Politics
Ekiti distributed over 60,000 food packs to the vulnerable – Fayemi
… as CACOVID donates food relief materials to the state
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday disclosed that his administration had distributed over 60,000 food packs to the poor and vulnerable in its drive to cushion the negative effect of Covid-19 pandemic in the state.
He also announced a new phase of the food palliatives distribution, adding that government was committed to cushioning the effect of the pandemic through food and material support to the poor and vulnerable in the state.
Governor Fayemi stated this at the flag off ceremony of the Nigeria private sector, Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID) Food Relief Programme for Ekiti state.
CACOVID donated food packs comprising 56,000 packs of Pasta; 28,000 packs of rice; 28,000 packs of Noodles; 28,000 sachet of salts; Sugar and Garri to the state government’s food bank.
The governor, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) appreciated the leadership of CACOVID for bringing succor to the teeming people of the state.
He noted that the present administration in the state has been proactive in tackling the effect of the pandemic and lockdown on the people of the state adding that the distribution channels to households in the state had been highly effective.
The governor noted that from the feedback mechanism put in place, the food packs got to the targeted people in the state.
He said, “On behalf of government of Ekiti state I express the gratitude of government to CACOVID for this great honour of support to the government and people of Ekiti state.
“What is happening today in Ekiti state is a testimony to what is possible when the private sector decide to collaborate with public institutions. I wish to commend them by this strategic intervention of a national coalition like CACOVID that brought succor to a lot of families in Nigeria including Ekiti state.
“AS a government, we have been proactive in tackling the effect of the pandemic and lockdown on our people, as at today, the state government has distributed over 60,000 food packs to households in Ekiti state. We didn’t stop there, we also touched various unions, associations and people with disabilities, this is how far we have gone in Ekiti state.
“It will interest you to note that beneficiaries of our interventions are mined from the register of the poor and vulnerable compiled by the Ministry of Budget and Planning, supervised by the World Bank. The implication of this is that our intervention is devoid of politics, religious sentiments and primordial consideration.
“So as long as you are a citizen of Ekiti, irrespective of your political inclination, government is willing to assist you. Because COVID-19 doesn’t know anybody, it doesn’t know political party, it doesn’t know a Muslim of Christian, so, as long as you are from this state or you live here, we have intervened. I can assure CACOVID that this items will be judiciously distributed.
“The beauty of the Ekiti state approach is that we have put in place a very robust feedback mechanism to ensure that consignments get to the doorsteps of beneficiaries in accordance with the Covid-19 guidelines for social distancing, we don’t congregate them, we take the food items to their doorsteps and this is being done by some volunteers resident in Ekiti that see it as their own corporate social responsibility and are being coordinated by the Wife of Governor. So CACOVID can be rest assured that what they have brought to Ekiti state would be judiciously distributed.”
Earlier, a representative of CACOVID, Mr Kayode Adejuyigbe said the effort was part of the collective responsibility in the fight against Covid-19 in Ekiti state in particular and Nigeria in general.
Mr Adejuyigbe said CACOVID was a joint initiative of leading private sector in Lagos and the Central Bank of Nigeria, launched to galvanize support in the fight against Covid-19 in the country, noting that the fight for survival had become a necessity which should not be the sole responsibility of the government but a collective one.
He disclosed that in its effort to ensure that Covid-19 was drastically reduced nationally, the coalition in collaboration with the state governments had commissioned 38 Isolation centres in the country in addition to assisting in improving the testing capacity of NCDC with the donation of over 100,000 test kits at various testing centres. Other top government functionaries at the event are the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Biodun Omoleye; Special Adviser on Development Partnerships, Mrs Margaret Fagboyo; Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Mrs Sola Salako-Ajulo, Senior Special Assistant on SDG, Mrs Bolanle Solanke among others.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Politics
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
The Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG) has welcomed the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing the complaint filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, said the verdict of the disciplinary body has once again vindicated the Deputy Speaker and reaffirmed the position earlier taken by CRG that the allegations against him lacked merit.
The LPDC, in its ruling referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
According to George, the decision demonstrates the importance of allowing competent institutions to examine allegations objectively rather than rushing to judgment in the court of public opinion.
“From the onset, the Centre for Responsible Governance maintained that justice must take its course. We insisted that competent institutions should be allowed to examine the issues without political pressure or sensationalism. The LPDC’s ruling has now clearly shown that the allegations had no foundation,” he said.
The CRG spokesman further stated that the decision reinforces the sterling reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has over the years built a distinguished profile both as a legal practitioner and as a legislator.
“Honourable Benjamin Kalu is a respected member of the Nigerian Bar and an accomplished lawmaker. Attempts by some individuals to impugn his reputation through unfounded allegations were unfortunate and unnecessary.”
CRG also condemned the actions of certain civil society groups that were quick to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside from office even before any formal determination had been made by the relevant authorities.
George described such calls as premature and irresponsible, noting that they contributed to the politicisation of a matter that required sober institutional review.
“It is disappointing that some civil society organisations rushed to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside without allowing due process to run its course. Advocacy for accountability must be guided by facts and fairness, not by sensational pressure.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the role played by some political actors from the South East who allegedly sought to exploit the controversy for narrow political interests.
According to CRG, it is troubling that certain politicians would attempt to undermine one of their own for short-term political advantage.
“It is even more disturbing that some political actors from the South East appeared eager to weaponise this matter in an attempt to bring down one of their own for cheap political gain. Such actions weaken collective political progress and erode the spirit of solidarity required for national development.”
CRG therefore called on Nigerians to learn from the episode and reaffirm respect for institutional processes and the rule of law.
The organisation stressed that public discourse must be guided by evidence, fairness and responsible engagement rather than rumours or politically motivated campaigns.
“The lesson here is simple: allegations must be tested by competent institutions before conclusions are drawn. Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger when due process is respected and reputations are not casually destroyed.”
CRG concluded by congratulating the Deputy Speaker for maintaining calm and dignity throughout the controversy, noting that his composure reflected confidence in the justice system.
@The Centre for Responsible Governance, Email: [email protected], Instagram: crgngo6, Twitter: crgng06, Threads: crgngo6
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
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