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Fayemi did not give us N4 billion, Ekiti APC replies Fayose, PDP
The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has denied allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party that former Governor Kayode Fayemi diverted N4 billion workers’ entitlements to service it during his tenure.
The APC accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of regaling in his old practice of falsehood and blackmail to divert Ekiti people’s attention from proven cases of sharp practices in governance.
It said the allegation by the PDP was meant to divert attention from the controversy over the alleged N720 million he awarded himself as salary arrears for his unfinished first time while at the same time owing workers salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.
Mr. Fayose was impeached from office in October 2006 during his first term as governor.
In a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Taiwo Olatubosun, the APC expressed dismay that the governor was just realising after eight months in office that N4billion was diverted by Mr. Fayemi.
It said Mr. Fayose was exposed as an enemy of workers, having owed workers’ salaries and pensions at the time he awarded himself N720m and paying back N650m to his election contractors.
The APC said, “It is laughable that as much as 4billion was diverted and or embezzled by the Fayemi administration and Fayose is just knowing eight months after assumption of office, pretending that a kangaroo verification exercise had revealed this. This is better told to the marines!
“Fayemi had earlier offered his administration for probe when Fayose started a similar campaign of calumny to cover his tracks in financial mismanagement but the governor had no courage for such exercise because there was nothing to probe,” he said.
“Fayose is at it again in his usual funny game to divert Ekiti people’s attention from his sharp practices in governance. This is an afterthought that exposes his ignorance and confusion. If Fayose is sure of his facts, he should not waste time in taking his case to the EFCC.”
The party said the former governor was still paying workers’ salaries with overdraft until Mr. Fayose as governor-elect wrote to banks to stop it.
It said, “There is no deduction anywhere. It is not possible. Even though for the two years that federal allocations to the state dwindled with as much as N500 million, Fayemi was still paying workers’ salaries with overdraft until Fayose as Governor-elect wrote to banks to stop it, so how was any deduction and diversion possible under that situation?
”The biometric system was so transparent such that it did not allow ghost workers syndrome, but since the PDP is now saying its government had detected 1,000 ghost workers, we are interested in unmasking the ghosts, which we believe is the governor’s making and we demand that the names of these ghost workers be published,” he added.
The APC asked Mr. Fayose and his party to approach the EFCC with their claim, including the list of workers used to siphon funds.
It said Mr. Fayemi would be willing to defend his financial transactions in government with facts and figures.
The party said this lie is coming now because APC had put Mr. Fayose administration on the spot over its inability to pay workers salary, stoppage of poverty reduction programmes of his predecessor at the time he is facing N1.3b poultry fraud case in court while also awarding himself N720m salary arrears.
“We want to say that this diversionary tactic has failed. Fayose had said on several occasions that the greatest weapon in politics and governance is tellies lies,” it said.
“All Nigerians, Ekiti people in particular, know the kind of human being Fayose is and so they would not be deceived by this diversionary tactic to continue to owe workers’ salaries and pensions to retirees.
“With money saved from cancellations of empowerment schemes, refusal to fund security agencies, job cuts, cuts in allowances, refund of N24b by the Federal Government, six moratorium on bond repayment, abandonment of capital projects initiated by Fayemi and non-award of fresh capital projects, APC will not stop from asking the governor to fulfil his obligations to Ekiti people.”
The APC urged the governor to show his development blueprint and achievements eight months in the saddle instead of engaging in lies, mindless private comfort and encouraging indolence and crimes among youths.
I did not pay N720million to my self — Fayose
Meanwhile, Mr. Fayose has denied paying himself the sum of N750 million as terminal benefits for his first term in office.
The governor debunked the allegation during a broadcast on Monday to mark the first year of his return as governor of the state.
He said only a wicked leader would pay such a huge sum to himself in the face of the present economic hardship.
According to him, the allegation was the plan of the opposition to cause disaffection among the Ekiti people.
He said, “I am Ayo Fayose, your governor who can never do that, since you have known me, you will observe that I have always been transparent and down to earth with you in all matters.
“Please be assured that I am not in a hurry to get rich through the back door as suggested by my detractors.
“Let us even to think of it whether it was logical for me to have been so selfish into paying such money into my private account, what sense does that make to a right thinking person when such money was almost enough to augment what we are looking for to pay the May salary to Ekiti workers.”
The governor assured of his administration’s readiness to bring rapid development to the state despite the dwindling financial resources.
French Embassy Partners NIFS to Sponsor Nigeria Delegation to MIPCOM
Sahara Weekly Reports That The French Embassy as part of its commitment to support industry development, has partnered with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) to sponsor a Nigerian delegation, comprising about 20 companies with dedicated stands, at the Nigerian Pavilion at Cannes.
The Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) is a leading platform dedicated to advancing the film and television industries in Nigeria, across Africa, and beyond. By providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation, NIFS plays a pivotal role in driving the growth and global recognition of African content.
MIPCOM is renowned as the Mother of all Entertainment Content Markets Globally, with over 11,000 delegates, 3500 buyers, and over 100 countries represented with more than 320 stands.
Located at the heart of the Palais des Festivals’ exhibition floor, this market combines a high-end conference setup with sessions on Connected TV Summit, Streamers Talk, MIP Global FAST & AVOD Summit as well as a networking lounge including a bar area, alongside a dedicated “Tech Demo zone”.
Over the days, participants will engage in networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts aimed at pushing Nigerian content to the global forefront.
Industry professionals and Trightsalogue rights holders will come together to explore new opportunities and address the challenges facing the industry.
By accepting to join the Nigerian delegation to MIPCOM, participants reaffirm their commitment to highlighting and selling African stories that resonate not only on the continent but around the world.
Mr Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos stated that “After supporting a stand for Nigerian Animation Studios at Animation Film International Market in Annecy for the past 3 years, the French Embassy in Nigeria will be providing Nigerian Industry professionals with an umbrella at Mthe IPCOM. Coordinated with NIFthe S platform, this stand will be hosting fourteen studios that sell tantheirvies, TV series, TV, and shows to international broadcasters, and platform support for the Nigerian Audiovisual Industry was made possible thanks to specific funds. This year again, the program called “Creation Africa” enables us to support entrepreneurship in the sector of cultural and Creative industries. This fund has bd to us for a period of 18 months by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.”
Mrs Ijeoma ONAH, founder of NIFS added: “Indeed we are excited with the level of support from the French Embassy in supporting film and TV professionals with a Nigerian Pavilion at the largest global content distribution market MIPCOM Cannes. Through this partnership, our resolve to continue to drive international business for local Nigerian companies has been reinforced, and with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit, we remain committed to the huge ininternationalitieshrough lithe censing of local programs because this outcome will definitely elevate and transform the dynamics of international distribution for local companies in Nigeria.”
Mrs Onah will lead the Nigerian delegation to Cannes along with Mr Christophe Pecot, Audiovisual Attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria.
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Breaking: Lagos Assembly Suspends Alimosho Council Chairman
Sahara Weekly Reports That The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday handed down an indefinite suspension to the chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon. The suspension is with immediate effect.
Sitting at plenary, the lawmakers resolved that the vice chairman of the council, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of its affairs.
The House further instructed the management of the council, including the manager and treasurer, recognizes the authority of the vice chairman and accord him all the support to make him work effectively.
The chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the lawmakers over an alleged non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude to the legislative House.
Moving a motion for his suspension, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, recalled that in April 2024, pandemonium broke out in the Iyana-Ipaja axis of Alimosho Local Government leading to the death of one Mr. Micheal Ajayi.
Hon. Okanlawon, whose committee was saddled with the responsibility to investigate the cause of the pandemonium, said that it was discovered that Jelili masterminded the chaos.
According to Okanlawon, all stakeholders involved in the issue were invited, but Jelili had continued to show acts of misconduct to the committee of the House.
He highlighted the council chairman’s failure to adhere to the Assembly’s directives and his mismanagement of public funds. He, therefore, called for Jelili’s immediate suspension in line with relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“He should be suspended immediately while the vice chairman, Akin Johnson, takes over with immediate effect,” he prayed.
Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, while supporting the call for Jelili’s suspension, added that the action would make other local government chairmen sit well.
“The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget. There has been a lot of misconducts from him and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” he said.
In his contribution Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referred to the report submitted by the State Auditor-General concerning the activities of Jelili. The report underscored the council chairman’s consistent non-compliance with financial regulations, with significant irregularities in his records.
Akinsanya, emphasising these discrepancies, suported Okanlawon’s call for Jelili’s suspension.
Similarly, Hon. Ladi Ajomale expressed surprise that the council chairman had been recalcitrant despite previous reports detailing his alleged financial mismanagement.
Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, while echoing his concerns, also prayed the House to invite Mr. Kolade Alabi and Mr. Rasak Ajala, chairmen of Bariga LCDA and Odi Olowo LCDA respectively, as heads of the Conference 57, to explain the widespread disregard by council chairmen for governance protocols.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the sitting, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to communicate the Assembly’s resolution to all relevant authorities
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Former Liberian Vice President, Howard-Taylor Appointed UNIPGC Matron
Sahara Weekly Reports That The first female Vice President of Liberia, JEWEL Howard-Taylor, has been appointed the Matron of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC) for its African chapter.
She was officially sworn into office on Friday at the Jewel Starfish Headquarters in Monrovia, Liberia, a colorful event that recorded overwhelming success.
She was taken through an oath of allegiance by the Global President & Chairman of the Supreme Council of UNIPGC Africa, H.E. Amb. Dr. Jonathan Ojadah.
The former Vice President swore to lead people manage resources, and create value no individual can create alone.
Amb. Ojadah, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations and holder of the US President’s Lifetime Achievement award congratulated Howard-Taylor for her official inauguration and expressed hope that she would bring massive value to the UNIPGC.
Howard-Taylor is considered one of the most influential African women.
Earlier, Amb. Ojadah was treated to a superb welcome from the executives of UNIPGC upon arrival in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
Those who came out to receive him upon arrival at the airport included notable members of the UNIPGC General Assembly and key executives.
They are Amb. Fanta Ceesay and Mrs. Joy Okikili from Liberia, Amb. Dipo Gbenro, the Country Chief for Sierra Leone, and Amb. Michael Adediran, the Country Chief for Tanzania.
Also present was Mr. Titus Charlie, representing H.E. Jewel Howard Taylor, among other distinguished officials.
This landmark occasion on Friday marks a new chapter for UNIPGC Africa under the esteemed leadership of Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor.
The event, which drew massive attention across the board, is also a demonstration of the commitment of UNIPGC Africa towards fostering peace and good governance across the continent.
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