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Fayemi Has Done Well In One year- Panel

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A panel of discussants has unanimously agreed  that Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has done remarkably well in the first year of his return to the Government House.

The panellists which included former Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Olubinmi Adetunmbi; Senior Presenter at Radio Nigeria, Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje; Journalist & Gender Activist, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju and the Vice President of Students’ Union EKSU, Modupe Mary Adetiba spoke separately during a special  colloquium tagged “Building Sustainable Economy through Values Orientation and Innovative Thinking”  noted that Ekiti was indeed on the right path to greatness.

Dr Fayemi  had steered the state through five pillars namely:  Governance, Agriculture & Rural Development, Social Investments, Knowledge Economy and Infrastructure & Industrial Development.

Governor Fayemi’ s successes were revealed thus:Governance; Governor Fayemi’s administration has increased gratuity to retirees from N10million to N100million monthly, ensured regular and prompt payment of salaries and approved N30, 000 new minimum wage.

 

Agriculture and Rural Development; Governor Fayemi-led administration has trained 100 young rice farmers on production of quality rice seed by AfricaRice International Ibadan and provision of quality rice seed to boost rice production in Ekiti State.

Social Investments; Fayemi has created social intervention programmes such as; YESSO community development for cash scheme. ‘Owo Arugbo’ monthly sustenance cash transfers to senior citizens across the state. ‘Ounje Arugbo’ is a monthly food stuff support for the aged across Ekiti.

Knowledge Economy; Distribution of 8,075 units of furniture for pupils, 3,375 units of metal legged student’s lockers & chairs and 4,150 teachers’ tables and chairs. Payment of Bursary and scholarships for Ekiti students in tertiary institutions and Commencement of recruitment of graduate and NCE teachers into Ekiti state Primary Schools.

Infrastructure & Industrial Development; Engagement with international donors to provide up to $150million of funding for Ad-Akure Road, Special Agric Processing Zone and Ekiti Cargo Airport. Engagement with several investors to complete abandoned projects or commence new ones including the now completed Bon Hotel Ado-Ekiti, investment in Ikun Dairy Farm, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Fountain Hotel, all expected to be completed by 2020.

As part of activities to commemorate the one year anniversary of the JKF-Led Administration, a Colloquium tagged; “Building Sustainable Economy through Values Orientation and Innovative Thinking”

The Colloquium centres on how the government can maximize available opportunities for economic growth, using the principles of values orientation and innovative thinking to generate a re-designed pathway for development in Ekiti state.

Speaking at the Colloquium which was moderated by the Commissioner for Information, Tourism & Values Orientation, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, Governor  Fayemi  said that a lot is yet to be done towards  restoring values in the state.

 

He said the government is set to begin the next phase of executing plans to reclaiming lost values and also implement innovations that will drive the economic growth of Ekiti State. 0

Governor Fayemi added that government is ready to collaborate with foreign investors that will drive the vehicle of innovation and creativity, adding that adequate attention will also be given to technical education that will produce innovative technicians.

He mentioned that Ekiti State Government is currently reviewing the activities of the education sector to ensure a values-driven academic system.

In his words “We are currently recruiting about 2,000 teachers to boost the academic strength. Promasidor, makers of dairy products, will begin the process of dairy production in the state.

He concluded that the people of Ekiti state must support the government to make the dream of reclaiming the land a reality.

Mallam Abdullahi in his comments on nation building and economic development said that Nigeria is yet to harness various opportunities available for economic growth adding that the government should also focus more on youth development.

On Entrepreneurship, Abdullahi said the Universities and other tertiary institutions in the state have to contribute to the collective economic development of Ekiti State.

Bamidele Ademola-Olateju acknowledged Governor Fayemi’s efforts at Value Restoration in Ekiti State, saying that he has created laws and formulated policies that will reshape the image of Ekiti state. She however noted that the people have roles to play in the collective development of the state.

“The core values of work and productivity lies in the development of Entrepreneurship and I’m glad that the just concluded Ekiti Entrepreneurship Week has charted a new cause for Entrepreneurs in the state,” she said.

Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje in her comments said that family as a unit of the society contributes a great deal to the values of the state. She said that Ekiti people are known for building principles that sustain family values.

Modupe Mary Adetiba asserted that the youth, especially in the tertiary institutions are yet to fully adapt to the sensitization programmes of the government on Value Orientation. She charged the government to do more in ensuring the message gets to all tertiary institutions in the state if Ekiti is to fully reach her potentials.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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