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We Will Liberate Ekiti from Culture of Beggary, Poverty Brought by Fayose – NGO
A non-governmental organization, (NGO) under the aegis of Ekiti Development Front (EDF), has said it decided to embark on aggressive empowerment of Ekiti indigenes to break the hard-biting poverty and culture of beggary brought by Governor Ayodele Fayose to the State.
The Coordinator of the humanist organization, Barrister Adeoye Aribasoye, said no fewer than 150 Ekiti residents had been empowered in various fields of human endeavour in the first phase of the empowerment programme held in Ado Ekiti.
He said the beneficiaries received cash gift, Sewing Machines, Dryers, Compressors with complete engine for vulcanizers, and washing machines, grinding machines, Generators, Clippers, Cake mixers, Food stuffs – and social interventions like, Day old chicks and feeds, among others.
Speaking at the second phase of the empowerment held on Saturday in Ikole Ekiti, Aribasoye bemoaned how Fayose had successfully turned Ekiti into a beggarly state, describing this as a failure of governance.
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Beneficiaries at the event got washing machines, sewing machines, stoning machines for fashion designers, and grinding machines, hairdressers, compressors/engines for vulcanizers, filling machines for shoe makers, generators, Day old chicks with feeds.
Aribasoye added that 24 families in the State have been placed on safety net of Social Security Scheme, where food stuffs will be made available at food banks established by the body to reduce famine.
Aribasoye stated the agenda of the organization is to empower citizens, assist them in fighting for their rights, and in mass political enlightenment for the populace .
On how to improve scholarship in the State, Aribasoye said the body is resolute about establishing a robust scholarship scheme to help in defraying school fees of those that have challenges, urging Ekiti residents to obtain application forms for the programme to begin.
Aribasoye said that the movement is not political but personal effort targeted at backing political aspiration of anybody that the organisation is convinced of having good mission, vision and developmental agenda that will better the lives of the people.
“We at EDF are ready to support anyone or group of persons interested in the development of our society. We shall not be deterred or lose focus on this”, he said.
He disclosed further that these passion and qualities were what the organisation saw in Dr. Fayemi which was why they are supporting his ambition because, “we have no doubt that if he wins the July 14, 2018 governorship in the State, he will restore he will ensure better life for the people of Ekiti”.
“This empowerment program by EDF will by the grace of God run weekly from now on for the next two months and on monthly.
“You may ask why now, to every destination there must be a step, that step must be taken at a particular time and that step has been taken now and we won’t stop until we reach our destination and by the grace of God we shall get there.
“You may further ask, why then using same to support Dr. Kayode Fayemi? Kindly note, I have never hide my preference for JKF since 2005 I first heard about him. I have a strong conviction about his person and what he stands for.
“I saw his programs in his first tenure as governor of Ekiti State and I saw a man with passion for development in all ramifications. He is a man that sees tomorrow. His programs for the senior citizens by payment of ‘owoarugbo’ endears him to me just like other legacy projects in Ekiti State and I believe he can still do more. His visions are in tandem with EDF vision and objectives.
“We will continue to build men, to teach our people how to fish by supporting them in the areas of their skills.
“I see a better Ekiti where sufferings will be reduced, a society where we will understand that the greatness of a man is not in the amount of wealth he acquires but in the number of lives he is able to affect positively”.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Cecilia Arije, saluted the courage of the initiator, saying : “this will motivate us to further support Dr Fayemi and APC in the July 14 election.
“Fayemi worth being reelected, because he was able to reduce poverty by his Social Security Scheme, where 25,000 elderly above 65 years were getting N5,000 monthly stipend. This really helped in stemming the tide of poverty in Ekiti.
“But today, nothing is happening at the grassroots, Governor Fayose had abandoned us”, she said.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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