Stop Comparing Me With Fayemi, Oyebanji Tells Ekiti Residents.

Stop Comparing Me With Fayemi, Oyebanji Tells Ekiti Residents.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has appealed to the people of the state not to draw a distinction between his administration and that of the former governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi in terms of achievements.

The governor’s comments were coming against the backdrop of a wide range of commendations and ratings above his predecessor’s tenure by stakeholders especially social commentators in the first seven months of his administration.

Speaking on Friday at Ido-Ekiti, headquarters of Ido-Osi Local Government Area of the state during a special stakeholders’ engagement marking his first 200 days in office, Governor Oyebanji explained that his activities and actions in the last few months to the admiration of the people were part of the agenda of former governor Fayemi for the state.

He said, “I want to appeal to our people not to make a distinction between Governor Fayemi’s administration and mine; we’re one and I said it again we’re one, my administration is an offshoot of Fayemi administration so there’s no distinction between what he has done and what I am doing.

“If Oga(Fayemi) were to be Governor by now, most of this I am doing is what he will be doing because this is something we’ve put down together in the developing plan, which is guiding what I am doing.

“So I appeal to our people, particularly on social media. I don’t have control over what you say but I appeal to you to moderate your comments. Governor Fayemi is my leader I will continue to respect him, he’s has done a lot for this state and still doing it and he needs your prayers for him to do more for us.”

Gov. Oyebanji Paid Over N31bn as Salaries, Gratuities, Pensions.

Gov. Oyebanji Paid Over N31bn as Salaries, Gratuities, Pensions.

.....marks 200 days in office with stakeholders engagement.

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has disclosed that his government has injected over N31 billion in terms of salary, gratuity and pension payments  to rejig the economy  in the last 200 days he assumed office as the state's Chief executive.

Oyebanji added that his government has paid a staggering sum of N6.2 billion as subvention to state's tertiary institutions geared towards strengthening the citadels of learning and make them competitive nationally and with their contemporaries in other climes.

Governor  Oyebanji stated these in Ido -Ekiti , Ido/Osi Local Government area, on Friday, at a stakeholders engagement marking his 200 days in office. The 100 days of governance, had earlier been marked with a similar stakeholders engagement in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti Central Senatorial District in January.

At the occasion attended by critical stakeholders like traditional rulers, traders, labour leaders, transporters, academia, politicians, community leaders, representatives of Parents Teachers Associations, among others, Oyebanji asserted that his government has neither disappointed nor dashed the hope of Ekiti populace in the last 200 days.

The state's Chief executive, said the stakeholders engagement, which is designed as a “state -of -the -state address” was a fulfilment of his covenant with the citizens to render  account of stewardships every 100 days in office across the three senatorial districts  in alternate order.

Oyebanji explained that aside the payment of salaries, pensions and deductions regularly, another sum of $80 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) would be injected into the local economy to create more jobs for the youths through the Ekiti Knowledge Zone that has just been granted Free Trade status by the Federal Government.

The Governor identified agriculture, tourism, digital technology, entertainment and sports development as critical to the job creation initiatives of his administration.

Oyebanji disclosed that the Independent Power Project started by the immediate past administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi would come on stream in July to give uninterrupted power supply to government offices, institutions and streetlights in Ado Ekiti describing the amount being spent on diesel monthly as "unsustainable."

He stated that a sum  N700 million has been approved to pay gratuity of retired state workers and N200m for the local government retirees by May ending, while grant worth N200 million has been distributed  to  3,500 beneficiaries. 

Reeling out the breakdown of the financial commitments he has made to solidify the economy, he said; "On State salary, N11.28bn has been paid, local government; N11.42 bn, state pension; N4.2bn, LG Pension; N3.70 bn, State gratuity; N200 million and LG gratuity; N235 million.

The Governor added that 500 Ekiti youths are undergoing training under the Ekiti Digital Economy Initiative to assist them in unleashing their potentials and transforming their knowledge to wealth.

"We also disbursed a total of N70m to help the poor and N77 million as business support grant. In total, a sum of  N31 billion has been injected into the State's economy as salary, pension and gratuity from October, 2022 to May, 2022, apart from other social intervention programmes and loan disbursement to workers" .

The Governor disclosed that  he has taken giant steps to curtail incidences of brain drain in the health sector and redundancy in the civil service, by gradually defraying  outstanding allowances for doctors, other medical staff and the workers in general. 

Oyebanji added that  the government had carried out 7,949 metres of channelisation and dredging in areas suspected to be critically prone to flooding and erosion in Ado and Ikere Ekiti, to curtail unwarranted loss of lives and property to stormy rainfall  .

On infrastructural development, Oyebanji, said his government has  completed the  Ado-Ilawe-Erinjiyan road, while aggressive works are  ongoing on Ikole , Ado township roads, while other inter-city access roads across the state are enjoying attention to make them motorable. 

He added; "All the roads we are going to construct are ones that will bring prosperity. Those that will boost trading, farming and ease the  movement of  farm products to the market centres. We will be strategic by targeting our agricultural belt".

In the area of tourism, Oyebanji said his government has been investing heavily on Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort Centre, which he achieved through strong collaboration with a private sector to make the tourist attraction site more economically beneficial. 

To propel investment and local business, Oyebanji, promised to reconnect Ayekire , Ekiti East and Gbonyin local governments that have been in perpetual darkness for over a decade to the national grid within the next two months. 

Oyebanji said his administration would change the face of agriculture by motivating farmers into  commercial farming, while impetuses like land preparation policy, while also distributing inputs like  fertilisers, seedlings and other farm implements to farmers at subsidised rates.  

Cataloguing his achievements  in the human capital development, he said the government is gradually decentralizing the insurance policy to the local areas, so that poor masses can access treatments in health centres at little or no cost.

"We have released a sum of N1.2billion to Ekiti State Universal Basic Education as matching grant for 2022 UBEC fund to initiate capital projects in our schools. We have recruited 1,300 teachers to fill vacancies in our primary schools, while a sum of N6.2 billion has been released as subvention to our tertiary institutions".

Ekiti First Lady, Oyebanji Seeks Improved Attention On Basic Education.

Ekiti First Lady, Oyebanji Seeks Improved Attention On Basic Education.

Education remains the brain behind development and socio-economic growth in all sectors of economy, therefore, it should be given special attention it deserves.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji stated this at Ido-Ekiti while delivering lecture at a summit organised by State Universal Basic Education Board to train Education secretaries and head teachers.

Dr Oyebanji, who explained that Basic Education was the pillar upon which other levels of education rested, called on Education Secretaries piloting the affairs of basic schools to be well equipped for the task of ensuring effective delivery of quality learning and teaching processes.

She encouraged  Education secretaries to engage in peer review on regular basis.

In her word, "I want  to appeal to you to put in place effective mechanism for regular feedback to SUBEB from the Local Government Education Authorities" through report writing and periodic meeting with the Board.

The first lady also suggested the need for the education Secretaries to ensure at least 80% skill in ICT literacy to boost the confidence and Morales of their teachers.

Dr Olayemi however solicited an improved funding of Local Government Education Authorities to enhance their functionalities.

Earlier, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Professor Femi Akinwumi charged Executive Secretaries not to deviate from the purpose for which they were appointed by being committed to effective monitoring of schools.

EKSG Donates Relief Materials to 112 Rainstorm Victims.

EKSG Donates Relief Materials to 112 Rainstorm Victims.

In a bid to rescue some citizens from the pangs of homelessness, the Ekiti State Government, has donated relief materials to 112 victims of rainstorm in two communities in the state.

The government expressed sympathy and  grieve over the pains experienced by the victims, whose building  rooftops were blown off at Oke- Ako and Ijesa- Isu Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state, on March 3, 2023 during a stormy rainfall.

Materials distributed included: roofing planks, roofing nails of varying sizes, corrugated sheets, and consumables like rice, garri, spaghetti, among others.

The Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, who presented the materials, on Thursday, in Ado Ekiti, said the government of Governor Biodun Oyebanji will continue to give succour to victims of any disaster to avert suffering of undue emotional and economic crises.

Mrs Afuye, represented by her Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Victor Adeniyi, said the government felt pained by the displacement and harrowing conditions  the victims were subjected to, urging them to continue to keep faith with the current goverment of being capable of improving their wellbeing. 

Giving the breakdown of the beneficiaries, the Deputy Governor, said an aggregate of 82 were drawn from Oke- Ako and 30 from  Ijesa -Isu respectively. 

The Deputy Governor said; "Natural disaster that happened on March 3, 2023 was very painful and sad. It was sad having over 112 buildings blown off and destroyed, with hundreds rendered homeless in two communities. The experience was painful to this government.

"As a government that is determined to uplift the wellbeing of our people, we acted swiftly and collated the victims' names. We couldn't have allowed our people to go into distress; that is why we accord  this with priority. 

"Let us try and maintain peace and be calm even when situation like this happens. We  appreciate the governor for acting swiftly to palliate the sufferings of the people that were caught in the web of this rainstorm. 

"Disaster like this is something that is preventable by planting trees around our buildings to break any destructive wind from having its way. Let us also try and look after our buildings by repairing areas suspected to be weak before the commencement of raining season.

"I charge you to use these materials  judiciously for the purpose they were meant for. The government of Ekiti State is ready to support any citizen who has any genuine challenge to put smiles on the faces of those who elected us".

The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Hon. Michael Ogungbemi, applauded the government for showing concern about the plights of the victims, with quick presentation of relief materials to rebuild their damaged property.

Ogungbemi described the gesture as signposting that Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration is masses-oriented and demonstrating enormous  respect for the sanctity of lives . 

Also commending the government for its intervention, the Regent of Oke -Ako community, Her Royal Highness Tinuade Adebayo, pledged the loyalty and support of her people to the current administration.

She added; "We are assuring our Governor that the people of Oke- Ako will continue to work for this government and  will continue to do our utmost best to maintain peace in our domain to stabilise our government".

One of the  beneficiaries, Mr Osanipinni Olaniyan, commended the government for its benevolence, saying ; "I know that with these items , we will be able to rebuild our damaged buildings and return home safely without fear".

As Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti Clocks 97: Omoluabi Socio- cultural and Political Group Celebrates A Special Man.

As Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti Clocks 97: Omoluabi Socio- cultural and Political Group Celebrates A Special Man.

Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the National Leader of Afenifere Group is today a man who should be made to wear a cloth of many colours. He is a special man, a rare breed, a gem, a passionate Nigerian, a  knowledgeable nonagenarian whose wisdom is directly proportional to the age he celebrates today. On this note it is with deep gratitude to God Almighty that distinguished members of Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio- cultural and Political Group celebrate the life of a man whose name speaks integrity undiluted. 

Baba is undisputably a core member and presently the oldest foundation member of the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo's school of political thought, ideology, philosophy and principles that cannot be discarded from the annals of history. You are an asset to your generation and ours during and after your active days in public service as a man who believes in the task of state and nation building. 

As you are being celebrated nationwide today, we join other admirers of a father, a progressive, an educationist, a political leader of all seasons and a special man who has given his all to serve humanity with great impact on the Yoruba nation as a whole.

Happy 97th birthday to an Omoluabi without blemish.

Many more balloons to burst as you shall witness the beginning of a renewed hope for Nigeria and the southwest  we all look forward to usher-in  soonest.

 E- signed;

 Omoluabi Jayeola, Afolabi

 National Convener

 Omoluabi Alex Akinfolarin

 National Secretary

 Comr. Akinwumi Olamide J.

 Media and Publicity Secretary

Payment of Salary Arrears: NMA Hails Oyebanji, Knocks Ikpeazu, Hope, Ortom.

Payment of Salary Arrears: NMA Hails Oyebanji, Knocks Ikpeazu, Hope, Ortom.

The National Secretariat of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA has commended the governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the payment of salary arrears and other benefits of its  members and health workers in the state.

The medical body gave the commendation in a communique issued at the

end of its  63rd Annual General Conference and Delegates’ Meeting (AGC/DM) held in Jalingo,the Taraba State capital Signed by the NMA Dr Uche Rowland Ojinmah the body expressed concern over the alleged layback attitude of some states, particularly,  governments  of Abia, Imo and Benue States.

It noted that Oyebanji and the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu have shown serious commitment  to members” welfare by improving  the welfare of Doctors in their respective States.

The NMA specifically admonished members to redouble  their efforts for effective healthcare delivery to the people of the  State.

While calling on members in Ekiti to show appreciation to Oyebanji, the NMA also expressed  its support for the agitation for better deal in some states, stressing  that the  on-going industrial action in Abia State by the doctors is justified .

“The AGC/DM directed the NMA State Branches of Ekiti and Ondo to reciprocate the good gesture of their governments by redoubling their effort at effective healthcare delivery to the good people of Ekiti and Ondo states.

“The AGC/DM reiterated the fact that the on-going industrial action in Abia State by the doctors is justified and further implored the Governments of Abia, Imo and Benue States, to hasten the process of clearing the unpaid salaries of doctors and other health workers in these States.

“The AGC/DM received report that the Governments of Ondo and Ekiti States have Improved the welfare and also paid salary arrears for doctors and other Health workers In both States.” the  Communique read in part.

Conversely, the AGC/DM expressed great displeasure and disappointment at the failure of the outgoing Abia State Government to pay the salaries of doctors and other health workers working at Hospital Management Board for sixteen (16) months and Abia State University Teaching Hospital for twenty-six (26) months despite all efforts.

“The AGC/DM considered the action of Abia State Government as unacceptable The AGC/DM also received a report that Benue State Government owes her doctors eight months’ salary arrears; and the fact that there is no progress in clearing the backlog of salary arrears of doctors and other health workers in Imo State.”

Oyebanji, Senators-Elect Align With APC Zoning Decision, Declares Support For Akpabio's Senate Presidency.

Oyebanji, Senators-Elect Align With APC Zoning Decision, Declares Support For Akpabio's Senate Presidency.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji says Ekiti is committed to a united and formidable 10th National Assembly as well the decision of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on zoning of Senate President position to the South-South. 

The Governor made the declaration in Abuja while hosting Senator Godswill Akpabio alongside some Senators-elect.

 

The meeting also had in attendance elected Senators from Ekiti, Opeyemi Bamidele, Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi.

Speaking with Newsmen, Governor Oyebanji said the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC on leadership of the 10th National Assembly remains sacrosanct.

Governor Oyebanji who described Senator Akpabio as the right man for the seat, said all the Senators-elect and Leaders of the party from Ekiti have pitched their tents to ensure his emergence as the next Senate President. 

According to him, "in Ekiti State we are committed to a united National Assembly and we are also committed to the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC with respect to the zoning and you  can attest to the fact that all the Senators are here with me just to have dinner with Akpabio. 

"We are supporting his aspiration as directed by the national body of the party. We are in this together, we are not only supporting, we will identify with him publicly and that is what I have done".

The Governor stated further "all Ekiti Senators and the leaders, all the former Governors we are in the same boat. We respect the sanctity of the party and we appeal to all contenders to also follow the advice of the National Working Committee. It is only when we are united that we can ensure a progressive development of the country. 

"Senator Akpabio has been called to serve and he needs all support and we shall give him that", Governor Oyebanji added. 

Also speaking, Senator Akpabio expressed strong belief that the decision of the the party’s NWC and support of members of the Senate would aid his quest for the leadership seat, adding that his experience as a former Commissioner, Governor, Minister and Lawmaker also speaks volume.

 "I had the opportunity of being a Lawyer for the past 36 years, I have also had the opportunity to serve in the executive, as a Commissioner and I also had the opportunity to serve as a Governor for eight years. I have been in the Senate before and I was even a leader in the Senate and the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic, and today I am a Senator-elect and a prospective Senate President by the grace of Almighty God and the decision of the National Working of our Party".

He promised to give full backing to the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to put an end to the myriads of problems militating against the growth of the country.

 *Akpabio said "I'm very prepared and I am determined to support the incoming President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed. It is going to be a good moment for Nigeria despite the difficult terrain in terms of the economy and all that. We are going to do our best to bring out good policies that will enable Nigerians to have food on their tables and also create job opportunities to reduce banditry and insecurity in the country. We will unite the country, we are determined to do that", he said.