EKITI TRIBUNAL SLAMS ACTION ALLIANCE OVER POOR ATTITUDE TO ELECTION PETITION.

EKITI TRIBUNAL SLAMS ACTION ALLIANCE OVER POOR ATTITUDE TO ELECTION PETITION.

…as party's witnesses fail to appear in court.

The three-member panel of the Election Tribunal hearing the petitions arising from the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State has frowned against the Action Alliance (AA) over its perceived lukewarm attitude in pursuing its petition.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Abubakar Kutigi, made the feelings of the judges known on Friday, following the failure of the AA to bring its witnesses to the Tribunal as earlier promised making it a third consecutive time the party has failed to make its witnesses available to give evidence.

The AA could not come up with any of its witnesses at the tribunal sitting on Friday after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) brought six witnesses who testified on the conduct of the election in the units and wards where they served as party and collation agents.

Both the AA and the SDP which scored 126 votes and 179 votes respectively in the governorship poll are challenging the return of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC is the first Respondent in the petition while Oyebanji is the second Respondent.

All the SDP witnesses for the day were led in their examination-in-chief by the party's counsel, Ebenezer Akinbuli and were equally cross-examined by counsel to INEC, Tunde Salako and counsel to Oyebanji, Adetunji Oso, SAN.

After all the SDP witnesses had given evidence and the case adjourned till Monday, September 28, the tribunal chairman then urged Akinbuli, who is also the counsel representing the AA continue the prosecution of the petition with presentation of the party's witnesses as promised on the last day of sitting.

But Akinbuli's request for another adjournment on the premise of looking around for witnesses did not sit well with the tribunal judges as the chairman of the panel, Justice Kutigi, expressed reservations with the failure of the counsel to proceed with the case.

Justice Kutigi said: "If you are not interested in this case, you these people (AA) should just close your case. If at this stage you have not made up your mind on what you want to do, we can't just keep adjourning every time and you know that this is an election petition.

"We find this strange and we are not here to play. How does it sound for you to stand before us saying you will be looking for witnesses, after how many months? When was this case filed? Why not pursue this case? You are the counsel, try and take charge of this matter."

Akinbuli apologised to the judges on the panel and pleaded that he be given the last chance to bring the AA witnesses to court on Monday promising "to do the needful on the next day of adjournment."

Counsel to INEC, Salako and counsel to Oyebanji, Oso, said they had no objections to the AA's counsel's request for adjournment till Monday to bring the party's witnesses to the tribunal for the first time to give evidence in support of their petition.

Justice Kutigi consequently adjourned the petition till Monday, September 28 for continuation of hearing.

OLUYEDE HAILS GOV. OYEBANJI’S EFFORT AT BUILDING A GREATER EKITI.

OLUYEDE HAILS GOV. OYEBANJI’S EFFORT AT BUILDING A GREATER EKITI.

… As Gov. Says Collaboration With Oluyede in Ekiti's Interest.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and candidate of the party in the June 2026 governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his efforts towards building a greater Ekiti State, describing the Governor’s commitment to the development of the state as commendable and requiring the support of the citizens. 

Dr Oluyede gave the commendation on Friday when the Governor visited him at his residence in Ikere Ekiti shortly after attending the burial ceremony of late Senator Anthony Adeniyi, SAN.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after the visit, Dr Oluyede, who contested the June 20 governorship election against Governor Oyebanji said the Governor’s efforts at advancing the state deserve commendation, particularly in the area of security, infrastructure and human capital development. 

He particularly lauded the Governor’s huge investment in the security sector, noting that the sustained commitment had contributed to the peace and security being enjoyed across the state.

Olueyede also hinted that the Governor’s visit  also provided an opportunity to discuss ways of further strengthening security across the state and ensuring that the forthcoming general elections are conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.

The PDP chieftain also reiterated support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji, saying he would collaborate with the Governor to ensure that Ekiti State delivers a landslide victory for the President in the January 2027 general election, so that the President and the Governor can continue their good works.

 He said “Myself and Governor Oyebanji have been friends for a long time, we were in the same party, we diverged but we stick together and the Governor is a fantastic gentle man, kind, generous and he’s working hard for a greater and more prosperous Ekiti.

“ I commended him about three days ago, he is working hard on security of the state, his investments in infrastructure is commendable and apart from that, our meeting today is to secure the state further, we want to have free, fair and credible general election. We are also working together to deliver a landslide victory for the President who is doing a fantastic job and the Governor is also doing a fantastic job in Ekiti”.

Also in his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said his collaboaration with Chief Wole Oluyede was in the best interest of Ekiti people, stressing that their shared commitment to the development of the state remained the driving force behind their engagement.

While thanking Oluyede for his good spirit and commitment to the development of the state, the Governor noted that whenever they met, their discussion were always centered on the progress and advancement of the state. 

Governor Oyebanji maintained that the desire to find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the state was another factor that bonded them together, adding that their common interest was to work towards achieving sustainable development and improving the wellbeing of Ekiti people.

Speaking concerning his long standing relationship with Dr Oluyede, the Governor said “ People don’t know this, myself and Dr Oluyede have come a long way. Dr Oluwole is one of the most committed Ekiti indigenes I have ever met and he belongs to the progressive family, his father is the pillar of the progressive politics in Ikere Ekiti”.

“And I must thank him for his generosity of spirit, for his commitment to the development of Ekiti State, anytime I see Dr Oluyede, he is always talking about the development of the state and that is what binds us together, the spirit of developing the state, finding solution to all the problems and working together in maintaining peace in the state and I am sure in the next few days, Ekiti people will see the result of our collaboration."

Ekiti trains 30 officers for mass livestock artificial insemination.

Ekiti trains 30 officers for mass livestock artificial insemination.

The Ekiti State Government has charged livestock farmers in the state to adopt modern methods of improving livestock production through programmes such as artificial insemination and breed improvement.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting livestock producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs by ensuring sustainability through strategic investments and interventions.

Boluwade spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday during the ongoing “Mass Artificial Insemination, Training and Induction of Inseminators in Ekiti State,” organised by the state Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project.

He said, “The artificial insemination programme was designed by the state L-PRES for breed/genetic improvement and multiplication of livestock for better production.

“Ekiti State is targeting 850 cows and 150 goats while 30 professionals mainly from Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Departments are being trained and will be inducted as Artificial Insemination Technicians.

“It is important to raise personnel that would acquire skills in artificial insemination technology and most importantly to develop expert in artificial insemination operations that can train others and ensure sustainability and transmission of skills in the technology in the state.

“At the end of this programme, I expect to see a marked genetic improvement in our local ruminant breeds that is capable of driving economic growth and improving livelihoods”.

He said, “Survey showed that livestock productivity among L-PRES beneficiary farmers in Ekiti State is characterized by poor genetic quality and poor access to improved breeding services, resulting in low milk yield, slow growth rates, and reduced market value.

“To address this gap, Ekiti State supports the L-PRES key results indicator on artificial insemination which include increased yields in milk output, live weight gain, and carcass yield, thereby improving incomes and enhance the resilience of beneficiary households”.

Boluwade said, “the product of artificial insemination is improved hybrid vigour with better yield and performance through cross of local breeds with exotic breeds with good pedigree.

“Artificial insemination as a technology is a better channel for genetics upgrading and multiplying in livestock, eliminates the spread of sexually transmitted disease among the flock, reproductive materials and semen of good stock can also be stored for a long period of time”.

He urged participants to pay close attention to the sessions because of the technicalities involved, saying, “The knowledge gained will have positive impact on improving and upgrading our local breeds of ruminant livestock in terms of faster growth rate, efficient feed conversion rate, good carcass yield and resistance to diseases.

“The Ekiti State Government remains committed to supporting livestock producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs through strategic investments in infrastructure, capacity building, market development, access to finance, and institutional strengthening,” Boluwade said.

The Lead Consultant, Genex Urus Company, Olayiwola Adekunle, said the exercise was “to ensure that we have citizens of Ekiti State who are able to do artificial insemination instead of importing people from other countries to do it”.

Olayiwola said that Genex would support the 30 trained and qualified artificial inseminators for the next three years as part of the sustainability plan for the L-PRES project in the state.

He said, “We will be inseminating a lot of animals from 1000 upwards and also goats around the different local government areas in Ekiti State. We want to see sustainability and improved livelihood. At the end of the day, we want to see more animals, more milk in Ekiti State and of course the beef programme will also go on according to plan for the state”.

Also speaking, the Ekiti L-PRES Animal Husbandry Officer, Olumuyiwa Adelodun, said the goal of the mass artificial insemination and training and induction of 30 artificial insemination technicians “is breed improvement and multiplication of livestock”.

Adelodun, who said that the production of local breeds had been on the decline in recent times, said, “We intend to improve their quality through artificial insemination in order to have more productive livestock in terms of meat production.

GOV. OYEBANJI HAILS LATE SEN ADENIYI’S LEGACY OF SELFLESS SERVICE.

GOV. OYEBANJI HAILS LATE SEN ADENIYI’S LEGACY OF SELFLESS SERVICE.

…as Catholic Bishop Cautions Govt against  Sponsoring Pilgrimage.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday joined other dignitaries to pay last respect at the burial of the late former National Assembly member, Senator Anthony Adeniyi, SAN, describing him as distinguished public servant who lived for the people and left behind a big legacy of selfless service. 

The Governor who remarked on the exemplary life of the deceased, urged his children and family to be consoled by their fathers’ good works, remarkable achievements, and strong legacies which would take some time to surpass.

Speaking at the burial service held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Oke Ikere, Ikere Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said the late Senator was one of the finest legislators Nigeria had ever produced, noting that his years in public service were marked by a strong commitment to the welfare and development of the people he represented. 

The Governor recalled that the late Senator contributed to the execution of legacy projects through the merging of constituency fund by the three senators representing the state at the time, stresisng that such initiative demonstrated his understanding of the need to use public office to promote projects that would have wider benefits for the people.

While commiserating with the family and associates of the late senior lawyer, Governor Oyebanji urged the family to uphold the value the deceased represented, and prayed that God would grant them the strength to continue in his footsteps and preserve the legacy of their father. 

The Governor said “ on behalf of the government of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the family of Senator Adeniyi, there is nothing much for me to say after Bishop Ajakaye’s homily, I will just encourage the family to hold on to God, Senator lived well and God will grant you strength to walk in his steps.

“In the 7th National Assembly, the three Senators merged their constituency fund together to do a legacy project, they did not take the money for themselves, if you know water corporation in Ado Ekiti, you will know that our government is trying to finish that project now, it was a constituency projects of Senators Ojudu, Adetunbi and late Anthony Adeniyi, same thing in the North and South. So, Senator Anthony lived for the people, and was one of the finest legislators Nigeria could ever produce. He was frank, courageous, extremely brilliant, fearless and speaks his mind”. 

Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, described the late Senator Adeniyi as an accomplished lawyer, politician, educationist and community leader whose life was defined by service, leadership and professional excellence. He charged public office holders and other leaders to use their positions to serve the people and leave behind an enduring legacies,

The Bishop said the life and legacy of the deceased should serve as a reminder to public office holders and other leaders of the importance of putting the people at the Centre of their responsibilities and using their position to make meaningful contribution to society.

The Bishop also cautioned government against sponsoring religious pilgrimages and the construction of religious houses and palaces with public fund, urging them instead, to priorities projects and programmes that directly improve the welfare and living condition of the people.

The Catholic Bishop stressed that government resources should be directed towards addressing the needs of the people, including areas that would promote their wellbeing and improve their quality of life, saying such investment would constitute a more enduring service to humanity.

Also at the event were, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, former Governor Segun Oni, a former deputy Hovernor, Prof Modupe Adelabu; Chairman, Nigeria Port Authority, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, former and serving members of the National Assembly, among others.

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.