News
Governor Fayemi Assumes Office… Vows To Probe Ekiti Finances Under Former Governor, Fayose
Having been elected in the fiercely-contested July 14 governorship election, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was Tuesday sworn-in as the new Governor of Ekiti State, with President Muhamadu Buhari expressing confidence in the ability of the new governor to deliver democracy dividends to the people.
Fayemi trounced the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the poll, Prof Kolapo Olusola, with a marginal victory of about 19,028 votes.
Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said Fayemi as a former member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had persistently been disturbing him about the development of the state.
Fayemi, who was clad in white Agbada and brown ‘Awolowo cap’ to march, was sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, amid cheers from admirers and party members, who were decked in Aso Ebi and filled the main bowl of the Ekiti Parapo pavilion along old Iyin road, Ado-Ekiti capital city, at about 11.45am.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor-elect, Chef Bisi Egbeyemi took the oaths of office and allegiance at about 12.20pm.
The Governor also inspected the guard of honour, after a police parade that ushered in his government.
Dignitaries at the ceremony include: former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, ex-APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun and former Ekiti State Governors, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Bamidele Olumilua.
Governors at the event were: Governors of Ogun, Ibikunle Amosu; Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi; Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu; Kadina, Nasir El-Rufai; Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode; Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu; Bauchi, Mohammed Abubakar, among other Nigerians and members of the diplomatic corp who graced the occasion.
The President added that Fayemi, assuming the governorship of the state, would afford him the opportunity to redirect Ekiti to the path of greatness and abundance in terms of economic prosperity.
Buhari pleaded passionately with Ekiti voters over his re-election bid in 2019, saying he has a lot to offer Nigerians if given a second term during the contest with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of the PDP.
He said: “I know Dr Fayemi very well, he has always cherished anything that has to do with the development of this state. As Ekiti governor between 2010 and 2014, he instituted some laudable projects that impacted positively on the lives of the people and this pavilion was one of them.
“I know that he will do what is right to justify this mandate. I charge him not to relent in his efforts to serve Ekiti with passion, commitment and candour.
“FG has given supports to states in the areas of bailouts, budget support, ecological funds and Paris club refund, of which Ekiti was a beneficiary.
“We have extended the standard rail project to Ekiti and the construction of the Federal Secretariat will soon be completed. The FG is also planning to dualise Ado-Akure road and reconstruct Ado-Ikare road for the use of our people. We have also built another 133kva power source in Ekiti that will be commissioned soon.
“As of today, 11,000 Ekiti indigenes are benefiting from the N-power programme of this administration.
“We are confident that Dr. Fayemi will help cover the lost grounds brought by past administration. From today, you will begin to have a new breath in Ekiti under the present government,” Buhari said.
Speaking earlier, Fayemi said his government would work hard to bring succour to the populace, by removing the canker worm of corruption that has eaten deep into the state’s fabrics under the PDP-led government of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
He revealed that all the finances of the last administration shall be reviewed but not in a vindictive manner, saying this became imperative to ensure that the culture of prudence and financial propriety are brought to bear in the governance of the state.
Fayemi lamented that the state is indebted to the tune of N170 billion being loans taken to undertake some projects during the last administration, assuring however that the challenge won’t impede his government from delivering dividends of democracy to the citizens.
The former minister stated that Ekiti under him won’t slide and degenerate to the level of allowing school children to pay various taxes in their quests to receive formal education.
He promised that his government shall reinstate the N5,000 social security to the elderly and make tremendous positive impacts in the areas of agriculture, social investment and economy.
“In the last four years, Ekiti was governed by a rudderless, inept and egregiously corrupt government, which was led by those who deceived our people through the instrument of stomach infrastructure.
“In this context, never again will Ekiti slip into the hands of those who knew nothing about governance, never again shall we allow our school children to pay taxes, never again shall we abandon the burgeoning resources at Ikogosi Warm Spring to waste, never again shall we allow our judiciary to be debased by draconian government and never again shall the most educated State like Ekiti be apostle of stomach infrastructure that has made us laughing stock.
“In our quests for economic rejuvenation, our government shall invest heavily in Youth in commercial Agriculture, because Ekiti is basically agrarian, reactivate community based projects, tap into our tourist potential and ensure security of local and foreign investors.
“As of today, the debt profile and other financial commitment hanging on the state look challenging, but with your supports, we shall overcome. The light shall shine again. We shall celebrate our core values of scholarship, knowledge , hardwork, unity and strong characters bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.
“We appreciate our fathers who fought for the creation of this state in 1996 and I want to assure them that we shall keep the flag flying and make sure we don’t disappoint them by fulfilling their dreams and aspirations within the next four years.
“We shall network with the federal government and other local and international bodies to bring the dividends of democracy Ekiti people deserve to their doorsteps,” Fayemi assured.
News
Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence
The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to recent reports circulating in the media concerning one Mr. Nnamdi Emeh, who is currently facing trial for alleged criminal offenses.
The NPF wishes to clarify that Mr. Emeh was lawfully apprehended following credible allegations against him, which were thoroughly investigated and presented before a competent court of law.
The charges preferred against him were duly filed, and he was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Awka, in line with due process.
It is important to emphasize that the judiciary operates independently, and the court retains the exclusive prerogative to evaluate the evidence presented, determine bail conditions, and take any further necessary actions as guided by the law.
Mr. Emeh was granted bail on terms established by the court. It therefore behoves on the suspect to take steps to meet such conditions and not resort to unecessary media rampage.
The NPF reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
The Force is also mindful of its duty to investigate allegations against all persons, including its officers, and to subject any suspect to the established legal process.
While the case against Mr. Emeh continues in court, we appeal to the public to allow the judicial process to take its full course without undue speculation or interference.
We urge all stakeholders, including members of the media, to present information responsibly and to allow the legal process to determine the outcome of the matter in the interest of justice.
The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its resolve to enforce the law impartially and to safeguard the rights of every individual as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
16TH NOVEMBER, 2024
News
Alice Loksha, abducted UNICEF nurse, escapes captivity after 6 years
Alice Loksha, a nurse abducted by ISWAP terrorists, has regained freedom after six years in captivity.
She was abducted alongside two other female health workers on March 1, 2018, while working at a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) facility in Rann, Kala Balge LGA of Borno state.
Speaking with journalists at Maimalari cantonment, Maiduguri, on Friday, Kenneth Chigbu, deputy theatre commander of the joint task force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai, said Loksha was found in Geidam, Yobe state, on October 24.
He said the 42-year-old nurse had been subjected to forced marriages with two ISWAP commanders and endured dire conditions before her eventual escape.
“She was initially taken to Tumbuma, where she was held for two days,” Chigbu said.
“From there, she was relocated to Kwalleram where she spent seven months and was forced into marriage with a terrorist leader named Abu Umar.
“The marriage led to the birth of a son, Muhammad. All this happened before Abu Umar was eliminated during a gunfight with troops in 2022.
“During that fight, he was found dead, and it was alleged that his colleagues had actually eliminated him.
“Ms Alice Loksha was again forced into another marriage to another ISWAP commander named Abu Simak in 2022 before the latter was banished by his fellow terrorists to Dogon Chukwu camp.
“It was from Dogon Chukwu that she managed to escape through the Diffa axis to Geidam on October 24, 2024, where she reported to troops of the Joint Task Force on October 29, 2024.
“She has since been subjected to medical evaluation and other humanitarian support.”
FAYINA, SISTER OF LATE SOLDIER, ALSO RESCUED
Chigbu also confirmed the escape of Fayina Ali, younger sister of late Samuel Andrew, an army officer who served under the 212 Battalion.
He said Fayina was abducted by ISWAP terrorists on October 19, 2022, while travelling to Maiduguri to process the death benefits of her late brother.
“Since then, she was held captive at Kangarwa enclave for nine months before she was taken to Tumbuma, where she remained for four years under one of the terrorist leaders, Muhammad Sheikh,” he said.
“She was later taken back to Kangaruwa, where she stayed for another year before her eventual escape.”
Both women were received on behalf of the Borno state government by Zuwaira Gambo, the state’s commissioner of women affairs and social development.
News
NIDCOM rescues 13 trafficked girls from Ghana
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) says it has rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana.
A statement on Friday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM spokesperson, said this brings the total number of girls repatriated to the country over the past five months to 163.
Balogun said the girls were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment, but were later forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy.
He said the girls are aged between 19 to 30, and from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.
Balogun said the rescue operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian anti-human trafficking police, the Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana.
The girls were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Speaking on the latest efforts, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chair of NIDCOM, reiterated the commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
Akinboye Akinsola, NiDCOM representative, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly, having heard of the earlier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.
Valentine Okike Uzo, senior special assistant to governor of Ebonyi state, said efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for victims from the state.
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