Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has sought the collaboration of the Government of People’s Republic of China in the areas of investment, agriculture, mining, power, tourism, education and innovation.

This, according to the Governor, is with the aim of leveraging China’s expertise and resources to drive growth across various sectors and ensure all round development of the state.

Governor Oyebanji stated this on Sunday while receiving the Chinese Consul General, Ms. Yan Yuquing and her team at the Government House, Ado- Ekiti. He maintained that his administration remains committed to partnership and business engagement with global investors in developing the critical sectors of the state’s economy in line with the shared prosperity agenda of the administration.

Expressing optimism about potential collaboration with China, the Governor said the collaboration is expected to focus on key areas which include agriculture, investment, mining, power sector, education, science and innovation among others.

The Governor, who noted that the state shares the same vision of developing her citizens as does China, said he is eager to see more Chinese companies and investment in Ekiti in a bid to create an eco-system of peace, create employment and make life worthwhile for the people of the state.

“We are looking for credible partners and countries to collaborate with. In Ekiti State, there are opportunities in agriculture both green and brown field investment, there is opportunity in mining, there is opportunities in the power sector; electricity generation. We have a law now that allows us to generate and distribute electricity, only three states in the country have that status and Ekiti is one of them. There is opportunity in tourism, in culture because Ekiti is highly endowed.

“We are also looking forward to collaborating in areas of education and innovation. One of our flagship projects is the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, which is our own answer to creating wealth for our people. I would be looking forward to signing MOU with some of your companies so that we can take it up from there. In fairness we share the same vision with you to develop our people, to create an eco system of peace, to create employment for our people, to make life worthwhile to Ekiti people”. The Governor said.

Earlier in her remarks, the Consul General, Yan Yuquing commended the Governor for his efforts at ensuring that every sector of the state’s economic is developed. She said China and Nigeria have a lot in common and expressed further collaboration with the state.

While assuring the Governor of the cooperation of the People’s Republic of China, Ms Yuquing said she is eager to see further collaboration with the State beyond construction, stressing that agriculture, education, trade and business development, and innovation are some of the areas China is ready to collaborate with the state.

Also at the meeting were, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Tayo Adeola; Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Boluwade Ebenezer; Commissioner for Education Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye; Commissioner for innovation, Science and Digital Economy, Mr. Seun Fakunade.

Others were Special Adviser Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode; Director General , Bureau of Toursim Development, Amb Wale Ojo Lanre; Senior Special Assistant, intergovernmental and Comsular Matters, Damola Ajibade.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Wednesday 24, April, 2024 granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, an interim order to freeze One Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Six(1,146) bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies being investigated for alleged offences bordering on unauthorized dealing in forex exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing.

The judge ordered that the accounts be frozen “pending conclusion of investigation.”

While ruling on a motion moved by the EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, the judge stated “that an order of this honorable court is hereby made freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule below which accounts are owned by various individuals who are currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of unauthorized dealing in foreign exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing to the extent that the investigation will be for a period of 90 (ninety) days.”

The judge added “that preliminary investigation conducted thus far reveals that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to illegally manipulate the value of naira and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The judge further stated that there was need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to July 23, 2024, for mention.

Companies affected by the freezing order range from entities involved in agri-businesses, logistics and haulage, microfinance banks, engineering, among others.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has barred the six suspended palace functionaries who allegedly presented themselves as the palace’s emissaries before the Ooni of Ife in a function, from palace activities.

Recall that Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin had, in a letter signed on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council, dated April 26, announced the suspension of the six palace functionaries.

However, a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, dated April 29, 2024, and made available to newsmen, said the suspended palace functionaries have been barred from the palace.

The palace functionaries are

Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre Ihogbe, S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba Ogbelaka,Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame.

According to him, the self-serving traditional functionaries who engaged themselves in a sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin custom have been banned from Oba Palace in Benin City, Edo State.

“These integrity-challenged individuals had falsely claimed to be emissaries of the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjájá II, where they rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the link between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooniship of Ife at Ooni of Ife’s palace in Osun State, recently, ” he said.

Iguobaro, said the embattled palace functionaries admitted their offences before the committee led by Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie, the Uwangue of Benin, that they erred against Benin customs.

He added that the Uwangue of Benin-led committee which described their action as a deliberate attempt to rubbish the Benin Kingdom, pronounced the suspension of the palace’s functionaries.

He said the functionaries were also stripped off Benin royal beads, recognition as palace functionaries and traditional titles, which were handed over to the ancestors.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, added that the

suspended palace functionaries were also barred from parading themselves as Benin palace functionaries and stopped from participating in any traditional rites in Benin.