Omoluabi Team Alliance Congratulates President- Elect, Babjide Sanwo-Olu and Other Southwest Governors over Election Victory; Speak for a United Southwest

Omoluabi Team Alliance Congratulates President- Elect, Babjide Sanwo-Olu, Other Southwest Governors over Election Victory; Speak for a United Southwest.

It is with pleasure and great joy that distinguished members of Omoluabi Team Alliance socio- cultural group send this open congratulatory message to the President - Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, Seyi Makinde, Adeleke Ademola, Biodun Oyebanji and Akeredolu all governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo state  for the election victory that was achieved in their various states. The 2023 general election was a huge success as INEC displayed so much capacity and competence to have conducted a general election that was free, fair and credible enough on the schedule date without any form of postponement. Yes, there could be minor hitches during the election as no perfect condition or situation is guaranteed all over the world.  On this basis we must also appreciate the electorates across the nooks and crannies of the country who have conducted themselves in a manner so expected of loyal and committed country men and women. Thanks to our men and women from the southwest who also came out to defend their ancestral territory and heritage against hijack from mere sojourners through the ballot. We have truly defined it that Lagos is a state in the southwest and belongs to the yorubas.

Eko o ni baje ooo.

The group however use this medium to congratulate the southwest governors for allowing the southwest agenda prevailed against all odds and other circumstances.

 Today we are happy that for the first time the southwest spoke with a voice and saw the mission to take our position in a country where our own forefathers and founding fathers from the old western region and nationalists played a part to nuture. 

Thanks to some notable Yoruba elders who never reneged in giving their supports in the struggle for the political emancipation of the southwest at this time. Most especially, the National Leader of the Afenifere Group, Chief Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a highly respected elderstateman, an epitome of integrity, sincerity and a faithful disciple of the Awolowo school of thought alongside  other prominent members of the oldest Pan Yoruba  socio-cultural Group in the history of Yoruba land. Also of note is the effort of our traditional rulers across the entire southwest for standing by the President - Elect. Worthy of mention are faithful political leaders like Chief Segun Osoba, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chairman of the southwest Governors Forum  and other political leaders who played a role that was strategic enough to usher in the celebrated victory for democracy. History will forever be kind to you all.

Now that our missions have been accomplished as a people, it becomes expedient to set a common agenda to restore the lost glory of the yoruba people. Omoluabi socio- cultural group call for unity, peace and a perfect understanding among our people with an appeal to our traditional rulers and spiritual fathers to continually offer more prayers and appease to the gods of our land for his divine blessings and prosperity for the Yoruba people.

No doubt our dreams have come true and our prayers answered. We must all come back home and go back to the drawing board to set our plans as a region. All southwest Governors must be united irrespective of party affiliations and see the development of  the southwest states as a priority that is above self interest. We also appeal to other leaders who hold grudges against the person of the President - Elect to surrender their  shield and allow love reign supreme as charity begins from home. It is our prayer that God Almighty grant Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Southwest Governors wisdom to provide good leadership across board. Nigeria is about to witness an unprecedented turn-around in all spheres.

Congratulations to all Yorubas home and abroad 

E- Signed

Acting National Secretary

Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio- cultural and Political Group.

Afe Babalola Tasks Newly Elected Ekiti NASS Members On Infrastructure Development.

Afe Babalola tasks newly elected Ekiti NASS members on infrastructure development.

.…As Governor Oyebanji reiterates commitment to Ekiti development.

Legal luminary and respected elder statesman, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has charged newly elected Senators and Members, House of Representatives from Ekiti state to use their new status to attract development to the state, using necessary connections and lobbying processes.

Aare Babalola, who gave the charged in Ado Ekiti on Sunday when the state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji led the three Senators -elect and six House of Representatives members- elect to the Founder of Afe Babalola University, called on all influential Ekiti indigenes at home and in the diaspora to start paying their taxes and development levies to the state in the drive to ensure aggressive development.

The legal icon, who is reputed as the highest tax payer in Ekiti State, appealed to all Ekiti people irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands with the incumbent Governor Oyebanji to drive aggressive development of the state. adding that he was convinced Ekiti would progress rapidly under Oyebanji whom he described as a progressive leader. 

Aare Babalola used the opportunity to call on Local Government administrators to embark on aggressive food production by investing massively in agricultural implements and inputs to make the state the food basket of the nation.

He highlighted his development strides in the state to include law, education, health, youth development, industry, agriculture and lots more, adding that ABUAD Multi-Systems Hospital is at the verge of taking healthcare delivery close to the people by establishing ABUAD Health Centres in remote areas of the state to help the people with critical health challenges who may not be able to visit the main hospital.

Chief Babalola who hailed the exemplary leadership of Governor Oyebanji, said the Ekiti Governor had started effecting some positive changes in the state, urging him to ensure their sustainability. 

“Whatever you want to achieve in life starts from leadership at all levels, the fact that we are able to bring you together here shows a new leadership order and that Governor Oyebanji is an exemplary leader and he will continue to be successful.” Aare Babalola noted.

In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji, Who reiterated his commitment to Ekiti development, noted that Aare Afe Babalola was more passionate about Ekiti project. The Governor said he led the newly elected lawmakers to the nonagenarian in order to share his vision for Ekiti as well as give them assignments on Ekiti project.

He added that his government would partner ABUAD by sharing its vision of industrialization saying if the institution could achieve this remarkable feat in the thirteen years of its existence then sharing vision with it would be a plus for the state.

“As Secretary of Ekiti creation, I have an idea of Baba’s vision for Ekiti state and I know that as we are today we can only realize that vision when we partner together. I was telling them about your gesture towards the Airport, they did not believe it, that the Airport would have been completed if we allow you to do what you wanted to do.

“I brought them here today to listen to you and to also thank you for what you are doing to humanity and to Ekiti state. If it were in the olden days, you would have been made a god but in your lifetime sir, we will continue to reverence you and make you proud.

Speaking on behalf of the Legislators, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator-elect Cyril Fasuyi reiterated their commitments to Ekiti project and promised to work closely with Governor Oyebanji to attract more development to the state.

The Legislators, who extolled the virtue of Aare Afe Babalola as having so much to tap from his wealth of experience called on him to help in investing more towards the development of the state.

Other Legislators elect at the meeting included Senator-elect Yemi Adaramodu and the House of Representatives members-elect were Niyi Ojuawo, Femi Bamisile, Abiodun Omoleye, Akinlayo Kolawole, Sola Fatoba and Akintunde Rotimi.

Also at the meeting were the wife of the ABUAD founder, Chief (Mrs) Modupe Babalola and some senior officials of the University.

BREAKING: Former NANS National PRO, Odebunmi Wins Assembly Seat In Ekiti.

BREAKING: Former NANS National PRO, Odebunmi Wins Assembly Seat In Ekiti.

THE candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Hon. Odebunmi Idowu ID Aluta has emerged winner of Oye constituency II of Ekiti state House of Assembly member-elect.

Declaring the results, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Oye constituency said: Odebunmi Idowu of APC having polled 6,689 votes to defeat his other challengers, from PDP and SDP, who scored 717, and 908 votes respectively.

The keenly contested election saw the Erstwhile NANS national PRO  win with a wide margin, saw him emerge as the winner of the Assembly to represent Oye constituency II.

The Lawmaker-elect was the ex-Chief of staff to the former NANS revolutionary President, Asefon Sunday Adedayo.

Gov. Oyebanji Urges Ekiti Residents To Accept Old Naira Notes.

Gov. Oyebanji Urges Ekiti Residents To Accept Old Naira Notes.

...its becomes unlawful for any business owner or service provider to reject the old notes~ Gov. Oyebanji.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has appealed to residents of the state to continue to accept the old and new naira notes as means of transactions in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court which extended the validity date of the old naira notes till December 23, 2023.

The Supreme Court had, in its March 3rd ruling, extended the validity date for the old naira notes in a case instituted by some states within the federation including Ekiti State.

Governor Oyebanji who noted complaints by residents that many business concerns in the state refused to accept the old naira notes as means of transaction, said it becomes unlawful for any business owner or service provider to reject the old notes.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, and made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, urged Ekiti people to accept the old naira notes till the December deadline and stay clear of actions that could create hardship for one another.

The Governor appealed to the market women, artisans, transporters, filling stations, supermarket owners, school proprietors and service providers to remain law abiding and accept the old naira notes. He also urged the commercial banks and CBN to make the old and new currencies available in their branches and at their automated teller machines (ATM) points in order to ease the stress residents go through to get money for their daily and commercial needs.

“This is an appeal to all residents of Ekiti State to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court which provides a reprieve for the people by extending the validity date of the old naira notes till December 31st.

“The State Government had joined other states to seek the intervention of  the Supreme Court in reversing the new naira policy which the states averred had inflicted excruciating pain and hardship on the people in addition to crippling economic activities.

“As honourable people, what is expected of us is to abide by the ruling of the apex court and continue to accept the old naira notes as means of transactions and not to inflict further hardship on one another by rejecting it.

“This is a special appeal to all the banks to make the naira notes available in all their branches and pay points and to all traders, business owners, service providers, okada riders, drivers, filling stations, gas plants, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, POS operators, to start accepting the old notes forthwith. To do otherwise would amount to defying the ruling of the highest court in the country and thwarting government efforts at reducing the hardship of the people.

“Our Government will continue to explore avenues to make life more meaningful for our people, as we continue to build a more prosperous state. 

“In same vein, Government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute business owners found rejecting the old naira notes”, the statement added.

Ekiti To Establish State Wealth Fund

Ekiti To Establish State Wealth Fund

....as state executive council approves bill for its establishment.

Ekiti State Government is set to establish the Ekiti State Wealth Fund, which is designed to receive, manage and invest in a diversified portfolio of medium and long term assets for the state and for future generations of indigenes and residents.

The approval for the establishment of the Fund was one of the decisions reached at the meeting of the state executive council held at the executive chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday.

The Council gave an approval for bill on the establishment of the Ekiti State Wealth Fund to be presented to the state House of Assembly for legislative processing and subsequent passage into law. It would be the first executive bill to be presented to the Assembly this year.

According to a release made available to journalists at the end of the executive meeting chaired by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Ekiti State Wealth Fund would among other things, build a savings base for the indigenes and residents of the state; provide for investments in the promotion of research and development in modern technologies and innovations.

It will also provide stabilisation support to the State Government in times of economic stress as well as manage other funds and investments for the state.

The Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akintunde Oyebode explained that the Fund is a clear sign that Ekiti State is not only committed to fiscal discipline by saving for the rainy day, but has also  prioritized investments by committing a portion of the wealth fund to catalysing private investments. “By sending such an important piece of legislation to the House of Assembly for consideration, Ekiti has again shown its willingness to lead the way on good governance and fiscal responsibility in Nigeria, Oyebode added.

In a similar vein, the State Executive Council also approved the establishment of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency at the meeting.

It approved the repealing of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency 2009 and re-enacting of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency Law 2003. It also approved the presentation of the bill to the state assembly for legislative processing and passage into law.

When it becomes operational, the agency is expected to, among other responsibilities, initiate policies and carry out environmental research and acquisition of relevant environmental technology and report on the state of the environment; carry out public enlightenment and staff capacity development on sound methods of environmental protection and management, erosion prevention and control, watershed and catchment management.

The meeting also deliberated and approved the appointment of Prince Ogundana Akinwande Moses as the new Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of the state.

By the approval, Prince Ogundana of the Iledin ruling house is to succeed the late Onikoyi, Oba Julius Olalere Falaki who passed on August 25, 2022.

Oyebanji Restates Commitment To Improved Health Care Facilities.

Oyebanji Restates Commitment To Improved Health Care Facilities.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring comprehensive renovation of all government hospitals across the state.

The Governor disclosed this when he paid an unscheduled visit to the General Hospital, Ilawe-Ekiti on Monday. He said his administration embarked on the renovation of all health facilities in the state in order to ensure effective health care delivery system in the state.

Governor Oyebanji, who was conducted round the hospital complex by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Oladimeji Ashafa; expressed dissatisfaction over the current state of the Ilawe hospital. He, however, said he was happy that he came to see the situation by himself, adding that regular inspection of facilities and projects across the state would be a major feature of his administration. 

He urged the workers in the hospital not to be discouraged by the physical structure, assuring them that the hospital would be captured in the next phase of the hospital renovation project, which he said was being done in phases.

He also called on prominent Ekiti indigenes across the state to contribute their quotas in ensuring the well being of government facilities in their localities.

The Governor, who made a personal donation of a 7.5kva generating set to the hospital to boost its services and bring about effective service delivery, assured that the hospital would get a facelift very soon as it was bound to be captured in the subsequent phase of hospital renovation exercise.

Addressing the staff of the hospital after the inspection, Mr Oyebanji commended them for their perseverance, commitment and dedication to their duty in spite of the challenges of dilapidated facilities and structures in the hospital.

“I have seen the situation at this General Hospital, Ilawe Ekiti, I am not happy about it but it is good that I have come, we will go back and see what we can do. Renovation of hospitals has started and it is an ongoing project. Inspecting facilities is going to be a permanent feature of my administration, I want to see things for myself.

“I don’t want you to be discouraged and don’t want you to despair because you are dealing with lives, you may not like this situation, it would have been worse than this if you were not here. I want you to be encouraged and as a government, we would support you. And I will also talk to prominent indigenes of this town to do something about the facility here.” He said.

Also, addressing some residents of the town, the Governor assured them that the road from Ilawe to Ikere Ekiti would be revisited as his government has begun the process to mobilize the contractors handling the project to site.

He also assured youths in the state that government would soon inaugurate programmes that would empower them calling on them to key into the programme aimed to cut across party lines.

Earlier, the Governor had also paid an unscheduled visit to the Technical College, Igbara Odo, where he inspected ongoing renovation of the school. He said his administration would boost vocational education and make it attractive to the citizens as one of the pathways to entrepreneurship.

Omoluabi Socio- cultural Group Says "Southwest is Home to all But Sojourners must not take our tolerance for weakness."

Omoluabi Socio- cultural Group Says "Southwest is Home to all But Sojourners must not take our tolerance for weakness."

In the last few days, the Nigerian state was busy with the general election which eventually produced a President - Elect who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The overall winner in the Presidential election being Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State and the architect of the new Lagos we are now all proud of as a people and Nigerians from all States of the Federation. That record being important to us as an achievement for the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other men of substance who are products of his school of politics and public administration are privileged to play their own part in the building of a prosperous city.

Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-cultural Group watched with keen interest in the last few days the attitude of some Nigerians known to be our long time adopted brothers and sisters we voluntarily allowed to assimilate and get on well in the midst of common peace in our ancestral home and in Yoruba land. Post civil war that ended in 1970 as the battle between the Nigerian state and the Biafrans when the clamour for secession and declaration for the biafra republic occupied the media space both locally and internationally. However, it was defeated by the Nigerian government who deployed all arsenals at quenching such  unripe ambition. The war was over and there was the need to quickly bring back our own brothers from the east and re- integrate them back into a society that was their home before the break out of the civil war.

To the easterners who saw and witnessed the havoc  and wreck the almost three years war left behind in the affected region, their prayer now if asked will be 'never to see such again' before they pass on from the face of the earth. War is a monster and an evil never to wish even an enemy.

At this junction it is now ripe to set the record straight if their sons, daughters and even grandsons and grand  daughters are either ignorant of these facts well documented in the book of history or they have deliberately refused to recognize the place and position of history they are not ignorant of. After the civil war, our brothers and sisters from the east where the rising sun is imminent were received and even transported voluntarily to come sojourn in communities in the defunct western region now southwest Nigeria. History told make us know that even a large population of this our brethren were assisted by our fathers bringing them home with the aim of providing comfort, succour, protection and even food to men , women and even children who have lost their homes. Some who were badly injured by the effect of the war told their children and those who cared to listen to their stories said they were not even hopeful of meeting or connecting with their ancestral homes again until  when the government of Nigeria agreed to  rebuild their villages to justify the pronouncement of ' No victor, No vanquished' as the war ended.

The civil war was indeed a living monster that rendered the ibos homeless in all circumspect. This magnanimity and love shown by our ancestors and fathers in Yoruba land today is gradually being taken for granted and probably seen to be a weakness for us as a people. It cannot be and should not be argued by any one that southwest states belong to the Yorubas and so every other person who is a non- Yoruba by birth is absolutely a sojourner. As a sojourner you are only living and residing within the Yoruba states temporarily because you are either working with government parastatal or doing a lawful business within our domain as a business man, woman or a common trader. Yes as a Nigerian you are permitted under the law of the country to reside in any part of the country to whom you are constitutionally regarded as a citizen. In the face of the legality of your residing in any part of the country, you are also mandated and expected to abide by the laws  that seeks the harmonious co-existence of the original owners( landlord) of such communities by inheritance and the tenants( sojourners) who have a temporary right to resources bequeathed to the landowners by their fathers. The Ibos must come to know that all the states in the southwest cannot be negotiated between the Yorubas and other sojourners  no matter how friendly and accommodating we may look. It becomes embarrassing to note that our brothers from the eastern part of Nigeria now boast that they jointly own Lagos with the original owners of Lagos. In recent times they claimed they have no home to go,  they boasted of having equal rights in our own homes.This they have vowed to extend to Lagos and other parts of the southwest in no distant time. How does a landlord share same right over the ownership of his house with a tenant? It calls for immediate attention and reactions from well meaning Yoruba warlords, human right activists like the agbekoyas and other similar interest groups of the Yoruba extraction. 

To our socio- cultural group it is a signal and invitation to ethnic anarchy that can be averted if our brothers from the east will yield to our warnings and advise on this crucial matter. It is getting clearer that the mission of rooting for a  Peter Obi as President is targeted at causing civil anarchy as there are secret plans to grab our lands bequeathed to us by our ancestors forcefully under a  Peter Obi who is well noted to be an ethnic bigot and a Biafran apologist to the core. Thanks to the supreme God for not approving such personality to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.We however deem it fit by our position as the emerging mouthpiece of the Yoruba people to immediately caution our brothers from the east( the Igbos) to have a rethink and allow us remain friends and brothers we are both noted for close to fifty(50) years and even more. Let us  show mutual respect to ourselves as Nigerians and brothers from the southern part of Nigeria. Let us not allow a few elites from the east who may probably have nothing to loose absolutely if hell is let loose by the slightest provocation received by our sons and daughters in the southwest. This you are sure will do no good for those of you whose major and only source of living and investments are here with us in all the nooks and crannies of yoruba land.

Foregoing, we want to absolutely ask that we are allowed to dominate our politics, determine our fates, occupy available spaces and positions that wil better our lots as a people within our own territory, the Yoruba land. We are valiant and not weaklings. Peace and prosperity we ask for in Yoruba land. 

Omoluabi Team Alliance is an emerging Socio-cultural Group from the Southwest with members across the six(6) southwestern states including Kogi and Kwara States.