INAUGURATION OF THE JKF-BAO TRANSITION COMMITTEE
In action, Governor Kayode Fayemi with the Governor-elect Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his Deputy Governor-elect, Mrs Monisade Afuye during the transition committee inauguration.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr.Kayode Fayemi inaugurates Transition and Advisory Council Members at the Conference Hall of Governor's Office, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, SouthWest Nigeria.
The Press Release by the Governor as below:
Monday, June 27, 2022 | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
2. An Important Time in Our History
● Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this historic event, and to start by congratulating us all on the successful conclusion of the June 18, 2022 gubernatorial election.
● I am delighted that the electorate overwhelmingly voted for our great party the APC and our candidates, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye – now Governor-Elect and Deputy Governor-Elect respectively, to consolidate on the work we have done so far.
● Today, Ekiti kete is witnessing the commencement of proceedings towards the historic transition of power from the Kayode Fayemi administration to the Biodun Oyebanji administration – the first of its kind since the enactment of the Ekiti State (Transition) Law 2019.
● I would therefore not want the import of this event to be lost on us, as it is a very crucial step in the consolidation of our democracy, especially for us in Ekiti State.
3. Consolidation of Our Democracy
● Today, Ekiti State is leading the way again as a model sub-national government with the implementation of a carefully crafted law with robust provisions to ensure smooth transition of power from successive administrations of the Government of Ekiti State.
● With the Ekiti State (Transition) Law 2019, we have made sure that even in cases where there is an alternation of power between different political parties, those coming after us would be guided to ensure seamless continuity of the vision, the completion of projects, and the upholding of commitments validly entered into.
● We are pleased that our efforts would ensure that regardless of electoral outcomes, Ekiti would always win. This is also why one of the enduring legacies to be handed over to the incoming administration is the recently crafted 30-year State Development Plan - 2021 - 2050 which should serve as a critical road map to the new administration and even successive ones.
● I would therefore like to make this appeal to Ekiti Kete, that in the coming years, we all remain vigilant and cooperative to uphold this non-partisan new and better way of doing things, and the sacred tradition we are establishing today.
4. Confidence in the Incoming Administration
● Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to commence this process of transition, knowing that our beloved homeland would be in safe hands. The Governor-elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji would be coming to office on the back of his record as an experienced public administrator who is well-educated and well-travelled – a true homegrown son of the soil who has his fingers on the pulse of the yearnings of the people.
● He has been a central figure in my administration from 2010 – 2014, and 2018 – 2022, who deservedly shares in the credit for all we have been able to do for the good people of Ekiti state. As the former Secretary to the State Government, he shares in our records of achievement in Good Governance that has seen considerable improvements in the ease-of-doing-business, and earned us the second position in the Disbursement Linked Indicators mileage of the World Bank/FGN backed State Fiscal Transparency Accountability Sustainability (SFTAS), amongst other accolades.
● He shares in our achievements in education and the restoration of our pride of place as the intellectual hub in the country, with our free and compulsory education, building of new model colleges, improved teacher quality, regular grants-in-aid, massive investments in infrastructure and equipment, as well as the improvements in the learning environment in our schools. All these have resulted in Ekiti having the lowest rates of out-of-school children in the country, and significant improvements in percentage pass rates in common examinations.
● He has been a part of the thinking behind the long term vision to build a workforce of the future in tune with global trends and our comparative advantages in agriculture as well as science and technology which is centred around the Ekiti Knowledge Zone for which we recently received final confirmation of the AfDB Board approval. The vision has also resulted in the establishment of the Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti, and the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti as well as the growth and development of our premier university – EKSU.
● He has been a part of the infrastructural revolution in the state which has seen the completion of a number of critical roads such as Ijero - Ipoti - Iloro-Ayetoro, Igede-Awo-Osi-Ido, Otun - Osun-Iloro, Odo Owa - Oke-Ila-Osun State Boundary, Ikogosi - Ipole Iloro-Efon Alaaye, Ilawe - Erijinyan, Oye-Iye-Otun road, Ikere - Ise-Emure, Isan - Ilemeso, Iludun - Obo-Ayegunle, Aramoko-Erinjiyan-Ikogosi, Agbado-Ode-Isinbode-Omuo, New Ado-Iyin, Ilawe-Igbaraoke, Irele - Ipao - Arinkin Bridge - Kogi State Boundary, Ajolagun Bridge linking Ikere to Ijare Road - Ondo State Boundary and Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-Ijan, as well as the commencement of work on Ifaki - Esure - Eyio - Awo road, Itapa - Ijelu - Omu road, the Ado-Ifaki dual carraige way, Ilawe - Ikere road, Ijero - Ara - Awo road, Ikole township roads, and rehabilitation of Ado-Ekiti metropolitan roads. Equally, he has been part of the Rural Access and Agricultural Markets Projects – RAAMP.
● He has been part of the team that delivered the Oja Oba Market at Erekesan, the magnificent Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Center, and arguably the largest water corporation headquarters in Nigeria, as well as a total overhaul of three major water dams in Ero, Egbe, and Ureje with the installation of power sources, main pipes, and reticulation of hundreds of kilometers of pipes to towns and villages in about ten local government of the state.
● He has also been a part of the various efforts to upgrade broadband access through the comprehensive deployment of fibre optic infrastructure both within our education quadrangle and also state wide. He has equally been a part of the team that has bern responsible for the 5 megawatt Independent Power Project currently due for completion in August 2022.
● In the health sector, he has been part of the team that facilitated our free health care programme, the rehabilitation of all the primary health facilities across the state, and the rehabilitation and equipping of our specialist and general hospitals. The Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital has witnessed phenomenal growth and more importantly earned full accreditation by the relevant authorities and he has contributed to one of the most successful stare health insurance schemes in the country with 100,000 enrolees.
● In terms of the comprehensive vision to position Ekiti as an economically viable state, he was part of the implementation of a number of successful public-private partnerships such as the Ikun Dairy Farm now being run by Promasidor Limited, and the Ire Burnt Brick which has been revamped now and being run by a competent core investor operator.
● He has been a part of the vision for the agriculture sector, which has birthed the Cargo Airport project billed to become operational by September 2022. The cargo airport is designed to plug Ekiti strategically into the global value chain and expose our farmers and processors to a global market, and create vast opportunities for our young people.
● He has been part of the team that envisioned and designed the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project that would make Ekiti the hub for a knowledge economy, wealth creation and application to national and global challenges.
● He was at the centre of our pioneering effort to re-engineer regional integration in Western Nigeria with the establishment of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission when he served as Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs which was to later birth Amotekun - the Western Nigeria Security Network.
● He has been a part of the team that has prioritized workers’ welfare and ensured the prompt payment of salaries and pensions.
● He has been a part of the Ekiti State Security Council that understands the issues and our approach to security sector governance in the state.
● He has been as much a part of our history as a state, as he is a symbol of our hope for the future. He has an enviable pedigree as one of the members of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, in which he served as the secretary at the young age of 26. He was one of those who prepared the blueprint for the takeoff of the state, and has cumulatively contributed close to 12 years in the service of the state as a Special Assistant, Chief of Staff, Commissioner, and Secretary to the State Government.
● I have found in him a conscientious public servant who is trustworthy in all his dealings, and very dependable. I owe a debt of gratitude to him for being the engine room behind all our efforts, and for his faithfulness with all that has been committed to him through the years. At this time by the grace of God, BAO / Afuye lokan, to take Ekiti to the next level.
● I am most gratified that I have found in Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji a worthy successor because there is no true success and legacy without a successor that can continue with the vision. I have known him and enjoyed a personal relationship with him as a friend, brother, colleague, and one of my most trusted allies for close to two decades.
● As my administration transitions out, I am confident that with Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, Ekiti is in safe hands. I have no reservations in commending him to the good people of Ekiti as a worthy successor for the Office of Governor, who would carry on with our vision, and usher Ekiti into a new season of sustainable development, peace, and prosperity.
● I ask that Ekiti Kete gives the incoming administration the same degree of support and goodwill I have enjoyed.
5. Terms of Reference are:
a. to make comprehensive arrangement to manage, the transfer of political power seamlessly;
b. to ensure the provision of State of the State briefings for the Governor- Elect during the period before his assumption of office;
c. to undertake any other function as enshrined in the Transition Law to achieve the object of this Law.
6. Thank You Ekiti
● As I conclude, I would like to thank Ekiti Kete for the support you have granted my administration over the course of my tenure and the assurance of your continued support for us to finish well and strong.
● I am confident that with the 30-year Ekiti Development plan that has been put in place, and patriotic people at the helms of our affairs, Ekiti would take her rightful place where we achieve sustainable development, peace and progress in our homeland.
● It is my pleasure to formally inaugurate the transition committee comprising very accomplished Ekiti sons and daughters in keeping with the provisions of the law, and I am confident they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
● Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, once again I thank you all for coming to this historic event, and wish you a safe and pleasant journey back to your respective destinations.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor
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