Connect with us

Sports

Fayemi Under Fire For Closing Schools To Host NAFEST In Ekiti

Published

on

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has slammed Governor Kayode Fayemi over the closure of schools in the state for the hosting of the National Festival of Arts & Culture (NAFEST).

The opposition party which derided the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government described the development as ridiculous and unexplainable.

The Ekiti PDP State Working Committee (SWC) took this position after an emergency meeting held at the State party Secretariat in Ado Ekiti on Friday, to deliberate over various developments in the state. The meeting which was presided over by the PDP acting State Chairman, Hon Lanre Omolase, unequivocally declared the APC ruling government as an enemy of education.

Advertisement

The State Publicity Secretary of the opposition party , Raphael Adeyanju, in a statement made available to journalists said that it was appalling that Ekiti children have been made to stay at home since last week just because the state is hosting NAFEST.

READ ALSO: #EndSARS Panel Report: Adegboruwa, Lagos Counsel Disagree

“While we are not against the celebration of our culture and tradition, it is unexplainable that a government who goes about claiming to be restoring our values in Ekiti could close schools for two weeks just because the State is holding NAFEST,” the party said.

Advertisement

It lamented that education, which is the pride of Ekiti and its people, has been sacrificed for a mere festival of arts and culture by the APC government ostensibly because Governor Fayemi and his party do not value education.

The statement read; “Up till now, we are still unable to fathom out the reason any government will close primary and secondary schools, including private ones for two weeks simply because Festival of Arts and Culture is holding in the state capital.

“Here in Ekiti, pupils were simply told to stay at home until further notice with no explanation from anyone.

Advertisement

“We wonder the benefits of NAFEST in which the only activities that can be seen at the venue is display of wares, including used clothes and shoes, to Ekiti State such that the future of thousands of our children will be put into jeopardy.

“Most importantly, even if NAFEST has become so much a priority to Governor Fayemi and his APC government, what is the rationale behind closure of schools in other towns where the event is not being held? Or is NAFEST holding in all the towns and villages in Ekiti State?

“In all these, what we have seen is a clear misplaced priority on the side of a party and government that do not care about the future of Ekiti children and by the power of God, just like all the afflictions of the Israelites, this phase too shall pass next year.”

Advertisement

But responding,the APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, said the one-week vacation was declared to prevent students from sneaking out of schools, by being attracted by the festival, observe their midterm and prevent students cohabiting with strangers, who are presently occupying some hostels owned by public schools.

Dipe, who described the vituperation as unreasonable and belated, said no governor could have loved education like Fayemi, who declared free education in primary and secondary schools and abrogated the levy allegedly imposed on pupils by the immediate past PDP administration.

Speaking with journalists via telephone on Saturday, the APC spokesperson insisted that Fayemi has not committed any crime for declaring the holiday for students.

Advertisement

“Let me remind the PDP that the holiday was declared to prevent students from sneaking out of schools to go and watch the cultural fiesta. But if they are under the custody of their parents, nothing of such would happen. Again, it is also a time for them to observe their midterm holidays, having got to the middle of the first term.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Leaders advised To Emulate Goodluck Jonathan

“How can they expect visitors to be cohabiting with students in hostels? Because the contingents are using the school hostels. There was no governor that has been education-friendly like Governor Fayemi. He was the one that removed the pupils out of tax net. These show that the governor is a caring leader.

Advertisement

“We all know the economic value of NAFEST. It amazes me that the PDP could be talking now after the expiration of the vacation. For Fayemi’s love for education, school enrolment has gone up, teachers’ salaries are paid regularly, they can access loans easily and they are given incentives like training and workshops to sharpen their performances.”

Advertisement
Comments

Sports

Ballon d’Or: Why Neymar Didn’t Win Award – Gerard

Published

on

Barcelona legend, Gerard Piqué has said that Brazil legend, Neymar could have won the Ballon d’Or had he remained at the Catalan side a little longer.

Neymar left Barça for PSG in 2017, becoming the costliest player in the world.

Pique said that the move stopped the Brazilian from winning the Ballon d’Or.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: Why Neymar Didn’t Win Award – Gerard

He said that the superstar footballer actually deserved to win the France Football award in his career.

Speaking on the PodPah podcast, Pique, who was Neymar’s teammate for many years at Barcelona, said he tried to convince the Brazilian not to make the move but the former PSG star did not listen to him.

Advertisement

“I’m convinced he deserved a Ballon d’Or. I think going to PSG hurt him. We tried to convince him not to go, we did everything possible.

READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: Barcelona’s Flick Responds To Yamal’s Second-place Finish

“Everyone thought he was going to stay, even me, but it seemed that it was already decided. In the end, he had an incredible career,” he said.

Advertisement

The Brazilian was at Camp Nou until 2017 when he decided to move to PSG who were willing to activate his €222 million release clause.

He left for Al-Hilal in 2023 and returned to Brazil with Santos in 2025.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Lionel Messi Names 10 Best Young Players Currently

Published

on

Argentina and Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi, has named the 10 players he sees as future stars.

The legendary attacker has players from Chelsea and Liverpool in his list.

As part of an Adidas campaign, the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner was asked to name the players he deems the next big stars in the game.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Messi Ruled Out Of Miami’s MLS Clash With Orlando

The Inter Miami goal king partnering with Adidas Football for the ‘Messi+10: Season 2’ campaign named his 10 best rising stars.

He named Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, Kendry Paez, also of Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, Brajan Gruda.

Advertisement

Others are Nico Paz (Como), Rodrigo Mora (Porto), Mika Godts (Ajax Amsterdam), and Kader Meite (Stade Rennes).

READ ALSO:I Don’t Hate Ronaldo, Messi Is A Better Player – Wayne Rooney

He named two female players, Barcelona’s Clara Serrajordi and Olympique Lyon’s Lily Yohannes.

Advertisement

Messi made a similar selection in 2024 to include Lamine Yamal, Antonio Nusa and Kenan Yildiz.

Continue Reading

Sports

2026 World Cup: Why ‘England Can’t Win Trophy’ – Paul Scholes

Published

on

Former England international, Paul Scholes, has said that the country stands no chance of winning the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

England became the first European country to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday after beating Latvia 5 goals to nothing.

Scholes said Thomas Tuchel’s team has ‘no chance’ of winning the tournament unless the German gaffer brings his ‘three best players’ back into the squad.

Advertisement

Tuchel will now be hoping to lead England to their first major trophy in men’s football since 1966.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Vs Lesotho: What Super Eagles Must Do To Qualify For 2026 World Cup

The former Chelsea manager was appointed as Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor last year.

Advertisement

England made it to two European Championship finals and two World Cup semi-finals under Southgate but failed to lift those trophies.

But former Manchester United midfielder, Scholes believes that England has ‘no chance’ unless Tuchel brings his ‘three best players’ back into the fold.

Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were left out of the team for their last matches.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: 17 Nations Secure 2026 FIFA World Cup Spots

I was a little bit surprised. Those three players, they have to be in his squad and they will be in his squad for the World Cup,” Scholes said on The Overlap.

“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with those three players it’s still a big ask but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup.

Advertisement

“Jude Bellingham has missed a little bit of football but he’s fit now so I would have brought him back in.

“Thomas Tuchel hasn’t got many games left now until the World Cup actually starts, it’s only the November break and then the March one and then we’re there so we need to get these players playing.”

While announcing his squad for the last international break, Tuchel insisted he had ‘no problem’ with the omitted players, especially Bellingham.

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending