EKITI STATE GOVERNOR APPROVES N241,549,000 MILLION FOR 2025/2026 UNDERGRADUATE BURSARIES.

EKITI STATE GOVERNOR APPROVES  N241,549,000 MILLION FOR 2025/2026 UNDERGRADUATE BURSARIES.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously approved the disbursement of Two Hundred and Forty-One Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand Naira (₦241,549,000) only for bursary awards to 5,683 Ekiti State undergraduates in tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

This announcement was made today by the Chairman of the Ekiti State Scholarship Board, Hon.Wole Adebola(Esq.) through the Executive Secretary Mrs Bukola Faluyi.  A total of 5,683 students will receive bursary awards, the number which was determined after a rigorous screening and verification process conducted by the Board and the respective tertiary institutions.  She emphasized that this initiative aligns with Governor Oyebanji's Shared Prosperity Agenda in Human Capital Development and reiterated further that Governor Oyebanji has earlier approved the increment of the Bursary award from ₦20,000 to ₦40,000 in January 2026. 

The Chairman expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for his unwavering commitment to education and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Honorable Commissioner for Education Dr. (Mrs) Kofoworola Olabimpe  Aderiye (mni) and the Scholarship Board members. She also commended the scholarship board team for their diligence and work well done in completing the verification process. Meanwhile, the Undergraduates, Masters and PhD scholarship awards is under processing.

Eligible students will receive their payments soonest.

EID El KABIR: Oluwatuyi Seeks Divine Peace, Moral Rebirth, Sustainable Development For IILG, Ekiti And Nigeria.

EID El KABIR: Oluwatuyi Seeks Divine Peace, Moral Rebirth, Sustainable Development For IILG, Ekiti And Nigeria.

By Ola Asubiojo

As Muslim faithfuls across the world celebrate this year’s spiritually symbolic Eid El Kabir festival, the Executive Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Honourable Oluwatuyi Oluwagbenga, has passionately called on residents of the council area to embrace the enduring virtues of sacrifice, peace, tolerance, morality and unwavering devotion to the progress of humanity.

The Council Chairman, in a deeply emotional, spiritual and statesmanlike Eid message made available to newsmen, described Eid El Kabir as a sacred and remarkable festival that continually reminds mankind that genuine greatness is rooted in sacrifice, while peaceful coexistence and sustainable development can only flourish where love, discipline, compassion and mutual understanding prevail.

Honourable Oluwatuyi further appealed to staff of the Local Government, political office holders, traditional rulers, youths, women groups, elders and all constituents of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government to continually uphold unblemished morality, humility, tolerance and responsible conduct capable of strengthening communal harmony and advancing grassroots development.

According to him, the holy celebration remains another divine opportunity for citizens to rekindle the spirit of unity, selflessness, brotherhood and collective responsibility toward building a more peaceful, prosperous and progressive society.

The Chairman also passionately urged residents to utilize the solemn spiritual season to offer fervent prayers for the continuous peace, stability, growth and divine advancement of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that sincere prayers, patriotism and unity remain powerful instruments for preserving societal harmony and attracting greater blessings upon the land.

Speaking further on the forthcoming electoral process in Ekiti State, Honourable Oluwatuyi appealed to citizens to conduct themselves peacefully and pray earnestly for a credible, successful and violence-free election, noting that democracy attains greatness where peace, unity and maturity dominate over bitterness and division.

The Council boss equally offered heartfelt prayers for the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, whom he described as a visionary, people-oriented and development-driven leader whose administrative ingenuity, purposeful governance and transformative leadership continue to inspire hope, stability and accelerated development across Ekiti State.

He thereafter prayed that the sacred celebration would usher in renewed joy, divine favour, abundant blessings, greater prosperity, enduring peace and everlasting fulfilment into every home and family.

 As the sacred season resonates across communities, the message remains a luminous reminder that a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government can only emerge when love for humanity, reverence for God and commitment to communal advancement continually guide the hearts of the people.

EKSU, Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers Explores Strategic Partnership.

EKSU, Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers Explores Strategic Partnership. 

In a move aimed at strengthening collaboration in the  area of stock and investment, the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, recently hosted a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers of Nigeria, on a strategic visit focused on exploring mutually beneficial academic and professional partnership.

The leader of the delegation Mr Ayorinde Adeonipekun, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, commended the leadership of the University for the ongoing yeoman's job, which makes the University to be ranked as the best state University in Nigeria.

Mr Adeonipekun explained that the visit is necessary because it would afford the institute the opportunity to intimate the leadership of the university on the various programmes the Institute is making available to our teeming youth and other undergraduates willing to enlist their interests in stock broking.

He noted that the institute has a plan to organize a career talk for the students on how they could become members of the institute. 

According to him, the institute has programmes for youth who possess a minimum of five O/L credits which must include Mathematics and English Language. The programme which is basically online is designed to make them qualify for the membership of the institute.

The Registrar stated that the youngest Stock Broker in Nigeria laments the decline in number of our youth activeness in the institute.  He noted, that the unfortunate development poses a big challenge to the industry.

According to him, the institute has decided to put measures in place to attract more youth and other age grades into the profession which is expected to benefit Ekiti State University in many ways. 

He called on our youth and undergraduates to shun the idea of getting rich-quick-syndrome, with particular references to CIBEX and other Ponzi schemes, which have affected most Nigerians negatively. 

"Make a deposit of #50,000 and it would translate to #100,000 within a week, it doesn't work that way, nothing like free lunch anywhere", Adeonipekun maintained.

Responding, the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof Joseph Babatola Ayodele thanked the Registrar and members of his entourage for choosing to visit Ekiti State University and the readiness to train the students on the nitty gritty of stock broking.

The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof Williams Adebayo, told the delegation that the Institution is blessed with a trading room, established by the Chancellor of the University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe.

He commended the leadership of the institute for putting a lot of initiatives in place with a view to bringing in more undergraduates into the profession.

He assured the delegation the readiness of the university to partner with the institute in its efforts to motivate, encourage and train our youth to becoming professionally qualified stock brokers.

Ekiti Distributes Laptops to Graduates of Digital Acceleration Programme.

Ekiti Distributes Laptops to Graduates of Digital Acceleration Programme.

The Ekiti State Government has distributed laptops to 16 graduates of the Ekiti Digital Acceleration Programme (EDAP) as part of efforts to equip young people with digital skills and improve their economic opportunities.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Gold Adedayo, said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to moving young people “from learning to earning, from dependence to productivity and from potential to performance.”

Adedayo said the programme demonstrated that youths in the state could compete, innovate and excel when given the right support and opportunities.

He described the laptops as more than ordinary tools, saying they symbolised trust, encouragement and a bridge between training and practical application in the digital economy.

“The digital economy rewards adaptability, professionalism and continuous improvement,” he said, urging beneficiaries to remain focused, upgrade their skills continuously and embrace collaboration and mentorship.

The commissioner also encouraged the graduates to serve as ambassadors of the programme in their communities by demonstrating responsibility, integrity and service.

“When you succeed, you inspire others to believe that youth empowerment is possible and that meaningful change can begin with one determined young person,” he said.

Adedayo commended Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for supporting the initiative and appreciated the contributions of development partners, particularly MOTIVAR, programme facilitators and other stakeholders involved in the success of the programme.

He also called on local government councils and community leaders to create enabling environments for young entrepreneurs through improved power supply, internet connectivity and market linkages.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mr Olawale Olaleye, lauded the governor for approving the provision and distribution of laptops to beneficiaries of the programme.

Olaleye said the intervention would improve employability, stimulate digital entrepreneurship and create opportunities for economic growth across the state.

He advised the graduates to remain accountable to their mentors and communities, utilise the networks formed during the training and regularly update programme coordinators on their progress.

“If you encounter challenges, seek support. Your success is the programme’s success,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Adesola Fadiran, described the event as a significant milestone in the journey toward building a digitally empowered Ekiti State.

Olatunbosun said the ceremony not only marked the successful completion of the Digital Acceleration Programme by the first set of graduates, but also signalled the beginning of new opportunities, innovation and transformation for the beneficiaries.

He said the distribution of laptops symbolised more than the provision of devices, noting that it reflected the government’s commitment to human capital development, digital inclusion and the future of young people in the state.

“I congratulate the graduates for being pioneers and worthy ambassadors of a new digital era in Ekiti State. I encourage you to make productive use of the knowledge and resources you have received for the development of the state and the nation at large,” he said.

Olatunbosun also commended Gov. Oyebanji for the initiative and appreciated programme coordinators, trainers and stakeholders whose efforts contributed to its success.

SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU, OLUOMO OF ILAWE-EKITI, MOURNS THE PASSING OF ALAWE OF ILAWE-EKITI, OBA ADEBANJI AJIBADE ALABI AFUNTADE I.

SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU, OLUOMO OF ILAWE-EKITI, MOURNS THE PASSING OF ALAWE OF ILAWE-EKITI, OBA ADEBANJI AJIBADE ALABI AFUNTADE I.

The Senate Spokesperson, Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development and Oluomo of Ilawe-Ekiti, Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has expressed profound grief over the passing of the revered Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade I, describing the monarch’s transition as the fall of a mighty iroko and the end of a golden era of visionary traditional leadership.

Senator Adaramodu described the late royal father as not merely a custodian of tradition and culture, but also his blossoming childhood friend, confidant and father figure whose life radiated wisdom, dignity, peace, courage and uncommon devotion to the development of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Yorubaland at large.

Reflecting on the monarch’s impactful 14-year reign, Senator Adaramodu noted that Oba Afuntade I transformed Ilawe-Ekiti into a fast-growing and strategically recognised community through purposeful leadership, intellectual diplomacy and progressive engagement with government and stakeholders across all levels.

According to the Senator, the reign of the late monarch witnessed landmark developmental achievements, including the establishment of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe-Ekiti, the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Annex, Ilawe-Ekiti, alongside several infrastructural advancements and community-based developments that elevated the status and growth of the ancient town.

Senator Adaramodu further extolled the late monarch for attaining the historic honour of becoming the first Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti to have served as the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, describing the feat as a testament to his royal distinction, administrative competence, leadership depth and the prominent place of Ilawe-Ekiti among the foremost ancient towns in Ekiti State and Yorubaland.

The Senator also paid glowing tribute to the monarch’s calm intellectual disposition, articulate eloquence and statesmanlike conduct, noting that Oba Afuntade I carried the throne with rare grace, honour and scholarly brilliance which made him a respected voice among traditional rulers and public leaders.

“His Royal Majesty was a man of extraordinary wisdom and uncommon composure. He spoke with clarity, ruled with compassion and led with honour. Beyond being a revered monarch, Kabiyesi was my blossoming childhood friend whose guidance, encouragement and warm relationship I will forever cherish.

“His reign brought visibility, growth, peace and development to Ilawe-Ekiti. He was a bridge builder, a royal statesman and a symbol of dignity whose legacy will continue to inspire generations yet unborn,” Senator Adaramodu stated.

The lawmaker extended his heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the entire people of Ilawe-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Traditional Council and all sons and daughters of Ekiti State over the painful and monumental loss.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed monarch and for strength and comfort for all grieving hearts.

Signed:

Office of Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu

Ekiti South Senatorial District

National Assembly, Abuja.

APC Chieftain, Pharm. Fagboyo Congratulates Ekiti North Primary Election Winners.

APC Chieftain, Pharm. Fagboyo Congratulates Ekiti North Primary Election Winners.

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State Pharm. (Mrs.) Rachael Funmilayo Fagboyo, has congratulated candidates who emerged victorious in the just concluded APC primary elections across Ido/Osi Local Government Area and Ekiti North.

In a congratulatory message made available to journalists on Saturday, Fagboyo described the victories recorded by the candidates as a reflection of the confidence reposed in them by party faithful and the people of the constituency.

She specifically congratulated Hon. (Dr.) Yomi Ayorinde, who emerged as candidate for Ido/Osi Constituency II in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, and Hon. Ojo Taiwo Adeolu, candidate for Ido/Osi Constituency I, expressing confidence in their capacity to deliver progressive representation and effective legislative oversight.

According to her, “Your victories reflect the confidence your individual constituencies have in your ability to represent them effectively at the state level. We look forward to progressive legislation and oversight that will positively impact development across our local government and Ekiti State as a whole.”

Fagboyo also congratulated Hon. Ibrahim Olarewaju (IBO), winner of the Federal House of Representatives primary, as well as Distinguished Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who secured victory in the senatorial primary election.

She described their emergence as “not merely a personal triumph but a clear evidence of visionary leadership, unrelenting dedication, and the deep trust the people of Ekiti North have in your ability to continue the legacy of progressive representation at the national level.”

The APC stalwart assured the candidates of massive support from the people of Ekiti North ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the party would record resounding victories at the polls.

“As you prepare for the general elections, know that Ekiti North stands firmly behind you. We are committed to mobilising massive support to ensure your emergence in 2027 by the grace of God,” she stated.

Fagboyo, a seasoned consultant pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, is widely known for her contributions to healthcare leadership, community service, grassroots mobilisation and women empowerment within Ekiti State and beyond.

With over three decades of professional experience in clinical pharmacy and institutional leadership, she has remained actively involved in community development initiatives, youth mentorship, healthcare outreach programmes and APC grassroots engagement across Ekiti North.

Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero Welcomes NBTE Accreditation Team for New Programmes, Consolidates Polytechnic status.

Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero Welcomes NBTE Accreditation Team for New Programmes, Consolidates Polytechnic status.

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‎The Management of Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, EKSCOTECH has expressed gratitude to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for guiding technology-based tertiary institutions in the country towards upholding standards. The Rector, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, gave the commendation while receiving the Director, NBTE Southwest Zonal Office, Dr. John Onyebuchi, and a Resource Verification Team led by Prof. Sahidu Halidu who had visited the polytechnic for accreditation purposes.

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‎Dr. Olubamise described accreditation as the backbone of any institution and informed the team that the polytechnic had, for months, been gearing up for the introduction of new courses as part of moves to consolidate its polytechnic status.

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‎In his brief remarks, the Director, NBTE Southwest Zonal Office, Dr. John Onyebuchi congratulated the polytechnic management on the successes they had so far recorded since assuming office in October 2025, just as he hailed the institution for being ever-innovative.

‎On his part, the accreditation and resource verification team leader, Prof. Sahidu Halidu, appreciated the hospitality of the polytechnic management and hailed the institution for their high level of preparedness for the exercise, especially in the aspects of equipment, manpower, and physical structure, among others.

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‎While responding to comments by the NBTE accreditation team, a member of the EKSCOTECH Governing Council and former NBTE Southwest Zonal Director, Elder Ayo Aroge expressed optimism that the Institution would scale through the process of accreditation.

‎Aroge maintained that, a smooth sail through the process would afford Ekscotech the opportunity to gain recognition by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as well as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, just as the same will enable them to access the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

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‎The team had visited to assess not fewer than 12 programmes, some of which are brand new, and others already due for re-accreditation, namely: Electrical Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Procurement and Supply, Accountancy, Family Health, Community Health, Science Laboratory Technology, Dental Surgery, Dispensing Opticianry and Dental Therapy.

‎Notably, they were co-received by other EKSCOTECH Principal Officers, including the Deputy Rector, Mrs Folake Oladapo; the Registrar, Mr Sunday Ayodeji; the Bursar, Mr Olaniyi Dada; the Librarian, Mr Femi Folorunso; Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and the Polytechnic Accreditation Committee Chairman, Mr Kayode Abolarin.

‎During the visit, the officials conducted a comprehensive review of the polytechnic academic resources and learning facilities. Their assessment covered e-library resources, staffing adequacy, student quality, laboratories, academic regulations, and other key infrastructures required for effective programme delivery.

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