We’ve been honest with Budget Implementation for Four Years- Oyebanji.

We’ve been honest with Budget Implementation for Four Years- Oyebanji.

….Says govt targets 1,500 km of roads to ease transportation.

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that the excellent budget performances under his administration in the last four years remains a huge testimony to the fact he had kept faith with the people in the fulfilment of promises made to them during budget preparations.

Governor Oyebanji stated  unequivocally that he had neither betrayed the people, nor took their needs for granted, considering the strategic ways he captured their requests during town hall meetings preceding annual budget preparations. 

Governor Oyebanji spoke on Thursday evening, during a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, as part of preparations for the 2027 Budget, held in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area. 

Going down memory lane, Governor Oyebanji said besides budgetary provisions, he made some promises in 2022 during electioneering campaigns, adding he didn't renege on this social contract taking cognisance of the quantum of projects he had executed across the council areas. 

The Governor also assured the people that his administration will use its collaboration with the World Bank through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to deliver 1,500 kilometers of roads across the state to ease transportation challenges being faced by residents, with 235 kilometres expected to be covered under the third phase of RAAMP schedule to commence after the raining season. 

Bemoaning the burden of perennial flooding and gully erosion in Efon, Aramoko, and Ado Ekiti towns, the governor stated that his government had understudied the erosional occurrences pummeling the state, and now on the verge of mapping out strategy to tackle it headon.

Promising to improve medical facilities at the primary healthcare cadre, the Governor revealed that his government had renovated a total 110 health centres to buoy quality medicare to the people at the grassroots, promising to undertake more to reduce mortality and morbidity indices among the populace.

Expressing joy over the slump in the level of security threats in the state, Governor Oyebanji  appreciated the traditional rulers  for taking charge of the security situations through intelligence gathering and vigilance of their subjects to respond promptly to threatening and suspicions  in their domains. 

"Go and check the records, I didn't betray the people's trust in the last four years. When I made promises, I would fulfil them.  I did everything I promised. I am making some promises before you now, which I believe I will fulfil as long as I remain the governor of this state . 

"One thing I can say is that, we are together on this journey to make Ekiti great. I want to assure you that all your requests that will make lives better for you shall be done through direct response from the state or partnership. Some of the rural roads, which is now about 235 Kms were world bank projects that were done in partnership with the state government."

At the interactive session, the representatives of Ado, Ekiti west, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ijero and 

Efon Local Governments, praised Governor Oyebanji for  making Ekiti epicentre of development through prudent management of resources and running of inclusive governance that left no one behind in the scheme of things. 

Specifically, they saluted the governor for proper funding of the Local Council Development Areas that have brought development closer to the populace.

The representatives in their new requests made on behalf of their people, called for execution of more road connectivities, better electricity network , robust healthcare  and ambulance services, erosion control, potable water supply, establishment of more public secondary schools in the 2027 budget to make lives meaningful for the citizens.

Ajayi Applauds Oyebanji’s Grassroots Approach to 2027 Budget.

Ajayi Applauds Oyebanji’s Grassroots Approach to 2027 Budget.

...Says Governor’s consultation with Ekiti people reflects people-centred leadership.

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Engr. Bayo Ajayi, has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for consulting residents across the state on their needs and priorities ahead of the preparation of the 2027 budget.

Ajayi described the Governor’s practice of engaging directly with citizens before preparing the annual budget as an uncommon approach to governance, saying it demonstrates his commitment to placing the interests and opinions of Ekiti people at the centre of government policies.

He said the Governor had consistently adopted the approach whenever the state’s budget was being prepared, adding that such consultations provided an opportunity for communities to communicate their needs and expectations to the government.

The APC chieftain also praised Oyebanji’s administration for its investments in infrastructure and other critical sectors, citing road construction, healthcare facilities, community roads and farmsteads among the areas receiving attention.

Ajayi further commended the government’s efforts to strengthen security across the state, including the recent procurement of security vehicles, which he said would complement existing measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

He spoke on Thursday when stakeholders from the Ekiti South Senatorial District, including traditional rulers, community leaders and persons living with disabilities, converged on Aramomo in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area for a town hall meeting with the Governor.

At the meeting, Oyebanji reiterated his commitment to listening to the people and treating the citizens as the employers of the government.

Reacting to the Governor’s remarks, Ajayi described his humility and willingness to engage directly with citizens as evidence of a leadership style that recognises the importance of grassroots participation in governance.

He said the various projects and programmes of the administration across sectors had continued to demonstrate its focus on improving the welfare and living conditions of residents.

Ajayi congratulated the Governor on the progress recorded by his administration and expressed his support for the continuation of the government’s development agenda.

He also wished Oyebanji greater success in his second term, urging residents of Ekiti State to continue to participate actively in government programmes and initiatives aimed at advancing the state.

The APC chieftain maintained that sustained consultation between government and the people would help ensure that public resources and policies are directed towards areas of genuine need across the state.

Don urges Nigeria to move from certificate culture to skills-driven economy.

Don urges Nigeria to move from certificate culture to skills-driven economy.

Nigeria must move away from a culture that places greater value on academic certificates than practical competence and begin to prioritise skills, problem-solving and innovation as the foundation for national development.

A former Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University and Pro-Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), Professor Oladipo Aina, made the call while delivering the maiden combined convocation lecture of the Ekiti State College of Technology (EKSCOTECH), Ijero-Ekiti.

During the lecture held at the Polytechnic campus in Ijero-Ekiti, Aina spoke on the theme, “From Skills to Solutions: Repositioning Technical Education for Nigeria’s Technological and Industrial Transformation,” saying Nigeria could not achieve meaningful industrialisation by producing graduates who possessed certificates without the practical skills required to solve real-world problems.

The professor urged graduates not to define themselves by their academic qualifications or see themselves as limited by the type of certificate they obtained.

“Do not define yourself by your certificate. Never say, ‘I am only an HND holder.’ See yourself as a technically trained professional,” Aina told the graduating students.

Aina argued that Nigeria does not merely need more graduates or certificates, but competent people capable of creating value, generating opportunities and solving problems.

He said the country must also move from being predominantly a consumer of technology to becoming a nation of creators, adapters and innovators capable of developing solutions suited to its peculiar needs.

The don noted that Nigeria's employment challenge could not be separated from the country's skills gap, pointing out that employers frequently complain about the difficulty of finding appropriately skilled workers while young people complain about the scarcity of jobs.

The former university vice-chancellor also challenged the longstanding perception in Nigeria that technical and vocational education was inferior to conventional academic education.

The professor called for a national skills-forecasting system capable of identifying emerging labour-market requirements before shortages became acute.

He also advocated stronger industry participation in curriculum development, modern laboratories and workshops, applied research, entrepreneurship, innovation and closer partnerships between technical institutions and employers.

Aina proposed an annual EKSCOTECH Innovation and Technology Expo, where students could display prototypes, researchers could showcase applied research, industries could present real-world problems, entrepreneurs could identify opportunities and investors could examine promising innovations.

According to him, such an initiative could strengthen relationships between EKSCOTECH, industry, government, investors and the wider community while demonstrating that the institution was producing solutions rather than merely issuing certificates.

He further called for government to treat technical education as strategic economic infrastructure, stressing that modern curricula would have limited impact if students were trained with obsolete equipment.

Aina urged the graduating students to approach their first five years after graduation deliberately.

Aina urged the Ekiti State Government to regard the transformation of EKSCOTECH as a strategic investment in the state's future productive capacity.

He called for sustained investment in modern infrastructure, functional laboratories and workshops, digital connectivity, staff development, applied research, innovation, industry partnerships, entrepreneurship and sustainable financing.

Aina similarly charged academic and professional staff to prepare students for the world into which they would graduate rather than merely teaching what they themselves had been taught.

He urged lecturers to update their knowledge, engage with industry, undertake relevant research, use technology creatively, mentor students, collaborate across disciplines and establish partnerships that exposed students to real-world challenges.

In a remark, Chairman of the Governing Council of EKSCOTECH, Dr Femi Thomas, commended Aina for what he described as solutions to challenges graduates face after leaving higher institutions.

Thomas also praised Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his support for the institution, saying the governor's interventions had contributed significantly to its growth and development.

The Rector of EKSCOTECH, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, said the institution recognised the importance of vocational and skills acquisition and had been equipping students with practical skills aimed at making them self-reliant after graduation.

Olubamise said the institution was also collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expand its academic and professional scope.

The convocation lecture was attended by management representatives of sister higher institutions in Ekiti State, including BOUESTI, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Omojola.

Also present was the Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo, among other dignitaries.

Ekiti Govt Dissolves Okada Riders’ Executives, Names Caretaker Committee.

Ekiti Govt Dissolves Okada Riders’ Executives, Names Caretaker Committee. 

Following the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of Okada Riders 

Association, Ekiti State Chapter, the State Government has ordered the immediate dissolution of the executive of the Okada Riders Association at all levels.

A Caretaker committee that will oversee the affairs of the association has been 

constituted as follows:

1. Kunle Asaolu ( Chairman )

2. Adelegan Olowuro Sunday (Deputy Chairman)

3. Alade Gbenga (Secretary)

4. Saka Salami (Member)

5. Ajibade Ojo Ademola Omotuyi (Member)

6. Ayodeji Jegede (Member)

7. Lukman Saka (Member)

8. Joseph Emmanuel (Member)

9. Oloruntola Idowu (Member)

10. Agboola Emmanuel (Member) 

The newly constituted Caretaker Committee will be inaugurated on Friday, September 25th, 2026 at the Ministry of Transportation, Old Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, by 10.00am.

The development was contained in a statement signed by the Hon. Commissioner for Transportation, Ekiti State, Hon. K.K. Ajobiewe, on Thursday, September 24, 2026 

I’LL ALWAYS RESPECT EKITI PEOPLE AS MY BENEVOLENT EMPLOYER – OYEBANJI.

I’LL ALWAYS RESPECT EKITI PEOPLE AS MY BENEVOLENT EMPLOYER – OYEBANJI.

…as PWDs hail governor’s inclusive recruitment policy at Town Hall Meeting.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated his unwavering respect for the people of Ekiti State, describing them as his “benevolent employers” who deserve to be listened to and treated with utmost regard at all times.

The Governor made this assertion on Thursday during a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders from the Ekiti South Senatorial District, held in Igbara-Odo, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, as part of ongoing consultations for the preparation of the 2027 Budget.

Governor Oyebanji commended the people for their unwavering support and sacrifices over the past four years, noting that the landmark achievements recorded by his administration were made possible through their cooperation and trust.

The interactive session, which featured traditional rulers, community leaders, people living with disabilities, and other critical stakeholders, provided a platform for participants to articulate their developmental priorities. The stakeholders, in turn, pledged stronger support for the Governor’s second term administration, set to commence on October 16, 2026.

Speaking during the engagement, Governor Oyebanji disclosed that his administration would reintroduce the five-kilometre road project across local government areas to enhance accessibility and stimulate economic activities, particularly in rural communities. He also assured that efforts would be intensified to fast-track the disbursement of financial support to traders and artisans in order to boost commerce and productivity.

The Governor further emphasized that human capital development would remain a central focus of his administration.

Addressing concerns about development in Ekiti East Local Government Area, Governor Oyebanji described the council as a strategic gateway to the Northern region and pledged to attract private sector investments to accelerate development in the area.

“I have absolute respect for Ekiti people and will never disrespect them. You put us in this position; you are our employers. Your voices must be heard and respected. This engagement is not a mere formality but a deliberate effort to incorporate your inputs into government’s development agenda,” the Governor stated.

“I have listened carefully to your submissions, and I agree that we must intensify efforts in providing improved electricity supply, better road connectivity, and enhanced educational facilities to improve the welfare and wellbeing of our people.”

Stakeholders from various local government areas, including representatives of Ayekire, Ekiti Southwest, and Ekiti East, advocated the revival of the five-kilometre road initiative to improve connectivity and urban aesthetics. They also called for urgent intervention in erosion control, expansion of electricity infrastructure, improved healthcare and educational facilities, as well as the establishment of a higher institution in the district.

Similarly, representatives from Ikere, Ise/Orun, and Emure Local Government Areas appealed for increased government investment in critical sectors such as power, roads, healthcare, and education. They also urged the government to strengthen security architecture, particularly in border communities, through sustained forest combing operations to flush out criminal elements.

In his remarks, a representative of People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), Mr Damola Ogunleye, commended Governor Oyebanji for his inclusive recruitment policy, noting that the allocation of five percent of positions to persons with disabilities during the recent recruitment into the civil service and teaching service has significantly improved their socio-economic wellbeing and reinforced inclusivity in governance.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, disclosed that the state currently has 958 public primary schools and 200 secondary schools. She added that the government is implementing strategic measures, including free education and partnerships with private institutions, to tackle school dropout rates and improve learning outcomes.

Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo; Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; members of the State Executive Council; local government chairmen; traditional rulers; political leaders; and representatives of various communities.

2027: Oke Lisa, Oda Agog as Balarabe Akinwumi Visits Wards 5, 6.

2027: Oke Lisa, Oda Agog as Balarabe Akinwumi Visits Wards 5, 6.

...ADC Receives APC Defectors.

It was amidst pomp and pageantry that residents of Wards 5 and 6 in Akure South Local Government Area on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, trooped out in large numbers to receive Hon. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

The visit was part of the ADC's ongoing ward-to-ward engagement across the constituency, allowing the party's candidates and leaders to interact with residents, community leaders, party members, youth groups, women, and other interest groups.

Addressing the gathering at Oke Lisa in Ward 5, Akinwumi thanked residents for their warm reception and large turnout, describing it as a demonstration of their support and commitment to the development of the Ward.

He noted that Ward 5 was particularly significant to him, noting it as his ward and the largest ward in Akure, with 77 polling units.

“This is my Ward. It is the largest Ward in the whole of Akure with 77 Polling Units. As a member of this Ward, I am familiar with the challenges being faced here. I am ready to use your mandate to turn around the situation.

“We will provide funds for the business of our mothers. Our youths will be gainfully engaged. We will roll out various empowerment programmes for the people,” Akinwumi said.

He said his familiarity with the challenges confronting residents would help him understand the areas requiring attention, while pledging to pursue initiatives focused on youth engagement, women-led businesses and grassroots empowerment.

One of the highlights of the visit was the defection of more than 100 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ADC.

The campaign train subsequently moved to Oda in Ward 6, where Akinwumi also addressed residents and interacted with community members and party supporters.

At Oda, the ADC candidate spoke on the need for effective grassroots representation and reiterated his commitment to initiatives targeted at improving the economic opportunities available to youths and women in the constituency.

The campaign train included the ADC Chairman in Akure South, Abiodun Adeyemi; Director-General of the ADC Campaign Council in Akure South, Ambassador Kunle Adeloye; House of Assembly hopefuls, Engr. Temi Oluwalade and Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi; and the Publicity Secretary, Otunba Olumide Ogunkua, among other party leaders and supporters.

EKITI TRIBUNAL: APPEAL COURT REJECTS SDP LAWYERS' REQUEST FOR RELOCATION OF SITTINGS TO ABUJA.

EKITI TRIBUNAL: APPEAL COURT REJECTS SDP LAWYERS' REQUEST FOR RELOCATION OF SITTINGS TO ABUJA.

...Insists hearing must continue in Ado-Ekiti.

The Court of Appeal has rejected a request by the legal team of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) requesting the relocation of the sittings of the Election Petition Tribunal hearing the Ekiti State governorship petitions to Abuja.

The revelation came to light on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti at the resumed hearing of the petitions filed by both the SDP and the Action Alliance (AA) challenging the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the June 20 governorship election.

The Chairman of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Tribunal, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi told parties in the petitions that the panel has received a communication from the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja that hearing should continue at the tribunal venue in Ado-Ekiti.

Justice Kutigi emphasized that the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has acted on the request of the SDP lawyers and has consequently directed that hearing should continue on the two governorship petitions before the Tribunal at the Ado Ekiti venue.

The Tribunal chair consequently adjourned sitting till Thursday, September 24 for the SDP to continue the prosecution of its petition before the three-member jury.

The AA had also requested for an adjournment in view of the request of the SDP counsel that proceedings should be shifted to Abuja but the Tribunal held that since event has overtaken the request for relocation with the latest directive of the PCA, its (AA's) petition would continue in Ado Ekiti and the two cases would resume on Thursday.

In the two separate petitions filed by the SDP and the AA, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the 1st Respondent while Governor Oyebanji, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was joined as the 2nd Respondent. 

According to the governorship results declared by INEC, the SDP scored 179 votes while the AA got 126 votes. The APC won the election by garnering a total of 319,224 votes.

The SDP lawyers were absent at Wednesday's proceedings. Lead counsel to INEC, Bunmi Ipinlaye and lead counsel to Oyebanji, Ibrahim Olarewaju told the panel that they were just served with a letter from the petitioners asking for an adjournment of sitting pending the determination of the application to the Court of Appeal for the relocation of sitting to Abuja.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Kutigi asked the Tribunal Secretary, Zubairu Nuhu whether he forwarded the response received from the PCA which was conveyed through an SMS to the Tribunal Secretary directing that sittings should continue in Ado Ekiti to the legal teams of the two Respondents.

The Tribunal Secretary replied that he forwarded the message to the lead counsel of the Respondents who were not physically present at Wednesday's sitting. Nuhu was subsequently directed to read the message to the hearing of the lawyers present which he did.

While reading the message, Nuhu said: "I am directed to inform you that the Tribunal is to continue its sitting in Ado Ekiti pending further directives from the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal."

Justice Kutigi in a short ruling recalled that when the case last came up for hearing on September 16, the Tribunal adjourned to September 23 and was awaiting the PCA's directive on the SDP counsel's application for change of venue.

The Tribunal boss also ruled that another application filed by the SDP legal team for adjournment of the petition pending the determination of the application to the Court of Appeal for change of venue to Abuja could no longer stand with the latest directive of the PCA that hearing should continue in Ado Ekiti.

He held that the PCA has directed that hearing should continue in Ado Ekiti and that all parties have been put on notice and that the application for change of venue has no basis and subsequently adjourned the SDP petition to Thursday, September 24 for continuation of hearing.

When the AA case was called, INEC counsel (Ipinlaye) sought an adjournment owing to the absence of the petitioners in court but counsel to Oyebanji (Olarewaju) said he and his client were ready for the continued hearing of the petition.

But Justice Kutigi stressed that the petitioners (AA) ought to have appeared in court since they have not made any request for change of venue as the request was in respect of the SDP case. He equally adjourned the AA petition till Thursday, September 24 for continuation of hearing and that all parties be put on notice to appear on the adjourned day.

The application for change of venue was filed by SDP counsel, Ebenezer Akinbuli of the law firm of Adewole Adebayo, seeking an order to relocate the venue of the tribunal from Ado Ekiti to "a safer and more secure location in Abuja" citing an alleged hostile atmosphere created around tribunal premises by individuals he referred to as "lawless elements."

The SDP counsel also wrote a letter described as an urgent request for reinforced security and police presence at every subsequent adjourned date which was addressed to the state Commissioner of Police and served on counsel to Respondents in the petition.

The SDP whose governorship candidate has withdrawn from the petition is expected to bring more witnesses on its list to court to give evidence when hearing resumes on Thursday.