Governor Biodun Oyebanji's First Year: Achievements in Governance, Security, and Development Lay Strong Foundation for Ekiti State Progress.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji's First Year: Achievements in Governance, Security, and Development Lay Strong Foundation for Ekiti State Progress.

By: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J. 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji's first year in office has been marked by significant accomplishments, with a strong emphasis on governance, security, and development. Here is a comprehensive review of the achievements in these vital areas:

Governance:

Promoting Workforce Well-being:

One of the standout achievements is the timely payment of salaries to state and local government workers, amounting to N29,278,008,353 between October 2022 and July 2023. This has significantly contributed to the welfare of civil servants.

Supporting Home Ownership:

The administration disbursed housing loans totaling N267.07 million to 1,901 beneficiaries across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This initiative empowers public servants to acquire comfortable homes.

Strengthening the Civil Service:

The Ministry of Agriculture saw the appointment of 42 produce inspectors to bolster the agricultural sector and maintain the quality of agricultural produce. Additionally, 102 junior officers were appointed across various MDAs, enhancing the workforce.

Normalized Appointments:

The normalization of temporary appointments for 64 junior officers has streamlined transitions within the civil service, making it more efficient and organized.

Pensioners' Welfare:

A priority has been ensuring the welfare of pensioners. The government disbursed N10,210,792,973.88 as pensions to state and local government pensioners between October 2022 and July 2023.

Staff Development:

Recognizing the importance of workforce development, 1,700 staff in the Primary Health Care sector received promotions, boosting their morale and career prospects. Car loans, amounting to N228.3 million, were granted to 682 public servants between October 2022 and July 2023.

Gratuity Benefits:

Beneficiaries of the state and local governments enjoyed the disbursement of N435,000,000.00 as gratuity, further enhancing their well-being.

Enhancing Accessibility:

The administration initiated a free mass transit scheme for public servants and public secondary school students, improving accessibility and mobility.

Modernizing the Civil Service:

Efficiency in the civil service was boosted with the procurement of 30 units of Toyota Yaris cars for 28 permanent secretaries and 2 auditors-general in the Ekiti State Civil Service.

Planning & Development:

Efficient Data Management:

The Data Centre at the Bureau of Statistics received upgrades, ensuring more efficient data management and analysis.

Capacity Building:

The government invested in personnel development, offering training and development programs for 627 local government service personnel, enhancing their skills and knowledge.

Global Representation:

The administration sponsored representatives of organized labor to attend the 2023 session of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Switzerland, bolstering international labor relations.

Financial Training:

A vital part of capacity building included training local government chairmen and other top government officials at the local government level in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

Inclusivity:

The government prioritized training and establishment for 30 individuals with disabilities (PWDs), promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Government Café:

A new engagement and interaction space, the Government Café, was established, enhancing communication.

Security:

Vehicle and Equipment Repairs:

Operational pick-up vehicles and fire-fighting engines in Omuo and Ikole Ekiti received essential repairs, improving the efficiency of these services.

Renovation of the Fire Service HQ:

The government approved the renovation of the Ekiti State Fire Service Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, ensuring it meets modern standards.

Investing in Security:

To bolster security, the administration purchased armored personnel carriers (APC), patrol trucks, and security equipment, including bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, tactical boots, and Motorola radios.

Emergency Command Centre:

The completion of the Emergency Command Centre (ECC) provided a central point for incident reporting and rapid responses.

Increased Security Votes:

Chairmen of local government councils saw an increment in their security votes to enhance local security efforts.

Safest State in Nigeria:

In a notable achievement, the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) ranked Ekiti State as the safest state in Nigeria in 2022.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to governance, security, and the overall development of Ekiti State. These achievements in the first year provide a solid foundation for the administration's continued dedication to serving the people of Ekiti State.

Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James is a Public Relations Specialist, Content Creator, and Journalist, born and raised in Ise-Ekiti, Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State. He can be reached through: Akinwumiolamide09@gmail.com, 09068215955.