Igede Ekiti community endorses Oyebanji for second term.

Igede Ekiti community endorses Oyebanji for second term.

…..As Governor commissions Guest House built by Onigede for Baptist Church.

Residents of Igede Ekiti community on Tuesday endorsed Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office just as the community promised to take a consensus position ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state. 

The endorsement was made at the palace of Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru during a visit by the Governor on his way to commission a guest house built by the monarch for the Baptist Church in the town. 

The endorsement was witnessed by the Onigede- in-council, members of Drivers’ union, Okada Riders Association, market women leaders, officials of the town union and other residents of the town. 

Speaking on behalf of the community, the President General of Igede Progressives Association (IPA), Mr. Austin Ibikunle hailed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for bringing development to Igede-Ekiti and appointing their sons and daughters into various positions.

Ibikunle also highlighted various developmental strides of the Governor, including road and power infrastructure upgrade, welfare of citizens, security and creation of economic opportunities for the people of the state. 

The IPA President said owing to Governor Oyebanji’s unique governance, he deserved to be supported for a second term in office. A decision was then reached on the endorsement of the Governor for a second term and was unanimous done through a voice vote. 

Speaking at the palace and during the commissioning of the facility, Governor Oyebanji extolled the sterling qualities of Oba Aladesuru,  who is the longest reigning king in Nigeria. 

He said he was drawn to the monarch because of his closeness to God. 

The Governor also stressed the need for all Ekiti indigenes wherever they are to work together in order to attract development to the state . He added that his relationship with former governors and members of National Assembly has immensely helped in attracting some development programmes and projects to the state. 

He urged the people to ensure that only those who can truly represent them and attract development programmes capable of lifting the state are voted as representatives in Government. 

“When there is cooperation between the Governor and other players in government, the benefit will be to the people, and if there is any form of confrontation or unhealthy rivalry, the people will feel the pain. Because of the cooperation between my  government and our representatives in the National Assembly, we have been able to attract development to the state. All of  them are working relentlessly for us in Abuja, so, when you see me, you have seen them.

“The wisdom in all these is that when we want to elect representatives in future, let us elect only those who can represent us well, who love our community. All our representatives from Ekiti are cooperating and working together to attract development to the state. I appeal to our people, let us work together, we must not be confrontational with ourselves on any issue whatsoever,” the Governor said. 

Commissioning the Guest House project, Governor Oyebanji commended the traditional ruler for his decision to sow to the work of God by building the facility for the Baptist Church . 

“When Kabiyesi was celebrating his 90th birthday last year, he promised to carry out this project for the church. I marveled at his decision and there and then, I made up my mind that I will sow to the project. In doing that, I sow into longevity, kabiyesi is a fertile ground to sow into because the best life is the life of service”. 

In his remarks, the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru commended Governor Oyebanji for his developmental strides in the community and called on all elected political office holders from the town to cooperate with the Governor to achieve more development in the town as well as work as a team towards the growth of Igede-Ekiti.

Also present at the event, were the Chairmen, Irepodun Ifelodun local government, Mr Oluwatuyi Gbenga; Ifedara LCDA, Mr Lawrence Ogunsanya and Araromi LCDA, Mr Adewale Alade and church leaders and members of Araromi Baptist Church.

NACOMYO Presents Oyebanji Governor of the Year Award.

NACOMYO Presents Oyebanji Governor of the Year Award.

…Islamic Body hails Governor’s unique leadership style.

…. Honours Ex- Gov Aregbesola, Senator Ojudu.

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), Ekiti State Chapter on Sunday presented Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji the Governor of he Year Award in recognition of his development strides in the state in the last one and a half years in office. 

The Islamic body described the body as an embodiment of many virtues of a true believer in Government, adding that the award was to demonstrate to the Governor that his actions and policies have direct impact on the people of the state. 

The award was one of the highlights of NACOMYO’s 2024 Hijirah Lecture and second edition of the Hon Ibrahim Kunle Olanrewaju Empowerment Programme held at the Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Ekiti. 

Aside Governor Oyebanji, a former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and former Nationak Assembly member, Senator Babafemi Ojudu as well as Bartuster Tajudeen Oluyole Ahmed were also presented different awards. 

Presenting the award to Governor Oyebanji, the President General. League of Imams and Alfas, Southwest, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, who is the Spiritual father of the day, said the Governor is outstanding in the unique was he prioritizes the wellbeing and welfare of the citizens, the way he carries everybody along and in the area of infrastructure development. 

He said the Governor has brought joy to the people and has succeeded in united every tendencies in the state. “The award is to tell our Governor that his good works did not go unnoticed. May God continue to strengthen and guide him.”, he said. 

Other speakers at the event including Alajaji Mudasitu Oladele Yusuf, NACOMYO Coordinator in Ekiti State lauded Governor Oyebanji for his transparency, accountability and inclusivity, which they said have accounted for the growing profile of the state under his watch. 

Governor Oyebanji who thanked the Islamic body for the award, said he was humbled by the fact that the efforts of his administration is having the desired impact on the lives of the people of the state. 

The Governor said the award, coming from a body of eminent Islamic scholars and leaders meant a lot to him and would only spur him to do more using the six development pillars of the administration to drive growth and development as well as creating economic opportunities for the people. This he said is in addition to making Ekiti State the number one destination of choice for people looking for where to live, work, invest and relax. 

The Governor said the massive investment in infrastructure development, security,  agriculture and job creation are geared towards making the state number one destination of choice. 

“God will help us to continue to take decisions that will bring prosperity for all the citizens and make our dear state the number one destination of choice for people looking for a place to live, invest, relax and work. With your support and God’s backing, we shall achieve all our goals and more”, the Governor said . 

Senator Ojudu who was also presented an award of Distinguished Service to Islam award appreciate the body for the honour done to him, the Governor and other awardees. 

Other highlights of the day include lecture, empowerment progranme and special prayer for the Governor, whom the NACOMYO coordinator described and “Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji Saheed Akorede”.

BATSV Chairman, Owotomobi, Congratulates Sen. Adeyeye and Dr. Dantosho on NPA Appointments.

BATSV Chairman, Owotomobi, Congratulates Sen. Adeyeye and Dr. Dantosho on NPA Appointments.

The Global Chairman of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard (BATSV), Ambassador Dr. Dare Owotomobi, has extended his congratulations to Senator Adedayo Adeyeye and Dr. Abubakar Dantosho on their recent appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Senator Adeyeye has been appointed as the Board Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), while Dr. Dantosho will serve as the Managing Director of the NPA.

Sen. Dayo Adeyeye
Board Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Jimmy Nanyak Lar, Ambassador Owotomobi lauded the appointments, highlighting the extensive experience both individuals bring to their new roles. He expressed confidence that their expertise will significantly contribute to the transformation and advancement of the NPA.

Dr. Abubakar Dantosho Managing Director of the NPA

Senator Adeyeye, who previously led the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) during the 2023 election campaigns, has an impressive track record, including his tenure as Minister of State for Works and Housing and as a representative of Ekiti South in the Senate. Dr. Dantosho, on the other hand, served as a Technical Assistant to the Managing Director of the NPA, equipping him with valuable insights into the organization's operations.

Ambassador Owotomobi believes that with their combined experience and dedication, Senator Adeyeye and Dr. Dantosho are well-positioned to drive the Nigerian Ports Authority towards greater efficiency and success.

Oyebanji orders integrity test on Ekiti NYSC camp buildings.

Oyebanji orders integrity test on Ekiti NYSC camp buildings.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has directed the State’s Bureau of Special Projects to conduct an integrity test on all buildings in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp at Emure- Ekiti in order to determine how safe they are for the corps members.

 

Governor Oyebanji gave the directive in Ado Ekiti on Monday during a meeting with the members of the Governing Council of the NYSC led by the Chairman, Mr Gold Adedayo, who is also the Commissioner for Youth Development. He said the outcome of the integrity test will guide government’s further actions on the camp facilities in a bid to improve the overall living conditions within the camp.

The Governor explained that the integrity test would involve a thorough inspection of the camp's structures to assess their durability and safety standard.

Meanwhile, construction work commenced Monday morning on the new toilet facilities within the camp following the Governor’s directive after last week’s incident at the camp.

Governor Oyebanji, who was briefed on the commencement of the construction of the 45 units of toilet and bathrooms in the camp at the meeting, also directed the state electricity board to provide solar- powered electricity at the camp.

While highlighting the need for an urgent improvement in the infrastructure of the NYSC camp, the Governor assured the corps members of his administration’s continued support and recognition for their efforts.

 

“My response to your request, there are some that we will do immediately, the issue of solar light I will ask the people in charge of electricity to go there and see how we can put solar light, that will be done immediately. 

“The first thing we have to do is to conduct an integrity test on all the buildings in that camp, we need to do that, those that are not fit for the purpose, we have to stop using them.”, the Governor added.

Earlier in his remark, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Alhaji Riko Shuaibu, while thanking the Governor for his commitment to the safety and welfare of the youth corps and for the approval for the construction of 45 units of modern toilet and bathroom, said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the Governor with the challenges of the NYSC camp and solicit the state government's intervention.

Also at the meeting were, Commissioner for Education, Dr Kofoworola Aderiye, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Tayo Adeola, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Boluwade Ebenezer, Special Adviser Bureau of Special Project, Arch. Temitope Ogunleye, Special Adviser on media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Micheal Omolayo, and members of the NYSC Governing Council, among others.

Give Your Best Professional Skill to Uplift Ekiti, Afuye Tells New HoS.

Give Your Best Professional Skill to Uplift Ekiti, Afuye Tells New HoS.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has charged the New Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, to offer the best surfeit of intellectual and professional contributions that would lift the state higher in all sectors of the economy.

Mrs Afuye emphasized that Governor Biodun Oyebanji applied the best judgement by appointing Dr Olomojobi into that coveted position based on her stellar and superlative track records, urging her to justify the confidence reposed in her knack and expertise.

The Deputy Governor said these on Monday, while receiving Dr Olomojobi, who paid a courtesy visit to her office, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje. 

The Deputy Governor urged the HoS, a renowned Medical Practitioner, to stabilise the civil service by mobilising the workers to key into the shared prosperity mantra of the Governor Oyebanji-led government. 

She stated that the State can only break grounds and achieve the target of its policy thrust, if workers exhibit support for Oyebanji's government in the execution of its policies and programmes. 

Mrs Afuye, who praised the immediate past Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe for stabilising the civil service, said Dr. Olomojobi must keep the tempo of peace and support that were left by her predecessor for the focus of making Ekiti epicentre of development realisable. 

"You all know women are resource- oriented people. Whatever position we hold, we see excellence as our target. I expect you to give 100% performance that will justify your appointment. Though you have been demonstrating this within this short time you came on board.

"Governor Oyebanji is committed to making Ekiti great, and he needs the civil servants as partners in the implementation of the six pillars of his administration.

"The former Hos left behind a peaceful and stable civil service. I want you to sustain this tempo by way of strong support for my boss and governor of our dear state. I wish you a peaceful and successful tenure".

To make her tenure as HoS rewarding and successful, Mrs Afuye, appealed to the Permanent Secretaries and other high profile government officials to galvanise support for Dr Olomojobi, for the task of ridding the service of the vestiges of corruption and redundancy under her headship achievable. 

In her submission, Dr. Olomojobi, expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for the appointment, promising to rev up the pedal and deliver in consonance with the strides of government to make Ekiti a land of abundance. 

Dr Olomojobi saluted the Deputy Governor for her loyalty and unflinching belief in open door policy, which manifested by way of seamless relationships with workers, saying these traits had helped in adding values and panache to governance.

 "The governor has a focus and target, which is to deliver democracy dividends to the people and the workers are ready to partner him for the actualisation of the shared prosperity agenda of the current leadership. 

"Let me restate that we are committed to this cause as the engine room of the civil service. We know we have huge roles to play in making the realization of the policies of this government bear fruits and we shall work hard to achieve this", she promised. 

The HoS was escorted to the Deputy Governor's Office by some Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other government's officials.

Obey Supreme Court Verdict on Local Government Autonomy, As Omoluabi Group Advise Southwest Governors.

Obey Supreme Court Verdict on Local Government Autonomy, As Omoluabi Group Advise Southwest Governors.

Southwest governors under the umbrella of the Southwest Governors Forum have been advised by Omoluabi Team Alliance Socio-cultural and Political Group to give a positive body language to the recent verdict and pronouncement of the full autonomy of the local government henceforth. The group having earlier commended the supreme court and the giant steps taken by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu - led Federal Government in this matter, the group advanced the course by appealing to all southwest governors to welcome such development immediately and begin to think of how to implement same. 

Local government is a third tier of government that have been rendered impotent for several years under a democratic system of government that started in 1999. The moribund structures, long term abandonment and financial handicapping of the closest government to the people in almost all the 36 states of the federation was an attempt to put the third tier of government into permanent extinction.

As a group whose principles and ideologies conforms with the people ' s welfare, we however deem it fit to caution and advise that our own brothers who are governors in the six southwest states must comply with the verdict of the nation' s apex court. The National Convener Omoluabi Dr. Jayeola Afolabi through the media team of the group issued a statement to express his sincere advice to governors of Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states to give this autonomy all the support it deserves and also cooperate with the President and Commander -In- Chief of the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by giving him all the support his good intentions on restructuring deserves.

 No sitting governor in the southwest must do anything contrary to the apex court pronouncement. Remember the local government is an independent tier of government, it is the closest to the people and the people can easily participate in grassroot governance within their domains to have a sense of belonging in the runnings of government.

Omoluabi Group also known as Egbe Omoluabi join voices with the Afenifere Group to support the call for the country's restructuring to promote equity, justice and fairness among all ethnic groups which we represent.

We also appeal to our people in the southwest to patiently wait for the administrative processes that will give room for the smooth implementation of this recent development. Power will indeed return to the masses, the rural dwellers and the grassroot when LGAs' autonomy is implemented fully .

Think Omoluabi !

Act Omoluabi !!

E- Signed:

Akinwumi Olamide.

Director of Media and Publicity.

 15/7/2024

Supreme Court's Verdict on Local Government Autonomy: A Triumph for Democracy, Says BATSV Chairman.

Supreme Court's Verdict on Local Government Autonomy: A Triumph for Democracy, Says BATSV Chairman.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld the autonomy of local governments, a decision that has been met with widespread acclaim. Ambassador Dr. Dare Owotomobi, Global Chairman of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard (BATSV) for Nigeria and the Diaspora, has expressed his profound satisfaction with the judgement.

Dr. Owotomobi praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the independence of the local government system. He described the verdict as a significant step forward for Nigeria's nascent democracy.

"This judgement is not about winners or losers; it is about fortifying our democratic structures and returning power to the people," Dr. Owotomobi said. He urged state governors to view the Supreme Court's decision as a pivotal moment for democracy rather than a setback.

Dr. Owotomobi's stance aligns with his recent appeal to state governors to conduct elections for local government councils instead of appointing transition committees. "This ruling vindicates our call for a true democratic experience at the local government level," he noted.

Two weeks prior, Dr. Owotomobi had emphasized the importance of allowing democracy to permeate all levels of government. His advocacy for elected local government councils has been validated by the Supreme Court's decision, which he believes will empower the masses and strengthen democratic governance.

Jimmy Nanyak Lar, Special Assistant for Media to the BATSV Global Chairman, echoed Dr. Owotomobi's sentiments, highlighting the importance of this ruling in promoting good governance and accountability at the grassroots level.

This landmark decision by the Supreme Court is expected to have far-reaching implications for local governance in Nigeria, ensuring that local governments can operate independently and effectively serve their communities.