News

JUST IN: Gov. Fayemi Signs Amotekun Bill Into Law

Published

5 years ago

March 16, 2020

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday signed the bill for the establishment of the state Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps into law.

The House of Assembly on February 14 passed the bill and forwarded it to the governor for his assent after exhaustive points-by-points and clause-by-clause scrutinization of the bill.

The security outfit was initiated by the six South-West governors to tackle the prevailing security challenges facing the region.

Presenting the bill to the governor at the event held at the popular Jibowu Hall inside the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye, said the House had fulfilled its fundamental responsibility of making people-oriented laws that would guarantee adequuate protection of lives and property of the people of the state.

Afuye expressed optimism that the bill when sign into law would stem the tide of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other manifestation of criminalities that have continued to constitute hindrances to people’s normal social and economic life.

He said the homogeneity of Yoruba race, in terms of politics, culture and history made the Amotekun gained traction in the southwest region.

” It is clear that the police are overwhelmed, overstreched and overburdened. This is where the concept behind Amotekun stemmed from. I want to also douse the tension and clarify that it won’t compete with police but will complement it”, he said.

In his remarks at the event witnessed by top government functionaries and traditional rulers, Fayemi warned criminals to steer clear of Ekiti, boasting that “Amotekun Corps will get you wherever you hide”.

The governor said the security outfit would not be politicised but rather strengthen to ensure that criminals within and outside the state had no breathing space.

The governor said the resilience of Ekiti kete and Yoruba race brought the security outfit to full operation, stressing the scenario leading to the formation of Amotekun corps was novel since the advent of democracy in 1999.

“Since the advent of democracy in 1999, this is the first time when Yoruba people will speak with one voice without political or religious considerations”, he said.

Speaking about the event leading to the formation of the corps, Fayemi said: “As a responsible and responsive government,it is our belief that security is significant and we won’t toy with security of lives and property.

“The current challenges of proliferation of small arms, rutial killings, banditry, youth restiveness , cattle rustling , insurgency and terrorism are daunting.

“In tackling some of these menaces, which surfaced in the southwest region, the governors in the zone officially launched Western Nigeria Security Network in Ibadan on Jan 20, 2020 at and the bill that will form the legal framework was passed by the State House of Assembly .

“Let me clarify that Amotekun will help the police to arrest, gather intelligence and information , arrest and prosecution of criminals , tackle illegal mining, land trespass, cattle rustling, destruction of crops, tresspass into farmlands, cultism, highway robbery, among others.

“Amotekun is not a substitute to the existing security networks , but a complement to it. It is not for Ekiti people alone, but for everbody. As long as you are resident in Ekiti, you enjoy the right to be protected , so it is not for the indigenes alone.

“Crime fighting is a collective responsibility. Those perpetrating crimes are living among us and let us be vigilant and help the Amotekun Corps fish out criminals in our midst”, he said.

Fayemi promised that the handlers of Amotekun will be thorough with the issues of recruitment, training and deployment of the operatives , for efficiency and effectiveness of the network.

“The issues of recruitment, training and deployment will be carefully considered. All the operatives will work in areas where they understand better”.

The governor charged the royal fathers to coalesce efforts with the security network to get rid criminal-minided people at the grassroots.

The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulers, Oba Adebanji Alabi , described the signing of the bill as epochal in the annal of history of yorubaland and worthy of celebration.

“You could all remember the events leading to kidnapping, banditry, destruction of crops in the southwest . It was like the region was under siege .

“The governor, Dr Kayoe Fayemi and other colleagues championed the course and worked hard to achieve this success despite encumbrances and obstacles.

“But for Amotekun to be a success, it rests on three things, the recruitment, which must be painstakingly done. The Government and the Obas must make sure we have round pegs in round holes.

“Number two is training , they must be properly trained , groomed in the act of security, information and intelligence gathering , how to guard against sabotage among other skills required of them. The third one is good and strategic deployment, so that we won’t have security operatives that will be ineffective and kleptomaniac”, he advised.

The Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON), Mr. Amire Kolade and the coordinator of the Vigillance Group of Nigeria, Mr. Akin Olorunloni, promised that they would work zealously and assiduously with the corps for Ekiti to become a no-go-area for criminals.

News

50% telecom tariff hike: NATCOMS backs decision as NLC bows to FG’s pressure

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The Nigeria Labour Congress bowed to pressure to halt its planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunication tariff hike.

Also, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers backed the decision by the organized Labour.

Gatekeeper reports that the NLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government after a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night.

In the MoU signed by the SGF, Senator George Akume, NLC president Joe Ajaero, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, and the National Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, both parties agreed to set up a technical committee to resolve gray areas in the 50 percent telecom tariff approval.

However, NLC reiterated its rejection of the tariff hike.

“Arising from the meeting convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs in the country, which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed strong opposition to, citing its potential negative impact on the Nigerian workers and the economy with a threat to proceed on a one-day nationwide mass protest, the following resolutions were reached: That there is a need for the parties to sit together in a technical group to resolve most of the thorny areas raised during the discussion; consequently, a 10-man joint committee was set up of five (5) representatives each from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and the committee shall conclude and submit its deliberations within two (2) weeks from this 3rd day of February, 2025.

“The parties call on the Nigerian people to remain calm while this committee concludes its assignment,” the communique after the meeting stated.

Earlier, a civic society organisation known as the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, had announced the suspension of its planned protest against the 50 percent tariff hike.

Recall that last week, NLC announced Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, as a date for a one-day mass protest against the telecom tariff hike.

In a notice last Thursday by NLC National Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union had already asked the state congress and affiliate union to mobilise for Tuesday’s mass protest.

This comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission on January 2025 approved a 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike for operators.

The approval has sparked tariff hike controversy in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

NLC and other telecom subscribers had opposed the tariff implementation, citing the persistent economic hardship Nigerians already face.

Subscribers back nationwide protest suspension.

DAILYPOST

Politics

Edo tribunal: PDP, Ighodalo, close case against Gov. Okpegholo

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

*As INEC opens defence Wednesday

After calling 19 witnesses at the Edo State governorship election tribunal, to attack the credibility and outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election that produced governor Monday Okpegholo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, closed their case.

The decision was communicated to the Justice Wilfred Kpochi- led three-member tribunal yesterday by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN.

In their petition, the petitioners who called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents and devices used for the disputed polls, urged the tribunal to nullify the election of Governor Okpegholo over alleged irregularities including over-voting and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, produced five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines that were used for the election.

The electronic devices, which were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Anthony Itodo, were admitted in evidence, amidst opposition from the camp of the respondents.
This is in addition to the 148 BVAS machines that had earlier been admitted in evidence by the tribunal for the conduct of the election in 133 polling units.
After the short proceedings, the tribunal then adjourned till Wednesday for INEC to open its defence.
The electoral body had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247,655 votes.

However dissatisfied with the results, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the election.

In the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the petitioners argued that Governor Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

Daily Sun

News

FG approves N4.8bn for HIV/AIDS treatment amid U.S. funding suspension

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

…Okays $1bn HOPE programme to fix PHCs, others

Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a significant allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs, aimed at supporting Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

This decision comes in light of the recent suspension of U.S. government funding for HIV programs, which is undergoing a 90-day review period.

Addressing Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Wale Edun and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, explained that the approval underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

The funding landscape for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance, particularly from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund. Historically, about 80% of HIV response funding has come from external donors, with domestic contributions lagging behind.

Under the Buhari’s administration, the government had admitted that since 2005, about $6.2 billion had been spent on HIV response in Nigeria, with approximately 80% of these funds contributed by external donors.

Pate, on Monday emphasised the importance of this funding: “This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption.”

The approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over a four-month period. This initiative not only aims to provide immediate relief but also demonstrates Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

The minister said FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the Ministries of Finance, Budget, Defence, Environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum to come up with a sustainability plan.

Responding to U.S. Policy Shifts on Development Assistance

Addressing recent U.S. policy changes affecting development assistance for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, Pate highlighted Nigeria’s proactive approach to sustainability. “While we appreciate the contributions of the U.S. government over the last 20 years, Nigeria is now focused on transforming its health sector using national systems and domestic financing,” he said.

To ensure a seamless transition amid these policy shifts, a committee comprising key ministries and state governors has been tasked with developing a sustainability plan. “This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment during this period of adjustment,” he emphasised.

Pate said FEC approved the HOPE (Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative designed to strengthen governance and primary healthcare systems nationwide. “This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the center of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Pate stated.

The funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare. The governance component will incentivize states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will expand primary health care services, improve quality, and boost resilience. “This is about accelerating transformation in the health sector,” Pate explained, referencing the ongoing Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) launched in 2023.

The programme also includes $70 million in grant financing from the Global Financing Facility to support maternal and child health services. “We are building on free emergency medical services for maternal and child health as part of this initiative,” Pate added