Fẹ́mi Akínṣọlá Ṣé ọ̀pọ̀ ìgbà ni ẹ̀dá yóó yó tán, tí yóó tiro ẹsẹ̀ méjéèjì máa wá bẹ́kùnbẹ́kùn àpẹrẹ ni ti Sẹ́nétọ̀ tó ń ṣojú ẹkùn ìdìbò Àríwá Adamawa, Elisha Abbo, tí Ilé ẹjọ́ gíga ìlú Àbújá, tó wà ní Maitama, ti dájọ́ pé kí san àádọ́ta mílíọ̀nù Náírà, gẹ́gẹ́ bí owó ìtanràn, fún òṣìṣẹ́ Ilé ìtajà kan tó fi ìyà jẹ. Oṣù karùn- ún, ọdún 2019 ni fídíò kan jáde s'órí ayélujára, tó sì ṣàfíhàn bí Sẹ́nétọ̀ Abbo ṣe ń kó  ìgbájú,  ìgbámú fún obìnrin kan ní ṣọ́ọ̀bù tí wọ́n ti ń ta àwọn èròjà ìbálòpọ̀ nílùú Àbújá. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọmọ Nàìjíríà ló korò ojú sí ìhùwàsí Sẹ́nétọ̀ náà. Èyí mú kí ọ̀rọ̀ náà dé iléeṣẹ́ ọlọ́pàá, tí wọ́n sì kọ́kọ́ gbé e lọ sí ilé ẹjọ́ májísírètì kan ní agbègbè Zuba, nílùú Àbújá. Ṣùgbọ́n, adájọ́ Ilé ẹjọ́ náà, Abdullahi Ilelah, wọ́gilé ẹjọ́ náà, lẹ́yìn tí Abbo kọ̀wé pé òun kò ní ẹjọ́ kankan láti jẹ́. Arábìnrin náà, Osinibibra Warmate, pẹ̀lú ìrànlọ́wọ́ àwọn agbẹjọ́rò rẹ̀, pe ẹjọ́ míràn sí Ilé ẹjọ́ gíga ìlú Àbújá, tí wọ́n sì fi ẹ̀sùn kan Sẹ́nétọ̀ Abbo pé ó tẹ ẹ̀tọ́ rẹ̀ mọ́lẹ̀.

James Ayodele It's no more news that the veteran Yoruba actor, Pa Jimoh Aliu, has joined his ancestors. There is no doubt that Pa Aliu, popularly known as Àwòrò, has indelibly etched his names on the canvas of time with drama, films and stage plays including Àgbá-Àrín, Àrélú, Yánpányánrin, Igbó Olódùmarè, Fónpomóyò, Àjálù, etc. Chief Aliu shot into my consciousness right from Primary School. People of my age cannot easily forget the eagerness with which we awaited the Àrélù and Igbó Olódùmarè drama series on the Black and White TV wherever it was found in the neighborhood. We were so taken by these dramatic drama that we competed to memorize it and perfectly enacted them in our amateurish manner. We all shared in the Odessey of Olówóayé (acted by Jimoh Aliu) in Igbó Olódùmarè that we usually prayed for his safe return from the dreaded forest. Till today, many will recall "Wàá lo, wàá bò Olówóayé" and Òrìsábùnmi's sonorous "Ìbà oò, Olójó-òní mo júbà re" w

  It took me a few days to finally come to terms with the passing of Chief  Jimoh Aliu, whose real name is Mr Drama and without doubt, one of the heroes of the Yoruba Travelling Theatre.   At first, my mind went blank, gradually over a few hours, the memories started to flood in. His life and times have indeed been nothing else but - DRAMA. He is surrounded by drama. I started to notice them as far back as my secondary school days at the Abeokuta Grammar School in the sixties.  Ìsọlá Ògúńṣọlá (I-Show Pepper), Jimoh Aliu, Charles Olumo, Ray Èjíwùnmí (I believe), Òjingòlò and some of the women were in Akin Ògungbè Theatre Group when they entertained us at the beginning of the new term.  The shows usually ended in predictable fiasco as some rascally students who probably could not afford the gate or simply mischievous or just fun would attempt to disrupt it resulting in stampedes and near disasters.  Even then, their individual charm shone on stage and burned permanently in

  As part of efforts to make life more bearable to the people of Ekiti State, the first lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has distributed gas cylinders to the widows, professional unions and stakeholders across the state.  The Senior Special Assistant on Mobilization to the Governor of Ekiti State , Prince Tunji Ogunlola who distributed the gas cylinders to the artisans and private sector unions on behalf of the state government said the aim was to assist the less privileged particularly the womenfolk.  The President of widows association in the state, Pastor (Mrs) Florence Fabusola commended Erelu Fayemi for her various empowerment programmes in the state. Pastor Fabusola said the "Ounje Arugbo"(foods for the elderly), an initiative of the first lady has reduced hunger among the aged in the state. Also speaking,the President of Artisans Union in the state , Mr Ebenezer Fadipe thanked Erelu Fayemi for her kindness and pledged the union's continued support to the present administrat

  It was in the office of Amb. Wale Ojo Lanre as DG Bureau of Arts and Culture. I got a new rank and my uncle, Banji Adelusi called that I should come for prayers. I do no joke with prayers. I took my photographer with me, Tolu Neem Shutters (Unfortunately, he lost the historical shot). I walked in to see Aworo Oosa. The DG introduced me to him briefly and Aworo told me to knee down. Olówó-ayé blessed me in the contest of "ùre". He said the prayers for at least 20mins nonstop. It was ééshe everywhere. He concluded with l'órúko Jesu ni mo gbàdúrà (smiles). Omo Àjékùnrin shared with me his military experience as a youth till he left for Theatre and encouraged that I should ensure that I distinguish myself anywhere I found myself.  Afterwards, I heard his voice again on Newcruize fm during an interview few months ago (this year to be precise). He was speaking about the mysteries of life and death and how he wanted his house to be used as a Museum... Below is an excerpt of hi

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday justified government borrowing to finance infrastructure, asserting that his government took loans in the interest of the country to solve the dire shortfall in infrastructure. Speaking at a virtual meeting with members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) at the State House, in Abuja, President Buhari said the country must fix its roads to save lives from soaring road accidents. “We have so many challenges with infrastructure. We just have to take loans to do roads, rail and power, so that investors will find us attractive and come here to put their money,’’ the President said after listening to a presentation by PEAC chaired by Professor Ayo Salami. He regretted that the failure to provide the infrastructure for effective transportation deprived the country of its well-deserved status as the West African hub for Air cargo transportation and trans-shipment of goods. On the issue of the economy, President Buhari noted the challenges po

 Alhaji Jimoh Aliu (popularly known as Aworo) is dead. He died this morning at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) Ado Ekiti at the age of 86. Aliu was born on November 11 1934 in Okemesi, Ekiti West local government area of Ekiti State. He is a seasoned artiste, producer, location designer, director, make-up artist and singer. He is widely known to have attended the elementary school for just six months and born in mystifying circumstances. His father, Aliu Fakoya, was a Muslim and an Ifa priest who hailed from Oke-Imesi-Ekiti but his mother is from Iloro-Ekiti.  As an itinerant Ifa Priest and Diviner, Aliu Fakoya took his son, Jimoh’ to places like Ijebu-ode, Ifo, Ota, Odogbolu, Sagamu, Ada, Aagba, Iresi, Otan-Aiyegbaju and Lagos. Jimoh attended the old St. Peter Catholic Primary School, Okemesi. He was taught the art of divination by his father, as well as the use of herbs.  When Jimoh was in Lagos, he learnt the trade of bricklaying, tailoring and driving. In 1959

  Ekiti State government on Wednesday distributed cheques worth several millions of naira as gratuities to 52 pensioners in the State as part of steps taken by government to gradually defray the backlog of gratuity owed the retirees. The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi who handed out the cheques in Ado- Ekiti, restated the commitment of his administration to bringing succour to the State workforce and pensioners by prioritizing their welfare in spite of the dwindling resources accrued to the State. The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Biodun Omoleye said the commitment of his administration to the welfare of pensioners is evident in the increase in the fund earmarked monthly for the defraying gratuity from #10 million to #100 million in order to accommodate more beneficiaries. The 52 beneficiaries of the cheques were retirees from local government and primary schools. Governor Fayemi expained that the exercise would have come earlier if not for the advent of gl

Fẹ́mi Akínṣọlá "Godwin Obaseki kò bá wa kópa nínú ìgbìyànjú láti fi òṣèlú àwarawa rinlẹ̀, nítorí náà kò yẹ lẹ́ni táá dìbò fún". Aṣíwájú ẹgbẹ́ òṣèlú "All Progressives Congress,APC", Bola Ahmed Tinubu ló sọ ọ̀rọ̀ yìí saájú ìdìbò Gómìnà Ìpínlẹ̀ Edo. Nínú fọ́nrán fídíò nǹkan bí Ìṣẹ́jú mẹ́rin náà, Tinubu ṣàlàyé ìdí tí òun ṣe fẹ́ kí àwọn ará ìpínlẹ̀ Edo má ṣe dìbò fún un. Tinubu mú oríṣìríìṣí àkàwé ọ̀nà tí Obaseki kò fi ṣe ìṣe ẹni tó nífẹ̀ẹ́ òṣèlú àwarawa, tó sì ní èyí tó láti má ṣe dìbò fún Obaseki. ''Gbogbo àwọn àgbààgbà ilẹ̀ yìí pàrọwà sí i láti bọ̀wọ̀ fún òfin ilẹ̀ wa ṣùgbọ́n ó ketí ikún sí wọn'' Ó tẹ̀síwájú pé bẹ́ẹ̀ ló bẹ́gi dínà àwọn aṣòfinlé Edo láti jókòó ìjíròrò ní ilé aṣòfin. ''Ẹ má ṣe dìbò fún Obaseki, mo pàrọwà sí i yín'' Ẹgbẹ́ òṣèlú APC ni Godwin Obaseki ti díje dupò wọlé gẹ́gẹ́ bí i Gómìnà ìpínlẹ̀ Edo. Ìjà ló dé, orin dòwe tó wáyé láàrin òun àti Alága ẹgbẹ́, Adams Oshiomole ló ṣokùnfà bí Obaseki ti ṣe kúrò ní ẹgbẹ́ APC lọ s

  A task force set up by the Ekiti State Government to enforce the COVID-19 regulations put in place by government in schools in the state would swing into action immediately primary and   secondary schools in Ekiti State resume from the COVID-19 break next Monday. The State Commissioner for Education Science and Technology,Dr(Mrs) Adebimpe Aderiye made this known in Ado-Ekiti at a 2-day training programme organised for over 2000 head teachers and assistant headteachers of public primary schools as well as some selected teachers from junior secondary schools in the state. Aderiye who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education ,Science and Technology ,Mr James Owolabi said severe sanctions await any head teacher whose school is found to be violating the COVID -19 prevention regulations when schools resume in the state. While stressing that the Administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi, has continued to take proactive steps to curtail the spread of the deadl

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has approved the appointment of two new Tutors-General into the State Teaching Service. The Tutors-General are for Ekiti Central and Ekiti South Senatorial Districts.   The appointment which takes immediate effect has Mrs. Omogbemi Margaret Adejoke as Tutor General for Ekiti Central and Mrs. Ojo Olufunke Rhoda as Tutor-General for Ekiti South. Until their respective appointments, Mrs. Omogbemi was the Principal of Mary Immaculate Girls’ Grammar School, Ado Ekiti while Mrs. Ojo was the Principal of St. Louis Girls Grammar School Ikere. The Chairman, Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission Hon. Babatunde Abegunde enjoined the appointees to brace up for the challenges ahead of them in their new positions. He charged them to key into the educational development agenda and Values Orientation of the present administration. He emphasized that their elevation was in line with the principle of merit- based appointment enshrined in the State Civil Service

  By Nifemi Ormabiyaku Over the past week, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo made some comments about the state of the nation, in which he condemned the state of the nation under the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari and qualified Nigeria as a 'Failed State'. Our reporter, Nifemi Ormabiyaku spoke with the people about what feel about OBJ's comment and here's what they have to say: Mr. David King:    It is inhuman to believe that Nigeria just failed. Nigeria had failed since 1914. It is against the law of nature that demerit should produce merit just as it is impolitic to place the new wine in an old wineskin.    What Chief Obasanjo said could be regarded as a reflection of himself; a statement made to arouse the pity and attention of unguarded Nigerians. His administration was not totally free of the vices that fly past our eyes today. Have you forgotten the vial escapades of Boko Haram in his days or his self-centeredness in securing a third term? What happened to

Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda has issued a Legal Advisory to the Chairman, Ekiti State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps, to ensure gender equality and women empowerment in the recruitment of persons into the corps.  This call according to the Attorney General became necessary as his office has received several communications from concerned persons and groups in the State on the need to ensure that the recruitment exercise into the Ekiti State Security Network Agency takes into consideration, the state's policy of gender equality and women's empowerment.  Advising the chairman further, Fapohunda stated that the Ekiti State Equal Opportunities Law, 2013, states the legal obligation of the Government of Ekiti State to provide a work environment in which employment opportunities are open to all qualified persons without discrimination on the basis of sex, age, religion, disability, ethnic group, economic s

 

  The Honourable Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda yesterday hosted a get-together for friends and colleagues of Remi Obaparusi, Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission on his retirement from the Ekiti State Public Service. At the event were; the Chief of Staff Biodun Omoleye( who represented Governor Fayemi ) the Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji and the Head of Service, Olapeju Babafemi

  Ekiti State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda today announced the appointment of Mr Remi Obaparusi to the Governing Board of the Ministry of Justice Academy. Obaparusi who is currently the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Civil Service Commission, will be retiring from the Public Service of Ekiti State today after attaining the statutory age of retirement. According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Attorney General on Public Education, Media and Communications, Olalekan Suleman, "The Honourable Attorney-General is indeed delighted that Mr. Remi Obaparusi is able to join the Board of our Academy. He joins us with a sterling resume that includes vast experience in rules and practices of the public service of Ekiti State.  "Mr. Obaparusi will among others, facilitate induction courses for our new legal officers, while also organising refresher programs for all those who work in the Ministry. We will in particular benefit fr

The Chairman of the the Ekiti Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)  ,Prof Femi Akinwumi  has said that the September 30th deadline  given to  contractors handling construction works in the four newly established public secondary schools by the Fayemi Administration is sacrosanct.  Speaking during a meeting with the contractors handling the projects in Ado-Ekiti ,the SUBEB boss  assured the contractors that  the board would continue to provide them with the necessary support to complete the project on schedule. While stressing that the board would vigorously monitor and supervise the projects to ensure strict compliance with the project specifications , Akinwumi urged the contractors to work extra hard to ensure that  the deadline on the projects was met . The SUBEB boss  who stressed  the commitment of the Fayemi Administration  to the provision of free  qualitative basic education to all children of school age in the state, said the four new secondary  schools would upon completion

  This week, I am offering my services as an ‘Agony Aunt’, the one you talk to about all your problems, to which you already have your own solutions, you are just looking for assurance or affirmation. I don’t like playing the role of Agony Aunt for two main reasons. First, all relationship problems are person specific and it is very difficult to offer advice or guidance devoid of full context and disclosure. Second, I mind my own business and do not concern myself with the messy personal affairs of others unless there is a compelling reason for me to intervene. I had cause to do so a while ago, at a family wedding.   One of my Aunts whispered in my ear that one of our younger male relatives had smuggled his mistress a.k.a side chick into the party. If he had allowed her to stay hidden away in the back of the hall he would not have landed in trouble. He and his wife had been having problems and she was not present at the event, but she was still his wife. The side chick had the audacity

  Highlights of discussions on Social Investment Programme in Ekiti State and the efforts of the Government.  Interview by the SA SIP, Barr. Victor Kolade on FRCN * All components of the Social Investment Programme is targeted at alleviating the poor people in our society. * Over 120,000 pupils are enrolled in School Feeding programme in Ekiti State; this has increased the value chain of agricultural produce in the State and has yielded benefits to farmers (livestock and crops), traders alike. * Ekiti State Government is also partnering with a digital payment platform to fast track payment of monies to beneficiaries across the State. This new development will also enable us create more jobs for our youths who will be engaged in the process. * On COVID19: Ekiti State Government carried out a duly planned palliative distribution pattern to ensure the right beneficiaries received succour. Some of these include distribution through; LGA Councils, Religious bodies, NGOs & CSOs, Landlord

There have been crisis ahead of 2022 in Ekiti State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as a group said to be loyal to the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose have split  and had consequently resulted in verbal attacks over a comment made by Fayose which indicated his plan to disengage his Former Deputy, Professor Olusola Eleka from contesting the 2022 governorship in the state. Fayose was recently quoted to have said, "There will be no 'South Agenda' in Ekiti 2022", saying the rotational arrangement in the party was not only undemocratic but also unconstitutional.  He maintained that, " On Ekiti Agenda We Stand'. Any Other Agenda is self serving and negates our collective interest and fair representation. It is sponsored by weak and narrow minded politicians and driven by political extortionist." Fayose had, in 2018, in a failed mission, unilaterally fielded Professor Eleka, who is from the South Senatorial District of the state, f

This week, I am offering my services as an ‘Agony Aunt’, the one you talk to about all your problems, to which you already have your own solutions, you are just looking for assurance or affirmation. I don’t like playing the role of Agony Aunt for two main reasons. First, all relationship problems are person specific and it is very difficult to offer advice or guidance devoid of full context and disclosure. Second, I mind my own business and do not concern myself with the messy personal affairs of others unless there is a compelling reason for me to intervene. I had cause to do so a while ago, at a family wedding.   One of my Aunts whispered in my ear that one of our younger male relatives had smuggled his mistress a.k.a side chick into the party. If he had allowed her to stay hidden away in the back of the hall he would not have landed in trouble. He and his wife had been having problems and she was not present at the event, but she was still his wife. The side chick had the audacity t

  Femi Akinsola  Àwọ́n aláṣẹ Ìjọba àpapọ̀ ti fi ìmọ̀ràn síta gẹ́gẹ́ bí àwọn ìjọba Ìpínlẹ̀ kọ̀ọ̀kan ṣe ti kéde ọjọ́ tí àwọn ilé ẹ̀kọ́ yóó wọlé. Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó àti Ọ̀ṣun ní ìhà Gúúsù -ìwọ̀ Oòrùn ti ní àwọn  ilé ẹ̀kọ́ yóó di ṣíṣí lọ́jọ́ Kẹrìnlá àti Ìkọkànlélógún oṣù kẹsàn án ọdún 2020. Ìjọba àpapọ̀ gan an  ti wá fi ìpè síta látàrí bí àwọn ìjọba Ìpínlẹ̀ ṣe níí lérò yìí pé, kí wọ́n ṣọ́ra lórí bí wọ́n ṣe fẹ́ ṣí àwọn ilé ẹ̀kọ́ torí pé ewu sì wà lóko lóńgẹ́. Boss Mustapha tó jẹ́ akọ̀wé ìjọba àpapọ̀, tó tún jẹ́ Alága ìgbìmọ̀ amúṣẹ́yá Ààrẹ lórí ọ̀rọ̀ Kofi-19 fi ìkìlọ̀ yìí léde lọ́jọ́ Ajé ní ìlú Àbújá níbi ìpàdé ìkejìlélọ́gọ́ta Ìgbìmọ̀ náà. Ó ní bí orílẹ̀-èdè ṣe ń pinu láti ṣí àwọn ibi ìpéjọpọ̀ ìtagbangba, wọ́n gbọdọ̀ ríi pé wọ́n ṣì ń ṣe ohun gbogbo láti borí . Mínísítà fún ètò ìlera ní agbára àìsàn Kofi-19 kò re 'bìkan, ó pé ó léwu tó sì ń gba ẹ̀mí àwọn ènìyàn.'Ẹ̀wẹ̀, ẹgbẹ́ àwọn olùkọ́ni Fásitì ní Nàìjíríà, ASUU ti kìlọ̀ fún àwọn Ìjọba ìpínlẹ̀ pé kí wọ́n má ṣe ṣí àwọn ilé ẹ̀kọ́ gíga lásìkò

  Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has directed the immediate review of The Laws of Ekiti State. This was disclosed by the Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale  Fapohunda, at a special session of the State House of Assembly on the review of the said laws.  Fapohunda speaking at the occasion yesterday said: "Mr. Governor has directed a holistic review of The Laws of Ekiti State with the sole aim of enabling laws that respond to the socio-economic aspirations of the people of this state"  "Since the coming into force of the Laws of Ekiti State in 2012, they have not been reviewed. The five volumes were updated up to 2009. It is against this backdrop that it is now necessary and even overdue that the Laws be reviewed." According to Fapohunda, "some of our laws have become obsolete and many repealed. Indeed, Laws passed by the Ekiti State House of Assembly since year 2009 till date are not included in the five (5) volumes of t

   Ekiti State Government is set to commence recruitment of qualified applicants for the Federal Government sponsored Special Public Works programme next Monday. Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Chairman of the State Committee on SPW Programme and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, said the recruitment process which would be handled by the state government and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) would take place between Monday 7th September and Wednesday 9th September, 2020 at the 16 local government councils in the state. Omoleye disclosed that the recruitment exercise has no provision for online registration or registration by proxy; adding that interested applicants are to visit their local governments of origin with their local government attestation letters at 8am each day. He however stated that those who had earlier participated in the pilot exercise need not apply as it would amount to double entries thereby disallowing fresh applicants  opportunit

  The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said the execution of multiple projects across the State was an indication that his administration is working round the clock to deliver on the promises made to the people, in spite of the impact of Covid-19 on the state’s resources. The Governor stated this Tuesday evening at the end of his two-day tour of projects sites across the state. Dr Fayemi who commenced the insp ection on Monday, visited the four newly constructed model schools in Ado-Ekiti, the ultramodern Oja Oba Market Complex; Ureje water dam and water treatment plant rehabilitation project at Ajilosin; JMK Rice Mill at Odo Ado; Ekiti State Water Corporation Headquarters building project at Ilokun;  Fajuyi Water Dam, Ado-Iyin road project; Secretariat complex projects and the Civic centre. The Governor also inspected Ikun diar farm, Agbado-Ode-Isinbode-Omuo,  Ijan-Ire-Ilupeju, and Oye-Isan-Iye-Ikun road projects, Egbe dam, Ero dam, and the rehabilitation of health centres a