• Court Fixes Aug 4 for Judgement Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Governor-elect, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, have  prayed that a Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti dismisses a suit filed by an aggrieved aspirant, Mr. Kayode Ojo challenging the result of the January 27 APC governorship primary. The APC and Oyebanji who are the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit maintained that the direct primary held in all the 177 wards in the state were valid and were in compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the constitution and guidelines of the party (APC). Oyebanji who emerged as the APC candidate from the primary went ahead to win the June 18 governorship election in the state. At the sitting of the court held on Friday, parties in the suit marked FHC/AD/CS/151/2022 adopted their written addresses and moved all pending applications after which the presiding judge, Justice Bab...

Ayu Esuku Barely a week after announcing the sack of his political aides, the Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has dissolved the Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.  The Governor approved the dissolution of the Governing Council with immediate effect. This was made known in a  press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode today in line with the State’s extant transition policy.  The Governor however thanked the Chairman and members of Council for their contributions towards the development of the institution, the Governor wishes them the very best in their future endeavours. It will be recalled that in a letter dated 15 July 2022 and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the office 9f the Secretary to the State Government, Mr T. G Adejumo, the aides of the governor were relieved of their appointments.   Those affected according to the circular are; Senior Special As...

Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker NG In response to the parade of  13 suspected internet fraudsters by the   operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt on Thursday 28 July 2022, the Federal agency, have been accused of raiding  homes of innocent Nigerians and carting away private properties of residents suspected to be involved in cyber crimes. The raid was done in collaboration with the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigerian Police on July 21 2022 at Alakahia community, which is a host community for most students of the University of Port Harcourt who live outside the school campus and the indigenes of the community.  Speaking with some residents who pleaded  anonymousity,confirmed to Fountain Newsbreakers that this was not the first invasion, as the officers come at intervals to arrest youths especially males sighted around the vicinity  between the ages of 15 to 35 years. Another source said , "I am ...

.....As BAO visits Efon,Ijero, Ekiti West  LGAs Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker NG Traditional rulers from Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state have drummed their support for Governor-elect, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, describing him as an answered prayer. Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, the Ajiro of Ijero-Ekiti stated, on behalf of the Ijero Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers , thanked the Governor-elect, his deputy, and other leaders of All Progressives Congress(APC) and expressed satisfaction on the emergence of Oyabanji as the Governor-Elect, because of his involvement in the process that led to the creation of Ekiti State in 1996. He said ' The emergence of His Excellency,Abiodun Oyebanji as Governor is not only a reward for patriotism,but an answer to many years of prayers that a home-grown person,who understands the nitty-gritty of Ekiti creation and how to go at Ekiti development becomes our leader'. The Monarchs however appealed to Mr. Oyebanji to note ...

By Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker All hands are on deck as the Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji  will be visiting his local government on Tuesday 26 July, 2022. The Governor-elect and his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisafe Afuye began a tour of the 16 Local government areas of Ekiti State two weeks ago. The visit, according to the release signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Segun Dipe was to thank Ekiti people for their massive support during the last governorship election. Tuesday 26 July 2022 is the turn of Ijero, Efon and Ekiti West Local Government areas while the grand finale will hold in the State capital, Ado Ekiti on Wednesday 27 July. Mr Oyebanji hails from Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government. Speaking on their preparedness to receive the governor-elect, the party Chairman in the local government, Prince Olu Aladeloye said; "the seven towns of Ekiti West are already in jubilation mood as we plan to receive our son, the Governor-elect...

• Reiterates call for State Police  The pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has described the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the army to confront “terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries” in West Africa as a repetition of orders that has been given so often that it no longer evokes substance because it was not backed up with necessary wherewithal. The President, while addressing the 247 graduating students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, last week Thursday, had said that “recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria bore the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries”. He then charged the soldiers who were led by the Commandant of the College, Oluwarotimi Tuwase, to consider it as part of their duty “to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth”. P...

  ... Grants Free Legal Aids Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker  The Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of  Female Lawyers (FIDA), has charged victims of Gender Based Violence GBV, to speak up in other to get help before the abuse becomes fatal. The body mentioned it has also granted free legal services to secure justice for  victims of rape, domestic violence, child trafficking and other GBV acts in the state.  FIDA said the cases that were reported to it between December 2021 and February 2022 were enormous and had  been  addressed following  intervention, mediation and litigation procedures to halt the barbaric acts and get justice for the victims.  The Chairperson of FIDA Ekiti state chapter, Mrs Oyinade Olatunbosun, said this yesterday,  at separate GBV sensitisation rallies held at Erinmope and Ilawe Ekiti. Olatunbosun said FIDA, had composed GBV committees in some towns to interact with the people and halt the upsur...

By  Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker While announcing his running mate in his speech made available to journalist yesterday, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said the spirit of June 12 is on Nigeria again 30 years after. Tinubu who announced a sitting senator and former Governor of Borno, Alhaji Ibrahim Shettima as his running late said, he had chosen competence above religion and ethnicity. Statement by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential Flag Bearer of the All Progressives Congress on his Choice of the Vice Presidential Candidate. July 10, 2022. 1. Fellow Nigerians, we enter a moment of renewed hope. We hold the chance to move the nation and our collective cause forward as never before. Let us seize this moment so that history may write kindly of us.   2. It is time to focus with utmost devotion and love of country to do all we can do to advance the ideals of democratic and progressive good governance in the land....

  Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker  The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN)has advised Ekiti governor-elect, Mr.Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji to take critical steps to reposition and Industrialize the Ikogosi Warm Spring to boost the states' economy. The legal luminary gave this remark during a visit by the governor- elect to the institution as part of his ongoing consultations, he said; "Good enough, I learnt that the Governor-elect is from Ikogosi Ekiti.That has made it incumbent on him to call for the paper I presented on Ikogosi, revisit it and make the place the industrial hub of Ekiti state'. He also advised the  Governor-elect to have consultations with elders, opinion leaders, economists and other well-meaning Ekiti people for useful advice on how to make Ekiti great again. In his response, the Governor-elect,Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji thanked the legal luminary for the great roles he has played in his life,and the development he has drawn to t...

The National Executive of a faction of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) led by Mr. Camilus Ukah has lost its bid to challenge the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, in a pending originating summons against them and the faction it constituted for Abuja, under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Usman Halima. Progress in the case, which the existing Executive members of the Abuja Chapter of the association filed was stalled by a preliminary objection based on the false allegations that the executives of the Abuja Chapter under Halima Usman were not members of ANA.  In a ruling on the preliminary objection yesterday, the 7th July, 2022, the court dismissed the preliminary objection, thereby assuming full  jurisdiction to hear and determine whether or not the emergence of Mr. Ukah and his group as the National Executive Council of the association as claimed, as well as the emergence of the Abuja faction installed by the Ukah faction were in accordance w...

  Gov Fayemi was on his routine inspection of the Ekiti State International Agro Cargo Airport and Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) along Ijan-Ekiti road, as well as Harding Memorial Model College and one of the recently completed Secretariat complexes for the State Civil Service in Ado-Ekiti.  Ekiti International Agro Cargo Airport is a critical component of our broader strategy to make Ekiti a knowledge hub, an agro cargo transport, a medical tourism destination, and an Infotech hub. The 3.2km runway has been completed and the construction of the airport’s terminal is progressing. The airport will also accommodate the Nigeria Airforce’s operations and provide a viable environment for maintenance and related engineering components. We are also designing Ekiti Knowledge Zone to take advantage of technology for scientific research, industrialisation, and innovative services, as well as attract business process outsourcing companies and the back office teams of large tech companies. H...

Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker  The National Population Commission(NPC), has disclosed  that a total of one million Nigerians will  be recruited by the federal government for the conduct of the 2023 National Census. The Commissioner representing Ekiti at the NPC, Mr. Deji Ajayi,  on Monday during a  press conference said a  trial census would be conducted in Ekiti in preparation for next year's main census exercise.   The NPC boss added that  nine towns across nine local governments selected out of the 16 councils in the state, had been delineated into Enumerated Areas(EAs) to ease the trial census, which are; Ado, Emure, Iro, Ijero, Ikole, Iworoko, Ise, Ikun and Omuo Ekiti. Ajayi said: "This is the first time we will be doing a paperless census, everything will be digital to check corruption and bring about accurate data that can help national development".   "It is in recognition of this fact that the NPC resolved that recruitment for the...

Ayu Esuku  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammad Buhari to immediately recall the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), to face investigations and clear his name over alleged connection with the N1.8bn recovered in a property in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC). The PDP's demand for the recall and investigation of Gen. Buratai is predicated on the earlier assertion by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno, after the exit of Gen. Buratai as COAS, that the $1bn drawn from the national coffers for the purchase of arms to fight terrorism in the country could not be traced.    It would also be recalled that the PDP accused the APC  of plans to create a slush fund account from monies fraudulently drawn from the national treasury to finance their plot to rig the 2023 general elections.   However, the party ...

‘I stand to be quoted, we will lose the election with a very wide margin if it is the SSG that is chosen going by what people are saying in the State’ ‘Ma, with what’s happening in the State, we can’t win with the emergence of the SSG even if we spend trillions……’ ‘We are afraid of the owner of the dog, but the dog is thinking that we are afraid of it. When we get there, we shall take her to her rightful place as just a Political Observer in the State’   ‘The JKF/Erelu/Oyebanji camp should be smart enough to know that the trend of things is going the way of 2014, with the rented and pretentious crowd shouting BAO’ All the above are snippets from a torrent of articles that flooded cyberspace late last year and early this year as we prepared for our political season in Ekiti State. I usually do not block people, I believe in freedom of expression. The quotations are froma certain fellow who took it upon himself to forward every negative article about me to my WhatsApp inbox, and it w...

      By Ayu Esuku | Fountain Newsbreaker  The Ekiti State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela has advised all untrained media practitioners to embrace the golden opportunity  of getting proper training and certification offered at the International Institute of  Journalism Abuja, Ado Ekiti  campus. He made the appeal during the matriculation ceremony  organized for the newly admitted students of the institution at the same campus along NTA road, Ado Ekiti today. He said: "the benefits of this training is enormous, because as Journalists, you are a professional and if you are a professional, you try to stay away from quackery. So  if you have the passion to be a Journalist, come to IIJ Abuja, Ado Ekiti campus, where you will be groomed and trained to be a real Journalist.” Also speaking during the ceremony amongst other dignitaries, Special Adviser to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly and als...

 Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has declared that his administration will invest in the digital economy and partner domestic and global Information and Communication Technology firms to create opportunities and wealth for Ekiti youths.  Speaking on Thursday in Lagos, when he paid a courtesy visit to CAVISTA, a technology support firm, Oyebanji said the place of technology in businesses and governance globally has made the digital economy a necessary requirement for economic prosperity.  According to Oyebanji, "Today, the digital economy is an important driver of innovation, growth, and job creation. It has transformed the way businesses operate and has created new opportunities for everyone, especially our young people. Of course, it has also changed the way youths behave and has given them more power and opportunities, hence the need for any serious government to give it priority status.  "At this planning stage, I think it is therefore necessa...