Governor John Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on?Tuesday, October 1, 2013?granted pardon to 10 prisoners, including two brothers on death row, as part of activities to mark the country?s independence anniversary in the state. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reprieve that came their way was also in commemoration of the 17 years of the creation of the state.
Two of the prison inmates were brothers – Olabode Abirifon and Julius Abirifon, who were sentenced to death by the State High Court, but had their death sentence communed to life imprisonment. The governor, in a statewide broadcast, said the duo had been on the death row for 16 years. Eight others, Ousola Ojo, Alex Qasum, Segun Olowoyo, Simon Okewe, Opeyemi Ogundele, Joseph Adefase, Taiwo Ibikunle and Kehinde Fagbemi, who had been serving various prison terms, were released unconditionally.Fayemi said he was exercising the power conferred on him by the 1999 Constitution and on recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. The governor, however, warned that criminals should not take his magnanimity as licence to continue their evil habit, saying anyone caught would be prosecuted. He promised to continue his agenda to transform the state by taking it to greater heights. As part of the plans, he announced approval of six per cent increase in the monthly emolument of all pensioners with effect from January 2014.
He said with effect from October, 5,000 more elderly citizens of the state would be accommodated under his administration?s Social Security Scheme to bring the total figure to 25,000. He said another batch of 5,000 youths would be engaged under the Ekiti Youth Volunteer Corps Scheme on a N10,000 monthly allowance. Fayemi said that 1,800 youths would be engaged under a newly-introduced Peace Corps Initiative to be launched before the end of October.
Reacting to this development a member of Federal House of Representatives representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, Hon Bimbo Daramola said: ”Now I’ ll expect that people are taking note of all these developmental initiatives. This is not politicking this is getting government to be realistic and responsive. For a minute we do know that Governors had come and gone (whichever way) in this same state and we can compare and contrast. My good people of Ekiti let?s be more realistic in our judgment. 25,000 grand fathers and mothers statewide brought into social safety net. 1,800 young people on preparatory training and paid subsistence; pensioners to get a raise.”
Speaking further, the irrepressible parliamentarian affirmed that; ”the people?s money servicing the people not going into the Governor or any of his aide?s pocket. Local economy will be enhanced in the hinterland. These are the first hand value and consequences of these pronouncements of this Governor. How else do you know somebody who cares and has a long term view and appreciation of keeping our state on course? Now when one views these ambitious but strong will propelled initiatives of the Governor, one will be able to situate this Governor in the appropriate context.”
Hon Daramola noted that despite the little resources available to Ekiti State Governor John Kayode Fayemi has succeeded in recording key milestone in the interest of people of Ekiti irrespective of the political party they belong or religion that they practice.?”Otherwise its simply impossible if one looks at the earnings of the state monthly. I challenge anybody to mention any state in this country today with similar income doing these and even the ones with fat wallets. Guess what, these are pronouncements whose beneficiaries are regardless of political inclination or persuasion. The only condition is that you are Ekiti or living in Ekiti. My dear people of Ekiti this is not the time for empty politicking but a time to separate the wheat from the chaff! Aspiring to lead 3 million people should be driven by concrete prospects of value addition not a test of ego. We sure deserve to keep on track. Forward Ekiti.” Hon Daramola stated.
By Ayodele Bayode
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