolidate on the gains recorded, particularly the ongoing effort to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.

The President equally charged the populace to be patient with the government, advising that whenever there’s any legislation they have misgivings about, “they should engage the process for such laws in line with democratic processes.”

In his remarks at the Joint Executive-Legislative Leadership Retreat, held at the State House Conference Centre, President Buhari said the collaboration enjoyed from the leadership of the National Assembly had made it easier for the government to set and realize development goals, and respond to changes in the economy faster like the Coronavirus pandemic that necessitated a review of the 2020 budget.

According to the President, some of the gains recorded from working together also include: the accelerated passage of the 2020 Budget and its review in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, timely confirmation of nominees, and passage of critical legislation by the National Assembly.

“This retreat provides us with another opportunity to interface, reflect, brainstorm and engage as One Government. I use the word One Government because there can only be one Government in a nation at a time and officials both elected and appointed in the Executive or Legislative arm must all be working for the peace, unity and development of our country.

“This Retreat named: “Promoting Effective Executive-Legislative Partnership: Finding a Middle Ground” is apt as it reflects the peculiarity of a Presidential system of government like ours.

“The experience of the last 20 years of steady democratic practice in Nigeria has underlined the need for effective partnership and collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government to deliver on our mandate.’’

President Buhari told the legislators that the Federal Executive Council had already streamlined its priorities to nine areas of development, and ministers had been mandated to align their targets with the bigger picture of making life better for all Nigerians, urging the legislature to align its priorities as well.

“While all members of the Federal Executive Council have been given clear mandates and yearly targets towards achieving the set indicators and goals, I recognize the critical role of the National Assembly in helping to deliver this Agenda and the strategic goals set by this Government.

“We cannot do this alone without your support and collaboration. I am equally aware that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have adopted the new Legislative Agenda for the current Assembly. I must thank the Senate President and Rt. Honourable Speaker for the updated version of the Legislative Agenda of the 9th National Assembly.

“The urgent need for aligning the 9-Point priority Agenda and the Legislative Agenda of both the Senate and the House of Representatives cannot be over-emphasized. I will therefore suggest that a Technical Committee be established after this retreat to harmonise these critical and strategic documents to help improve synergy and coordination.’’

President Buhari said he had already inaugurated a National Steering Committee co-chaired by the Honourable Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning and Mr Peterside Atedo with representation from the National Assembly to oversee the development of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) to succeed vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

The President said the National Steering Committee will facilitate the linkage between policy-plans and budget in a manner that will help lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years.

“Similarly, I unveiled a (9) Nine-Point Priority Development Agenda of this administration aimed at improving the livelihood of Nigerians within the next three years. These include: building a thriving and sustainable economy; enhancing social inclusion and reducing poverty; enlarging agricultural output for food security and export and attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

“Expand transport and other infrastructural development; expand business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation;          expand access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians; build a system to fight corruption on a permanent basis, improve  governance and create social cohesion and improve security for all.’’

President Buhari recommended the establishment of a Technical Working Group to synthesise the outcome of the retreat and make appropriate recommendations to the leadership of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly in order to drive effective implementation of the resolutions or agreements reached.

“Let me also remind our fellow patriots, countrymen and women, that the process of law-making and governance are dynamic and ever evolving. I will seek their indulgence to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about, and engage the process for reviewing such laws in line with democratic practices.’’

The President thanked the ninth National Assembly leadership and legislators for the cordial and warm relationship enjoyed in one year.

 

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 5, 2020

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Members the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have comdemned an alleged attack by an official of Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) on a female journalist in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday evening.

Recall that a female journalist, Mrs Zainab Olayiwola, who works with one of Ibadan popular radio station, Jamz FM, was allegedly given a hot slap by the Chairman, Park Management System (PMS), Tricycle section at Orita-Challenge, Liberty Academy, Idi-Iroko area of Ibadan, Akeem Animashaun a.k.a System.

According to a statement signed by their spokesperson, Mr Kayode Agbeyangi, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Ibadan, on Monday, the NURTW members condemned the action in its entirety, stating that it is now evident that those saddled with the responsibility of managing the public transportation system are nothing but crop of irresponsible elements who are only bent on making life miserable for innocent masses.

The statement reads:”We have said it on countless occasions that these people who are given the mandate to manage the affairs of public transportation in Oyo State are those who have been responsible for public breach of peace even when the NURTW was still in place.

“They were doing all that in order for them to achieve a purpose of which was to get the NURTW proscribed. Now, they have been given the opportunity to play a sensitive role and they have constantly been failing as they continue to make life difficult for the masses.

“For a man to even contemplate slapping a woman is the height of gross irresponsibilty and display of chronic idiocy. By now, the general public would have known that these group of people do not have anything to offer but only to brag around and harass members of the public at will.

“It is on this note that we call on the general public to make it a point of duty to always expose the excesses of these disgruntled elements, so that the whole world would know what they are up to.”

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Delta State Police Command has reacted to the viral video of the alleged shooting of a young man in Ughelli, Delta State by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Reacting to the post which said the young man was shot and left to die, the police debunked this claim, explaining that he sustained injuries after jumping from a moving car while trying to evade police arrest.

The Police spokesperson in Delta State, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, explained that the victim was arrested with a White Lexus Jeep without registration, “parked by the roadside which on sighting police patrol team, the driver immediately zoomed off at high speed in a suspicious manner.”

Onovwakpoyeya said the police team gave the Lexus Jeep a hot chase and eventually intercepted the vehicle and arrested the two occupants.

“On their way to the station with the arrested suspects inside the police patrol vehicle, the suspect jumped out of the moving vehicle and sustained body and head injuries,” she added.

The police spokesperson said further that the police tried to rescue the victim but an angry mob came out to attack them, thereby forcing them to leave the scene to avoid a violent confrontation with the mob.

She concluded that “the patrol team immediately visited the victim at the hospital where he is still alive and recuperating.”

The police reaction follows Saturday’s outrage on Social media which was triggered by the viral video shared on Twitter with the post “a young boy dead at Ughelli, Delta state . .  . in front of Wetland hotels. They left him for dead on the roadside and drove away with the deceased Lexus jeep,” by a user.

The #EndSars hashtag was the number one trend on social media app, Twitter for several hours on Saturday, bringing back to the fore calls for the proper handling of high-handed police officials.