Ekiti Deputy Gov Lauds BOUESTI Stunning Successes in Academics, Research.

Ekiti Deputy Gov Lauds BOUESTI Stunning Successes in Academics, Research.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has lauded the management of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI), for its commitment to research and scholarship, to propel the institution’s ranking on webometric scale.

The Deputy Governor, said the focus of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was to make BOUESTI a world class institution, calling on the management, the host community and the students’ population to coalesce efforts with him to actualise the dream.

Essentially, Mrs Afuye stressed that the foregoing could only be achieved with prudent management of resources, stable academic calendar and churning out of graduates that are competent and outstanding, both in character and learning.

The Deputy Governor, in a statement by her Special Assistant(Media), Victor Ogunje, gave the commendation, on Thursday, while being decorated with an award of ‘Friend of the Researchers’, by BOUESTI’s management, at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

Saluting the management for their focus and dedication, Mrs Afuye, said Governor Oyebanji, had in his firm resolve to actualise the dream of making BOUESTI earn global respect increased its monthly subvention to spur good academic and research rating.

Specifically, she stated that the reason behind the increase was to bring radical improvement to workers’ welfare, boost research exploration and enhance infrastructural facelift.

“Let me commend the leadership of BOUESTI for what they have been doing in terms of producing graduates that can make Ekiti proud in line with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s dream.

“Within this short time the school was upgraded to a university status, the management team has done wonderfully well. They have not only impacted positively on the state, they are also making good impacts on the host community.

“The whole essence of having a university is to produce quality graduates and for expansion of research scope, so that we can make scientific headways. I want the leadership not to derail from this focus.

“I appreciate this award and I think it will further propel me to make further meaningful sacrifices to develop this institution, because it is our pride”.

Presenting the award, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Victor Adeoluwa, saluted the Deputy Governor, for her personal contributions to the university, and for backing Governor Oyebanji to execute the roadmap geared towards developing the institution.

Adeoluwa, represented by the institution’s Director, Centre for Research and Development , Dr. Bankoke Faloye, said the award conferment was in appreciation of the past and present contributions of the Deputy Governor to the institution.

The VC pledged that he would galvanise the intellectual and professional knacks of his team to realise the dream of making the institution deliver on its mandate of promoting scholarship and research.

“This award was to appreciate Her Excellency for her past and present contributions dated back to about 30 years. She is like a mother to the institution.

“Mrs Afuye has done much for us financially, physically and spiritually. We are here to appreciate her on behalf of our Vice Chancellor for her great exploits in making BOUESTI an institution we can all be proud of as Ekiti citizens”, he said.

EKSG Resolves Epe Land Dispute, Urges Citizens to Protect Customs, Tradition.

EKSG Resolves Epe Land Dispute, Urges Citizens to Protect Customs, Tradition.

The Ekiti State Government, has resolved the festering land dispute between the Elepe of Epe Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area, Oba Ayodele Adesoye and Atolagbe Family, warning against brazen distortion of customs and tradition by the citizens hiding under the facade of modernisation.

By this resolution, the State government ordered all the three Ruling Houses in the community to release to Oba Adesoye, resource like Palm Trees at “Oko Oba Farmland” to administer, in consonance with the tradition and customs of the town.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the order in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while resolving the land tussle between the royal father and Atolagbe Family, through a statement signed by her Special Assistant( Media), Victor Ogunje.

Based on the contention of Oba Adesoye that the age long tradition accorded him unfettered latitude to be custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, Mrs Afuye, said the monarch should be given such right since there were enough evidence to substantiate the fact that such practice existed.

The Deputy Governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other Princes and Princesses from all the three Ruling Houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.

Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.

In his response, Oba Adesoye, appreciated the government’s directive and promised to work hard to initiate peace building process to unite the throne with the subjects for accelerated development of Epe community.

Speaking on behalf of the Atolagbe family, Dr Yemi Agbeleoba, said the royal family was not opposed to the idea of surrendering Oko Oba land to the monarch, but insisted that all the three Ruling Houses must comply for such arrangement to be effective and conform to the age long practice.

Dr Agbekeoba thanked the government for the directive, saying it will help in resolving the lingering crisis.

Ekiti State Government Delighted with Return of Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup.

Ekiti State Government Delighted with Return of Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup.

….Lauds the Oyebode’s investment in grassroots football.

The Ekiti State Government has expressed its wholesome delight and total support for the 2024 edition of the sports talent discovery initiative, the Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup for boys and girls.

At a media parley held in Ado Ekiti, the Technical Advisor to the Ekiti State Governor on sports Development, Dr. Mrs. Olusola Osetoba, revealed that the state government under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is fully behind the project and is ready to provide the necessary support to ensure its success. 

The Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup has a strong reputation for unearthing young talents in Ekiti State and Dr. Osetoba noted that this keys into the Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s youth development and job creation developmental agenda for Ekiti and the government is confident its return will again provide a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills and potentially launch their careers.

Dr. Osetoba further praised Hon. Akintunde Oyebode for his contributions to sports development in the state, urging others to emulate his example.

"I'm happy to see this type of competition return to our state. The competition will keep our youths engaged and busy, and we are happy that it will reach all localities in Ekiti State. We want to encourage others to follow Akin Oyebode's lead and support sports development in Ekiti State," she said.

In addition, she said this a great opportunity for Ekiti United FC and Ekiti Queens FC to scout for young talents and bring them into their folds.

Dr Osetoba also praised Bayo Olanlege, the former FA Chairman and an important football stakeholder in the state, for his contributions to the development of football in Ekiti State. 

 "During Bayo Olanlege's time, competitions like this were the reason our stadiums were always busy. We are grateful for his legacy and commitment to sports development." She stated.

Oyebanji lauds TETFUND for infrastructural projects in Ekiti institutions.

Oyebanji lauds TETFUND for infrastructural projects in Ekiti institutions.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for its interventions in providing succour to Ekiti State-owned tertiary institutions in the area of infrastructure.

The governor, represented by the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, during the oversight visit of the House of Representatives Committee on TETFUND and other services to the state.

Oyebanji said that TETFUND’s intervention was evident in many infrastructural projects in the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti; Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti and Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan Ekiti.

He said, “TETFUND has recorded positive impacts which have brought succour to tertiary education not only in terms of infrastructural development but also in the area of human capital development as well as funding of institution-based research”.

Oyebanji, who said that education was the priority of Ekiti State, said, “All bottlenecks militating against the utilization of funds from TETFUND across the institutions will be removed”.

The governor said that the state government would explore every available resource and avenue to utilize the opportunity that TETFUND had to offer to emplace 21st-century academic institutions in the state.

He said that it was on the strength of infrastructural development as entrenched in the six pillars of his administration that the government considered the need for further increase in the monthly subvention to the institutions.

The House Committee Chairman, Princess Miriam Onuona, said the committee was in the state to monitor and to ensure judicious and proper utilization of funds allocated for various development projects in tertiary institutions.

Onuona, called on the institutions to avail themselves of the opportunity of the visit to address any area of impediment or bottleneck to assessing the funds allocated to them to build infrastructure and learning in the institutions, adding that such funds if not assessed on time could lose value due to inflationary trend.

The lawmaker said that the three Ekiti State institutions, during the period under review, year 2021 to part of year 2024, still had some unassessed funds as she advised them to consult the team of consultants that the House Committee had put together to immediately diagnose impediments that made it difficult to assess the funds.

Onuona said that the committee was collaborating with the executive to ease whatever challenges including amendment of any law, if need be, that could serve as an impediment to assessing the funds allocated for the institutions.

Oyebanji Views Legislature as Strong Ally, Not Inferior Partner, Says Ekiti Deputy Gov.

Oyebanji Views Legislature as Strong Ally, Not Inferior Partner, Says Ekiti Deputy Gov.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has assured the members of the State House of Assembly that Governor Biodun Oyebanji will continually respect the sanctity of the Separation of Powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

Mrs Afuye stated that the Governor as a thorough-bred democrat, would sustain the frictionless relationships existing between the Executive and Legislative Arms, for the task of making Ekiti a microcosm of development realisable.

The Ekiti’s number two citizen, gave the assurance, on Wednesday, while receiving members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Governor and Deputy Governor’s Office, led by its Chairman, Hon. Bosede Olowookere, who paid a working visit to her office in Ado Ekiti, the State capital.

Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant (Media), Victor Ogunje, saluted the legislators for establishing a water-forced partnership with Governor Oyebanji to ramp up the level of development in the State.

She pledged that the current government will always perceive the legislature as democratic ally, and not as inferior partner, appreciating the lawmakers for their solid backings for Governor Oyebanji in the realisation of the six-point agenda of his administration .

“On behalf of Mr Governor, I need to appreciate you for your support. The Seventh Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has been outstanding in many respects.

“I specially appreciate the Speaker for coordinating you well. I am happy that since you came on board over a year ago, there wasn’t any case of infighting, or any reason for Mr Governor calling you to settle any rift. In fact, this is commendable.

“I am indeed impressed with the way you organised collective empowerment for our citizens to mark your first year in office. After that, some of you still went to your various constituencies to do another empowerment for our people.

“Please, I am pleading that some of you who have not been reaching out to the people in the area of empowerment should go and do so, no matter how little, our people will appreciate this. We thank you for being there for us always”.

In her submission, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Olowookere, applauded the Deputy Governor for her uncommon loyalty to the governor, saying this has helped to smoothen governance and usher in steady progress in the polity.

Describing Mrs Afuye as a symbol of humility, Olowookere, said she was impressed with the way the number two citizen conducted the recent sensitisation programme, leading to the unveiling of the N1 billion EKSG-Access bank soft loan to some major markets to sensitize businesswomen.

Speaking about the working visit to the Office, the Lawmaker, representing Efon Constituency, revealed that the mission offers a veritable leeway to interact with the top government’s functionaries as part of their oversight functions.

“This working visit was part of our oversight functions as a committed to ensure that we have good governance at every level of government.

“However, we have been following your contributions to the development of this state, you are really an asset to Ekiti. We are always proud of you, particularly with the way you have been supporting the Governor. You are really a unique personality”.

Other Assembly members present were: The lawmaker representing Ijero Constituency And Committee Vice Chairman, Hon. Ademola Ojo, and the lawmaker representing Ikere Constituency II, Hon. Tunde Idowu.

Ekiti RAAMP Awards ₦17 Billion Rural Road Contracts to Seven Construction Companies, to Spur Agriculture boom.

Ekiti RAAMP Awards ₦17 Billion Rural Road Contracts to Seven Construction Companies, to Spur Agriculture boom.

The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has awarded contracts worth ₦17.2 billion to seven contractors for the rehabilitation of 13 rural roads, as part of the move to enhance the state’s agricultural infrastructure and solidify its position as the food basket of the South West.

The awarded roads, divided into seven lots, include Enu Odi-Igirigiri Road, Omisanjana-Ben Folarin-Oke Aso Road, Ise-Imola Road, Owode-Anaye Road, Afolu-Odofin Road, Oye-Are Road, Ilupeju-Igbo Egan Road, Iye-Isapa-Olopemeji-Ikun Road, Erinmope-Irare-Ikosu Road, Igbole-Egan-Osi-Iropora Road, FMS Farm-Oke Ako Road, Ikogosi-Aba-Ori Okuta-Ikogosi Road, and Ara-Ekameta School Road.

The successful contractors are Dominant Engineering (Lot 1), Hallekem Limited (Lot 2), Millenium Technical Nigeria Limited (Lot 3), Tundis Nigeria Limited (Lot 4), Jadfem Nigeria Limited (Lot 5), HMF Construction Limited (Lot 6), and Heriprom Engineering Limited.

During the contract signing ceremony held at the Governor’s office conference hall in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, State Project Coordinator Mr. Sunday Adunmo described the initiative as a significant milestone, with the projects expected to be completed within 18 months. Adunmo who urged the contractors to ensure high-quality work, noted that substandard performance would not be tolerated and could result in contract termination.

The RAAMP coordinator who also stressed the importance of local employment, instructed the contractors to hire local workers to boost rural livelihoods as contained in the local content policy and laws of the state. “This event marks the culmination of a transparent process that began earlier this year with advertisements for bids in national dailies. Out of 93 bids received, seven were selected based on merit,” he said.

Commending Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the support and consistent provision of counterpart funding, Adunmo noted the Governor’s frequent visits to the World Bank’s Nigeria office to expedite the project.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, who reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector, outlined various initiatives aimed at ensuring that farmers receive fair value for their labor, thereby promoting food security in the state.

Other officials, including Secretary to the State Government Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, and Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Kolawole Ajobiewe, urged the contractors to adhere to the project timelines and quality standards.

Specifically, the State Commissioner for Information Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun highlighted Governor Oyebanji’s extensive investment in state development, noting that these new rural road projects complement over 25 state roads already undertaken by the current administration.

Olatunbosun emphasized the Governor’s commitment to making Ekiti State the agricultural hub of the Southwest, evidenced by recent multibillion-naira agreements with agricultural investors.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Independent Project Monitoring, Hon. Femi Ajayi, assured regular site visits to ensure adherence to project schedules and quality.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, the Managing Director of Tundis Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tunde Fagboyo, pledged to deliver top-notch work, ensuring the state government gets value for money.

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.