News

Fayemi Breaks Silence On EFCC Probe Over Alleged N4bn Fraud

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2023

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has refuted the claim that he is under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N4bn fraud.

Fayemi, in a statement on Friday by the Head of the Fayemi Media Office, Abuja, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said during his visit to the EFCC, “no such allegation was raised during his conversation” with officials of the anti-graft agency.

The statement, however, noted that all Fayemi did during the conversation with the officials of the EFCC in Ilorin, Kwara State, was respond to a frivolous petition from a group that was trying to soil his good name and image.

The statement read, “We would like to address the concerns surrounding the invitation and subsequent visit of Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“Last month, Dr Fayemi received an invitation from the Ilorin office of the EFCC regarding a money laundering petition against him. It was during the height of the preparations for the change of government, with many activities and programmes lined up as part of the event.

“A key member of the APC, Dr Fayemi was already committed to playing important roles at these events and his non-appearance would have impacted them significantly. Understanding the significance of his commitments at that time, Dr Fayemi duly notified the EFCC of his willingness to cooperate but requested a more suitable date for his appearance.”

The statement said, Fayemi, on Thursday, accompanied by his counsel, visited the EFCC office in Ilorin, and engaged in fruitful discussions with the investigators before being allowed to depart after a few hours.

It added, “We firmly believe that Dr Fayemi’s visit has provided answers to the agency’s inquiries regarding the petition. However, should there be a need for further clarification, Dr Fayemi stands ready to cooperate fully.

“We wish to note, too, that contrary to the news that made the rounds about a purported N4b fraud case against Dr Fayemi, no such allegation was raised in his conversation with the EFCC.

“All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.”

The statement said throughout Fayemi’s tenure, he served the people of Ekiti State with utmost dedication and was renowned for his principled leadership.

“As governor, he consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the welfare of the citizens, driving notable advancements in infrastructure development and attracting valuable investment opportunities to the state.

“We affirm that Dr Fayemi will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity that he’s known for, and we trust that the truth will prevail in due course,” the statement said.

News

JUST IN: Okpebholo Assigns Portfolios To Commissioners, Makes Major Reshuffle

Published

38 minutes ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has announced a sweeping restructuring of its ministries as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and aligning with the Federal Government’s structure.

In an official statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, it was disclosed that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the reorganization to ensure that his administration’s SHINE Agenda aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

As part of the restructuring, new ministries have been created while some previously defunct ones have been revived, bringing the total number of ministries in Edo State to twenty-eight (28).

According to the statement, the reform is designed to strengthen governance, improve coordination across key sectors, and boost the government’s capacity to deliver effectively on its mandate to the people of Edo State.

Below is the list of approved ministries and their respective commissioners:

Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy – Pending

Ministry of Works – Hon. (Dr.) Felix Ehiguese Akhabue

Ministry of Mining – Hon. Andrew Ijegbai

Ministry of Information and Strategy – Prince Kassim Afegbua

Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu

Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment – Omoh Anabor

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security – Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM

Ministry of Livestock Development – Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponwosa

Ministry of Environment and Sustainability – Hon. (Barr.) Nosa T. Adams

Ministry of Health – Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole

Ministry of Education – Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu

Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development – Dr. Lucky Eseigbe

Ministry of Lands and Housing – Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, JP

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – Ohimai Ehijimetor

Ministry of Science and Technology – Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation – Dr. Washington Osa Osifo

Ministry of Youth Affairs – Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo

Ministry of Women Affairs – Eugenia Abdallah

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Barr. Marie Olabisi Idaomi

Ministry of Power – Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie

Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources – Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae

Ministry of Finance – Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor

Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele

Ministry of Transportation – Hon. Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP)

Ministry of Justice – Prof. Roland Itoya Otaru, SAN

Ministry of Labour and Productivity – Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi

Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien

Ministry of Public Security and Safety – Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, economic transformation, institutional efficiency, and inclusive development, stressing that the reforms reflect his vision of building a more responsive and people-centered government.

News

Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

Published

52 minutes ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB), has decried the low turnout at a capacity building exercise for teachers and stakeholders in the state.

The training exercise is being organised in collaboration between the board and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Inaugurating the exercise on Tuesday in Bauchi, SUBEB Chairman, Adamu Mohammed, said about 130 head-teachers; principals, planning and statistics officers were expected to attend the three-day training programme.

Mohammed frowned at the low number of the participants attending the exercise, and vowed to sanction defaulters.

“I’m not happy to see the number of you around now. Ordinarily, you are not more than 70 now. I don’t know exactly what happened. Is it that you are not interested or what?

“Unfortunately; you are not ready for this training. Out of the130 participants, see the number of you present here.

“This is very discouraging. I’m not happy with this number and I don’t think I’m going to pay allowances for 130 participants. I will not, call me whichever name but I’m embarrassed,” he said.

He, however, commended the participants present and instructors, calling for more support in future endeavours.

According to Mohammed, the training exercise aims to keep the teachers abreast and technically oriented to enable them to deliver towards repositioning the basic education level.

He said that such exercise was paramount at the basic level of education – a starting point where one could either have a good education system or a bad one.

Prof. Lawan Abdulhamid, a training facilitator, said the training aimed to build teachers’ confidence and competence in using technology.

He said that it also aimed to bridge the digital divide across schools, enhance learning experiences through interactive digital tools, and strengthen teachers as digital educators and innovators.

Abdulamid is an official of the WITS School of Education, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He urged the Nigerian government to develop a control mechanisms on application of the Artificial Intelligence (AI), to check excesses and abuse, particularly in the education sector.

The don also warned teachers and other educators to be wary of the AI, and encouraged them to develop lesson notes/plans, to guard against generating wrong information capable of jeopardising the essence of sourcing materials for teaching.

News

Better Days Ahead, New Bendel Insurance Coach Assures

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

New coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Benin, Coach Kennedy Boboye, on Tuesday assured management and Supporters Club of the Benin Arsenal that things will change for good.

Boboye spoke at his official unveiling as the new coach of the Benin Arsenal which was held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Studium, Benin City.

The new Head Coach, who solicited for cooperation and support from both the management, players and supporters of the club, said with this, he would bring his expertise in football management to bear, and make sure the football club took its position in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Enabulele, expressed optimism that, going by the track records of the new coach, the Benin Arsenal would experience the needed change.

“This coach is a proven winner. He knows what it takes to succeed in this league, and he brings with him a mindset that aligns perfectly with the ambition we have for this football club,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Bendel Insurance Football Club, Jarrett Tenebe, said though he’s not satisfied with the current position of the football club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, this new coach would restore the lost glory.

Bendel Insurance is in the 19th position of the league with six points.