THE PAIN, THE GAIN AND THE MEMORY

Permit me to borrow a leaf from this biblical reference in 2Maccabees 6: 18 – 31 “Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with pollution, went up to the rack of his own accord, spitting out the flesh, as men ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life. Those who were in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took the man aside, because of their long acquaintance with him, and privately urged him to bring meat of his own providing, proper for him to use, and pretend that he was eating the flesh of the sacrificial meal which had been commanded by the king, so that by doing this he might be saved from death, and be treated kindly on account of his old friendship with them. But making a high resolve, worthy of his years and the dignity of his old age and the gray hairs which he had reached with distinction and his excellent life even from childhood, and moreover according to the holy God-given law, he declared himself quickly, telling them to send him to Hades.”Such a pretense is not worthy of our time of life,” he said, “lest many of the young should suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year has gone over to an alien religion, and through my pretense, for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they should be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age. For even if I should avoid the punishment of men at present , yet whether I live or die I shall not escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age and leave to the young a noble example of how to die a good death willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws… “So in this way he died, leaving in his death an example of nobility and a memorial of courage, not only to the young but to the great body of his nation”. Consequence upon the above biblical reading, I like to borrow from the recent incidence in our immediate environs. Recently or all in the past, we read of the efforts of the heroes past. We read of the late ones and the living legends. We heard at a point or the other watched movies about attempts made by some people somewhere in the past to reshape the society. You remember these freedom fighters? Harry T. Moore who was instrumental in registering black voters, giving Florida more African Americans at the ballot boxes than any other state. On Christmas night 1951, the evening of their 25th wedding anniversary, Harry and his wife, Harriette, were killed from injuries sustained in the explosion of a bomb under their house. James Chaney a man who promoted a volunteering for the Congress of Racial Equality? Malcolm X who was killed on February 21, 1965, while on stage giving a speech in Manhattan, he was rushed and shot 15 times by three gunmen? Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 4, 1968, King was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Nelson Mandela and his fight against apartheid and his imprisonment? Chris Hani, the South African Communist Party, who was eventual assassinated? Steve Biko a founder of the ‘black consciousness’ movement who eventually died in jail? Among them are Azikwe, Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello till recent MKO who all fought and died. I remember Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Enahoro, Beko kuti, Tai solarin among others. Still, there is one man who saved us from the Liberia type of civil war. That type of sierra leaone war. There is one man who did not allow the genocide type we all heard of in Rwanda or the recent Zulus type in South Africa. He is clueless though brave in defeat ,Goodluck is the name. I so ask, among many past leaders, how many of them could have stand tall to save us from the crisis which could have crippled our unity and led us back to another scampering war? We may not give it to him because, of his gentleness though, he saved us many blood. All we have today is nothing defer from greediness. Self-serving,deceit,Pretense and empty promises. It is good and right to quote that the CHANGE PROMISE is fast CHANGING from good transformation to bad. Still, we hope to get it right one day no matter how long it may take. Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Writes from Okemesi Ekiti

Reps probe N52m fraud allegation against CCT chairman

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked its Committee on Public Petitions to investigate an alleged N44.5m fraud committed by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr. Yakubu Umar. Among the allegations was the payment of N1m in July 2011 from the coffers of the CCT to sponsor his wedding. Umar was also alleged to have spent N15.2m to purchase a Toyota Prado Jeep “without following due process.” The House gave the directive after a member from Taraba State, Mr. Rima Shawulu, laid a petition before the legislature detailing the alleged infractions of the CCT chairman. However, the petition was authored by the Anti-Corruption Network, a non-governmental organisation. The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara. In March 2011, Umar was said to have awarded contracts for the supply of office furniture and fittings in the sum of N11.3m. The contracts were reportedly executed by a “supposedly engineering company and not a furniture or supply company.” He also allegedly paid N4. 2m for the “purchase of welfare items” in a contract executed by a private individual. Another N4.2m for the procurement of external light bulbs was described by the petitioners as “entirely fictitious contract.” Other figures listed against Umar by the petitioners ranged from N1.5m to N3.7m. The document was signed by the Executive Secretary of the network, Mr. Ajulo Ajulo.

Fayose, NEMA donate N1 million, relief materials to Ado Ekiti market fire victims ~ Bola Agboola

Reprieve on Tuesday came the way of traders who lost their wares to the fire incident that ravaged a section of  Oja Oba Market, Ado Ekiti in the wake of the skirmish between the Hausa and Yorubas of Atikankan area of Ado Ekiti as Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose announced the cash donation of N1 million naira to the victims in addition to relief materials made available by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) even as the governor  admonished them to accept the incident in good fate. Governor Fayose who said he shared in the traders' loss and pains as his humble beginning placed him in a position to understand better their sufferings, lamented the financial challenges faced by the government. Ekiti State government got N1.4b as October allocation even as N2.6b was the amount needed to pay salaries and subvention of institutions in the state  per month. Governor Fayose admonished the traders to endure with him this trying times.  Relief materials which value according to Mr. Said Akinyede of NEMA run into millions of naira include bags of cement, kegs of palm oil, matresses, asbestos, nails and roofing sheets. Reacting to the governor’s kind gesture, the traders thanked the him for his words of encouragement, for finding time to personally talk to them as well as his gestures in cash and kind. They prayed for the success of his administration as well as God's guidance and favour in all of his endeavours.  Governor Fayose in a chat with newsmen later urged traders plying their trade at the present Oja Oba to relocate to either Awedele or Agric Olope markets in Ado Ekiti as demolition of the old market will commence by the end of this week, November 8 to be precise.

Fayose's aide to Garba Shehu: We won't let you take Nigeria back to Military era

The statement credited to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, warning Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose to stop speaking on the running of the economy by the federal government has been described as a demonstration of military dictatorship mentality. Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday, said it was sad that the presidency could be warning a Nigerian, who is heading one of the country’s federating units on what to say and what not to say. Olayinka, who said he was sure that Garba Shehu must have spoken for himself, and not President Mohammadu Buhari, added that "Governor Fayose will continue to say the truth in interest Nigeria and its people because the Governor is not one of those that will go underground because of political persecution." He maintained that the country’s economy was in serious recession, adding that; “the president himself attested to this when he said that the country was broke and this has also been corroborated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group financial report, indicating that the corporation incurred a total loss of N120.07bn in the months of August and September. "JP Morgan is also removing Nigeria from its Emerging Market Bond Index, a move analysts say would have far reaching implications for the country’s dwindling economy as investors could move their funds to competing countries, resulting in higher lending rates. “It is therefore a sad reminder of the military era that in a democracy, under a federation in which all federating units enjoy some degree of autonomy, the Presidency is warning a State Governor on what to say and what not to say. “Top functionaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including State Governors criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidency did not go about warning them. “Certainly, these people working with the President need to be purged of Acquired Immune Military Dictatorship Syndrome (AIMDS), even as they must be told that Governor Fayose won’t stop speaking his mind and exposing their hypocrisy in the overall interest of Nigeria and its people." Speaking further, the governor's aide said "Nigerians are desirous of the change promised by the APC led federal government, but as it stands, no clear direction yet. "Rather than engage credible Nigerians to help in the revive of the ailing economy, what we have seen from the APC Presidency is appointment of their cronies and political robbers as well as harassment of perceived political opponents with anti corruption agencies and men of the Department of State Security." He said it was not in the interest of the President for his aides to take on Governor Fayose, adding that; "leaving issues and attacking Fayose is like hitting ones head on the rock."

THE JUNGLE,THE STRUGGLE AND THE MEMORY

In the main land I lived The hustle and bustle training Early morning noises and late hour unrest The neighborhood disturbances for pleasure Oh African land of no man! In your world many have grown In you another ruined for known or otherwise When shall others live testimonial life? Where lays the hope of the commoners? Quicken to ask if any. Tomorrow near like yesterday isn't far On the street, the color is yellowish Alight hastened for the fear of impatience pilot Only nature, I mean help of the weak and new comers Curse, the common language. Yea, the accidental landlords and occupants In my land I returned Away from the usual heat From the daily inconveniences Battle for ingenious live Civility, still the best in you The honey pot of the black nations. The hope of the living hustlers Oh, lasgidi, fill your guest emptying pot with treasure Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Writes from Okemesi Ekiti

Economy: Nigeria grinding to halt- Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has raised the alarm that Nigeria is grinding to a halt with the current economic situation prevailing in the country. In a press release yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti, the governor noted that the issue at stake was grievous and not what people should play political propaganda with. He lamented the situation whereby what accrues to all the tiers of government was not even enough to pay workers' salaries. "The month's statutory allocation is the worst in the history of our state. We got a net allocation of N1.4 billion at state level while the salary of workers is N2.6 billion monthly. At the local government level, the 16 council areas got a little over N1 billion, while the wage bill there is over N2 billion monthly. "Payment of salaries at both state and local government levels is impossible with such allocations. And government still have some basic needs to meet. The other time I said the Federal Government should come to the open on the state of our national economy, some people frowned at it. "Now, a national paper has quoted the President as saying that Nigeria is broke and that it might be difficult to pay ministers that will soon come on board. It is vital that the Federal Government tells Nigerians the blueprint it has for the economy. The issue at stake is beyond sheer politics. "If the trend continues, in the next few months, all the tiers of government may not even be able to pay a month salary to workers if three statutory allocations are combined," the governor said. While appealing to the workers in the state to bear with the government, he said a meeting of all stakeholders in the sharing of monthly allocation would soon hold to chart the way forward. "We have been transparent as far as the revenue coming to the purse of the state is concerned. Since we came on board, labour leaders and heads of state agencies have always met where we disclose how much comes in and the people will decide how to spend it. However, I am assuring the people of the state that we will try our best possible and never let them down,"Fayose added.

Wey the ice block? - Bola Agboola

When few weeks after Pa. Buhari assumed office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria we experienced improved electricity supply in Ado Ekiti and by extension Nigeria, I thought within myself that this dudes who purchased PHCN had succeeded in sabotaging former President Jonathan's effort at giving Nigerians stable power supply since it was so obvious that Pa. Buhari hadn't done anything significant to warrant the improvement we experienced within those few weeks after he assumed office. I could remember I discussed the power improvement with The Special Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose on New Media and Communications, Lere Olayinka back then and he attributed the improvement to the rainfall we experienced at that time, he said that is the norm when we have much water at the dams, I disagreed with him. I told him the improvement was borne out of the fear that licences granted this electricity coys may be withdrawn by the new administration if what we experienced in the past continued. Days later, the social media space was designed with iced blocks, beers that broke its bottle and so on, obviously, those on Bubu's side were happy, they made jest of the Wailers even when Bubu's government has yet to add a Megawatt to whatever GEJ left behind. Today is the 30th day of October, it's still raining, in fact, it rained so heavily two days back that am still mopping the rug but electricity supply in Ado Ekiti has gone bad, bad beyond what we used to have before Bubu came in. I know there is water in the dam, more water than we had in June. Those thoughts that ran through my mind are here again... Is it that those in charge of electricity has discovered that Pa. Buhari can only bark and not bite or that a compromise has been reached to continue to protect this people's interest to our detriment? The decline is nationwide, not just in my hood. I sincerely hope Bubu will do something, and quickly too for as it is, nothing seem to have changed 5 months after. No one has been jailed for corruption, only PDP stalwarts are being interrogated by the EFCC while Timipre Sylva, Amaechi and Fashola moves freely, confirmed penrobbers now confirmed ministers, FERMA no longer working, our roads has remained where GEJ left it, petrol has become #100/litre, those who know about the economy said we are in trouble, Ajaokuta steel factory not yet working, unemployment has not abated, Boko Haram still killing people in the north, politics apart, nothing has changed. Na beg I for just beg Bubu, anyhow wey e be, re enacting that "body language" that stabilised electricity won't be a bad idea even though language don become odour, any which way, just give us the block. The iced block!

Agrochemical Giant Celebrates Super Governor Fayose

In recognition of Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose's unflinching support for cocoa growth and production in Ekiti, FITSCO NIG LTD; an agrochemical company with over twenty years agricultural technical experience has deemed it fit to celebrate the Farmers' Governor by presenting to him through the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi a branded Knapsack Sprayer. Ekiti state is outstanding in cocoa growth and production amongst other southwest states in Nigeria. A workshop/seminar for cocoa growth and production recently held in Ghana attest to the fact that Ekiti State has the highest quality cocoa beans. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose for cocoa production in the state.

The Nigeria Economic Metamorphosis By Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye

Unarguably, ever since the current administration in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria got the insignia of power, the economy of the country has never remained the same. The economy which was hitherto on a state of semi-periphery has been retrogressing under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the torrent of change and progressive developments promised to corner the votes of Nigerians during the March 28th Presidential election that ushered in Muhamadu Buhari as the country’s 15th President. Today, the manufacturing firms are disquieting and dangerously frightening. Instead of the wrinkled firms to be reopening production, more companies are shutting down. Oil and Gas giants like Addax Petroleum, Chevron, Exxon Mobile and Shell etc have placed embargo on employment till further notice. Small scale businesses and sales are falling due to lack of cash in circulation. There’s bankruptcy everywhere. States without crude oil and bumpy IGR are unable to pay workers salaries as at when due. Multinational Corporations such as Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Tom-tom, Guinness and insurance firms and auditing and tax consulting firms like Philips Consulting, KPMG, May and Bakers etc are retrenching on daily basis. What Nigerians are anxiously expecting at present is reduction of fuel price due to the crash of crude oil in the international market from $96 to $48 per barrel; however, instead of such happening, queue is back to our filling stations, leading to oil marketers increasing the price of PMS from the official N87 to N97/N110. The banking industry is internally bleeding at the moment. Treasury Single Account (TSA) initiated by Buhari has sent many bankers back to labour market. The industry has been down-sizing abysmally. As smaller Unity Bank PLC is, 320 of her employees have been sacked. Reports have it that Zenith Bank has sacked over 1000. Access Bank has sacked close to a thousand of her employees ditto, Skye and Heritage Banks PLC. Also, Diamond Bank PLC has been sacking consistently since July without the knowledge of the media. According to some impeccable sources, over 300 have been given sacked letters in Diamond Bank within the last two months. The capital market is currently wailing as Nigeria remained deleted from JP Morgan Index. According to Financial Times of London, stocks Investors have lost over two trillion naira under Buhari. As the economy bleeds, poverty, starvation and hunger takes over the grassroots. The Millennium Development Goals’ war against hunger and poverty is now gloomy. Local investors who have invested heavily on rice plantation are presently in tears of disappointment in protest against the decision of President Buhari’s man in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hamid Alli to lift the ban slammed on importation of rice by the previous administration. Today, trade has been liberalized in our country, apparently to please some foreign masters to the detriment of Nigerian farmers and investors, making our nation a dumping ground. I urge Nigerians across party interest(s) to patriotically rise-up and demand explanation(s) from Buhari on why the nation of Nigeria rated on March 2015 by the World Bank and United Nations as the number one destination of investors in Africa is now missing amongst the first ten destinations of investors on the continent of Africa. President Buhari should tell Nigerians why the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of 6.5% handed over to him on May 29 crashes horrendously to 2.5% within five months. Nigerians want to know why the nation’s Excess Crude Oil Account (ECA) is now empty and why foreign reserve crashes by 21%. Despite President's Buhari's gargantuan vow during the electioneering campaign to stabilize Nigeria currency, today, the value of naira is shamelessly falling in the international financial market. A dollar is now traded for N236 at parallel market while a pounds sterling goes for N333. President Buhari urged Nigerians to wait for five months to know the people of impeccable character who would fix the failing economy of their country only to be blessed with same people who ruined the economy and emptied the patrimony. Today, the dreaded Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram has institutionalized killings and bombings in the Northern Nigeria. The hitherto peaceful Abuja is now a bomb den. Sorrowfully, all these are happening under the watchful eyes of a retired military officer. Buhari who rode to political stardom under the catchphrase of integrity and for being a modest man and an epitome of virtues has been doing what are antithesis of modesty, integrity and positive change. Nigerians were promised a war against sleaze but frankly and sincerely speaking, what we have today is war against opposition. Today, thieves who allegedly stole their states dry and used part of the stolen funds to oil the acclamation of Buhari are now being compensated with ministerial appointments. Those not made ministers are in National assembly making laws for our nation while some are silently dictating the tune of things in Abuja. When asked to give account of his steadwarship when he was saddled with executive powers in his state, a member of Buhari’s clan claimed he doesn’t sign cheques, hence, he should be absorbed of corruption allegations slammed against him by his people. Also, a saint nominated by Buhari for Minister outrageously boasted that he built a house for himself with N3.2bn because he wasn’t comfortable living in the house his predecessor lives. Same saint also constructed 2km of roads with N2.350bn on a dry land without building a bridge. On the other hand, opposition men and women who didn’t support the presidential aspiration of Buhari are presently being hounded and intimidated by security agencies. Buhari preached virtues but sadly, he has been practicing vices. The much celebrated increment in power supply witnessed since June (thanks to Presidential Body Movement), has started derailing. Epileptic power supply is gradually retuning to Nigeria. Sadly and most unfortunately, Instead of facing the reality on ground that that the economy of the nation of Nigeria is profusely bleeding and hemorrhaging, the ruling party and its supporters have been celebrating presidential itineraries, oversea trips and speeches as achievements using the already compromised media industry to coax, wheedle and camouflage Nigerians audaciously. Adeleye writes from Magodo, Lagos Maxwell_adeleye@yahoo.com @maxwelladeleye on twitter

Ekiti Govt Begins 2015/2016 Free JAMB Programme

Ekiti State Government has concluded arrangements to procure free Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for indigenes of the State seeking admission into University, Polytechnic and College of Education. The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Jide Egunjobi, said in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Thursday that over N10 million will be spent on the programme. He said 1,300 students will benefit in the free JAMB programme, which will include one-week e-training. The commissioner said; “Interested and qualified candidates are expected to have a minimum of six (6) credits in Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), including Mathematics and English Language at one sitting. “All interested and qualified candidates are to visit the Area Mass Literacy Officers in the Area Education Offices located in all the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State for registration. “Interested and qualified candidates should contact the Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education, Phase 4, State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti for more information.” Egunjobi, who said the Governor Ayodele Fayose led government in the State was determined to reclaim the State’s lost glories in education, added that no effort will be spared by the government to revive the sector.

PDP proud of Fayose’s criticism of Buhari, others should speak up – Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday said that the leadership of the party appreciates comments by Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose on actions and policies of President Muhammadu Buhari. The governor is known for issuing statements even before the PDP makes its official position known. Newsmen caught up with National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, yesterday and asked if he feels the governor may take over his job. Responding, Metuh said: “Governor Fayose is doing a fantastic job and we are proud of him and his comments. “We are proud of his achievements as governor just as we are proud of the achievements of the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Olusegun Mimiko and his statements”. “We like the fact that our elected representatives are speaking on behalf of our great party. As a leader of the party, there is nothing wrong to make comments on key issues which governor Fayose is doing. ”So, we are enjoying Fayose’s comments and we need more from him and other governors as well. I don’t feel threatened by his comments at all”, he added.

APC As Judiciary’s New Friend ~ Lere Olayinka

While growing up in Okemesi-Ekiti, one of the stories my grandfather told me was that of a certain bird. This bird, according to grandfather will sing “hun o kuo ngbo yi” (I must leave this forest) whenever it was hungry and could not find anything to eat. However, the moment it was able to feed sufficiently, it will sing “Igbo yi dun pupo” (this forest is very sweet). The story of this double-speak bird came to my mind when I read a statement by the APC, accusing the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of launching out on large-scale smear campaign on the Nigerian judiciary. The APC went on to say that the PDP was “casting aspersions on the integrity of respected members of the bench whose only offence is that their meticulous and balanced judgments have exposed PDP’s fraudulent and violent escapades during the 2015 general elections.” This, coming from a party that once accused judges of collecting N3 billion bribe to give judgment in favour of PDP cannot but be laughable. On December 19, 2014, the APC in Ekiti State, while rejecting the tribunal judgment validating the election of Governor Ayodele Fayose and casting aspersion on the integrity of the judiciary, said; "It is worrisome that the judiciary appears not ready to tackle the flagrant abuse of the courts by desperate politicians.” In the double-faced political dictionary of the APC, saying that the judiciary was not ready to tackle flagrant abuse of the courts would be complimentary while the PDP complaints about miscarriage of justice on Rivers and Akwa Ibom States would be derogatory. In the past, APC in its desperation for power, did not only threaten war against the judiciary, the party also threatened to turn Nigerians to refugees in their own country with possible return of Operation wetie witnessed in the Western Region in the mid-sixties. A day to the June 21, 2014 Ekiti State Governorship election, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at a press conference in Lagos threatened war if the election was rigged and of course, the only election that is not rigged is the one in which the APC emerges the winner. At the press conference attended by APC chieftains such as Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senator Osita Izunaso (National Organising Secretary), Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson (APC Women Leader), Alhaji Lai Mohammed (the party’s spokesperson), among others, the party openly called for war against the people of Ekiti State. Chief Oyegun warned that the road being charted by the Federal Government in handling today’s Ekiti State governorship poll, among others, can lead to a repeat of Operation wetie in the Western Region and would make every Nigerian a refugee if care is not taken. When APC was known as Action Congress (AC) and later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the judiciary was openly blackmailed, ridiculed and some cases compromised by the party in the Southwest. For instance, when the Justice Hamma Barka-led tribunal in Ekiti State gave its majority judgment in favour of the PDP in 2010, the ACN used one of its agents of media terrorism, Sahara Reporters to accuse the judges of receiving N3 billion bribe. The N3 billion cash was claimed to have been transported to Ogere Toll Gate, Lagos-Ibadan expressway where it was changed to dollars! On May 5, 2010, Prof Itse Sagay, a notable apologist of the APC described the judgment of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as a disgrace. He said; “The verdict is a disgrace. I watched part of the tribunal’s proceedings on television, when I saw the way the judge was going, puncturing the case of the petitioner, it was clear to me that the Action Congress would not get justice.” In June 2010, Sunday Akere, who was then the Osun State ACN Director of Research and Strategy reacted to the State governorship election tribunal judgment saying; “We, the Osun AC, came to seek equity at the tribunal with clean hands. But what we got is a shame and a blot on the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary. It is shameful that a panel of five judges could sit down and write such an incoherent judgment.” In his own reaction to the judgment, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was the ACN governorship candidate said; “The judgment is dubious,” meaning that the tribunal judges were themselves dubious because only dubious judges could give dubious judgments. Instead of robbing themselves in the garment of sainthood and presenting themselves as defenders of the judiciary, the APC and its multiple-mouth leaders should rather concentrate on their dubious use of a section of the judiciary to manipulate themselves to power as they have done before; and leave posterity to judge who the real friend of our judiciary is. Olayinka is the Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Ekiti State Governor.

SKILL ACQUISITION; PARAMOUNT TO NATIONAL SECURITY - By 'Deji Adesogan

Guthrie (1952) defines skills as the ability to bring about some end result with maximum certainty and minimum outlays of energy or of time and energy. Such abilities can be only be made possible through practice, it is the process of developing such abilities through consistent practice that is referred to as skill acquisition. In fact, skill acquisition is often a complementary knowledge but for some a source of livelihood. Common skills withing the Nigerian environment include Fashion Designing, Farming, Soap Making, Shoe-Making, Welding, Painting, Information Technology etc. The widening gap between the demand and supply of jobs in the labour market has made the acquisition of skills necessary in the 21st century especially in developing countries like Nigeria. To create balance between the growing needs for jobs and the availability of it. There is indeed a need for an intervention plan. So far, skill acquisition has proven to be a panacea for National Security and a sure guarantee for sustainable development particularly for youths as they constitute the larger force within the society that is at the receiving end of the drought in jobs in Nigeria. Skill Acquisition is a capital intensive, there is urgent need for our governments (local, state and FG) to channel more resources into skill acquisition programmes so as to make loans readily available and easily accessible for many that are interested in developing and making livelihood through an acquired skill instead of depending on a "white collar" job that is not even available enough. The Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari must create more Technical and Vocational Schools because I believe firmly that they will serve as an effective medium in encouraging the acquisition of skills among our teeming jobless youths, and also to create a sustainable youth development, government must consider to give her youths Vocational and Technical education that can equally provide formal education for them. It is often said that an idle hand is the devil's workshop, Nigerian youths must on their on part seize every possible opportunity available to develop themselves in one skill or another because everyone can or should rely on prospects of western education whether in the arts, science or humanities. Skill acquisition could actually be a money spinning venture for future dream actualization. Nigerian Youths must learn to imbibe the virtue of patience and avoid being ruled by the "get quickly and anyhow" syndrome because there is dignity in labour. Skill acquisition guarantees self empowerment which of course is a great mark of true freedom, they should not rely on certificates but acquired a skills. White collar jobs are no longer what they used to be so, it is high time for each Nigerian youth to fold his/her sleeves and acquired skill(s) aside formal education. 'Deji Adesogan, a Security Expert and Media Consultant, writes from Abuja. Tweets via @DejiAdesogan

Fayose congratulates Ogunwusi on selection as Ooni‎

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated the Ooni-elect, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on his selection and appointment as the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Osun State, and prayed that his reign will witness tremendous development and peace in the ancient town. In a message in Ado-Ekiti yesterday through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said the new Ooni should be courageous, firm and see his appointment as a call to service and to unite the Yoruba race. According to him," Yoruba traditional institutions are sacred and under no circumstance should they be denigrated and I am delighted that the people of Ile-Ife have shown a great example by the peaceful manner the new Ooni emerged. "Though our new Kabiyesi Ooni Ogunwusi is a young man, I pray that God will give him the wisdom of Solomon to pilot the affairs of Ile-Ife well and that the town will live up to expectations as the source of the Yoruba race. "When the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi passed on, it was as if it would take centuries before Ile-Ife would get another great monarch. But the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade came and took the town to a higher level, it is my belief and prayer that God will help Ooni Ogunwusi to further raised the bar of growth and development in Ile-Ife. Oba Ogunwusi, may your reign be long and peaceful," the governor said.

THE PAINS IN THE HEART

The sufferings in the foreign land Early hour rush in the name of lectures The noon hunger owing to financial crash The civil disturbances and the battle for freedom The late hour sleep in the name of exams The camp enslavement, the call to serve ones fatherland The street wandering in the name of job searching The financial wastage in the name of applications The stresses in the name of aptitude test The plea and lobbying in the name of favor …just the pains in the hearts I mean the pains in the bone Just the worries in the heart I mean, hunger in the belly The dying ideas in the memories Cometh the favors, where? Come the manner as it was in the old? Where comes the pleasure of the jobless scholars? Hope, still in hanging Peace in the grave… Behold, there comes a moment in life Such a moment un-known I mean the time far from reality but definitely It shall come no matter how long it may be Hope alive! Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Writes from Okemesi Ekiti

ACROSS THE CROSSABLE PATH

The shove for a living Little moment necessarily un-avoidable Some visions among many Rough still, un-avoidable The journeys’ unmarked The days aren’t known The hours un-calculative The challenges far and near, yet Joy still invisible amidst pains Craggy uncertain ending Lo; we shall, only if, Egos set aside; all for the good For the beautiful moment in waiting A quitter, the lazy, seems Hope abide in the uncertainty Blissful moment is near Only the inner sight view right Across the crossable path; the hope Work the walk Pick up the crown meant for the brave Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Writes from Okemesi Ekiti

THE ‘MYOWNIZATION’ SYNDROME IN OUR SOCIETY

By Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Let’s take a queue from Jesus Christ. Reading through Mark 10:35-45 "...at that time: James and John the son of Zebedee came forward to Jesus and said: teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. And he said to them: what do you want me to do for you? And said to him, grant us to sit at your right hand and one at your left in your glory. But Jesus said to them, you do not know what you are asking.... But, whoever would be great among you shall be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all, for the son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." QUESTION TIME: Why did they asked for just the two of them and not for the ten who were with him? Is it that they were not sure of their faith? Is it fair to presume that, Jesus hasn't done the needful? It’s more of greediness than sceptic .it is more of egotistic interest than genueity. There arise among many questions is, would Jesus have done the way of the flesh? Would Jesus have allowed favoritism to take even-distribution in his judgment? No! The simple view of rivalry so to say, has long being part of us. Take for instance; there is this report of GEJ been humiliated even by the low rank politicians while serving as Deputy Governor under Alamco. He never reacted but, maintains his humble fit. Maybe, years after someone from far away saw that quality in him and elevated him to the highest position in the land. Those who greedily run after positions in our society are doing so to curry favour for themselves. The situation in our society today is far from being real as the same as Jesus Christ. We have been forced to adopt Bishop Kukah theory of 'MYOWNIZATION'. The simple reason why we have to agree that, what we have today is eyes service to the people or oneself. Haven’t those who are to serve us only interested in their pockets? Have they not being throwing banters at us to dazzle with as we keep the blind-folded-ness while they have their ways? If truly lobby is the rightful, must the perceived or marked evil ones scale through at the expense of the downtrodden? The recent Ministerial screening is one of the biggest jokes of the century. The time to ask meaningful question(s) is now. We must all stand against the dreaded evil in our society. The favoritism must stop. The battle against ‘selectivisim’ corruption fight must stop now in our society. THE AFTERMATH: The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. The ordinary men on the street can't afford to feed on $2 per day while some are eating abundantly. The children of the poor are being shut out of schools because of the unbearable admission charges, acceptance and school fees and hostels accommodation (if any). Then, the less paid-unmotivated lecturers are being forced to force text book on the neck of the students. Then years after graduation and successful youth Corp services, many among the teeming populace still wander about the street. Still, they visit the newspaper stands. Still, browsing the net looking for the jobs that are not there. Those job that might have been shared among the who is who while the sons of the poor men keep writing, applying and attending 'ARANGEE' interviews. Oh, shit! Then, the civil servants who are privy to disappear billions from the government cover through their superiors are being forced to engage in illicit act. They are been subjected to indecent acts even at the expense of their subordinates since the hope of living better after 35years of meritorious services has been dashed. Their predecessor who served whole heartedly is passing through hell. Still, the question time isn't that important in our agenda since we seemed get fit with myownization syndrome. Unless something better is done, the society may remain the same years after now. So far, what we have is eyes service, myownization and who cares syndrome! Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Writes from Okemesi Ekiti

KAYODE FAYEMI AND HIS OUTSTANDING ARTICULACY; YET, SHOULD ELOQUENCE OR ACADEMIC FERVOUR BE USED AS BENCHMARK FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE IN LEADERSHIP?

By Deji Oso

I have dispassionately read with keen interest the diverse opinions rocking the postmortem of Kayode Fayemi’s grill as a Ministerial Nominee at the Senate floor yesterday and I must incontrovertibly admit to his fantastic presentation; although garnished with amplifications of improbable information such as the figures (N30Billion) left behind by Engr. Segun Oni, the Procurement of super-bed worth of N1.5million and so on. Even when history has taught us that leadership sagacity is not a garrulous asperity but a symbolical jingoism; yet, like the Ekiti instructional proverb “omo eni pa buru, omo eni pa suan; omo eni lomo eniise”; therefore, on this note, I think we must give it to JKF, he is our brother and indeed, he did us proud yesterday. Nevertheless, I consider the summary of the revelations being divulged at the instance of Fayemi’s appearance at the Senate floor as very paradoxical upon the queries that had followed hitherto, such as probing into Fayemi’s CV: as a Consultant to many countries/ bodies of reputable organizations, as a prolific researcher and as the architect and chief operator of the illegal radio kudirat that was supposedly operated from an undisclosed burial ground to fight the tyranny of military junta under the Military Interregnum in contrast to a picture of out-of-context policies and vision statements that were pursued by the Jkf-led administration between October 2010 and October 2014 as the Governor of Ekiti State, resulting into high-handedness, misplacement of priorities, wanton wastages at the expense of the common populace; which therefore resulted into his outright rejection by his own people and his consequent failure as palpable in the all round 16-0 defeat at the poll in June, 2014. More importantly, whilst the foregoing had continued to bother my mind, let me ask: - What use is it when you have a Fayemi as Consultant to countries and other international/corporate organizations, yet, fails in his own state as a Governor? - Why should a revered Academic like Dr. Fayemi, who specializes and seemed very versed in Governance, Democratic Studies, Domestic and International Relations fails in adopting suitable, workable and most desirable policies for his people? - What has taken Fayemi this long to tell us about the sum of 30 Billion Naira debt inherited from Segun Oni-led administration and how genuine is this information? - What commonsense or logic does it portend when a Ph.D holder justifies buying a bed worth of N1.5million naira to furnish a cash-embroidered Government House worth of over 30billion Naira when his people languish in abject impoverishment simply because he saw a covetous Government House in Akwa-Ibom and wanted same in his state even when Ekiti and Akwa-Ibom are as far as heaven and earth in terms of proportional income with respect to the Federal Revenue Allocation and IGR; thereby nailing his state to a crucifixion of huge debt of over N86billion? - Do all of these make any sense at all? Without any fear or favour, it would suffice to admit that Dr. John Kayode Fayemi is highly cerebral as a researcher and an Academic Scholar who could have been more efficient and productive in the four walls of the Classroom. Ironically, those singing encomiums for Fayemi on his outing yesterday forgot to note that academic excellence or over-sophistication of eloquence is not a yardstick or precondition for good governance and effective/appreciable performance in Leadership position! I strongly doubt if they realize that there exists a wild margin between theory and practice or between Power and Legitimacy? Nonetheless, I wish Dr. John Kayode Fayemi the very best on his proposed portfolio as the Minister Representing Ekiti State. I wish him and his teeming supporters best of luck! A very good morning to you all. Deji Oso (Mr.) (A Social Crusader and Public Policy Analyst) @adedejioso on twitter

LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

By Abraham Olusegun Adeleye There lived in a village called Ayanmon,a very young boy TEEJEJE. He was from a poor background with rare opportunity of two square meal per day. He wasn't the last in the family but,the one in the middle. He was a toast of friendship due to his ways of life and mixed up. He was duly loved by many. Meanwhile,after his post primary education, all his attempt to further failed. Nonetheless, he never gave up. He eventually found a means of livelihood in a firm where he was earning little though, away from idleness. Many used to make jest of him,owing to his state of being. Still,he remain un- perturbed but, focused.  After a few years in this organization, he took his search further while business in the so called firm wasn't as groove as thought. He almost turned back to the minimum level of daily plea. God willing,Teejeje met a helper afterward. He was enrolled in government payroll through a pensionable job. Fortune suddenly smiled on him. Remember,what life is? He suddenly became toast of the town again. People started seeing him as one of them coz,he now have source of living. Those that abandoned him in the cause of his trial found their way back into his fold.  Lo and behold! Who never can tell what pride means when you suddenly found yourself above board. He started mis-behaving probably unknown to him. Efforts to get him back on his feet by many failed. He was using his new status to oppress some people at every available opportunity. Painful! As time went by. He was to attend an event in Enikan- omeyin(ENIKAN O MEYIN OLA) town. It was such an invitation of necessity. To fulfil all righteousness, he did so along with his friends namely: ORIYOMI,ENI-OLORUN OPA,OLAINUKAN, AND TANIMOLA. All went well. While the party was about being brought to a close,they left. It was a safe sail near their destination before things went otherwise. Fraaa...froooo...gburuuuu....gbuaaa...gbam! That was the exact drama or the car accident that almost turned fatal. Break failure or over-speeding? Not duly ascertained! Narrowly,all on board cheated death though not without wounds. People came to their rescue though,TEEJEJE sustained the highest degree of all. Months down the drain in agony and serious suffering. He lived between life-death before the end call. Before he submited to the cold will of death. He had been abandoned by all. Friends turned to foes. Families were far-miles away. His heart- rob turned to heart-run. The least adjective meant to quantify his experience is dissertation. Between heaven and earth; lessons were learnt not,only by him but,many among the people around him who witnessed all his misadventure and painful end. Its indeed,a pointer note that,we all must live a life worthy of emulation. A life full of passion to loving God. A life full of humility and sense of decorum. Saheed Osupa once sings"TOBAYO KO PANU,KO MA RANKU BONBON,TORI PAYE GBEGE". Whenever fortune smiles on you,maintain some level of decency and decorum in order to live to fight another day. Life is war! Abraham Olusegun Adeleye Writes from Okemesi

We Will Cooperate With You To Have A Safer Ekiti, Fayose Tells AIG

By Bola Agboola

Ekiti State Governor, Bashorun Peter Ayodele Fayose has assured the Assistant Inspector General of Police , Zone 8, AIG Tanko Lawal of his maximum cooperation to have a safer Ekiti State. The governor said this during a meeting with the police chief in his office on Thursday. Lawal who is on a familiarisation tour of the zone said he is in Ekiti to discuss the policy direction of the police management with his men, the governor and Ekiti people in general described community police partnership as one of the major goals of the police management. The police chief who said he has met with PCRC members as well as Ewi of Ado Ekiti admonished the governor to participate in mobilising the people to take security issue serious by participating in the security of their community added that there is no better place to advocate such appeal than to come to the governor. Mr. Tanko who said the police on their part has encouraged its men to move nearer to the people urged the people to join hands in fighting the current wave of insecurity in various communities, be it kidnapping, cultism by student as well as other heinous crimes. Thanking the governor for granting his team which included the Ekiti State police commissioner, Etop John James and other top officers audience and constantly assisting the police, Lawal urged Fayose to continue to assist them even as he is a living witness to the governor's kind gesture up to the zonal command in Lokoja. Governor Fayose in his reaction described the IGP Solomon Arase as son of the soil and commended him for standing up for Ekiti during her trying time. The governor who said Ekiti now enjoy peace in all ramifications tasked the police to be alive to its responsibility added that the police must separate crime from politics. Explaining that no reliable and responsible governor will run after his opponents but after delivering dividends of democracy, Fayose assured the team that he'd rather work to prove his enemies wrong and leave Ekiti better than he met it.