Emure Poultry Hub 95% Complete, to Accommodate 30,000 Birds, Says Boluwade.

Emure Poultry Hub 95% Complete, to Accommodate 30,000 Birds, Says Boluwade.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

 The construction of the 30,000-capacity Poultry Hub in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State has reached 95 per cent completion, raising hopes for increased poultry production, youth empowerment and job creation under the state's agricultural development initiative.

The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the project site alongside the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) team to assess the level of work done.

Boluwade expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the contractor, noting that the project, which commenced in May 2026, was nearing completion.

He explained that the facility comprises five climate-smart poultry pens with a combined capacity of 30,000 birds. According to him, the hub will feature an automated watering system, while feeding will be done manually to make the facility suitable for practical training and youth capacity development.

He added that the facility is powered by solar energy to promote sustainable and cost-effective operations.

The Special Adviser further disclosed that similar facilities were being constructed simultaneously in Igede and Ikole-Ekiti, adding that the three projects would provide an additional 100,000-bird capacity to the Ekiti State Broiler Production Scheme (EBOPS) by the end of 2026.

As part of the visit, the team paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Ruler of Emure Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba James Babatunde Ajiboye, who was commended for his support towards the successful execution of the project.

Boluwade acknowledged the monarch's contributions, particularly his donation of land free of charge and regular monitoring of the construction work since the project's commencement.

He disclosed that interested youths from the Emure axis would be enrolled in the scheme from January 2027 to commence training and empowerment activities.

The initiative is part of the Ekiti State Government's broader commitment to expanding agricultural production, creating employment opportunities for young people and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

The development further underscores the administration's BAO 2.0 agenda, which places priority on job creation, economic empowerment and sustainable agricultural development.

Bamidele Urges Ondo APC Stakeholders to Unite for Tinubu’s Re-election, Targets One Million Votes.

Bamidele Urges Ondo APC Stakeholders to Unite for Tinubu’s Re-election, Targets One Million Votes.

The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has called on leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State to unite behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing the need for collective commitment ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

Bamidele made the call on Wednesday while delivering President Tinubu’s key messages at the APC/PBAT-Shettima 2027 Presidential Campaign engagement in Akure, Ondo State. He urged party members, stakeholders and supporters to work closely with the state Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to secure an overwhelming victory for the President.

Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, the Senate Leader emphasised that the 2027 election should be a collective project for all APC members, irrespective of their political interests or differences.

He said the President was particularly concerned about ensuring unity among party leaders and stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the state ahead of the January 16 election.

According to him, the President had directed all party leaders to "recognise Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the sole state coordinator of the presidential campaign and give him the necessary support to mobilise voters."

He, however, said the governor had also been instructed to open his doors to all party leaders and stakeholders, irrespective of their political affiliations or previous disagreements.

"This time around, all our leaders are on the same page. The appeal of Mr President is that all our leaders should recognise that there is only one state coordinator for this campaign, and that is the governor of the state.

"Everybody must work with him. The President also asked me to emphasise to the state coordinator, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, that he must open his doors to all the leaders of the party to work with him," he said.

He urged party leaders to put aside disagreements, embrace unity, strengthen internal cooperation and maintain a cordial relationship with Governor Aiyedatiwa to achieve the one million votes target set for the President in the state.

Bamidele also called for sustained peace and unity among APC leaders and members across the 18 local government areas of the state, warning against internal divisions that could undermine the party's electoral prospects.

He further noted that President Tinubu had demonstrated considerable commitment to Ondo State through the inclusion of its indigenes in key positions in his administration, including three ministerial appointments, two ambassadorial positions and a permanent secretary.

The Senate Leader said the appointments and opportunities given to indigenes of the state reflected the President's recognition of Ondo State and its contributions to national development.

He therefore urged the people of Ondo State to reciprocate the President's support by mobilising massive votes for his re-election and sustaining the APC's political dominance.

Bamidele reaffirmed the importance of unity, loyalty and collective responsibility among party members, stressing that the task ahead required every stakeholder to contribute meaningfully towards achieving the President's second-term ambition.

He expressed confidence that with effective collaboration between Governor Aiyedatiwa and APC leaders across the state, Ondo State could deliver an outstanding electoral victory for President Tinubu in 2027.

Ekiti Govt Supports 100 PWDs with Tricycle Wheelchairs Donated by NGO.

Ekiti Govt Supports 100 PWDs with Tricycle Wheelchairs Donated by NGO.

Ekiti State Government has presented 100 tricycle wheelchairs donated by a Jos-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Beautiful Gate to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state as part of efforts to improve their mobility, promote inclusion and enhance their independence.

Speaking while presenting the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries at the Ekiti State Skill Acquisition Center in Ado Ekiti, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, expressed the appreciation of Ekiti State Government to the Beautiful Gate NGO for the donation, describing the gesture as a demonstration of commitment to improving the welfare and wellbeing of Persons with disabilities across the country. 

Princess Agboola  added that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has accorded the welfare of persons with disabilities top priority since his inception in office.

She maintained that the Governor has redeemed the dignity of the PWDs in Ekiti State, stressing that the era when people living with disabilities being regarded as incapable of achieving meaningful goals or occupying important positions in society has become a thing of the past, as the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration has continue to create opportunities for them to realize their potentials and contribute meaningful to the development of the state.

She said that the administration is the first to provide dedicated free medical care for the persons with disabilities in the state, adding that the governor had consistently celebrated his birthdays with them as a demonstration of his love, commitment and concern for their welfare.

Highlighting the Governor's intervention in the disability sector, Princess Agboola said government had trained and empowers over 300 PWDs, distributes over 3000 wheelchairs, donated musical studio to school of the blind in Ikere and provide free meals, among others.

While urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the wheelchairs, the Special Adviser expressed optimism that the donation would ease their mobility challenges, enhance their independence and enable them to engage more actively in their daily activities.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Beautiful Gate Handicap People’s Center, represented by the Media Director, Mrs. Sandra Yilgwa, said the humanitarian intervention was designed to compliment government efforts in addressing the mobility and other challenges confronting persons with disabilities across the country.

While disclosing that each wheelchair cost about N170,000 to produce, Mrs Yilgwa Said  that the organization had set a target of distributing 43,000 units across the country to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, adding that the center was encouraged to extend the initiative to Ekiti State by various interventions and efforts of Governor Oyebanji towards improving the welfare of PWDs.

Also in their remarks, the two former  NYSC Corps members who facilitated the initiatives for the state, said they were inspired by the efforts of Governor Oyebanji to improve the fortune and living conditions of PWDs in the state, prompting their decision to contribute their quota by facilitating the partnership between the state government and Beautiful Gate NGO to provide mobility for the beneficiaries.

Ekiti Govt, Ex-Corps Members Partner NGO to Empower PWDs with 100 Tricycle Wheelchairs.

Ekiti Govt, Ex-Corps Members Partner NGO to Empower PWDs with 100 Tricycle Wheelchairs.

In a major boost to disability inclusion, the Ekiti State Government, in partnership with the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre and two ex-corps members, distributed 100 locally fabricated tricycle wheelchairs to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

The event, held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Ekiti State Skill Acquisition Centre in Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, brought together state officials, humanitarian leaders, and members of the disability community.

The collaboration was catalyzed by two Ex- corps members who served in the state, Mr. Israel Bernard Offong and Mr. Zion Timothy Atser. Explaining their motivation, the ex-corps members noted that their decision to facilitate the intervention stemmed from witnessing firsthand the purposeful leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

"We came to Ekiti to serve, we saw the level of intentionality of what Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is doing to people with disability through the office of the Special Adviser for Special Education and Social Inclusion, and we decided to reach out to Beautiful Gate in Jos, and they yielded," they stated.

The Media Director of Beautiful Gate, Yilgwan Sandra, noted that the organization’s humanitarian footprint spans across the nation, focusing heavily on mobility independence for PWDs regardless of geography or social status. She explained that the tricycles were locally manufactured and assembled in Jos, Plateau State, ensuring that beneficiaries have easy access to local technical support and repairs.

Highlighting the state's progressive policies, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, commended Governor Oyebanji for institutionalizing support for PWDs since assuming office in 2022.

Princess Agboola noted that the administration is the first in the state's history to introduce free medical care for PWDs and officially shoulder the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. She added that the state has integrated PWDs into the civil service, with members of the community attaining administrative cadres and the position of Executive Secretary, while also ensuring all special schools remain tuition-free with regular feeding.

She expressed profound appreciation to the founder of Beautiful Gate and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Honourable Ayuba Burki Gufwan, for his visionary leadership and dedication to humanity. The Special Adviser lauded Honourable Ayuba as a worthy role model to persons with disabilities, noting that he has proven beyond doubt that persons with disabilities can develop immense capacity. She used the opportunity to challenge all persons with disabilities in Ekiti State to emulate him by building capacity in their various trades and shifting their mindset from focusing on what they can receive to what they can offer.

Princess Agboola also expressed delight that two ex-corps members served in the state had recognized the governor's commitment to PWDs and decided to complement the government's efforts by facilitating the partnership with the Beautiful Gate NGO in Jos. She described the gesture as evidence that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of catering for the needs of persons with disabilities, while appreciating the ex-corps members for their compassion and support.

Echoing these sentiments, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Office of Disability Affairs, Mr. Bayo Odewale, delivered a welcome address praising the Beautiful Gate Group for the partnership. He emphasized that the distribution of mobility aids goes far beyond physical hardware, serving as an instrument to restore hope, promote self-reliance, and foster dignity.

State officials issued clear guidance to the beneficiaries during the event. The Director of Disability Affairs, Mr. Toye Ojo, and NGO representatives stressed that while the wheelchairs were provided free, transporting them to Ekiti cost the state a significant investment. Beneficiaries were sternly cautioned not to sell the chairs and strictly advised against operating the tricycle wheelchairs on highways for safety reasons.

The event concluded with renewed calls from the state government for public-spirited individuals, corporate bodies, and non-governmental organizations to complement government efforts in building a more inclusive society where every citizen can thrive.

OYEBANJI MOURNS SECOND REPUBLIC HOUSE OF REPS MEMBER, PROF. OPEYEMI OLA. OLAKANMI.

OYEBANJI MOURNS SECOND REPUBLIC HOUSE OF REPS MEMBER, PROF. OPEYEMI  OLA. OLAKANMI.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed his condolences on the death of a distinguished scholar, political scientist and Second Republic parliamentarian, Prof. Israel Opeyemi Ola Olakanmi.

Prof.  Opeyemi Ola who represented his constituency in the Federal House of Representatives between 1979 and 1983, died on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the age of 98.

The Governor, in a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, extolled the contributions of the deceased to scholarship, research and national manpower development through his distinguished academic career at the Universities of Ibadan and Lagos.

Governor Oyebanji described the late professor as a committed disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, noting that he served as one of the intellectual pillars of the Action Group (AG) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), under whose platform he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1979.

The Governor also acknowledged his contributions to community development in his hometown, Efon Alaaye, particularly his leadership role in presenting the community’s memorandum before the Arthur Mbanefo Panel in 1996, seeking the creation of Efon Local Government Area.

Governor Oyebanji commiserated with the people of Efon Alaaye, the academic community, associates and family of the deceased, describing his passing as a loss to Ekiti State and the nation.

He said Ekiti State was proud to have produced a distinguished scholar and patriot whose contributions to education, public service and community development would remain a source of inspiration to generations.

The Governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and for God’s comfort for his family and all those mourning his demise.

EKITI RANKS SECOND IN NGF HEALTH BUDGET PERFORMANCE IMPLEMENTATION RATING.

EKITI RANKS SECOND IN NGF HEALTH BUDGET PERFORMANCE IMPLEMENTATION RATING.

…Scores 82.2%, meets NGF’s 67% benchmark.

Ekiti State has emerged second among 34 states evaluated in the Health Budget Performance Implementation Report released by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), covering the first three quarters of 2026.

Significantly, Ekiti was among only three states that met the NGF’s 67 per cent benchmark for health budget performance implementation, underscoring the state’s commitment to effective budget execution and sustained investment in healthcare delivery.

The state scored 82.2 per cent, trailing only Delta State, which ranked first with 84.4 per cent, while Bayelsa State came third with 68.3 per cent.

During the period under review, Ekiti also recorded a favourable performance in overall budget implementation, ranking among the leading states with a 65 per cent performance rating, further reflecting its commitment to fiscal discipline, adherence to budgetary provisions, and commitment to service delivery.

The report indicated that the 34 states collectively expended N1.15 trillion on the health sector during the first three quarters of the year. Ekiti allocated 5.1 per cent of its total budget to the sector, reflecting its prioritisation of healthcare services and infrastructure.

Reacting to the favourable rating, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, attributed the achievement to the substantial investment in the health sector by the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration, particularly in its commitment to Human Capital Development.

Dr Filani said the ranking was a product of deliberate government policies and sustained investments rather than a mere coincidence.

He disclosed that the administration had, in the last four years, renovated 110 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare at the grassroots.

He added that all secondary healthcare facilities in the state had also undergone comprehensive rehabilitation and been equipped with modern medical equipment and drugs, while plans were at an advanced stage to construct three additional secondary healthcare facilities in strategic locations across the state.

The Commissioner noted that these interventions were designed to strengthen the healthcare delivery system, improve access to medical services and enhance health outcomes for residents.

Ekiti State has also recorded encouraging health indicators, including one of the highest life expectancies and among the lowest neonatal and child mortality rates in the country. These achievements reflect the government’s sustained interventions and coordinated efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

Beyond infrastructure renewal and equipment provision, the Oyebanji administration has recruited about 1,800 health professionals in the last four years, including medical doctors, nurses and other allied health personnel, to strengthen manpower capacity and improve service delivery across the state’s healthcare system.

The Benefits of Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele's Political Trajectory to Ekiti State.

The Benefits of Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele's Political Trajectory to Ekiti State.

....Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON - Senate Majority Leader.

HC Ade.

There are politicians who seek power, and there are leaders whose journey prepares them for power. Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON - Senate Majority Leader belongs to the second group.

Born on 29th July, 1963 in Iyin Ekiti, his story began in struggle - from student activism as NANS President, to human rights advocacy and defending democracy during the June 12 struggle. That foundation produced a leader known nationally for courage and consistency.

Between 2000 and 2011, he served Lagos State as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Bola Tinubu, Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy. That executive experience is what he later brought home to Ekiti.

In 2011, he entered the House of Representatives for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I. In 2019, he was elected Senator for Ekiti Central and re-elected in 2023. On 4th July, 2023, he emerged as Senate Majority Leader - the highest legislative office ever held by an Ekiti man.

The benefit to Ekiti is clear. As Leader, he coordinates all executive bills in the Senate. Under his leadership, the 10th Senate has passed over 108 laws, including the Student Loan Act that created NELFUND.

His greatest legacy is the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti - a generational win that brings admission opportunities, jobs and economic growth to Ekiti.

In Ekiti Central, his impact is visible: over 50 roads, ICU facilities at five hospitals, 12 mini-stadiums, thousands of solar streetlights, and empowerment for thousands of small business owners.

As Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, he has also championed state police as a solution to insecurity - a position that directly benefits Ekiti.

From student leader to Senate Majority Leader, Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele's trajectory has given Ekiti representation with power, experience with results, and loyalty with access.

According to the popular saying that "you don’t have to figure out the whole road ahead, just trust that your feet know how to take the very next step", for Ekiti, protecting this trajectory is about promotional protecting the interest of Ekiti State at the centre of Nigerian politics.

Come January election, our votes for PBAT and all APC candidates remains our key to unblocking our greatness as a people. 

_Vote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu!_

_Vote MOB and all APC candidates!_

_forward ever, backward never!_