Politics
Fayemi Harps On Culture For Political Stability
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has called for the use of arts and culture in achieving social and political stability for Nigeria.
The Governor made the call in Ado-Ekiti, while declaring open the 2021 National Festival of Arts & Culture, NAFEST, being hosted by the state.
Dr Fayemi said the critical state of Nigeria required concerted effort to revive the country’s diverse culture and enhance the potential of its arts for social and political stability.
The Governor decried the country’s sole reliance on the performance of crude oil in the international market, which had continued to cripple the country.
”Investing in culture is crucial to the general development of any society. Culture impacts on economic growth by strengthening social virtues, creating trust which facilitates relationships and inspiring motivation that stimulates entrepreneurship”, he said.
Dr. Fayemi described culture as a glue for uniting people because “it allows for various forms of talent expression.”
He said apart from sports, NAFEST is another unique platform for the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to meet, showcase and promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
“Ekiti State is peaceful, hospitable, generous and has peace-loving people. So many people who or once came as visitors, found out that Ekiti is one of the safest and conducive places to settle in. Many of them are today landowners in the State. Many have significant investments in various sectors of the economy. Many have also chosen to be our in-laws.
“So, beyond your participation in NAFEST and visitation to our amazing sites and heritage, feel free to see how well you can integrate yourself and feel at home with us,” the Governor said.
Dr. Fayemi congratulated the staff of the National Council for Arts and Culture and the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism for their preparedness for the 34th edition of NAFEST.
He said the state has taken the development of culture to the realm of cultural re-orientation, attitudinal change and value orientation.
“I am glad to inform you that our core cultural values as Ekiti people have now been included in our educational curriculum to be taught in primary and post-primary schools across the State. This is to let you know how much our government believes in culture as an instrument of change, capable of transforming our society and changing our socio-political and economic narratives for the better.
“Our willingness to host the 34th edition of this national fiesta is not because Ekiti State has huge financial resources or reserves. In fact, Ekiti State, like most States in Nigeria, is currently challenged by the imperative to manage conflicts of multiple financial commitments and very lean revenue income. However, in spite of our meagre financial resources, our administration, in conscious determination not be deterred from achieving this long-time aspiration, decided to pursue the unique opportunity of hosting the festival, and here where we are to witness this glorious moment.”
The Governor assured all a good time throughout their stay in Ekiti, revealing that what the visitors needed to be comfortable had been put in place.
“These include, but not limited to adequate security all around the venues of the events, the hotels and accommodation venues,” he said.
Earlier in his own speech, the Director General of National Council for Arts & Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, re-emphasized the significance of the theme of Ekiti NAFEST 2021 which is “Celebrating National Unity in Diversity, saying NAFEST is a Post-Civil War cultural creation as a means of healing the wounds and the ethnic bitterness occasioned by the war.
Otunba Runsewe said: “The 2021 theme of NAFEST is apt and timely, given the security challenges Nigeria is currently facing and the pockets of ongoing separatist agitations.”
The DG revealed that there are 12 events in this year’s edition of NAFEST, which include Children’s Tales by Moonlight, Drama Competition, Traditional Board Game, Children’s Drawing and Painting, Essay Writing Competition, Traditional Cuisines, Archery, Indigenous Fabric & Fashion and Cultural Market.
The week-long event will also witness roundtable discussions, a colorful closing ceremony and presentation of awards.
No fewer than 15 states of the federation are participating in this year’s NAFEST. Some of the states are Rivers, Imo, Delta, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Lagos, Adamawa, Borno, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Yobe State.
The Rivers contest is expected to draw heightened attention in the oil-rich state, as political actors position for influence in a district long regarded as strategic to the balance of power in Rivers State.
INEC disclosed that the by-elections will hold concurrently with the Ekiti State governorship election, underscoring what promises to be a politically charged day across several parts of the country.
Beyond Rivers, the electoral body listed other affected constituencies to include Nasarawa North Senatorial District, Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, Ondo South Senatorial District, and Enugu North Senatorial District.
The vacancies, according to INEC, arose from a combination of deaths, resignation, and other constitutional developments. In Nasarawa, the demise of Senator Godiya Akwashika has left a gap in a district considered a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In Enugu, the passing of Senator Okey Ezea has set the stage for a competitive race in the South-East.
Similarly, the Ondo South seat became vacant following the resignation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who now serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, while the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa seat in Kano opened up after the death of Hon. Muhammad Danjuma Hassan.
Analysts say the Rivers South-East by-election, in particular, could reshape political alignments in the state, as parties jostle to fill the void left by Sen. Mpigi and consolidate their foothold ahead of future electoral contests.
Stakeholder from Bayelsa East Senatorial District, on Monday, endorsed the incumbent Senator representing them to run for a second term.
Leading the stakeholders, the former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and Special Adviser to Governor Douye Diri on Political Affairs (iii), Dr Iti Orugbani, said the reason for the endorsement was based on the federal lawmaker’s trajectory of good deeds and massive execution of projects across communities of the Senatorial district.
Dr Orugbani highlighted some of the projects to include landing jetties, telecommunication masts and town halls amongst others, noting that Sen. Agadaga’s performance has exceeded those of others who hitherto represented the oil rich area.
Bayelsa East Senatorial District comprises Ogbia, Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas of the State.
The Governor’s aide who called on the State’s Eastern political enclave to respect the 2022 new zoning agreement, which guaranteed second term for Senators from the District, stressed the need for political tolerance and peace in the forthcoming 2027 polls.
“In 2022 the leaders and stakeholders across party lines from Bayelsa East held a meeting and altered the old single term for Senators from the district’s agreement and signed that begining from 2023 any Senator emerging from the district must serve for a minimum of two terms.
“In 2023, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, then an incumbent Senator representing the Senatorial district under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was given a second term ticket by the party. Though he lost to the PDP.
“Now that the entire state is now APC and the District has an APC Senator in the person of Benson Agadaga from Ogbia LGA, why not also give him a second tenure?
“The stakeholders in 2022 changed the old political agreement because they saw that it wasn’t beneficial to the district any longer. And so, because it was Ogbia Local Government Area that started the old zoning arrangement by producing the first Senator in 1999, I want to plead that let Ogbia also begin the new two terms zoning agreement”, he said.
Also speaking, the duo of woman leader of a support group, ‘Agadema Women’, Mrs. Owadaba Jokori and the Information Officer of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone, Comrade Ikio, stated that the incumbent Senator has done well for the district in the past three years that he has been in office.
They lauded the federal lawmaker for his infrastructure projects, especially the construction of landing jetties in select communities of the three local government areas of the district, commending stakeholders for supporting the lawmaker in his second term bid.
In his remarks, Senator Agadaga thanked the stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and the endorsements he has received lately from constituents and admirers across political parties.
The lawmaker noted that within the past three years that he has been Senator, he has delivered dividends of democracy to his constituents across the Senatorial District, emphasizing that the call for him to be senator from the Brass Senatorial District came to him as a surprise, noting that he accepted the clarion call when the clamour became so loud.
“I was Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, when various groups from the zone came calling on me to contest the 2023 Senatorial polls.
“Ever since winning the elections as a senator, I’ve continued to deliver on my mandate in both representation, lawmaking, oversight, project execution and support for constituents when called upon. And I shall continue to do more if elected for a second term”, the Senator said.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 15 as deadline for definite hearing in a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The judge on Monday shifted the hearing date following the absence of the plaintiff, Mr Jideobi, and his lawyer in court without any information.
Apart from the absence of the plaintiff, who is a legal practitioner, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, who are 2nd and 3rd defendants in the matter, were also not in court.
Following the absence of the plaintiff and the two defendants, Chris Uche, SAN, representing Dr Jonathan, applied to the court to strike out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.
Having joined issues with each other, Mr Uche said, the suit is liable for dismissal with a N5 million cost to be awarded against the plaintiff and payable to Dr Jonathan.
He argued that from all indications, the plaintiff has abandoned the suit and ran away upon sighting the preliminary objections raised against the suit, adding that the court is a busy place and not for unserious matters.
Justice Lifu, however, noted that there was no evidence of service of hearing notice on INEC and AGF to appear in court for the suit, adding that lack of service of hearing notice is fundamental.
The judge said rather than striking out the suit, he prefers to bend backward to accommodate the plaintiff and the two defendants for the last time.
While adjourning the matter to May 15, Justice Lifu ordered that hearing notice be served on the plaintiff and the 2nd and 3rd defendants who were not in court on Monday.
The plaintiff, Mr Jideobi, had filed the case seeking an order to restrain Dr Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as an aspirant for the 2027 election.
He is also asking the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Dr Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
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