Ekiti To Create Bureau Of Tourism, Partner With Tour Operators On Tourism Development, Says Oyebanji.

Ekiti To Create Bureau Of Tourism, Partner With Tour Operators On Tourism Development, Says Oyebanji. 

In its efforts to advance economic development through tourism, Ekiti State Government has disclosed plans to establish a bureau of tourism development that would focus mainly on harnessing and developing the state’s tourism potentials and make Ekiti number one destination of choice for tourists.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who disclosed this on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti also said his administration would partner with tourism development operators that would help develop its local tourism sites in an effort to drive its shared prosperity agenda for the people.

The Governor while receiving a team from the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) led by its President, Mrs Ime Udo, in his office said tourism development remains a key component of his administration’s six- pillar development agenda would be separated from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism as currently structured and would become a stand alone Bureau of Tourism, positioning the sector for thorough supervision and the right attention .

He noted that the development of new tourism destinations in the state would help reduce the rate at which Nigerians travel abroad for adventure purposes, adding that his government is working assiduously to transform the state into a tourism hub by exploring and promoting the potential that abounds in Ekiti.

While noting that the state has thriving and viable tourism platforms to attract visitors and also create jobs and business opportunities, Governor Oyebanji stressed that tourism has a very huge potential to drive prosperity, employment, and development of the state.

Governor Oyebanji promised to scale up security in the state, especially in all the tourist destinations to allay fears of national and international tourists on security challenges.

He stated further that his government had designated Ikogosi, Ipole-Iloro and Efon-Alaaye as tourism corridors of the state, adding that the state is also planning to build a Zoological Garden in the same axis as other interesting tourists sites would also be developed.

“Let me assure you of our partnership with your tourism organization. Tourism development is one of the six pillars we are working with and it’s not accidental because I know the importance of tourism development as a government, we are going to sever it from the Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism, its going to stand alone because I want the head to report to me directly, I don’t want it to be encumbered with the civil service protocol. We are going to have a bureau for tourism with a Director-General.

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“We are deliberate in Ekiti state to ensure that we develop our economy and tourism is a sector that had been neglected for a very long time because it belongs to the soft side of development. People actually don’t realize that tourism has very huge potential to drive prosperity, employment, and development.

“The experiment in Ikogosi has worked when the state partners with the private sectors, we are excited with what is going on in Ikogosi and we are providing infrastructure for them to ensure that they are able to make profit because they are still investing.

Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Mrs Ime Udo said the team was in Ekiti state to seek partnership with the government on the hosting of its tourism conference in the state and ways to develop its tourism destinations.

Mrs Udo also stated that the idea of hosting tourism conferences in states was to promote the tourism potentials of such states and sell it as a tourism destination nationally and internationally as well as open up the state for investors for them to see the inherent potential in such states.

She added, “We recognize the enormous tourism potentials in Ekiti state yet untapped, and for us as an association, its time for us to ensure that investors see what Ekiti state has to offer, see the gold mine in Ekiti state. It’s also time for us to see how we can drive arrivals into Ekiti state so that sites like the Ikogosi resort can become bubbling ones. It is unique, it’s a story we must tell the world.”

Also at the event were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Trade and Industry, Mrs Tayo Adeola, and the Director-General, Ekiti State Development, and Investment Promotion Agency, Mr Ayo Aribidara.

Ekiti 7th Assembly: Hon. Odebunmi Promises to Fulfil All Agenda.

Ekiti 7th Assembly: Hon. Odebunmi Promises to Fulfil All Agenda.

Honorable Idowu Odebunmi representing Oye Constituency II at the State House of Assembly has promised to fulfilled all his agenda made during the campaign. 

Hon. Odebunmi made this known to the Newsmen during yesterday inauguration of the 7th Assembly in Ado-Ekiti, revealed different plans he have for the populace and his constituency.

According to him, “As we all know that one of the cardinal point of our excellency is making Ekiti state work towards the shared prosperity."

“My legislative agenda is going to base on an effective legislation that would make the shared prosperity of Mr Governor, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji.”

“Also, I am going to make sure that I will activate leadership summit in my constituency. There would be periodic leadership gathering where feedback will be gathered. As a youth, I am going to partner with different organizations as well”

The event ended with fanfare as each inaugurated legislators are ready to take responsibility.

Ekiti’s 177 Primary Health Care Facilities Get M4.6m Each For Upgrade.

Ekiti’s 177 Primary Health Care Facilities Get M4.6m Each For Upgrade.

…..as Gov. Oyebanji flags off IMPACT program.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Monday flagged off Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Service (IMPACT) program.

Part of the components of the program is the injection of over N800 million into the health sector with each of the 177 Primary Health Care facilities in the state receiving an N4.6 million Naira Cheque as a one-off investment fund.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, held at the Conference hall of the Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said the IMPACT project which is a World Bank-assisted program represents a crucial step towards his administration’s commitment to the health and well-being of Ekiti people, adding that the project was aimed at reducing under-5 mortality rate in Ekiti.

The Governor said the project, which was consistent with his administration’s human capital development goal, would complement other existing programs such as ‘Ulera wa’, Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and the IMPACT Malaria project, which are all aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in the State.

Governor Oyebanji, who noted that the result from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey indicated that the State needs to work harder to reduce mortality rates, said his administration has already put in place a set of supply and demand side interventions with the primary goal of reducing mortality rates by 2030.

Stressing further, he said ‘Ulera wa’ would provide an explicit but guaranteed package of primary care services for one million persons by 2025, adding that integrating the IMPACT project into the existing and proven interventions should therefore guarantee an increase in coverage and outcomes.

While thanking the World Bank team, led by its Country Director Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, the Governor said Ekiti is the only State in the country to have secured approval from the World Bank to implement both components of the project, which according to the Governor, is a proof of his administration’s readiness to seize all opportunities available to improve the health of the people.

He then charged the heads of health care facilities to use the fund judiciously, stating that he expects that the facilities would use the money to purchase drugs and consumables through the drug management agency, carry out basic renovations, purchase equipment and ensure the availability of data management tools.

“The IMPACT project represents a crucial step forward in our ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of the Ekiti people. As you have heard, the primary objective of this project is to reduce under-5 mortality. This aim is highly consistent with the State’s human capital development goals and complements other existing programs such as ‘Ulera wa’ (our flagship health insurance program), the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and the IMPACT Malaria project, all of which are aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in the State.

“Under this program, 177 primary health care facilities will each receive the sum of N4.6m as a one-off investment fund. Facilities are expected to develop work plans that would guide the use of the fund. These funds must be used judiciously. Our focus must be to deploy these resources in a manner that is catalytic and complementary to existing programs. Consequently, I expect facilities to use these funds to purchase drugs and consumables through our Drug Management Agency (DMA), carry out basic renovations, purchase equipment and ensure that data management tools are available”, the Governor said.

Earlier In his address, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani thanked the Governor, stressing that Ekiti is currently implementing several programs at the primary health care level among which are, ‘Ulera wa’, impact malarial, and Basic Health Care Provision Fund, among others, adding that all are aimed at ensuring improvement in the health and well-being of Ekiti people.

Also in his remark, the World Bank Country Director, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri said that Ekiti State was chosen as one of the states to benefit from the impact project due to the commitment of the State government to primary health care services, adding that Primary Health Care Project would sustain on delivering quality health care service to the people at the grassroots.

Group Applauds Governor Oyebanji's Support for Homegrown Talents in Ekiti State.

Group Applauds Governor Oyebanji's Support for Homegrown Talents in Ekiti State.

A group of Entertainers affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state have expressed their admiration for Governor Oyebanji's leadership style and his significant efforts at promoting Ekiti talents especially musicians. 

The Entertainers conveyed their appreciation during a meeting with the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Communications, Mrs. Mary Oso Omotoso in her office on Tuesday.

The  Entertainers who were led to the meeting by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties , Hon. Olufemi Joshua Aduloju, commended Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to empowering and promoting Ekiti based  musicians which they viewed as a fulfillment of one of his campaign promises. 

Speaking further on behalf of the group ,Adeniyi Adeniyi Sese Alhaji Akayejo aka ‘Sese Alhaji’ , Apadidun Femi Ijobafederal aka ‘Apasco’ and Kunle Oluwagbohunmi aka ‘Kunle Amazing’ also expressed their desire for more government patronage, support, and provision of a viable platform to showcase more local talents to encourage  and shoot them into the limelight.

Reacting, Mrs. Omotosho said that  Governor Biodun Oyebanji is quite aware that the Nigeria entertainment industry is flourishing and capable of creating jobs hence his decision to personally empower some Ekiti - based musicians with modern musical instruments and standard production studio recently noting that if the Governor could do that , then increased government patronage and support is assured .

“Aside the fact  that Governor Oyebanji implements  local content policy to the letter, he is a true grassroots man who has always believed  that we must patronize Ekiti to grow Ekiti. Whatever you see a contractor or supplier goes outside the State to source for , it is either it can’t be made here or it is not found in Ekiti. The private sector and  Artisans in the State can attest to this about Mr Governor, she said."

The SSA said that Governor Oyebanji deeply appreciates the group’s efforts, consistency and loyalty to progressives governments over the years stating that her office will work with them to create concepts that will further give them visibility.

Gov. Oyebanji, Fayemi, Adebayo, Senators, Ex- Deputy Governors bid former Ekiti Deputy Gov. Egbeyemi farewell.

Gov. Oyebanji, Fayemi, Adebayo, Senators, Ex- Deputy Governors bid former Ekiti Deputy Gov. Egbeyemi farewell.

..…Gov Oyebanji urges deceased children to be consoled by Egbeyemi’s remarkable achievements. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Friday joined other dignitaries to pay last respect at the final burial ceremony of the late former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi. 

The Governor who remarked on the exemplary life of the later former Deputy Governor, urged the children and family of the deceased to be consoled by their father’s good works, remarkable achievements and strong legacies which would take some time to surpass.

Speaking at the burial service held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Anglican Communion, Okesa Ado- EKiti, Oyebanji said Egbeyemi lived a fulfilled and impactful life, therefore, should not be mourned but celebrated.

At the event, which was also graced by the state Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; former Governors Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; former Deputy Governors, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Chief Paul Alabi and Surveyor Abiodun Aluko as well as Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, the Governor noted that the former Deputy Governor was a distinguished leader, who served the State meritoriously in different capacities and continued to contribute to the progress and development of the state till he breathed his last. 

While assuring the children and the family of his continued support, Governor Oyebanji charged the children to emulate their father’s humility, doggedness, patriotism, and kindheartedness to uphold his legacy. 

“I will just encourage those of us that are grieving that having listened to the sermon by our Lord Bishop, we should encourage ourselves that daddy, though is not here, but he’s not dead, he is just sleeping if you believe in resurrection, we know that if we lived right we will still meet at the feet of Jesus Christ, so there is no need to grieve at all.

“God will give us the strength to weather this storm. I assure you we are in this together and we will hold each other’s hand because we have a duty to also uphold his legacy because that’s the most important thing now. He has played his role and he has gone.” The Governor asserted 

In his homily, the Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd. Andrew Olusola said late Egbeyemi was a man of faith who loved God and the people, as well as a generous man and a selfless Christian.

Bishop Olusola added that the late Egbeyemi fought for the diocese of the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel without collecting a dime from the church.

Others at the colorful service include Senator Ayo Arise, speaker Ekiti Stete House of Assembly, Rt Hon Bunmi Adelugba, her deputy, Rt Hon Hakeem Jamiu; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Akinduro; Head of Service, Barrister Bamidele Agbede, members of the state House of Assembly and state executive council as well as representatives of about 20 traditional rulers.

Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-Cultural and Political Group Writes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-Cultural and Political Group Writes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

Mr. President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, permit me to  congratulate you on the occasion of your swearing-in and assumption of office as the 6th democratically elected president of Nigeria. As democrats let me in this letter not join others to tag you the 16th President like you are tagged in most media outfits. It is no other reason than the fact that only leaders who secured the mandates of the people through the ballots should be recognized by true democrats. You belong to this category of leaders in the annals of history. I must say categorically that your rise to stardom is monumental, timely and a well deserved feat that reflects the story of a man whose emergence wasn't accidental but incidental. No doubt your love and loyalty to Nigeria with so much zeal to pursue your targeted goal has brought you this far. 

Your Excellency. it becomes pertinent to write this open letter to you at this time when you are about to fully settle down to face the task and responsibilities the nation has handed over to you premised on the fact that you  voluntarily requested for it. As good Nigerians, as a group and your kinsmen we shall continually seek the face of God Almighty on your behalf for His wisdom, knowledge and mental alertness in providing good governance. It will be morally right to remind you that your journey from your Ikoyi bourdillion palace to the seat of power in Aso villa wasn't an easy one at all. Fate was at work despite conspiracies against your life long ambition. The conspirators can now treat their wounds but history and posterity will not pardon their obnoxious acts especially those brethren you started the journey with and hatched the plans together to journey into stardom abinitio. Mr. President you are now father of the nation as it was prophesized so be magnanimous in victory and put Nigeria first in all you do. 

However, alot is expected from you as Commander -in- Chief and so we deem it fit to promptly provide advise to you in our capacity as a socio- cultural and political group whose sole interest is advocacy for good governance. In lieu of this, it becomes pertinent to advise as follows:

 A. Economy: 

1.Constitute an high tech powerful National Economic team with members drawn from academia, industry, manufacturing and financial institutions. This team should provide weekly reports and brief to your office as matter of urgency.

2. Banks and other financial institutions be made to maintain a uniform interest rate and a single digit to assist small,medium and large scale investors.

3.Reverse and stop immediately all loans and other borrowings already approved that has not been issued out by world bank or other international financial institutions.

4.Replace the CBN Governor Godwin Emeifele immediately. He has overstayed his usefulness at the apex bank.

5.Open very busy land border corridors that are economically viable indefinitely while other land borders that are prone to insurgencies and are a security threat to our nation be closed immediately. 

6. Manufacturing and production sectors be made more viable. Very low tax rate, removal of multiple taxation, visa on arrival for willing international investors. 

7. Attention be given to investors coming from Europe, Asia, America and other foreign nationals who have the financial capacity to come invest in Nigeria. Visa available to them on arrival with other terms and  conditions apply.

8. Key areas for investment in Nigeria must include automobiles(cars and motorbikes), textiles, leathers and tanning, diary and agriculture,electronics and gadgets, iron and steels, food processing, restaurants and kitchens and many more should be listed with strict regulations from government agency.

 B.Power and Electricity:

1. Total deregulation of the power sector

2. Foreign investors

 interested need to come apply with terms and conditions. Investors from Asia and Europe be encouraged.

3. Retrieve licenses from incompetent domestic contractors who are struggling with survival and interrupted services to Nigerians .

4. Encourage Independent, States and even Local Governments power generation from anu source deem fit.

 C.Security:

1. Senior security personnels who have a minimum of 10 years to serve be given compulsory retirements with immediate effect.

2. Close all borders along porous zones in the northern part of Nigeria.

3.Full invasion of sambisa forest with the forest brought down. Declare the zone a no- trespassers going area. However, because of the rich content of the vast valuable economic resources identified as californium, it is advised to lease out to a foreign mining company who could be interested with terms and conditions apply.

4.Decongest weapon and armouries by approving one per geopolitical zones. 

5.Approve state police for a more efficient security architecture which is in tandem with the 1 citizen 1 police ratio.

6.Enforce the use of high - tech RS/GIS surveillance tools to combat crimes.

7. Replace all expired service chiefs who have overstayed their time.

Among others.

 D.Education:

1. Rehabilitate and fund all old  Unity schools nationwide. Rejig their administration and admission policies to foster national unity.

2.Rebuild,rehabilitate and rejig the administration of all Federal Technical Schools nationwide and get them upgraded to diploma awarding institutions.

3.Rejig and fund all Teachers' Training Colleges nationwide.

4.Grant universities full autonomy but TETFund must allowed to continue with Staff training and development.

5..Approve foreign investors who may wish to come invest in the Nigerian Education Sector from primary to tertiary level.

6.Provide intervention and funding for all private schools and institutions of learning as that already has taken care of unemployment.

Among others.

 E.Agriculture:

1. States be mandated to create farmers village in each states with the facilities required to function and accommodate youths.

2.Ranching be established by government while license be approved to private ranch owners. Then open or nomadic grazing becomes a crime.

3. Dairy, skin and leather companies from foreign investors be licensed to transform and process available raw materials from our livestock farmers.

4.Return and re-invest in cocoa, coffee and other economic crops.While government create export avenue through new and existing agencies.

5. Fertilizer and inorganic manure companies be allowed to come invest in Nigeria.

6. Build on other programmes in the agric sector that was initiated by the last administration.

 F. Oil and Gas:

1.Sustain some programmes and policies initiated by the last administration.

2. Fight oil and gas sabotage with all available arsenal.

3.Encourage modular and local content refineries but approve with license and regulate 

4.All oil multinationals engaged with the upstream sector must be made to build a refinery with FGN owning 30% share with strict regulations.

5.All oil and gas multinationals involved in the upstream sector must declare their total production and report same on a monthly basis for transparency and accountability.

6.Close all land and water bodies and corridors to crude oil export for the next 2 years as the first pilot phase to non tolerance to crude oil and gas theft and the in-country crude oil refining scheme.

7.De- list any inland basin that has no capacity to yield upto a minimum of 50-100 barrel of oil per day from the list of oil producing states.

 G.Youths and Senior Citizens:

Mr. President. the teeming youths are also very important and vital to the attention of your administration.  Remember they opposed you with a protest vote which is enough to tell you they are a strong force to reckon with. It is now up to you to put up policies, programmes and agenda that are youth friendly. Engage the youths in governance, empower the youths and let them feel your impact across all sectors. Your administration will have nothing to loose if you deem it fit to return power to the 774 local governments across the country. This is the third tier of government that is much more closer to the people. It will be needful to say that the  effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of most state and federal government policies and programmes have their impacts felt most in the local government areas which play hosts to  wards, units and even sub- units existing at the doorposts of the masses. All these you can achieve without procrastination. Remember if you do, you get the accolades and your name written eternally on gold. 

Above all remember your source, your home, your own constituency and immediate kinsmen in the scheme of things for the sake of an agenda that must be preserved and maintained intact. We have all toiled for your success, offered our blessings and gave our full supports that have yielded good fruits. We all toiled day night from our various corners to see that your aspirations come true. You represent an ideology, a political  school of thought that must not be betrayed under any. circumstance. Remember the duo of late  Awolowo and MKO Abiola meant well for this country. We want you to do better than they have ever thought or meant for this country.

 Continue to be a progressive and a thorough bred democrat you are known for.

May the good spirit of Omoluabi never depart from you President Bola Ahmed Tinubu(GCFR).

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria 

 E- Signed:

 Omoluabi Jayeola A.O.

 National Convener

 Reachable on: 08063563668_ 

 Email: jaffero2001@yahoo.com

31/5/2023.

OYEBANJI CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT, TINUBU.

OYEBANJI CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT, TINUBU.

…..Says Nigeria in Safe Hands for Sustainable Development.

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated the new President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his successful inauguration as the nation’s helmsman.

The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media , Yinka Oyebode, also congratulated all Nigerians on the successful completion of the process of transition of power from one administration to another, adding that the seamless transition is an attestation to the growth of democratic culture in the country.

Oyebanji hailed Nigerians for keeping faith with the All Progressives Congress (APC) by electing its flag bearer, President Tinubu at the February 25 presidential poll and accepting his manifesto of Renewed Hope as an instrument of taking Nigeria to the harbour of prosperity and fulfillment.

The Ekiti Governor said with President Tinubu in the driving seat, Nigeria is in safe hands for sustainable development, economic revival, sustenance of infrastructure renewal, reduction of poverty, wealth and job creation and fulfillment of electoral promises made in the lead-up to the presidential poll.

Attesting to the new President’s competence to make a difference in running a government that will live up to expectations, Oyebanji described President Tinubu as an administrator that has the wealth of experience to turn the fortunes of Nigeria around positively within his tenure of office.

The Governor noted that it was remarkable for Nigeria to have carried out seven consecutive and successful transition since return to democracy in 1999 expressing confidence that the country’s democracy has grown in leaps and bounds and has come to stay.

He described the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu as a blueprint carefully packaged to provide panacea to all challenges confronting the polity across the various sectors.

The Governor also congratulated the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari on the successful completion of his two terms of four years each and for superintending over a successful general election which has just birthed an equally successful transfer of power.

While noting that though expectations are very high as the new administration settles down to the serious business of governance, Oyebanji urged Nigerians to be patient with the new President and his team as they implement their agenda to take Nigeria to a higher pedestal of development.

“I urge Nigerians irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious affiliations to pray for the success of President Tinubu and support him to realize his dream of a prosperous Nigeria that will fully realize its potentials.

“The elections have come and gone, President Tinubu is now the father of the nation; he is not a President of his political party or a section of the country but the President of the whole entity called Nigeria.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated competence as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during which he was Chairman of Senate Committee on Banking and Currency and during his stellar two-term tenure as the Governor of Lagos State which has remained a reference point in governance in Nigeria.

“The government and people of Ekiti State wish our new President a very successful tenure of office and we are assuring him of our readiness to partner with him to ensure a greater, stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria.” The Governor said.