The Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has released the names of 600 newly recruited primary school teachers

EKITI SUBEB RELEASES LIST OF FIRST BATCH  OF  NEWLY RECRUITED  TEACHERS ON STATE WEBSITE.

The Ekiti State Universal Basic Education  Board (SUBEB) has released the names of 600 newly recruited primary school teachers on the State Website.

The SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi who made this known in Ado Ekiti, explained that the newly engaged teachers were the first batch to be employed from successful applicants in the recruitment exercise and documentation process carried out by SUBEB recently.

Prof Akinwumi advised applicants to check  the list by logging to  the Ekiti State Website via :

http://ekitistate.gov.ng/jobs.

He said that the 600 successful applicants as well as the already notified 100 newly recruited  teachers under the Federal Teachers Scheme would undergo a 4-day induction training workshop from the Monday ,18th January, 2021 at designated centres across the state  under strict compliance with the COVID-19 Protocols recently announced by the state Government.

Akinwumi added that the venues for the induction training   programme and other relevant information would be made available to the successful  candidates in due course.

Stressing that the recruitment exercise was deviod of political, religious, ethnic or gender bias,  he said that the exercise was strictly based on merit.

Akinwumi however charged the newly recruited teachers to see their employment as a call to duty, stressing that they should judiciously utilise the opportunity given to them by being diligent, loyal and dedicated to their duties. 

The SUBEB boss also assured that the exercise was continuous as more successful applicants would still be employed in due course.

Gunmen kill 1, abduct ex-US soldier, another in Ekiti State

The Police in Ekiti on Tuesday confirmed the killing of one person and abduction of a retired U.S army officer, Maj. Jide Ijadare, and one other by unknown gunmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) in the state, Mr. Sunday Abutu who confirmed the incident, said it happened in Ijan Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government area of the state.

“We can confirm to you that a retired U.S. soldier and one other were kidnapped around 2:00p.m today (Tuesday).

“One person was also killed during the attack at a factory in Ijan Ekiti where the two persons were kidnapped.

“The Police Commissioner has drafted policemen to the place and we are combing the bushes where they escaped into.

“The police is working with local hunters to ensure that these kidnappers are arrested and prosecuted,” the PPRO said.

The incident came barely 24 hours after the the Director, General Administration in the state Local Government Service Commission, Mr David Jejelowo, was reportedly killed in his house by yet to be identified persons.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) gathered that Ijadare, a native of Ijan Ekiti, was kidnapped in his palm oil producing factory located on Ijan-Ise-Ekiti road.

The suspected kidnappers, said to be seven in number, had invaded the factory where they shot dead one person in a bid to kidnap the retired army officer and the other victim.

NAN learnt that the gunmen stormed the factory, shot sporadically and killing one person, before dragging Maj. Ijadare and the other staff member into the car and zooming off.

Source: News Agency

Schools Will Reopen In Ekiti State On September 21 – Fayemi

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has directed the reopening of primary and secondary schools in the state as from September 21, 2020.

Fayemi who gave the order in a state-wide broadcast on Sunday evening noted that full COVID-19 procedures and guidelines will be strictly adhered to as students and teachers return to schools.

The Governor also approved the reopening of Universities and other tertiary institutions in the state as from October 2, 2020, however subject to each institution’s governing council decision.

Giving a further breakdown of the resumption schedules, Fayemi said students in SSS II, JSS III and Primary 6 are to resume on September 21, while students in SSS I, JSS II and Primary 5 and 4 are to resume from September 28.

Students in JSS I and Primary 1-3 are to resume on October 19, while pupils in kindergarten and nursery schools are expected to resume on November 2, when more assurances of safety for their age bracket would have been established.

The governor noted that the decision to reopen schools follows the progress recorded in curbing the further spread of COVID-19 infections in the state.

“While we have progressively responded to the initial lockdown with gradual relaxation in line with the progress made, we must remain vigilant as we cannot afford to indulge ourselves such that a spike may recur as a result of flagrant disobedience to the established protocol,” he said.

“We cannot afford to go back into another round of lockdown with its attendant repercussions. This point needs to be emphasized; though, there is a national decline in number of cases, there has been a noticeable upsurge in Ekiti.

“One proof of this is the unpleasant but consistent figures that we have recorded in the last month. As at the time I addressed you on August 5, 2020, there were only 152 confirmed cases in Ekiti.

“Today we have recorded a total of 299 cases which means we recorded 147 new cases within a month. You would recall that the total recorded cases from March to August were 152. This suggests that from August to date, we have had near 100 percent new cases, even while national number has maintained a stable decline,” he noted.

Fayose can’t stop Makinde from coming to Ekiti – Sen. Abiodun Olujimi

‌A factional leader of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Biodun Olujimi, on Thursday dismissed warnings by a former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose to the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, as an “empty threat.”

Olujimi, said the Oyo State governor was welcome to visit Ekiti State to assist in the party’s reconciliation efforts at any time he deemed fit.

She spoke in response to Fayose’s admonition to Makinde urging him to steer clear of the party’s affairs in Ekiti State.

Olujimi spoke at Omuo Ekiti while donating empowerment materials to her constituents in the Ekiti South Senatorial District.

The federal lawmaker said, “Governor Seyi Makinde is welcome in Ekiti anytime. He should even come now so that we can celebrate him. Fayose’s comment was just an empty threat.

“We say unequivocally that governor Makinde is the PDP leader of the zone. Why should the party allow Fayose to conduct the congresses without following due process? We will resist a man who contributed to the failure of our party in Ekiti and the zone. We are resolute to rescue the party.”

APC chieftain urges collaboration to develop Ekiti

The Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC), United Kingdom chapter, has appealed to stakeholders to collaborate with Gov. Kayode Fayemi towards the development of the state.

The chapter’s chairman, Dr Lee Badeji, made the appeal in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

He added that the infighting among party members in the state was not necessary, stressing that there was the need for unity, if the state must remain relevant in the political arena ahead of the 2023 elections.

Badeji, however, noted that the political infighting in the state chapter, was not unconnected with the internal quibble among its stakeholders.

According to him, such atmosphere does not speak well for a political family, adding that there is need to forge a common political front.

This, he said, was critical to engender unity among politicians in the state, for the common good of all Ekiti at home and in the diaspora.

He added that as a leader, he was already working round the clock to unify all warring parties within the party in the state.

“My peace initiative is solely due to my position as the chairman of the state’s party in the UK to preach peace and unity among all leaders at home.

“I therefore call on all other party leaders in the state, including those who had left for one reason or the other, to allow for reconciliation and long lasting peace to reign.

“As the 2023 politicking commences in earnest, the role of Ekiti State is very pivotal in shaping the next electioneering in the country.

“However, we must put our house in order to be able to make meaningful and valuable impact in the months ahead,” he said.

Badeji noted the contributions of other political leaders in the state to forestall and sustain progress in the interest of all.

He added that such party leaders had over time provided good leadership at several points in their political sojourn in the state, saying that their contributions could not be undermined.

According to him, the individual contributions of such leaders had positively impacted the overall wellness of the residents.

“I am ready and willing to work with all in the overall interest of Ekiti.

“Truth remains Gov. Fayemi may not be perfect, no one is, and just like everyone too, Dr Badeji is no exception. But as human, I learn from my mistakes, make the necessary adjustment and move on.

“The same way can be said of the incumbent Gov. Fayemi, he is a man that learns from his mistakes and always willing to learn and listen to the opinions of others,” he said.

Badeji lauded the state party leaders and commended their efforts so far, at ensuring that the interest of the people remained paramount.

Mr Olusegun Agbalajobi, had also in a statement, commended Badeji for his peace initiative, saying that he was a true son of Ekiti and a good leader that should be emulated.

“I appreciate the mediation you have undertaken without any push from anyone. I am ready and willing to work with you in the overall interest of Ekiti,” the statement quoted Agbalajobi as saying.

Source: Today.ng

Fayemi reshuffles cabinet, nominates 7 commissioners, 2 board members

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has sent seven names of commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly for approval.

The major rejig must have been a deft move to placate some All Progressives Congress (APC) members, who felt short-changed with the way the cabinet was composed in 2018 .

 

Some APC members accused the governor of placing premium on appointment of professionals into his cabinet at the expense of politicians, who laboured for his victory in the July 14, 2018 poll.

This formed part of the issues raised by a presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu, and other 12 aggrieved leaders in their diatribe against Fayemi, alleging that core politicians within the party, were sidelined in the cabinet.

But on Tuesday, Fayemi sent the list of seven new commissioner nominees to the Assembly for screening and ratification.

During the plenary, Speaker Funminiyi Afuye read the names of the nominees, including Diran Adesua (Ekiti East), Olabode Adetoyi (Moba), Olabimpe Aderiye (Ido Osi), Oye Filani (Ikole),  Iyabo Fakunle (Ilejemeje), Mariam Ogunlade (Emure) and Akin Omole (Oye), to the members.

Also nominated for board positions are Femi Akinwunmi, Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, while the current Commissioner for Lands, Febisola Adewale, has been sent for confirmation as commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission.

Fayemi’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said it was part of the strategies to fortify the cabinet and bring in new bloods with fresh ideas to develop the state.

Oyebode, who spoke via telephone, said Fayemi was determined to deliver on his mandate to bring economic prosperity, by working with other progressives to give the people the required dividends of democracy.

NEMA Issues Flood Alert, Says Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and 25 other States On Danger List

Mr Afolayan said 28 states and 102 local government areas in the country risked being flooded any moment from now due to the impending heavy rainfall in the country.

The National Emergency Management Agency has asked Nigerians to prepare for an imminent flood between the month of August and October this year. 

Director, Operations of NEMA in charge of Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states, Mr Olusegun Afolayan, gave the warning on Friday in Akure. 

Mr Afolayan said 28 states and 102 local government areas in the country risked being flooded any moment from now due to the impending heavy rainfall in the country. 

According to him, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier in February alerted Nigerians to an impending heavy rainfall due to climate change that will lead to flooding.

He said the agency had started sensitising residents ahead of the impending danger, most especially on how to get prepared and channel their waste properly. 

He said, "And if flooding happens, it will lead to loss of lives and properties and we have to forewarn communities that may be affected.

“Those that built on the flood plains should move away in other to avoid the imminent flood disaster that is likely to happen between the month of August and October.

“Flooding is not always caused by heavy downpour alone, but when dams were opened too, it always leads to flooding.

“About 28 states and 102 local governments have been earmarked for this possible flooding."

Ekiti schools resume August 10, churches, mosques, August 14

The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday, announced that schools would resume on August 10 in the state for final year students in Senior Secondary School 3 private and public schools.

Fayemi also said religious centres would be reopened on August 14.

The Governor announced this in a statewide broadcast, according to a statement by his

Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode.

In the statement titled, Lessons from my COVID-19 Infection’, Fayemi expressed concern over an increase in the rate of infection in the last one month in the state with 109 fresh cases.

The governor said COVID-19 protocols would be strictly adhered to as schools open with only SSS 3 students on August 10 and religious centres from August 14, while resumption date for JSS 3 students and Primary 6 pupils would be communicated later.

Fayemi said, “The Task Force leadership have told me that many religious worship centres are now ready and should be able to reopen for service according to the established protocols from August 14, 2020.

“I want to appeal to religious centres as moral agents and institutions reputed for discipline. They must ensure the jointly agreed protocols are adhered to, to protect lives of worshipers as they go about their activities from August 14, 2020.

“Key aspects of the protocols include but are not limited to the following: fumigation of the worship centres and their surroundings, maintenance of social distancing of six-feet apart during worship, provision of infrared thermometer, provision of hand sanitizers and ensuring the windows and doors are wide open.

“The protocols also implicate that there should be no multiple services, and services must be concluded within two hours while children below 12 years of age and elderly people above 65 are not allowed to attend services or Salat until further notice. An attendance register must be provided by each worship centre to record attendance.

“For the avoidance of doubt, only Friday Jumat for Muslims, Saturday Sabbath for Adventists and Sunday Services for other Christians denominations are allowed. Weekly and vigil services are not to hold in the meanwhile. Similarly, all traditional worships of festivals that demand large gathering of devotees are suspended until further notice.”

Fayemi recovers from COVID-19

Gov. Kayode Fayemi

The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has recovered from COVID-19, 11 days after testing positive for the infection.

The governor announced his recovery Saturday morning via his official twitter handle @kfayemi after testing negative.

The tweet reads: “After 11 days in isolation, I received news that my COVID-19 repeat test came back negative.

“My sincere gratitude goes to God Almighty, my family, my medical team, and all well-wishers for the prayers and solidarity.

“We must continue to do all we can to tackle the pandemic.

Recall that the governor announced on July 22 that he contracted the novel coronavirus infection.

However, after a few days, the infection hit some members of  his cabinet as commissioners and other aides tested positive.

The affected persons include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda, who announced his status Sunday evening, while others remain unnamed.

Speaking during the COVID-19 Task Force media briefing in Ado-Ekiti,  the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade confirmed that the Attorney General and some unnamed members of the cabinet had tested positive for COVID-19 in Ekiti.

Dr. Yaya-Kolade, revealed that as a physician it was against the ethics of the profession to disclose the identity of COVID-19 patients but said, “those who tested positive have the liberty to announce it on their own.”

“As you are aware that the commissioner for justice announced his status on twitter and I can tell you that there are other members of the cabinet that are also positive but I must say that they are at liberty to disclose or keep to themselves for the obvious reasons”

COVID-19: Ekiti govt enforces face mask, arrests 100 offenders

Operatives of the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) yesterday arrested no fewer than 100 motorists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, allegedly for violating the use of the face mask on COVID-19 protocols.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda, had on Friday warned the general public in the state that violators of the face mask usage from Monday July 20 would be arrested and prosecuted.

The General Manager, EKSTMA, Chief Femi Olanrewaju, who led the agency’s operatives during the operation, yesterday, said over 100 offenders were arrested in the first day of the enforcement.

Olanrewaju said though the offenders were supposed to be prosecuted in line with laid-down rules, they were pardoned owing to the respect Governor Kayode Fayemi had for the people of the state.

“We are only trying to checkmate a lot of people against living reckless lives and to secure their health. What we did on Monday was a warning operation, and that was why we pardoned the violators. It was like a warning or amnesty, which we granted them after delaying the offenders for about six hours.

“But from Tuesday (today), every offender arrested will be tried properly at the Special Offences Court and proper punitive actions will be meted to the flouters. The government is not ready to compromise the well-being of the people regarding COVID-19.

“We have told commercial drivers, cyclists and other road users to always put on their face mask. They should also refrain from carrying those without face masks, because such an act also constitutes an offence under the COVID-19 guidelines law,” he said.

Olanrewaju disclosed that government’s operatives had also visited some major markets like Oja Oba, Bisi, Mojere and Irona in Ado Ekiti on the need to comply with all COVID-19 protocols, warning that traders defying the order would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Ekiti govt name-shames 66 year-old rapist

The Ekiti State Ministry Of Justice on Friday published the details of another convicted sex offender, a 66-year-old man, Bayo Akintewe who was convicted by a High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti for the rape of a 16-year-old girl (identity withheld).

66 Year-old Akintawe who is of Ondo origin but was formerly a resident of Ado-Ekiti is currently serving a jail term of 5 years at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Ado-Ekiti and has his name registered in the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice Sex Offenders’ Register.

According to a statement from the office of the Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda, “this  publication is in furtherance of the ‘name and shame sex offenders policy’ of the Ekiti State Government.”

The State government recently introduced additional stringent measures to deter sex offenders. In addition to naming and shaming, persons convicted of sex offences will not benefit from the Governor’s powers of the prerogative of mercy and will, therefore, serve the full term of their prison sentence.

Ekiti State is currently reviewing the sex offences provisions in its Criminal Code Law with a view to achieving the effective prosecution of sex offenders. Under the new proposals, the offence of rape will on conviction attract life imprisonment.

Ekiti State Government was the first state in Nigeria to open sex offenders register for the purpose of keeping records of convicted sex offenders in the State and this has however become a national policy in Nigeria

Amotekun: EKSG seeks traditional rulers’ support

Ekiti State Government has solicited the support of the traditional institution in the recruitment of personnel with proven integrity and character into its security network Amotekun, assuring that the recruitment process would be thorough, transparent and non-partisan.

The State Government had last week directed interested applicants between the ages of 18 and 60 years with minimum educational qualification of primary school leaving certificate to download the application form online at www.amotekun.ekitistate.gov.ng and get endorsement letter from their monarchs affirming their indigene-status.

The Chairman of the governing board of the security outfit, Mr Akin Aregbesola, disclosed this on Tuesday, during an advocacy visit to traditional rulers and local government chairmen in Ekiti East, Gboyin and Ekiti South-West local government areas of the state.

Soliciting the support of traditional rulers in the recruitment process, Aregbesola explained that the traditional rulers had critical roles to play in the selection of personnel that would serve in the outfit.

According to the Chairman of the Board, the traditional rulers whom he described as the custodian of native intelligence had adequate knowledge of the people that reside in their respective domain.

Also, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Brig-Gen. Joe Komolafe (rtd), who spoke at the meetings, explained that the board decided to go through online application in order to guide against situations where fraudsters would capitalise on the process to swindle unsuspecting applicants, among other factors.

Brig-Gen Komolafe affirmed that the board has assented to the demand of the traditional rulers for 65 per cent local content in the recruitment of personnel into the security outfit.

He noted that the traditional rulers are the ones that would recommend applicants that will serve in the organisation. He stressed that the online application is free, adding that over two hundred applications were received within the first 24 hours.

He said: “We decided to make the recruitment online because we got information that some people were already luring people into paying a certain amount of money for them to be recruited into the security outfit.

“The online process is designed in a way that it would prevent fraudsters from compromising it. It would also guarantee that we can do a background check on all applicants.

“The Governor told me that the security outfit is not established for a political reason but to secure the lives and properties of the people by warding off all forms of criminality from the state.”

The Corps Commandant further revealed that successful applicants would be deployed to serve in their local government of origin where they had adequate knowledge of topography.

He used the opportunity to charge traditional leaders to be apolitical in endorsing applicants for the job but to attest to applicants who were of good reputation and vast in the traditional technology.

Responding, the Chairman Traditional Council and Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, charged local government chairmen to live up to expectations by supporting local intelligence that would help in combating insecurity in the state.

The Chairman of the traditional council noted that Amotekun was mainly about intelligence gathering which he described as the bedrock for fighting crime.

Also, the Elekota of Ikota in Ekiti East local government, Oba Ajayi Fagbemi, charged the management of the outfit to guide against sabotage and ensure that they are discrete on strategies to be adopted on the mode of operation. The monarch urged them to prioritize remuneration, discipline and supervision in its operations.

In Gboyin local government, the chairman, traditional council of the local government and Olode of Ode Ekiti, Oba Samuel Aderiye, assured the board members that the traditional rulers would only recommend people of reputable characters that had been proven in the art of native technology for the job.

Also, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the State and Chairman Ekiti South West Local Government, Mr Amire Kolade, said local government chairmen were set to support the corps in achieving the essence of its establishment.

We are ready to reopen schools – South-West Governors

The six South-West states have signified readiness to reopen schools for pupils to sit for the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This was part of the resolutions reached by the state governments at the end of a virtual meeting initiated on Tuesday by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria otherwise called DAWN Commission in collaboration with the forum of South-West education commissioners, special advisers on education and the State Universal Basic Education Board chairmen.

The Federal Government had on July 8 reversed its earlier decision authorising schools’ reopening for Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3 students, who are expected to participate in the Junior Secondary School Certificate and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations respectively.

According to the statement made available to journalists, on Wednesday, by the Director-General of the Commission, Seye Oyeleye, the statement read in parts, “The Forum, after careful deliberations, considering peculiarities of each state and options available reached a consensus on the subject matters and are expresses thus: On WAEC examinations; State Commissioners for Education have signified readiness to sit students for the 2019/2020 WAEC examinations.

“At the least, August 3rd, resumption for final year SSS3 students, states should approach the Federal Government at the first instance seeking the postponement of the WAEC exam by at least three weeks from proposed resumption. At the second instance states should directly approach WAEC to seek for an extension of the WAEC Examinations to week commencing August 24.

“All schools, when reopening should have in place incident managers and classroom wardens for every school and every classroom. The designation of the Quality Assurance Department for each state to issue a Safety Compliance Certificate to each school before reopening.”

The state governments also urged WAEC to encourage the administering the use of Computer-Based Tests while each state should deliberately intensify efforts and invest more in education technology.

Breaking: Amotekun Commences Recruitment in Ekiti State

The Board of Ekiti State Security Network (AMOTEKUN) announces the commencement of its recruitment exercises with effect from 08-07-2020. According to a press statement from the Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig- General Joe Komolafe Rtd, all eligible Ekiti indigenes from the ages of 18- 60 with the minimum education of Primary School Leaving Certificate should visit the website www.amotekun.ekitistate.gov.ng to download, fill and submit their registration online free of charge. Applicants are also advised to print out their registration form for  record purposes. Registration closes on 28-07-2020

UN, Ekiti partner to build 50,000 housing units in the state.

The United Nations, in partnership with Ekiti State Government, on Wednesday announced a $2bn deal for 50,000 affordable homes in the state.

The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Executive of Sustainable Infrastructure Impact Investments, Vitaly Vanshelboim, said the project would span 10 years, adding that the development would see Ekiti State join one of the largest affordable housing initiatives in the world.

The agreement to build at least 50,000 affordable homes over the next 10 years was signed in Ado Ekiti by the United Nations Office for Project Services; SHS Holdings and Ekiti State Government.

As part of the agreement, UNOPS and SHS will mobilise resources from third-party investors to fund the initiative which gross development value (based on the sales value of completed homes) is estimated to reach US$2bn.

Vanshelboim said, “We are very pleased to support this contribution to Nigeria’s national development priorities and in particular to help meet the critical need for affordable housing, through innovative approaches to construction and mortgage financing.”

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said apart from the fact that the partnership would “deliver 50,000 homes in our communities, it will also increase foreign direct investment into Ekiti State and put thousands of our people in jobs.”

He said, “This is how our promise of developing Ekiti and improving the lives of the people can be achieved. This partnership has come at an important time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reminded us of the need to deliver quality social infrastructure to the people.”

COVID-19: Ekiti reopens schools, worship centres

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said worship centres in the  state may resume for services as from Friday, July 17th,  inline

with the agreement reached by the state government with leaders of religious organisations in the state.

Governor  Fayemi who disclosed this on Tuesday in a state-wide broadcast on the next stage in the State’s COVID-19 Response said arrangements are in top gear to ensure that pupils and students return to school from July 20 as recommended by stakeholders in the education sector.

He also noted that the  two largest markets in Ado Ekiti, the Oja Oba and Bisi Market, will now be open to lock-up shops only subject to

compliance with protocols stressing that street trading, makeshift stalls kiosks and open display of wares in the said markets remain

banned.

The Governor also announced that the state government has taken an N2.5 billion Life Insurance cover of N2 million each for 500 frontline

medical personnel involved in COVID-19 assignment in addition to the prompt payment of COVID-19 special allowances to qualified cadres.

However, he expressed dismay with the increasing refusal of residents to wear face masks in public which he said could spike community

transmission of the disease.

Fayemi said security agencies and the Ministry of Justice have been directed to arrest and prosecute any person caught in public places

without wearing the face mask appropriately covering the nose, mouth and chin.

Expatiating on the conditions to be met before public worship resume, Fayemi said social distancing of six feet must be observed and hand washing, as well as use of face masks, are compulsory.

According to him,  maximum capacity for each building should be determined with the six feet social distancing principle adding that the number must be conspicuously displayed outside the building.

Road Drama As Female Soldier Had Varbal Conflict With Police Who Stopped Her For Questioning In Ekiti State.

It was like a stage drama in Okeyimmi area of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, on Sunday when a female soldier who was not in uniform was intercepted by police officers detailed along that axis.

The scene which occurred around 2:00 pm attracted a lot of attention to the scene of the very public argument.

Daily Sun gathered that the female soldier, when stopped by the officers for interrogations, had alighted from her car, brought out her ID, identifying her as a Warrant Officer in the Nigerian Army.

The female soldier, apparently thinking that her identity would have been enough for the police officer to allow her to continue on her journey, allegedly described the officers as junior in rank to her as she reportedly boasted of her 27 years in service in the Nigerian Army.

Her attitude, however, infuriated the police officers, which resulted in a shouting match between them.

The scene which attracted onlookers was brought about when one of two young ladies in the woman’s car allegedly spoke to one of the police officers disrespectfully.

The female soldier was, however, eventually allowed passage when a senior police officer driving by stopped and was briefed on the development, settling the matter immediately

Covid-19: Ekiti Receives N600m Donations, Records Four New Cases

The Ekiti State Government has revealed that it has received over N600 million donations from philanthropists and private organisations since the lockdown was pronounced by Governor Kayode Fayemi in respect of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government also revealed that it has recorded four new cases, which involved tree males and one female, who sneaked into the state from Lagos, Katsina and Oyo States during the lockdown.

The revelation was made in Ado Ekiti Friday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, when members of the Covid-19 Taskforce gave an update on the spread of the scourge in the state.

Yaya-Kolade said though the state has discharged some patients from the isolation centre, but hinted that three of the four new cases were those that have been quarantined having come to the state from places considered as epicentre of Covid-19.

“We have four new cases now. One of the cases is an old man that has been isolated in one of our tertiary health institutions for a while. He is an elderly person who is in a critical condition.

“Others included a 35-year-old female from Katsina and 32-year-old male from Ibadan, while the third one is a 38-year-old male from Lagos, who all sneaked into Ekiti during the lockdown.

“But despite all these, no community spread, because they all came from outside. We beg our people to always alert us when new people come into town, because this has been working.

“But we are begging that nobody should come to Ekiti now, it is an executive order given by Governor Kayode Fayemi that nobody should come at this precarious time.

“It constitutes financial burden to Ekiti for victims of Covid-19 to come from Lagos, Oyo, Katsina to our state for treatment,” she stated.

Yaya-Kolade added that the government has trained a total of 80 civil servants on how to test the people using infra red thermometer.

She added that a total of 234 blood samples had been taken and tested since the outbreak of the disease, adding that more will be done to safeguard the state from calamity.

The commissioner added that Ekiti has set up a molecular laboratory situated within the premises of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, which she said will be launched soon.

Also speaking, the Director General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, stated that the state has received the sum of N631.083 million cash donations through the Covid-19 Fund Mobilisation Committee, headed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

“We have received a sum of N631.08 million from 535 contributors which the breakdown includes 231 donors and 234 political appointees.

“About 50 private organisations had donated food items and other consumables to fight this scourge by way of cushioning the effect of lockdown on the people,” he said.

Aluko said the state government will continue to work with security agencies and border towns to make the borders safe and impenetrable by intruders.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon Gbenga Agbeyo, said drone fumigation by Oodua fumigating team being powered by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will soon commence as part of the measures to curb the menace.