Protect Govt Facilities in Your Domain, Oyebanji Urges Ekiti Citizens.

Protect Govt Facilities in Your Domain, Oyebanji Urges Ekiti Citizens.

....restores power supply to  towns after 15 years blackout.

Resolute to boost local economy and propel the industrial development via robust growth of Small, and  Medium Scale Enterprises(SMEs) in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has charged Ekiti citizens to protect all public utilities in their domains to safeguard government infrastructure from being destroyed.

The Governor also said  his government would not tolerate the idea of towns being left in perpetual power outage for a period of 15 years, describing this as a potential danger that can cripple businesses and shore up the poverty level in the state. 

Oyebanji spoke on Tuesday in Ikogosi Ekiti, while commissioning  the extension of the 132/133KVA power substation from Omisanjana in Ado Ekiti to reconnect the town back to the national grid after years of power outage.

The Governor said the 33KV electrification project , which 

covers 19km radius and stretched from 132 KV TCN Sub-Station at Omisanjana to connect Erijiyan and  Ikogosi-Ekiti needed protection to spur business activities along that axis.

"I wish to urge our people to see all public infrastructures within their communities as their property and to jealously guard and protect them from vandalisation. They must also be prepared to pay for electricity usage", Oyebanji pleaded.

Oyebanji, who described electricity supply as an impetus and a major boost to the growth of SMEs, said  this unflagging view accounted for why the government places high premium on reconnection of towns experiencing lingering power outage across the state. 

He lamented that a town housing one the state’s business concern was without power supply for years, saying that connecting the town back to the national grid would boost the water bottling company as well as the tourism potentials of the area. 

He said: "For us, electricity is a critical infrastructure in our Ekiti development agenda.  It is indeed, the circulatory artery upon which the Ekiti industrial agenda can be kept alive. Without power any talk of industrialization remains an empty wish, it is for this reason that we made it a major priority in our Six  Pillars of Administration. 

"When we came on board, the power infrastructure audit of the State indicated that many communities had been without electricity for many years, ranging from 6-15 years. We also noticed that a critical factor that had bedeviled Ikogosi Warm Spring and Resorts and the Gossy Bottling Company was the absence of sustainable power supply and without connecting these facilities to the national grid, it would remain a mere pipe dream and the venture unprofitable.

"In our bid to find a lasting solution, it was observed that there was a 140MVA transformer at the 132KV TCN Sub-Station at Omisanjana, Ado Ekiti out of which only 80MVA transformer was being utilised while 60MVA transformer was underutilized due to lack of a corridor to evacuate the energy to.

"To fully utilize the 140 KV supply to the Sub-Station and to proffer a lasting solution to the electricity supply challenge in the industrial and tourism zone of Ikogosi-Ipole-Iloro, we constructed a 5KM long 33KV line from the Sub-Station at Omisanjana to Baptist High School, Ado Ekiti to link Ilawe line. 

"From Ilawe, we constructed another 14kKM long of a 33KV line to Erijiyan Ekiti. In addition,  we also rehabilitated an existing 33KV line from Erijiyan to Ikogosi industrial and tourism zone to energize the Ikogosi town, the resort, Gossy Water  company and Ipole-Iloro line. 

"With this, the 140 KV supply from the national grid which was hitherto underutilized is now fully put to profitable use.  With the completion of this project, the communities targeted are already enjoying improved power supply to this zone". 

The Governor added that apart from improved standard of living to the people of the area m, the economic benefits to the people are enormous. " I want  to assure other communities in darkness that by the special grace of God, light will shine over them soon", he added. 

The Governor assured that  his administration will put all hands on the plough to drive development across all the towns in the state to ward off incidence of neglect being suffered by some communities.

Describing the achievement as one of the flagships of the Oyebanji administration and very strategic to the development of the state, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, revealed that the project will benefit all the towns and industries located along Ado-Ilawe-Ikogosi route.

Prof Aluko said Ipole Iloro would soon be  reconnected to the national grid through Iwaji-Efon Alaaye axis to boost economy of the town, saying the contracts to actualise this had already been signed by the state government.

The Managing Director of Gossy Water Bottling Company, Gbemileke Otun, stated that  the power reconnection project will help in solving perennial power interruption that has been hindering optimal operations of the firm.

"Our company was shut down for three years due to poor elecricity supply. At a point, we were getting discouraged. But with this project, we will expand and have the spirit to explore other opportunities that abound in Ekiti State". 

The representatives of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort Centre, a flourishing hospitality business, Mr.  Lanre Balogun, described the feat as unprecedented, saying the company spends a whopping sum of N12 million monthly on power generation. 

"This shows that Mr Governor is giving our company a sum of N12m monthly and you know what this can  do in the life of this company. If you have leaders like Governor Oyebanji, Nigeria will be one of the best in the world . He is a man of his words and we are pleased with him". 

Speaking for the benefiting communities, the Olohan of Erinjiyan Ekiti, Oba Omoseebi Adegoroye, applauded Governor Oyebanji  for placing high premium on boosting local economy, saying all the towns are indebted to the current government in terms of support in all spheres.

It is recalled that several communities erupted in wild jubilation last week during the test- running of the electricity project, ahead of Tuesday’s commissioning. 

Aside towns in Ekiti West Local Government, several towns in Ayekire and Ekiti East local government areas of the state are also beneficiaries of the electricity project of the Oyebanji government.

EKSG Summons Surveyors, Lawyers to Resolve 60-yr old Ado/Ilawe Land Crisis.

EKSG Summons Surveyors, Lawyers to Resolve 60-yr old Ado/Ilawe Land Crisis.

In a desperate attempt to resolve the 60- year old land tussle between Ado and Ilawe Ekiti, the Ekiti State government, yesterday summoned the lawyers and surveyors of the two feuding towns to shed light on how the matter will be tackled to avoid rancour and bad blood.

The government, said the action became imperative following unraveling of documents that needed to be viewed with intellectual and mental expertise of these professionals representing the two disputing communities  and their counterparts in the public service.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the directive  in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, while mediating in a 60- year old land dispute between Ilawe- Ekiti and Odo, a vassal community to Ado Ekiti township.

The Deputy Governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje,  frowned at the  reported cases of assaults being experienced on the encumbered land, despite the stringent warning that nobody should trespass on the land until the matter is finally resolved.

"Available records shows that this land dispute began in 1963, but we have to try and lay it to rest. Ado and Ilawe Ekiti are one and it is the love and unity that had existed between you that must be the guiding principle in this matter.

"We won't wait until you start killing yourself before taking actions. Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a promoter of peace and unity and nobody will be allowed to jeopardise his efforts in this regard.

"We are giving you an ultimatum of two weeks to bring your surveyors and lawyers to work with experts with the Ministry of Justice and  our Land dispute Resolution Technical Committee to look at all the available documents.

"These experts will also guide us on all former documented agreements you had entered into since 1971 on that land to know the direction we are going to toe for speedy resolution of this crisis".

The  Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi, appreciated the government for being zealous in resolving  the crisis, claiming that  his town through the Ekiti South Local Government, had paid for a portion of that contentious area of the  land going by available documentation.  

The monarch, represented by Elemo of Oke -Emo, Chief Gbenga Agbona, promised to abide by the verdict passed by government , so that the matter can be resolved expeditiously.

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, represented by Akitipa of Odo Community, Chief Ademola Adepoju, applauded the government for being impartial in the resolution of the crisis.

Oba Adejugbe  pledged that his people will abide by the government's instruction and comply with all directives that would avert bloodshed or violence over the land tussle.

Oyebanji Is A Game Changer~ Says Adebayo.

Oyebanji Is A Game Changer~ Says Adebayo.

A long serving Personal Assistant to the former Leader of Afenifere late Sen Ayo Fasanmi,  Pastor Adebayo Temitope,  has described the Governor of Ekiti State Biodun Oyebanji as a game changers and a role model for other governors  to emulate.

In his congratulatory  message sent to Mr Governor and a copy forwarded to the press. He said Governor Oyebanji has laid a good examples for other governors in Nigeria on how to relate with their predecessors and also how to maintain the spirit of continuity in Governance. 

He recalled that, since he took the mantle of power from the former governor Dr Kayode Fayemi, Governor Oyebanji has never for once deviated from providing good governance to the people of Ekiti. He has also continued  to run the projects he inherited from former governor Dr Kayode Fayemi. In only one year  in office,  Gov. Biodun Oyebanji has brought  tremendous development to the people of Ekiti. This is why he is a game changers governor. 

Adebayo said, Governor  Abiodun Oyebanji is a well trained and progressive minded governor  who follows the ideology of the party. Recalled that, Oyebanji served in the first time Fayemi administration and latter as Secretary to state Government during the second time of Fayemi  before he finally became the governor of Ekiti state. Adebayo said the best way to reward Governor Oyebanji for his self service to the masses,  is to allow him continue with the spirit of good Governance he has started with. Adebayo said Governor Oyebanji deserved the honour of being name as Governor of the year. He is governor of Public servants and masses. May the God continue to be with him and guide him on his service to humanity. 

Temitope Adebayo former Personal Assistant to Baba Ayo Fasanmi

Chairman of Gbonyin LCDA, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi, Extends Warm Felicitations to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on One Year Anniversary.

Chairman of Gbonyin LCDA, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi, Extends Warm Felicitations to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on One Year Anniversary.

In an outpouring of warm wishes and congratulations, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi, the Chairman of Gbonyin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has extended heartfelt greetings to His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on the occasion of his one-year anniversary in office. This period is hailed as an extraordinary and unparalleled era in the history of the state.

At the heart of this jubilation lies the restoration of electricity to the council area after a prolonged 15-year blackout. Recognizing the transformative impact of electricity on industrialization and economic development, the Chairman expressed profound gratitude to Governor Oyebanji. This achievement has brought immense joy to the people of the council, particularly in Ijan, Iluomoba, and Aisegba. On their behalf, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi extended his heartfelt appreciation, offering prayers for blessings, wisdom, knowledge, and unwavering understanding for Governor Oyebanji as he continues to lead the state with effectiveness.

The Chairman poured accolades on Governor Oyebanji for the implementation of a slew of people-oriented programs and projects that have endeared him to the public. Key highlights include the substantial improvements in electricity supply, the extension of pipe-borne water to numerous households, and significant advancements in the health, education, and social sectors. Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi steadfastly believes that Governor Oyebanji serves as a beacon of hope for the entire Ekiti State.

In addition to these accolades, the Chairman commended Governor Oyebanji for his recognition and empowerment of Local Council Development Areas. This acknowledgment has fostered a conducive environment for their growth and development while providing essential incentives that have ultimately led to peace, development, and prosperity throughout the state.

With unwavering determination, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi pledged the continued support of the citizens of the Council Area for the progressive administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. He concluded his heartfelt message with fervent prayers for even more extraordinary achievements in the years to come.

Governor Oyebanji Promises Better Future For Ekiti, As Administration Marks First Anniversary.

Governor Oyebanji Promises Better Future For Ekiti, As Administration Marks First Anniversary.

•••renders account of stewardship at State of the State address, signs five new laws.

As his administration clocks one year on Monday, the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has  assured the people of the state of a better future, having successfully laid a solid foundation for the socio-economic prosperity of the state.

He also appealed to the leadership of the trade unions to show understanding and be patient with government as it already addressing the economic situation triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Governor Oyebanji said he is incurably committed to fulfilling the social contracts he signed with the people of the state that he will deliver democracy dividends to them, adding that the welfare and wellbeing of the people would be prioritised.

Governor Oyebanji disclosed this in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, while rendering an account of his stewardship on the floor of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, during the presentation of the ‘State of the State’ Address, to the lawmakers and stakeholders in the state.

Addressing the gathering attended by lawmakers , political and traditional rulers as well as top government functionaries, Oyebanji said he is not unaware of the agitations for  salary  review in view of the removal of fuel subsidy, “But I want to appeal to the leadership of trade unions to show understanding and be patient with me to properly review the situation as it unfolds before coming up to address the situation.

The Governor, who said he had carried out radical restructuring in the system to fortify the economy, added that he had created new Ministries, special agencies and boards, some of whom he personally chaired to spread to deepen groath and development and spread prosperity and progress across the nooks and cranny of the state.

Governor Oyebanji posited that Ekiti State’s internally Generated Revenue has experienced upward movement, having tightened some of the existing loopholes being used to swindle the system, while the 2022 budgetary capital performance as of August, 2023 stands at 60.6%, with revenue performance pegged at 103%.

Governor Oyebanji stated that a sum of N1.5 billion was distributed to equip and rehabilitate the 177 primary healthcare centres in the state to expand access to quality healthcare delivery, while he and his siblings are currently constructing a facility at Aramoko General Hospital in memory of his late mother.

To boost agriculture  and attract youths into farming, thereby curtailing incidences of joblessness and crime, Oyebanji said his government is in the process of  connecting the agricultural zone along Ipao-Oke Ako axis to national grid to propel the state to food security status.

He said the old Civil Service Commission building at the old Secretariat at Oke Ori Omi, had been reshaped and rehabilated to house a new Customary Court of Appeal, which he said gave Ekiti the leeway to have such hierarchy of court for swift and expeditious administration of justice.

To promote education regarded as the most thriving industry in Ekiti, Oyebanji said a total of 2,000 teachers, were recruited and deployed to primary and secondary schools in the last one year to undertake subjects that can bolster Ekiti’s ranking in public examinations like NECO and WAEC.

“Also, we have awarded contracts for the construction of two Model Schools in Ikere and Ikole, so that our children can have more access to education. I am elated that a teacher in Ekiti won the best teacher in Nigeria in 2023 , while the St Louis ,Ikere Ekiti won the best Public School in Nigeria for the second time. These are signs that our government is doing well”.

The Governor applauded Ekiti people for showing love and sharing in his vision and purposeful efforts to lift them out of poverty, while also appreciating his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for entrenching government of accountability, the path he has been treading to promote progressive leadership in Ekiti.

Oyebanji, who saluted former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni for their contributions to Ekiti’s progress, specifically recounted that the historic role played by Governor Fayemi and his wife, Bisi Fayemi in his emergence brought about intra-party exchange of leadership baton in Ekiti for the first time since 1999.

“In the area of infrastructure and industrialisation, my government has been aggressive in improving electricity supply and construction of access roads because these are the two most important factors in industrial development. As of now, towns in Gbonyin, Ayekire and Ekiti East have been reconnected to the national grid. We have also reconnected Erinjiyan, Ikogosi and Ikogosi Warm springs to national grid.

“We have energised towns like Egbe by connecting light from Ikare in Ondo State while we have connected light from Eruku in Kwara State to Ikun Ekiti. We are also mobilising contractors back to site to complete ongoing road projects like Ado-Iworoko road ,Ilawe- Igbara-Odo road, Ilawe -Igede road,Ikole-Ara- Isinbode road, Ado township road , among others”.

Handing down a verdict of excellent performance on the governor, after evaluating his exploits across his six-point agenda, the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, saluted the governor for running a “focused, inclusive, honest, dedicated, transformative , simple and purposeful governance”, that is passionate about the affairs of the common men.

Aribasoye said: “Your dedication, honesty, purposefulness, and unwavering commitment to development are now serving as a guiding light to all of us. Let me say that Governor Oyebanji has not in any way disappointed and wherever Dr. Kayode Fayemi is now, he will be happy that he has got a good successor.

“Under Oyebanji, we have witnessed transformative governance, dedication to duties, simplicity and respect for elders. I commend you for a job well done, because your relentless efforts have spurred a flame of success and uncommon transformation in our dear state. Today, our local government is enjoying financial independence and our chairmen have been advised to embrace financial discipline.

“In our continued support and collaboration, we want to assure you that this Assembly will foster cordial relationship with the executive arm in a way that will bring the interest of our people to the front burner. I want to say that the existing harmonious relationship between the executive and legislature is highly commendable, since the interest of the masses is our common goal”.

Earlier before the State of the State address, Governor Oyebanji had signed into law five bills recently passed by the state assembly. The short ceremony took place at the executive council chamber of the Governor’s office, was witnessed by all members of the state assembly.

The new laws are: Ekiti State Sports Commission Law; Ekiti State Lotteries and gaming Law; Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA) (first amendment) Law; Ekiti State Electricity Power Sector law; and 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Law.

Shettima to Nigerians in China: there’s light at end of tunnel.

Shettima to Nigerians in China: there’s light at end of tunnel.

Nigeria will overcome its present challenges, Vice President Kashim Shettima said yesterday in faraway Beijing, China.

It was during an interactive session with the Ambassador and Staff of the Nigerian Embassy in the Asian country, where he is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Shettima noted that the president in the saddle has outstanding leadership qualities and the wherewithal to lift Nigeria to loftier heights.

The vice president said: “The road that led us to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not happen by chance. This is a man who has shown a precious penchant for aligning himself with the aspirations of the people of Nigeria against all odds.

“He has never been identified with any ethno-religious solidarity but yet known for outstanding leadership qualities and I am telling with all sense of honesty, I have seen the soul of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he has a clean heart, he means well for the nation and he is willing to work for the nation. All we need to do is to support the president.”

Shettima assured Nigerians resident in China that current challenges confronting their fatherland would be surmounted.

“The country is going through some rough paths economically but the giant of Africa, I can assure you, like the bird gimmicks, will rise from the ashes to greatness. Nigeria shall rise again”, he told his audience.

He urged the ambassador and Staff of Nigeria’s embassy in China to sustain unity among them as he urged them to continue to serve as economic ambassadors of Nigeria in China.

Speaking earlier, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Ahmad Jedda, said the visit of the Vice President to China would help boost Nigeria’s ties with China.

“The visit of the vice president would serve as a giant stride for further cooperation and synergy between Nigeria and China. It will provide an opportunity to explore avenues for collaboration that align with our national development priorities such as industrialization, technology transfer, skill development and digital sustainable growth,” he said.

The ambassador said Nigeria and China have a currency swap agreement worth $2.5 billion to boost their commercial ties as well as reduce the use of dollars in their bilateral trade “thereby, improving the speed, convenience and volume of transaction between the two countries.

“It will also assist both countries in their foreign reserve management, enhance financial stability and promote broader economic cooperation between the two countries,” the ambassador added.

The vice president also interacted with Nigerian students in China, where he encouraged them to continue working hard, adding that President Bola Tinubu means well for the youth and will not relent in enhancing their wellbeing.

Credit: The Nation Newspaper.

Declining water resources threat to food security, says Agric minister.

Declining water resources threat to food security, says Agric minister.

Minister of Agriculture and Food security, Abubakar Kyari, has said declining water resources due to climate change, urbanisation and rapid population growth poses a threat to food security, if steps are not taken to curtail it.

  Kyari said there must be a synergy between the ministry  and Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and guarantee that food is produced all year. 

 The minister spoke yesterday in Abuja to mark World Food Day: ‘’Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind’’.

 He said such a threat to water supply has adversely affected not only food production but also livelihoods, with developing countries in particular, bearing a disproportionate burden. 

  The minister said incidences of drought, rainfall variability and desertification pose a greater challenge by putting the planet’s water resources under increasing stress. 

  Kyari noted  the ministry is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to harness water available in producing areas, including River Basins, Dams (around irrigable lands) and other wetlands for multiple cropping cycles. 

 He said the collaboration would be deployed for 2023/2024 dry season farming with priority crops, such as wheat, rice, maize and cassava with a sustainable plan for upscaling and replicating same for other crops, livestock and fisheries.

 Director-general of Food and Agriculture Organisation, QU Dongyu, said governments should design science- and evidence-based policies to capitalise on data and innovation, and coordinate across sectors to plan and manage water better. 

 Dongyu, in a remark read by Head of Office, FAO in Northeast, Al Hassan Cisse, reiterated the need for farmers to become agents of water management and be equipped with the right tools to perform that function sustainably. 

  He said that promoting water governance was critical to boosting business reputation and profits while helping them avoid risks that water scarcity, floods and pollution could pose to operations in the future. “Water, energy and food are inextricably linked, and for policies to be successful, they must often manage competing interests without compromising the health of our ecosystems. 

 ‘’Farmers, forest-dependent people, livestock producers and those working in the blue economy of fisheries and aquaculture already manage water daily,” he said.

 The world food day featured field visits to cluster farms and livestock farms in the Federal Capital Territory.

Credit: The Nation Newspaper.