Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Ekiti

  • Ekiti set to procure N550m drones to fight Crime

    Ekiti set to procure N550m drones to fight Crime

    The Ekiti State Government has disclosed plans to procure sophisticated drones as part of efforts to boost surveillance, expose criminal hideouts and combat insecurity.

    The state’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Mr. Femi Ajayi disclosed this at the weekend during the breakdown of the 2021 Appropriation Law with a budgetary provision of N109.666 billion.

    He said the state government projected N550 million to purchase the drones as part of plans to tackle armed robbery, banditry and kidnapping.

    Ajayi added that N1.4 billion has been set aside to fund the Ekiti State Security Network code-named “Amotekun Corps” for the security outfit to live up to its responsibility.

    He said the government budgeted N8billion for social services, covering education, health, gender empowerment, social security and other pivotal subsectors critical to the growth of the economy.

  • Palliatives looted in Ekiti are poisonous – Ekiti Govt raises alarm

    Palliatives looted in Ekiti are poisonous – Ekiti Govt raises alarm

    According to the government, residents mistaken the some treated agricultural products as foods yet to be distributed as Covid-19 palliatives.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Akin Omole, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that raising the alarm became expedient to forestall any harm that could befall anyone who consumed the items.


    Also reportedly looted was the office of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Ado Ekiti.

    “Information at our disposal revealed that the Federal Government’s silos, the ADP warehouse and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stores, all in Ado- Ekiti, were attacked by hoodlums under the guise of seeking Covid-19 palliatives.

    “We insist that Ekiti State currently has no Covid-19 palliative warehouse as all the palliatives had been distributed.
    Unfortunately, the items carted away were Single Super Phosphate and NPK fertilisers, which they erroneously thought was “Gaari’’, cassava grains.

    “The SEMA store too has only emergency supplies for disaster response.

    “Some people even made away with pre-fermented corns preserved for planting. All these items are poisonous and not fit for consumption.

    “We, therefore, appeal to our people not to consume these items because they can kill,’’ Omole warned.

    In a similar statement, Dr Olabode Adetoyi, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed the looting, warning that most of the items carted away contained chemically-treated seeds meant for planting.

    “They are not suitable for consumption,’’ he declared

  • Robbers attack bank in Ekiti, cart away money

    Robbers attack bank in Ekiti, cart away money

    Armed robbers have bombarded a branch of WEMA bank in Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti.

    The six-man robbers arrived the town around 3.30pm and blasted the security doors with explosive devise suspected to be dynamite.

    They carted away several millions in an operation, which lasted 40 minutes.
    The robbery attack came barely 24 hours after the police raised the alarm some bandits were planning to invade the state and wreak havoc.

    Eyewitness confirmed to The Nation the robbers had shot sporadically into the air to scare residents and traders at the nearby market before gaining entry into the banking hall.

    The residents were said to have ran in different directions due to the severity of the gunshots, which sources said had sent jitters round the spines of those around.

    Vehicles traveling across Ado-Iyin-Aramoko-Efon road had to take a detour to prevent being caught in the web of gunshots.

    “In fact, the police disappointed us. They disappointed the people of Iyin today. The robbers robbed for over 40 minutes without any challenge.

    “They came in two vehicles , shot into the air and scared the people around away. In fact, those in the nearby market left their commodities and ran for their lives.

    “The police station along Igede Ekiti was not up to 500 metres while the police patrol point along Ado Ekiti should be a kilometre away, but none of them responded for over 40 minutes the robbers operated.

    “But we thank God nobody was killed, but the agony of the gunshots was too much on the locals”.

    Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Sunday Abutu, said the police upon receiving the information immediately visited the troubled spot.

    “We got a distress call from Iyin Ekiti about the robbery and we immediately dispatched our men and officers to the place.

    “I want to confirm to you that the robbers are being chased as I speak with you and the determination is to effect their arrest.

    “We are assuring the people that the hoodlums shall be arrested and brought to justice. Ekiti is not a safe haven for robbers and that we shall continue to sustain”.

  • Ekiti begins recruitment of personnel for Amotekun

    Ekiti begins recruitment of personnel for Amotekun

    The Southwest Security network codenamed Amotekun has commenced recruitment of personnel in Ekiti State.

    Application online is open to Persons between the ages of 18 and 60 who have a minimum qualification of the Primary School leaving certificate.

    Ekiti, Lagos, Osun to recruit 1320 personnel for Amotekun as …

    According to the Corps Commander, Brig- General Joe Komolafe, the applicants would be required to get a letter from their traditional rulers to affirm their character and origin.

    Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi and the state House of Assembly signed the bill backing the establishment of the network, into law in March.

    The network is aimed at ending incessant kidnappings, killings, and other heinous crimes in the region.

  • Ekiti orders immediate 50% salary cut for Gov. Fayemi, deputy, all political appointees

    Ekiti orders immediate 50% salary cut for Gov. Fayemi, deputy, all political appointees

    The Ekiti government has directed that salaries of Gov. Kayode Fayemi, his deputy and all political appointees in the state be slashed by 50 per cent with immediate effect.

    Chief Muyiwa Olumilua, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, disclosed in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that Gov. Fayemi gave the salary cut directive.

    He  said the development was due to the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 scourge.

    “The global economy has been severely affected and it has affected Nigeria’s economy  as a nation and expectedly, Ekiti.

    ” As a responsive and responsible government, we have taken stock of our financial situation,” he said.

    According to him, the pay cut will affect the governor, his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi and all political appointees down the line.

    He  however said that salaries of civil servants would not be affected in any way by the directive.

    He said savings from the pay cut would be channelled into the execution and completion of developmental projects in the State, as hitherto planned.

    ” This sacrifice is for the welfare of Ekiti people above all other considerations.

    “This is vis-a-vis the constantly decreasing receipts from the federation account, as well as the state’s dwindling internally generated revenue (IGR), and has therefore, been forced to wake up to the current realities of the state’s fiscal position.

    ” Your patriotism, patience, and co-operation, is highly appreciated at all times,” he said.

  • Increased Coronavirus cases: Ekiti shuts crowded food markets from operating

    Increased Coronavirus cases: Ekiti shuts crowded food markets from operating

    Ekiti State Government on Tuesday said food markets in Ado Edition and Ikere Edition with history of heavy population would no longer be allowed to operate during the period of lockdown.

    The state government explained that the ban become necessary in view of increasing number of COVID-19 cases and the need to fully enforce the social distancing in such places.

    The Special Advisers to the state Governor on Public Affairs and Media, Chief Nyi Ojo, and Mrs Mary Osho-Omotosho, respectively, said in Ado Ekiti at a media enlightenment forum that the new order would take full effect from Thursday.

    Ojo said that the failure of some traders and residents to comply with the various precautionary measures put in place by government to check the spread of the pandemic were also being considered

    Ojo, who gave names of the affected markets to include Oja Oba, Bisi Market and Shasha market asked residents who wished to restock their homes with food items to limit their purchases to their immediate neighborhood until further notice.

    According to him, the recent confirmed case of another COVID-19 case, who had over 70 contacts, had put the state on a high risk considering the numbers of places and people she had contact with.

    In her own contribution, Mrs Omotosho pleaded with the traders to adhere to the stay-at-home order and stop trading in these markets to avoid sanctions from the government.

    She urged members of the public to bear with the government, explaining that the state government was aware of the inconveniences and hardship the lockdown had caused them.

    “Every step taken by the government is in the best interest of citizens,” she said

  • COVID-19 lockdown: Women decry hike in prices of food items in Ekiti

    COVID-19 lockdown: Women decry hike in prices of food items in Ekiti

    Some women in Federal Housing, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday said that the lockdown order, occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, is taking its toll on them.

    They decried the sudden hike in prices of some food items and disruption of their petty trading.

    Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti, Mrs Ilori Abodunde, a civil servant, said that a bag of Sachet water now goes for N170, as against N150 before the lockdown.

    She said that before the directive, the same bag directly from the distributors cost N100, now goes for N150.

    “The price of fuel has reduced, so we are not supposed to experience hike in the price of food items at this time,” Abodunde said.

    Mrs Tina Adesegun, a housewife, said buying fish in the area had become very expensive too.

    She said that the fish that normally sells for N120 now goes for N200, which had made it extremely difficult for her to cook a befitting soup for her family.

    Mrs Nana Seidu, a petty trader, said the disruption in her groundnut trade was of major concern.

    She said that the lockdown notice was short and that the government did not consider the poor like her who feeds “from hand to mouth”.

    She said she survived on her daily income as a groundnut seller, saying that her daily income was barely enough to feed her and her kids.

    Seidu said she would be happy if the state government could assist her and her kids to feed, while the lockdown period lasted.

    The women said while they fully understood that the lockdown was very necessary at this time, the government should intervene in ensuring stability of prices of food items. (NAN)

  • Coronavirus: Ekiti discharged index case after testing negative

    Coronavirus: Ekiti discharged index case after testing negative

    Ekiti State on Tuesday discharged its index case from isolation centre after testing negative.

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, made this known on Tuesday via his verified Twitter handle.

    Day Break reports that the index case in Ekiti was a man who drove a 27-year-old American to the State.

    Though the American died and his coronavirus result declared inconclusive, the driver tested positive and his female caregiver negative.

    After testing positive for the virus, the driver was placed in isolation and under intensive medicare.

    “Thanks to our resilient health workers, Ekiti State’s #COVID19 patient has now been discharged. With this, Ekiti State has no coronavirus patient at its isolation center,” he tweeted.

  • Ekiti to translate laws into Yoruba language, Amotekun inclusive

    Ekiti to translate laws into Yoruba language, Amotekun inclusive

    Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda, said on Wednesday that the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had approved the translation of laws in Ekiti State into Yoruba Language.

    Fapohunda said the laws to be translated included the bill for the establishment of Amotekun Corps and Ekiti State Security Network Agency which was passed into law on Friday by the state House of Assembly and at present awaiting the assent of the governor.

    The AG, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, said, “Ekiti State Security Network Agency Bill affects the daily lives of the people of Ekiti State, especially those in our rural communities. It, therefore, follows that this is one legislation that all of our people need to understand.

    “In furtherance of the commitment of the Fayemi administration to its citizens’ active participation in governance, Mr Governor has approved the translation of laws of Ekiti State into Yoruba Language.

    “Given the volumes of the laws of Ekiti State, the translation will be implemented in phases. The first phase will include laws that have a direct impact on the daily reality of our people,” he said.

    According to Fapohunda, some of the laws that will be translated immediately will include Sustainable Development Goals Law, Ekiti State, 2019; Ekiti State Property Protection (Anti- Land Grabbing) Law 2019; Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law 2019, and Ekiti State (Transition) Law, 2019.

    On how the laws will be translated, the AG said, “There are many qualified academics in the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti who are specialised in Yoruba Language. We will work with them.”

    Fapohunda also stated that some of the policy documents of the Ministry of Justice like the Ekiti State Charter for Victims of Crime; Directive on Non-discontinuance of Criminal Matters, Additional Measures in aid of Prosecution of Sexual Violence would also be translated into the Yoruba Language.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, Ekiti State, Lawrence Ojo, while commenting on the development, said, “Ekiti State Ministry of Justice will be recording another first in Nigeria”.

    Ojo said there had been talks over the years, especially in lawyers’ conferences and meetings, on the need to translate laws into local Nigerian languages, but little progress had been made, adding, “With Ekiti State breaking the ice, it is envisaged that more states will follow.”

  • Ekiti Chief Judge pardons 44 inmates awaiting trial

    Ekiti Chief Judge pardons 44 inmates awaiting trial

    The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola has pardoned 44 inmates awaiting trial at the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ado-Ekiti.

    Daybreak reports that the inmates were pardoned during the visit of the Chief Judge to the facility as part of measures to decongest the centre.

    He also granted bail to three other inmates awaiting trial who could not afford the services of a lawyer to represent them in court.

    Daramola advised the freed inmates to be law abiding and not to involve in any act that could bring them to the correctional centre again.

    He commended authorities of the centre for keeping it centre clean, adding that he was also impressed by the neat environment.

    The Comptroller of the centre, Mr Olufemi Akinyemi lauded the Chief Judge for coming to decongest the prison, while pleading for another round of visitation before the year runs out.

    Our correspondents reports that the freed inmates were seen dancing in excitement while others rolled on the ground to appreciate God for the rare privilege.

    One of them, Ilori Akinola who spoke on behalf of others, thanked God and the Chief Judge for the kind gesture he extended to them.

    He promised that they would not go back to any act that could bring them back to the correctional centre again.

    Akinola advised youths to be law abiding and not to engage in any criminal act that could bring them to the correctional centre, adding that there was nothing like freedom.