We’ll make learning environment more conducive, interesting, says Oyebanji at EKSU convocation.

We’ll make learning environment more conducive, interesting, says Oyebanji at EKSU convocation.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to making Ekiti State University a world-class institution by investing in infrastructure and digital tools that will make the learning environment conducive, accommodative and interesting.

The Governor, who made this known on Thursday at the 27th convocation ceremony of the institution, said his government was pursuing a multi-pronged policy action that would allow schools in Ekiti from primary to tertiary, responsive to the demand of today and ensure that the products of the institutions can compete favorably with their counterparts from across the globe.

Oyebanji, who made history as the first alumnus of the University to become the state Governor and Visitor to the state- owned University, said his administration placed immense importance on human capital development and is irreducibly committed to job creation, youth and human development which occupied number twi and three of his administration six-point agenda.

He said as part of his efforts to upscale digital education for job creation, his administration had launched Ekiti Digital Skill Academy this year with distribution of laptops to 100 youths and that the program targets 500 youths to be given laptops and other devices to facilitate their learning experience.

The governor also informed the gathering that his administration had just secured the Federal Government approval for Ekiti Knowledge Zone to become a Free Trade Zone which was a critical requirement for the zone to get needed investment inflow for the development of the zone.

He stressed that Ekiti knowledge zone was a major infrastructure milestone for the Ekiti shared prosperity agenda which was conceived to be a digital innovation, technology and creativity hub. He added that it is an idea and innovation ecosystem where highly talented young people could unleash their energy in productive enterprise.

While restating his administration’s commitment to quality education, the Governor said his government has sustained the provision of bursary by giving support of 22.3 million Naira to all qualified undergraduates and postgraduate students of Ekiti origin last year alone and that he would continue to do his best to ensure that the young ones have meaningful future through access to affordable education.

The Governor, who urged the Council and management of EKSU to use their research output to address and solve basic problems to attract more fund to the institution and become profitable, called on all stakeholders to support the University to attain a new height.

Governor Oyebanji congratulated the graduands and charged them to take the advantage of the trainings and learning they have acquired to contribute their quota to humanity.

 “As a government, our administration places an immense importance on human capital development.

Our government is irreducibly committed to job creation, youths and human capital development, to underscore this out of the six pillars of our administration, youth empowerment and human capital development occupy number two and three respectively.

 “As part of effort to achieve this, I recently launched the Ekiti Digital Skill Academy in February this year with the distribution of laptops to 100 youths as part of our move to upscale digital education for job creation and the programme targets 500 youths to be given laptops and other devices to facilitate their learning experience.

“Similarly, we just secured the Federal Government’s approval for Ekiti Knowledge Zone to become a Free Trade Zone. This is critical requirement for the zone to get the needed investment inflow for the development of the zone. For us EKZ is conceived to be a digital innovation, technology and creative hub. 

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Akin Oyebode who commended the Governor for urgently effecting payment of one of the two outstanding subvention barely a week after inaugurating council, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for appointing him and his other colleagues as members of Council and assured that they would collaborate with management to raise the bar of excellence in the university and register it as an acceptable brand of global reckoning.

He commended the immediate past governing council and the university management for breaking new grounds through promotion of academic excellence and infrastructural development which had helped in repositioning the university as one of the high-ranking institutions internationally.

Oyebode, a Professor of Jurisprudence and a former Vice Chancellor of the University called on all stakeholders in the education sector including the alumni to rise to the support of the university in boosting its developmental projects for greater achievements as he also enjoined the graduands to start thinking of what they could contribute to their alma mater to elevate its standards.

This 

Also, in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Edward Olanipekun announced some of the achievements of the University to include securing accreditation for 81 regular programmes by the National Universities Commission with another eight programmes having interim accreditation.

Prof. Olanipekun added that the University also made successes in the area of ICT infrastructure noting that the institution was now able to produce transcript for its students within 72 hours of request as well as achieving the feat of ensuring that all graduands went with their original certificates on graduation day as against the old system where students only get statement of results and wait endlessly for their certificates.

Also at the event were the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba; Secretary to the state Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, members of the Governing Council, members of the state executive council; Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. J.B Ayodele and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development), Prof. Raphael Adeleke among others.

EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu Writes Nigerian Government Secretary, Boss Mustapha, Adds Kyari, 12 Other Names To Presidential Inauguration Committee.

EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu Writes Nigerian Government Secretary, Boss Mustapha, Adds Kyari, 12 Other Names To Presidential Inauguration Committee.

April 20, 2023

NEWS

 

Nigeria’s ‘president-elect’, Bola Tinubu, has announced a 13-man Presidential Inauguration Committee to plan for a week-long presidential inauguration event that will usher him and his ‘VP-elect’ Kashim Shettima in as the 5th Executive President and Vice-President of the country.

Tinubu, in a letter to the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, obtained by SaharaReporters, announced a former Senator representing Borno North and current National Deputy Chairman (North) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Abubakar Kyari as the Coordinator and Director of Finance and Budget of the Committee.

The Executive Director (Business Development) at the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete will serve as the head of Secretariat, Planning and Monitoring while Mr. Makinde Araoye, an ex-All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant from Ekiti State will serve as the Director of venue, parades and swearing-in for the week-long event.

The APC Presidential Campaign Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga will serve as Head of Media and Publicity, while the Cross Rivers State Commissioner for Health and current National Women Leader of the ruling APC, Dr. Betta Edu will coordinate the medical team for the inauguration committee.

A retired military chief and younger brother of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Col. Abdulazeez Yar’Adua will act as the head of security and ceremonial parade for the inauguration with Barr. Zainab Buba Marwa, the wife of former Lagos State Military Governor and current Director General of Nigeria’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Gen. Buba Marwa coordinating the pre-inauguration dinner and gala night for the committee.

Other members of the committee are Samira Saddik (Children’s Day), Abuh Andrew Abuh (Accommodation), Dr. Danladi Bako (Inaugural Lecture), Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir (Transportation and Logistics), Donald Wokoma (Protocol and Invitation), Bishop Adegbite (Church Service) and Imam Faud (Jumat Service).

Tinubu initially forwarded the names of Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Edun to Mustapha to be included as his representatives in the Transition Committee.

Tinubu is expected to be inaugurated as Nigeria’s president to replace Muhammadu Buhari who was inaugurated on 29th May 2015 and would be completing his two-term tenure of eight years on May 29, 2023.

EKSU to witness institutional reforms – Gov. Oyebanji.

EKSU to witness institutional reforms – Gov. Oyebanji.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has assured the people of the state that Ekiti Stste university, Ado- Ekiti would soon witness remarkable institutional reforms in view of the capacity and integrity of members of the University’s newly inaugurated Governing Council. 

The Governor, who stated this on Tuesday while receiving members of the Alumni Association and Board of Trustees of the institution in his office, said he is convinced that the lost glory of the university would be restored soon as all hands would be on deck to ensure things moved in the right direction.

He stressed the need for all stakeholders of the university to come together to chart a way forward that would take the university out of the woods and reposition it among the world acclaim institutions of higher learning.

Governor Oyebanji, who is also the Grand Patron of the association and the visitor to the institution charged the alumni leaders to always reach out to their affluent members in position of authority within and outside the country to give back to their alma mater in order to have a large pool of resources to execute projects for the good of the institution instead of waiting endlessly for government subvention that may not be adequate.

While calling for a multi-faceted approach to resolve the mirage of problems facing the institution, the Governor also assured the association that he would liaise with alumni members in the National Assembly to see what they can do to invest in the university by embarking on projects that would enliven the institution.

“EKSU will definitely rise again, we will reclaim the lost glory, support will surely come, but there are some conditions to be met, I believe that there must be institutional reforms, the process must be there before we put resources.

“I’m an Ambassador of the alumni association and I know that we have history to judge us, if we don’t do it now, we don’t know when an alumnus will be the Governor again, so we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that we don’t disappoint you.

“We have come to a point whereby we need a conclave of council, alumni association, BOT, government, the unions PTA to sit down and agree on acceptable plan for that university. All stakeholders must be on the table and we must adopt a resolution with clear timeline on what we are supposed to do. Government will take its own responsibilities, management will take its own. Whatever is referred to me as a government, I will do. If we don’t do that, we will be jumping on the same spot.

In their separate remarks, the President of the Global Alumni Association, Engr. Dipo Bamisaye and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr Wale Jegede, said the association came to felicitate the Governor on his success at the polls and to also assure him of their solidarity for him and his administration. 

They noted that it was the first time an alumnus of the school would occupy the highest position in the state.

The leaders of the team assured the Governor that the association would continue to evolve ways and strategies to give back to their alma mater and contribute to its development.

They commended the Governor for choosing eminently qualified educationist as members of the governing council, adding that the institution was in dare need of institutional changes that would lift the glory of the school.

Also at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Barr. Bamidele Agbede, Special Adviser, Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Tola Adeola and Special Adviser, Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode.

Six Months of Effective Governance: Appraising BAO's Approach to Transformational Leadership in Ekiti State.

Six Months of Effective Governance: Appraising BAO's Approach to Transformational Leadership in Ekiti State. 

Good governance and maintaining citizens' trust are crucial for the progress and stability of any society. Within six months of mounting the governorship saddle on October 16, 2022, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has established a set of values, policies, and institutions that govern how power is wielded, decisions are taken, and resources are distributed in Ekiti state, leaving no aspect overlooked. 

This involves ensuring that the rule of law is upheld, public institutions are transparent and accountable, the needs of all segments of the state are addressed, citizens have access to basic services and opportunities, and are properly represented in Government by valuing their choices and interest. This is evident in his recently formed committee on political appointments, which empowers citizens to have a say in the political process. 

Governor Oyebanji possesses a keen understanding of citizens' needs, which informs his decision-making and actions and earns him a reputation as a leader who is genuinely invested in Ekiti Kete’s well-being.

His leadership style is characterized by strategic and transformational leadership, which has helped to foster a solid bond across party lines. He has also garnered strong support from relevant stakeholders in different sectors, with the ultimate goal of positioning Ekiti state as a center of attraction in terms of investment, education, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure development, and technological advancement.

In assessing Mr. Governor’s developmental strides in the past six months, it’s imperative to first appraise his visionary leadership, which hinged on creating an inspiring vision for the future of the state and communicating it clearly to the citizens. This has helped create a sense of purpose and direction for the state while inspiring citizens to work towards achieving the set vision. This vision cuts across the six pillars of his administration. 

Also, it’s necessary to laud BAO’s Ethical leadership which places a premium on integrity and ethical conduct. He leads by example, and this has no doubt helped build and maintain trust among citizens.

Similarly, BAO has been a staunch advocate of innovation and creativity in governance. He knows that the world is evolving fast, and only those who can keep up with the changes can remain relevant. This has enabled him to introduce innovative policies and programs that have transformed the state. 

Mr. Governor has taken several steps toward improving the state's power supply and infrastructure development. Amongst these efforts was the approval of a new 33KV feeder line from Omisanjana 132KV TCN Substation to link Ilawe Ekiti and Erijiyan Ekiti respectively. This new connection will increase the power supply to the Gossy water factory and Resort center in Ikogosi Ekiti. The move, combined with the establishment of an airport in the state, is part of the overall vision of the current administration to transform Ekiti into the premier medical tourism destination in West Africa. This vision includes providing first-class medical services at Afe Babalola Multi-system Hospital, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, and Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti. 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration has invested in the healthcare sector with the ongoing primary health development programme across the state particularly in rural areas where access to health facilities was poor. Oyebanji has renovated medical facilities in the state, including 12 hospitals which include three State Specialist Hospitals and nine General Hospitals. His administration is committed to enhancing healthcare services to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the State. In his magnanimity and love for people living with disabilities, he approved a free quarterly health workshop for them in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to run an all-inclusive government without living any segment of the state behind.

Within a mere six months of his inauguration, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has launched an extensive initiative to construct and renovate road networks throughout Ekiti state. These locations include the Ilawe-Ikere Road, Ikole township roads, Ado-Ilawe Ekiti Road, Ilawe/Igede Ekiti Road, Aramoko/Igede Road, Ayegunle/Ijurin/ Iloro Road, Ifaki/Ido road, and several other critical routes within the capital city, Ado.

Furthermore, Oyebanji’s commitment to changing the face of education in Ekiti State deserves recognition. For instance, he recently inaugurated the governing councils of Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology (BOUESTI). Moreover, he revamped the Government Technical Colleges in the state, instituted the recruitment of teachers into the State's Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and launched the Ekiti State Digital Skill Academy program, which will train over 500 youths in technology, soft/life skills, mentorship, community outreach, and capstone projects. 

Additionally, the state government partnered with the World Bank to distribute laptops to 35 secondary schools in Ekiti state through the Adolescent Girls' Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project. This project aims to revitalize dilapidated school buildings, purchase computers, provide safe spaces, and train teachers and students in digital and life skills with an emphasis on girl-child education. 

The Governor has also taken steps to promote agriculture in the state, initiating a project to provide fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers in the state. The farmers, particularly those in rural areas, will witness a surge in agricultural produce thereby, mitigating hunger, poverty, and malnutrition. 

In addition to his efforts in various sectors, Governor Oyebanji has also approved the payment of gratuities to retirees and the 2019 promotion arrears for both state and local government workers.

By leveraging these tools of transformational leadership, Governor Biodun Oyebanji​ has been able to achieve good governance and sustain citizens' trust in his six months of leadership saddle in the state. His leadership style has enabled him to build bridges between different segments of the state, creating an enabling environment for economic growth and development, and ultimately improving the quality of life of citizens in the state.

Ekiti State Boosts Digital Literacy as 910 Secondary School Students Get Free Laptops.

Ekiti State Boosts Digital Literacy as 910 Secondary School Students Get Free Laptops.

As part of the government's efforts to boost digital literacy, the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Oyebanji Olayemi has launched the distribution of 910 Laptops  to 35 secondary schools across the state.

The laptop distribution, is part of a World Bank Project; 'Adolescent Girls' Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE)'.

At the ceremony in Ado- Ekiti, the Governor's wife said additional 1,690 laptops will be distributed to 65 more secondary schools in the next two months.

She explained that the project was designed to improve secondary education for the adolescents  with special focus on girl child, urging stakeholders to  collaborate with the state's Ministry of Education, Science & Technology to enhance the  effectiveness of the project.

"You will recall that one of the pillars of this administration is Human Capital Development which can only succeed if a good and sustainable education foundation is laid.

"It is also a fact that a well-structured education is a veritable ingredient of our Youth Development and Job Creation Pillar", she emphasized.

Dr Oyebanji noted that the laptop distribution and other AGILE projects like renovation of schools and provision of educational materials would  attract school-age children to the classrooms as well as keeping them in school to complete their education.

The Governor's wife also announced that a total sum of twenty five million US dollars was allotted to Ekiti State for the project by the world bank for the renovation of dilapidated buildings in the public secondary schools, procure computers, provide safe spaces in schools, training of teachers and students in digital and life skills.

She however appealed to parents and guardians to be actively involved in the upbringing of their children and wards by giving them needed support, checking on what they do, getting interested in what bothers them as well as assisting them in navigating through life.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, called on the benefiting students not to use the laptops for cyber crimes, adding that parents should endeavour to  monitor the students so that the facilities would be used for educational purposes.

The AGILE State  Coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua said the project was aimed at reaching out to 3million beneficiaries through the provision of accessible space for learning, increase school enrollment and Rehabilitation of educational facilities.

The Deputy National Coordinator, AGILE Project, Mrs Ajanigo Abuka said the seven participating state are Borno, kaduna, kano, kastina, Plateau, kebbi and Ekiti which is the only benefitting state in the southern part of Nigeria.

 

She stated that the project was expected to contribute towards Nigeria's achievements and urged stakeholders to support the implementation of the project inorder to deliver the benefit to all a targeted areas that were in need of the intervention.

In their Good will messages, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, commissioner for finance, Mr Akintinde Oyebode, Chairman House Committee on Education, Mr Johnson Oyekola Bode-Adeoye, and SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, who was represented by his Director of social Mobilisation, Mr Tope Babalola said Ekiti State would be on the global map if the project is effectively monitored.

Oyebanji inaugurates committees for 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

Oyebanji inaugurates committees for 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

…..Says Census figure ‘ll aid planning, execution of programmes, policies.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday, inaugurated the state publicity, logistic and security committees for the 2023 national population and housing census, stressing that the outcome of the exercise would aid planning, policy making, execution of government programmes and policies aimed at improving the lives of the citizens.

Speaking during the inauguration at the conference hall of the Governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, the Governor said the purpose of the committees was to sensitize and mobilize citizens of the state for the exercise which will take place throughout the country next month. 

He called for concerted efforts at ensuring a successful and hitch free exercise.

Governor Oyebanji who noted that the exercise was coming when Ekiti State had just developed a 30-year development plan, explained that a successful census would help his administration in terms of economic planning and developmental programmes, security of lives and property, infrastructural development, quality health care delivery, among others. 

He said the exercise would also help in equitable resource allocation as the objective of the exercise was aimed at determining the population size, distribution of density, establishment of demographical data, employment status and standard of living.

While expressing his readiness to work with the National Population Commission in ensuring a smooth and successful exercise, the Governor charged the committee members to ensure that all communities and houses in Ekiti State are well covered. He also charged local government administrators to assist the enumerators to reach difficult terrains in the drive to ensure that all Ekiti residents were captured in the exercise to have a desired result. 

“It is my pleasure today to inaugurate a joint committee comprising officials of the State and National Population Commission to sensitize and mobilized citizens in the state for the national and housing census exercise which is taken place throughout the country next month. We must therefore take upcoming census seriously as it will aid our planning, policy making and the delivery and execution of our programmes.

“My government is ready to work with the National Population Commission to ensure we have a smooth and successful 2023 national population and housing census”. The Governor affirmed.

Earlier, The NPC Federal Commissioner representing Ekiti State, Mr Ayodeji Ajayi thanked the Governor for providing necessary support and logistics for the success of the exercise in the state.

Mr Ajayi said necessary measures were being put in place to ensure successful exercise in the state with an assurance that the programme will meet global best standard.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Economic planning and Performance Management, Mr Niyi Adebayo said the committees, which comprised of Traditional rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Religious Leaders among others would be expected to collaborate in the drive to achieve greater effectiveness.

Adebayo charged the people of the state to corporate with the officials of the commission, adding that a successful population exercise would help determine political strength, standard of living and economic capacity of each community.

Easter Message: Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-Cultural and Political Group Felicitates With Christians.

Easter Message: Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-Cultural and Political Group Felicitates With Christians.

Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-Cultural and Political Group has felicitated with Christians as they mark this year's Easter Celebration which is the symbolic rembrance of the crucification and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Group through their Media and Public Secretary Comr Olamide Akinwumi called on all Christians to imbibe godly values of righteousness, peace and justice which are the true nature of Christ.

"Christian should emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that would advance the cause of development and nation building.

"While wishing Christendom a hitch free Easter celebration, the group urged all Christians and other religion faithful to be conscious of the enormous responsibility to live in peace and harmony with one another so as to promote social economic development of the country.

"The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the substance of the Christian faith, as it offers believers hope and reminds us of God’s unfailing love, mercy, and grace toward humanity.

"Nigerians should show love to one another and imbibe the spirit of sacrifice as a means of rebuilding trust and building a stable and prosperous country."

"The National convener, Omoluabi Jayeola Afolabi on behalf of distinguished members of the group advised Nigerians of the Christian faith to accept the renewed hope agenda of the incoming administration of President- Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the country and the entire southwest look forward to a peaceful swearing- in ceremony come May 29th, 2023. It is advised that we as christians should not give room to religious bigotry, discrimination and never allow a few individual promote disaffection between Christians and other Nigerians of other faith under the disguise of politics. We sincerely hope a better Nigeria is almost here and Christians from all parts of the country should give their absolute support to the new leadership about to be installed in few weeks from today. Christians please show love and let your strengths be renewed in the Lord.

Happy Easter to you all as Omoluabis' wish you happy celebration."

E-SIGNED;

Omoluabi Jayeola A.O 

National Convener

Omoluabi Akinfolarin Alex

National Secretary

Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J. 

Media and Public Secretary