Nation
Amotekun Gets N1.4bn In Ekiti’s 2021 Budget
The Ekiti State Government, yesterday said it was not taking anything to chance in 2021 addressing the growing insecurity in the state, particularly kidnapping.
It therefore voted N1.4billion for the State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, in its 2021 budget.
The Commissioner for Budget, Mr Femi Ajayi made this known at a press conference in Ado Ekiti where he gave the detailed analysis of the N109.666 budget passed by the state legislative and recently assented to by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Fayemi had on December 23, 2020, assented to the budgetary provision, christened “Budget of Recovery and Economic Restoration”, comprising N58. 4 billion for recurrent and N51.6 billion for capital expenditures .
Ajayi said that the priority to security was in a bid to further attract investment and ensure safety of all investors and residents.
“ Following the incessant security challenges which include kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes, robberies in the country, to ensure the security of lives and properties, Governor Kayode Fayemi inaugurated the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund coined ‘Amotekun’ in collaboration with other South-Western States on 19th October, 2020.
“A sum of N1.44 billion has been earmarked as capital allocation for Amotekun Corps. For procurement of Drones for surveillance, a sum of N550 million has been earmarked while a total of N320 million will be spent on safety city project and the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund will gulp a sum of N55 million,” the commissioner said.
He said that government had also earmarked a total of N8 billion to critical areas of social services, to include the education sector, health, gender empowerment, social security and other pivotal sub-sectors critical to the growth of the state’s economy.
To fund the budget, Ajayi said that a total of N29.6 billion was expected from the federation account, N8.4 billion raised from Internally Generated revenue including taxes and other fees while N4.5 billion would be generated from tertiary institutions, including other sundry sources.
The Commissioner stated that the budget was tailored towards resetting the economy to rise to COVID-19 challenges and open a new vista in the fight against poverty, engendering of industrial growth and agribusiness.
He said a sum of N2.4 billion had been budgeted to start off the recently approved Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology while a total of N677million was earmarked for the new school of Commercial Agriculture, Isan Ekiti.
Ajayi said that in consideration for human capital development and equality of all genders, the state proposed to hold a Gender Summit and a N35 million had been budgeted for the project.
The commissioner also said that N20 million would be spent on construction of a Family Court to attend to family issues,” timeously”.
On urban renewal development, Ajayi said a sum of N250 million was to be expended on the Master Plan of Ado Ekiti and Satellite Towns while a sum of N4.5 million would be spent on ecological programme called NEWMAP.
On sports, he said bout N116 million was voted for youth and sports development, out of which N30 million has been set aside for the upgrade of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.
Also, N15.2 million would be used for the construction of a multipurpose sports hall in Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, while government also allocated N79.2 million and another N15million to the Ekiti United Football Club and Ekiti Queens FC respectively.
He assured that the present administration would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the full implementation of the 2021 Budget.
“This is in fulfilment of the pact signed with the good people of the State, this can only be feasible when we as good citizens perform our civic responsibilities in ensuring payment of taxes and other levies to improve the revenue accruable to the Government”, he said.
Nation
Rumuaholu Community Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Accuses Obio/Akpor Chairman of Interference in Land Dispute
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.
Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.