I'll continue to make you proud, Oyebanji assures APC leaders.

I'll continue to make you proud, Oyebanji assures APC leaders.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has assured leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state that he would continue to keep the flag of the party flying by prioritizing the wellbeing and welfare of the people and advancing the ideals of the party.

Governor Oyebanji, who gave the assurance on Thursday during a meeting with the leaders of Ekiti East All Progressive Congress led by a member of the House of Representative, Rt Hon Femi Bamisile, said the only way he can express his gratitude to the party members for their support and trust is to continue to ensure that the party remains attractive to the people of the state.

The Governor said he remained committed to his decision to return the party to the leadership of the party, a development which he said has led to certain decisions and responsibilities being needed to the leaders of the party, leading to a better disciplined and more formidable party. 

He added that his administration will continue with the inclusive governance that has been the hallmark of his administration

“I thank you for giving me the platform and the opportunity to serve our people, becoming the candidate of the party was not because I was the richest or the best, it is just God touching your hearts to give me that ticket and am grateful to God.

“The only way I can say thank you to the party members is to ensure that the party remains attractive to the people and I have given myself that charge that whatever is going to cost me or take me to make APC attractive to Ekiti people, I will do and in the last one year and some months, God has helped us to do just that” the Governor said

Eelier in his remark, the leader of the delegation, Rt. Hon Femi Bamisile, said the purpose of the meeting was to appreciate the Governor for restoring electricity back to Ekiti East local government after several years of darkness and to declare their unalloyed support to the Governor’s programmes and policies as well as his second term in office.

Bamisile cited various transformative strides, exemplary governance and numerous achievement and initiatives that has positively impacted the lives of the residents across the state for the their decision to urge the Governor to continue in office. 

“we have witnessed firsthand remarkable progress and development under Governor Oyebanji’s administration, His visionary leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to the welfare of our people have earned you our support”. He asserted  

Also at the meeting were Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Special Adviser political matter, Chief Jide Awe, Special Adviser media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Ekiti APC Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotosho, Director General Community Communication, Mrs Mary Omotosho, among others.

I’ll continue to reward excellence in civil service – Oyebanji.

I’ll continue to reward excellence in civil service – Oyebanji.

.…Swears in retired Perm Sec as SA/DG, BPP.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has assured civil servants in the state that his government would not relent in rewarding officers who have distinguished themselves in the area of service delivery and impeccable integrity. 

 

Governor Oyebanji stated this on Thursday, while swearing in a former Permanent Secretary in the Ekiti State Civil Service, Mr James Folorunso as Director General/ Special Adviser Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), urging civil servants in the state to brace up by distinguishing themselves in their various MDAs assuring that their diligence would not go unrewarded. 

The Governor, who spoke after the traditional oath taking session, said Mr Folorunso got the appointment on merit, having demonstrated high level of professionalism and integrity in the various position he held before he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance last year. 

The Governor said he was convinced the new appointee would bring to bear his wealth of professional experience in the different position he held in the civil service on achieving the desired result in BPP as well as overall development of the state.

He noted that the Bureau of Public Procurement is the heartbeat of any government, hence the need to find appropriate person for the assignment. 

 “While congratulating you, I need to stress one thing, you earned this appointment because you are a man of honour, a man of character and a child of God. Since we met during Governor Niyi Adebayo, I’ve not had any cause to doubt you, you speak true to power, in love and you don’t pretend.

“Civil servants that do well will be compensated, this is a lesson to others that when you do your work diligently, God has a way of rewarding you. You did not lobby me for this, I did not discuss with you but I believe you are the best for the job. I just commend other people in the service, that whatever assignment we are given, let us be diligent because God is watching and people are also watching and there is going to be a reward for diligence.

 “This position became vacant last year, but I couldn’t come to term with the best way to fill it, because, the bureau of public procurement is the heart of any government because it deals with contracting, it deals with price intelligence, they review prices, they do a lot. So, the success or failure of any government when it comes to capital projects depends on the quality of the leadership in that office. And when your name came up, everyone applauded it as the right choice. 

Responding after the swearing in, Mr James Folorunso expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for finding him worthy of the opportunity and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him.

Mr Folorunso, who retired from active service barely seven months ago, assured the Governor that he would work hard to deliver quality service and add value to governance in the state.

In attendance at the event were: the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun; Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe and other top government officials.

Oyebanji approves N331million for LG Chairmen to buy, distribute food items.

Oyebanji approves N331million for LG Chairmen to buy, distribute food items.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has directed Chairmen of Local Government councils and Local Council Development Areas in the state to mobilize and distribute food items to citizens in their respective council areas to cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country.

The distribution of the food items, according to the Governor, would complement the various palliative measures put in place by the state government in the short term, adding that the councils should invest in agriculture as a way of forestalling future food crisis.

Governor Oyebanji who gave the directive during a meeting with the local government chairmen and officials of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs in Ado- Ekiti on Wednesday, has also approved the release of the sum of N331,000,000 (three hundred and thirty- one million naira) for the purchase of rice, stressing that 25 bags of rice should be given to each ward in all the local councils.

The Governor, however cautioned that the food distribution should not be done on partisan basis, but given out to the people through recognised community development associations.

The Governor also implored the chairmen to focus more on policies and programmes that will reduce the current social and economic tensions in the people. 

While assuring the people that his government would continue to prioritize the welfare and wellbeing of residents of the state, Governor Oyebanji said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to improving the socio-economic condition of the country. He therefore urged the people to remain optimistic that the policies of the Federal government would achieve the aim of improving the country’s economy and fostering national development.

Governor Oyebanji said his government would, next week, roll out more economic relief programs aimed at cushioning the effect of the economic situation on the people. 

Oyebanji Entrusts James Folorunsho with Leadership of State Procurement Bureau.

Oyebanji Entrusts James Folorunsho with Leadership of State Procurement Bureau.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a bid to bolster governance within Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has appointed Mr. James Folorunsho as the new Special Adviser and Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The swearing-in ceremony, conducted on Thursday, February 22nd at the governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, witnessed Governor Oyebanji commending Mr. Folorunsho for his extensive administrative expertise and urging him to discharge his new responsibilities with utmost efficiency.

Governor Oyebanji underscored the significance of qualities such as diligence, commitment, faithfulness, and hard work among all government officials in Ekiti State, emphasizing their obligation to serve the people diligently.

Expressing appreciation for the appointment, Mr. James Folorunsho, the newly appointed Special Adviser and Director General, vowed to exert relentless efforts towards the progress of Ekiti State.

Governor Oyebanji's decision reflects a dedication to fortifying governance frameworks and optimizing operational efficiency within Ekiti State, laying the groundwork for potential enhancements in public procurement procedures.

Oyebanji Approves Tourism Master Plan for State Development.

Oyebanji Approves Tourism Master Plan for State Development.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved the development of the state tourism development plan, as part of efforts to harness and enhance the tourism potential of the state, for economic growth and prosperity.

The initiative is aimed at positioning Ekiti as the most sought-after tourist destination in the country, according to a statement.

Oyebanji has, therefore, entrusted the task of developing the comprehensive plan to Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, which is charged with designing a sustainable and strategic roadmap that will promote the abundant natural beauty, cultural heritage and historical significance of the state.

Expressing his optimism for the success of the project, he assured the Director-General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Wale Ojo-Lanre, of support, to ensure the timely and efficient execution of the tourism development master plan.

Edo Primaries: Fayemi commends Tinubu, Ganduje; slams Oshiomhole's interference.

Edo Primaries: Fayemi commends Tinubu, Ganduje; slams Oshiomhole's interference.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has commended the Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the decision to cancel and reschedule the controversial gubernatorial primaries in Edo State. 

He noted that this decision had restored the confidence of members of the Edo State chapter of the Party in a fair, impartial, and transparent exercise and showed that the APC is interested in producing a popular candidate.

Fayemi also applauded the President and Leader of the Party, HE Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for not interfering and allowing due process on the issue of the APC gubernatorial primaries in Edo State.

“I wish to thank the President for allowing the Party to function independently on this sensitive issue and thus assure our teeming members in Edo State that the process for the gubernatorial primaries will be free, fair, and transparent,’’ he said. 

Fayemi, however, strongly condemned the questionable role of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state and National Chairman of the APC, in the truncation of the initial exercise.  

He recalled that Oshiomhole had also played a disruptive role in the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, which ultimately made the APC lose the state to the opposition.

 “Ideally, as a leader, he should have ensured a level playing field for all the aspirants but he was trying to impose a candidate in a manner that's not free and fair, ‘’ he said.

Fayemi added: ‘’Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting in the primaries and failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as National Chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo State by the APC.

"It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo state because of his unconscionable behaviour. However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries. 

‘’We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.

‘’Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the laid down rules. My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections.’’

Fed Govt to revisit sachet alcoholic beverages ban, says Health Minister.

Fed Govt to revisit sachet alcoholic beverages ban, says Health Minister.

The Federal Government has said it intends to review the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles that are smaller than 200 mls.

This followed a peaceful protest staged at the premises of the Federal Ministry of Health yesterday in Abuja by members of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB).

The protesters presented their grievances to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, citing the hardship the ban has caused to their livelihoods.

At the end of January, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) implemented a ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 20ml, citing the adverse socioeconomic impact of such packaging on the nation’s future.

NAFDAC also said the inexpensive and readily available alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles contributes to the emergence of a generation of addicted children, as the attractive packaging makes it easy for them to indulge in excessive consumption.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe, to the National President of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, Jomoh Oyibo, expressed the association’s dissatisfaction with the ban imposed on the manufacturing, sales, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.

Oyibo complained that following the ban, NAFDAC had sealed over 25 companies producing such alcoholic drinks, saying it was meant to curb alcoholic abuse.

The union leader said the government’s action had affected entrepreneurs, dependents, and the workforce negatively.

According to him, considering the present economic situation in the country, the timing for the ban is not right.

Oyibo urged the ministry to intervene in the matter to remedy the current predicament the association was undergoing.

Addressing the protesters, Pate said the ministry would endeavour to address their grievances.

Appealing to the aggrieved group, the minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kachallom Daju, promised to look into their complaints and find a better option, going forward.

“What I am saying now is that we have heard your grievances. This is a listening government. We are going to discuss with partners, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other members on the way forward,” he said.