Iyin Youth Forum Celebrates One-Year Milestone with Thanksgiving Ceremony.

Iyin Youth Forum Celebrates One-Year Milestone with Thanksgiving Ceremony.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Iyin Youth Forum marked a significant milestone yesterday, celebrating their one-year anniversary in office with a special thanksgiving ceremony held at the TCPGC, Iyin-Ekiti. The event brought together the executive members of the forum, former President Comrade Taiwo Jinadu, Miss Iyin Ajisafe Joy, and a group of vibrant youths from the community.

This momentous occasion was a celebration of the dedication, hard work, and commitment of the forum members in serving the community. The gathering was filled with joyful hearts as the attendees came together to give thanks and praise to God for the blessings and guidance that have sustained them over the past year.

The ceremony featured songs, prayers, and testimonies, with the youths reflecting on their journey. They acknowledged the challenges faced and triumphs achieved, expressing gratitude for the service, dedication, passion, and leadership that have positively impacted the forum and the community at large. The event celebrated the significant contributions made by the forum, the lives touched, and the hope inspired within the community. The members also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their good work, striving for excellence, and making a positive impact.

Community leaders, well-wishers, and supporters joined the youths in this joyous and heartfelt expression of gratitude. The attendees were inspired by the passion and enthusiasm displayed by the youth forum. The ceremony served as a reminder of the power of faith, community, and service to others. It underscored that their accomplishments were by the grace of God and highlighted their dedication to paving the way for a brighter future for all.

In his closing remarks, Comrade Austin Gbenga Dada, the Public Relations Officer of the Iyin Youth Forum National Office, expressed the collective gratitude of the forum to God for His guidance, wisdom, and blessings throughout their first year in office. He emphasized that their achievements were not their own but by God's grace, and he called for continued dedication to being shining examples of God's love and grace in the community.

To God be the glory!

Comrade Austin Gbenga Dada

IYF Public Relations Officer, National Office, Iyin-Ekiti

May 27, 2024

Amb. Olakunle Famola Fambegbe Urges Ondo West Residents to Register for Voter Cards.

Amb. Olakunle Famola Fambegbe Urges Ondo West Residents to Register for Voter Cards.

Ambassador Olakunle Famola Fambegbe has called on the residents of Ondo West to actively participate in the voter registration process. Emphasizing the importance of registering as a civic duty, Fambegbe stated, "I urge you all to come out massively to register your voters' cards. Registered voters don’t need to re-register. It is our civic duty and an essential step in ensuring our voices are heard in the upcoming elections."

To support this initiative, a special broadcast on 101.9 FM Sun City will air from May 27th to June 5th, aimed at informing Ondo State residents about the voter registration process. The broadcast will encourage greater voter participation by providing detailed information and addressing any questions residents may have.

Fambegbe highlighted the collective effort needed to shape the future of Ondo State, urging all eligible residents to register and contribute to the democratic process. "Let's come together and make a significant impact on our future," he said. "God bless Ondo State." For more information, residents are advised to tune into 101.9 FM Sun City during the specified dates.

Ekiti First Lady Canvasses Stakeholders' Synergy For Children's Secured Future.

Ekiti First Lady Canvasses Stakeholders' Synergy For Children's Secured Future.

....Flags Off Vaccination of Girls Against Cervical Cancer.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has advocated a synergy among stakeholders to build a future where every child can grow up safe, healthy and empowered to fulfill their potentials.

The First Lady who made the call on Monday at the occasion of the 2024 Children's Day Celebration held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti, the state capital urged stakeholders to invest in children’s health, education, and protection, prioritizing resources where they are needed most. 

Dr. Oyebanji expressed optimism that there is hope for Ekiti children despite many global challenges as there exists the wherewithal to effect change and build a better future for children through concerted efforts of stakeholders like governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.

She said the theme for this year's celebration, "Enhancing the Total Wellbeing of the Nigerian Child through Quality Education and Skill Development” is apt and in sync with the governance agenda of Governor Biodun Abayomi Administration which prioritizes the welfare and wellbeing of children in the state.

Dr. Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the state government for its efforts at ensuring that every Ekiti child is in school with the free education policy of government from primary school to secondary school level with the schools equipped with facilities and well-staffed.

According to her, all stakeholders must appreciate the need for qualitative education and skill development of the Nigerian child stressing that "every child is God’s gift to humanity" adding that "children are assets."

She posited that education plays a crucial role in the national development of a country, impacting various aspects such as social progress, economy, and wellbeing. She expressed delight that Ekiti children are in school and they are assessing free and qualitative basic education with curricula that prepare them adequately for further learning or job market.

The First Lady also revealed the priority attention given to special schools by the state government as the schools have experienced massive transformation through sustained collaboration with development partners.

She said: "Due attention is accorded children with special needs. Therapists and some other professionals have been employed for the three special schools. The State Government’s collaboration with development partners and the World Bank for the development of education in the State has been yielding results. 

"Programmes such as the Adolescents Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) have enhanced greatly the quality of education and skill development of Ekiti children. 

"I thank our partners and all stakeholders for their collaboration. Quality education enhances holistic development of the child helping them to discover their individual strengths with a view to utilizing them effectively. All stakeholders must appreciate the need for qualitative education and skill development of the Nigerian Child."

The Governor's wife equally disclosed that her pet project, Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) is targeted at assisting the educational development of indigent Ekiti children in addition to various intervention programmes of the state government.

While specifically addressing the children, Dr. Oyebanji enjoined them to take advantage of the available resources by being focused, shunning vices and facing their studies in order to attain a bright future. 

Acknowledging efforts of teachers, caregivers and workers in various schools for their invaluable contributions to the development of our children in Ekiti State, Dr. Oyebanji also charged parents and guardians must play their roles effectively at home in caring, monitoring and providing exemplary parenthood/guardianship to facilitate the balanced development of the children.

Dr. Oyebanji used the opportunity of the Children's Day to flag off the statewide administration of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination for girls aged 9-14 years to protect them against cervical cancer.

She urged parents to ensure that their female children get vaccinated describing the vaccination as free, safe and effective. 

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, appreciated government various efforts at enhancing the right of the children in the state through quality education and skills development.

She urged parents, guardians and all stakeholders to instill right values in children and protect them from all forms of abuse, exploitation and violence.

In their goodwill messages, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye; wife of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Olori Bosede Adejugbe and Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye represented by the lawmaker representing Oye Constituency 1, Hon. Temitope Longe celebrated with the children.

They urged the children to be good ambassadors of their families, face their studies, behave well and shun all violence tendencies for them to become great in the future and be useful to the society.

The ceremony also featured goodwill messages march past, cultural dance and presentation of gifts.

EKSG Incorporates Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Nigeria Limited.

EKSG Incorporates Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Nigeria Limited.

Ekiti State Government has incorporated Ile Iyi Electric Power Company Nig. Limited to provide and handle electricity and energy engineering services within Ekiti State. 

The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko revealed this during this week's Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today radio program.

Some of the objects of the company include the provision of consultancy, the design of electricity infrastructure from both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and the provision of technical support services in the electricity sector as a commercial service. The company also aims to render its electricity provision services to both public and private sectors, individuals, and other state governments in Nigeria. 

The Commissioner explained that the company will collaborate with other organisations involved in generating, transmitting and distributing electricity, as well as power metering technology and sales within Ekiti State while offering the state government strategic support and expert consultancy services on matters concerning the electricity sector.

Prof Aluko reiterated the BAO administration’s commitment to improving power infrastructure due to the role that electric power plays as a catalyst to improving other sectors. For instance, the focus on improving power supply will solve the problem of  inconsistent potable water supply in the state. 

As evidence of this enduring commitment, he recalled some achievements of the BAO administration in the electricity sector including the 5 megawatts Independent Power Project supplying electricity to government offices and other critical government installations in the state capital; the reconnection of Erijiyan, Ikogosi and Ikogosi to the national grid. 

Other achievements of the administration include the rehabilitation and connection of Ipole lloro-Ekiti back to the National Grid, rehabilitation and reconnection of ljan, Ilumoba, Aisegba, Agbado, Imesi, Ode, Isinbode, Egbe, Iro-Ayeteju and Omuo in Ayekire and Ekiti East LGAs and their LCDAs back to the National Grid as well as the extension of 33KV network from 132KV Omisanjana transmission substation to Baptist High School and the connection of Ilawe Dedicated 33KV feeder line with Erijiyan-Ekiti.

The administration has also commenced the extension of electricity from Eruku, Kwara State to the agricultural zone in lyemero as well as the extending  the power supply from Omuo-Ekiti to Eda-Ile, Ikun Oba, Araromi and Ilasa Ekiti alongside  other ongoing initiatives such as the extension of a dedicated 33kv feeder line from Omisanjana through Ilawe to Igbara Odo. 

#BAOGovernance #SharedProsperity #KeepingEkitiWorking

Hon. Sherifat Ogunsakin Hosts BAO Muslim Women Group, Distributes Food Items.

Hon. Sherifat Ogunsakin Hosts BAO Muslim Women Group, Distributes Food Items. 

Yesterday, Sunday, 25th May 2024; The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Faith Based Organization, Hon Sherifat Ogunsakin invited His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), Muslims Women Group and host them by providing foods, drinks, and food gifts item to them inside the government house Mosque.

 Hon Sherifat Ogunsakin who is passionate in cushioning effect of economic challenges on the people, in order to compliment the effort of Governor Oyebanji.

 One of the beneficiaries of the goodies says "Hon Sherifat Ogunsakin handwriting towards His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) women muslims group is remarkable and historic which will continue to deepen popularity of Governor Oyebanji in Ekiti State and beyond"

Hon. Sherifat Ogunsakin urges well to do people in our society, to continue extending hand of fellowship to the people as government cannot do it alone.

Oyebanji's 2026 Reelection Bid a Done Deal, Says Rep. Bamisile.

Oyebanji's 2026 Reelection Bid a Done Deal, Says Rep. Bamisile.

An outspoken member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Bamisile, has predicted that that the 2026 reelection bid of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, is already secured and guaranteed, assuring that all stakeholders will work assiduously to retain the governor on his plum seat.

The Chairman House Committee on Delegated Legislation, saluted Oyebanji for truly promoting homogeneity among Ekiti citizens, saying this reflected in his frictionless fraternities with opposition leaders; like former Governors Segun Oni and Ayodele Fayose, in contrast to the past trends of politics of hatred and venom.

At the federal pedestal, the All Progressives Congress chieftain, described the one year of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as though challenging, but rewarding, disagreeing with those having the widespread impression that the current APC-led federal government was a failure.

Bamisile, who is representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, spoke on Saturday, while appearing on a programme on NewsCruise FM 92.7 based in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Justifying his prediction that Governor Oyebanji’s reelection is having a good prognosis, the former Chairman House Committee on FERMA stated that all the current APC elected and appointed officials won’t challenge the governor’s reelection on the strength of his superlative performance.

Debunking the claim that the proponents of Ekiti South Agenda, which represents a vociferous platform for the agitation for the governorship slot, had abandoned the advocacy, Bamisile described such thought as misdirected, saying allowing Oyebanji to spend eight years will stabilise the politics and bring democracy dividends to Ekiti .

“Let me appeal to our angry youths, who constitute about 70% of our electorate and APC members to be wary of their actions. Governor Biodun Oyebanji is the first Governor to truly promote the homogeneity and unity among Ekiti. He has been able to show that we are all one and that is the kind of leader we want.

“I am not saying that he is a saint, but he has done creditably well. He has shown that he is looking for the good of Ekiti. Those in the opposition should forget about 2026, it is already a done deal for him. Mark me, none of us elected and appointed officials in APC will contest against him in the primary, except strangers who wants to merely test the waters.

“This is the first time Ekiti will have stability in government with Governor Oyebanji taking the baton of leadership from Dr Kayode Fayemi. It was stability in Lagos that made Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu President of our dear nation.

“Lagos state from Governors Babatunde Fashola, Akunwumi Ambode and the incumbent Babajide Sanwoolu has enjoyed good governance. That singular thing made him President. Left to former President Muhammadu Buhari, he won’t have got it . They wanted former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“So, our people in Ekiti must see the good in continuity. Peace and unity are sinequanon to development and Governor Oyebanji has been promoting that. Let us all support him. He can’t do everything, but to the best of My knowledge, he has done well and deserves our support”.

On the deafening demands for governorship by the people of his senatorial district in Ekiti South, Bamisile stated that such advocacy won’t be realised by coercion or subversion of a good system that Governor Oyebanji represents, exuding confidence that the zone will get it at God’s appointed time.

Bamisile assured the state workers and pensioners that Oyebanji won’t dash their hopes on the implementation of the proposed minimum wage, assuring that “the governor has shown readiness to give living wage to all Ekiti workers”.

Interestingly, the popular politician revealed that Governor Oyebanji in partnership with stakeholders like Chief Afe Babalola(SAN) are putting plans on a full throttle to ensure that the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport begins full-fledged operations by August 2024.

Harping on the fact that President Tinubu has been listening to Nigerians, Bamisile stated that the fact that the number one citizen reversed the implementation of the new electricity tariff and cybersecurity security tax portrayed him as a sensitive leader.

He dropped a hint that the President being well disposed to good performance may hammer some of the Ministers on or before May 29 based on Performance Oath they signed while assuming their respective offices

“The president was of the firm belief that increment in electricity tariff and the one that affected the cybersecurity should be paid by the rich and companies, but not the poor. That was why he reversed them. He has a way of connecting to the people. As I speak with you, all the Ministers are being rated, but I won’t want to predict Mr President before May 29. Let us await his action”, he stated.

While backing the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Tinubu, Bamisile vehemently opposed the dismantling of the modular refineries by the joint task force operating in the Niger Delta Region, saying the FG ought to have found a way to invest in them to increase local production of fuel to check the ballooning fuel price increase.

Bamisile appealed to the federal government to hearken to the voices of the people on systematic border reopening to force down the spiraling increase in the prices of food commodities and solve herders-farmers clashes to boost local production of food.

As a way of setting Nigeria on a faster pace of socioeconomic and political renaissance that can engender peace, unity and development, Bamisile suggested the convocation of “Truth and Reconciliation Committee”, to trash some salient past issues that were widening the gulf of inter ethnic acrimony and fault lines in the country’s political system.

“We shouldn’t be scratching some of our problems on the surface, the killings during the 1966 coup didn’t make the North to trust the Southeast till today. What you heard of is the Northwest and Southwest alignment. It is not supposed to be so. This Committee will help in trashing this mutual suspicion, so that we can be truly one. Unity is very essential for the survival of our nation”, he said.

Akol Condoles with Prince Dotun Babayemi and Hon. Abiodun Awolola over Loss of Mothers.

Akol Condoles with Prince Dotun Babayemi and Hon. Abiodun Awolola over Loss of Mothers.

Dr. Siji Olamiju, popularly known as Akol, has expressed his condolences to Prince Dotun Babayemi and Hon. Abiodun Awolola, following the loss of their mothers, Mrs. Deborah Oladejo Awolola and Olori Florence Ajoke Waleade Babayemi. Dr. Olamiju, the former Special Adviser on Public Health to Governor Oyetola, remarked on the profound sorrow felt by the families, emphasizing that the matriarchs' transition to eternal rest came at a time when their guidance and prayers were deeply needed.

In his heartfelt condolence message, Akol extended his sympathies to Hon. Awolola, a notable figure in Osun State who has served in various capacities, including as a member of the Osun State House of Assembly and as Chairman of the Osun State Assembly Service Commission. Dr. Olamiju highlighted Hon. Awolola's loyalty and dedication to the progressive cause, noting the fulfillment and joy derived from the life lived by Mrs. Deborah Oladejo Awolola.

Addressing the family of Prince Dotun Babayemi, a former PDP governorship aspirant who recently returned to the APC, Dr. Olamiju spoke of the legacy left by Olori Florence Ajoke Waleade Babayemi. He encouraged the family to emulate her righteous life and uphold her ideals.

Dr. Olamiju concluded his message with prayers for the bereaved families, saying, "May the souls of their loved ones rest in perfect peace."