Oyebanji inaugurates first Ekiti innovation hub.

Oyebanji inaugurates first Ekiti innovation hub.

….says Ekiti to become beacon of innovation, technology advancement.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has restated the commitment of his administration to nurturing creativity, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing a conducive environment for the youths to thrive in the digital space so as make the state a beacon of innovation and technology advancement in the country. 

Governor Oyebanji, who stated this in Ado Ekiti on Monday while inaugurating the first innovation hub in the state, tagged “Ekiti Startup Garage”, said it is part of his administration’s vision to place the state at the forefront of digital transformation, economic development and prosperity.

Highlighting the importance of the startup garage as more than just a physical space, the Governor said it is a dynamic and comprehensive digital ecosystem where ideas will be born, nurtured, and transformed into impactful solutions that can address local and global challenges.

The Governor explained that the hub would also serve as a crucible for innovation, bringing together techpreneurs, researchers, developers, and investors to collaborate and create ground breaking solutions as well as serve as economic growth and job creation by providing access to state-of-the-state facilities, mentorship and funding opportunities.

While commending the Ministry of Innovation, technology and digital economy for their unwavering commitment and relentless efforts in bringing the project into fruition, the Governor assured the youths that his administration is determined to turn their innovative ideas, bubbing energy and drive into viable business that will stimulate the economy, attract investments, create jobs and enhance the overall prosperity of the state.

” Today, we celebrate not just the opening of a facility, but the realization of a vision- one that places Ekiti State at the forefront of digital transformation, economic development and prosperity. This Innovation Hub is a testament to our commitment to nurturing creativity, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing a conducive environment for our youth to thrive in the digital space.

” The Ekiti Startup Garage (ESG) is more than just a physical space. It is a dynamic and comprehensive digital ecosystem where ideas will be born, nurtured, and transformed into impactful solutions that address local and global challenges. This hub will serve as a crucible for innovation, bringing together techpreneurs, researchers, developers, and investors to collaborate and create groundbreaking solutions” the Governor said

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, Mr Seun Fakuade appreciated the Governor for his unwavering commitment to youth development and establishing the state as a major talent hub for innovation ecosystem

The Commissioner who disclosed the determination of the Governor to making Ekiti the innovative capital of the country, said the Governor has approved the first phase of Innovation Enterprise Support Fund to empower talented youths in the state to develop their ideas.

A major highlight of the inauguration ceremony was a display of innovative projects undertaken by some young scientists. Each of them took some minutes to explain the ideas behind their innovations to the Governor. 

Also at the event were, Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sport Development, Hon Idowu Odebunmi, Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi, members of the State Executive Council, among others.

AJONI LCDA Chairman, Prince Michael Ogunbemi, Provides Financial Support as Ajoni FC Captain Prepares for European Trial.

AJONI LCDA Chairman, Prince Michael Ogunbemi, Provides Financial Support as Ajoni FC Captain Prepares for European Trial.

The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. (Amb). Prince Michael Ogunbemi fcpa received the Team Captain of Ajoni Football Club, Sunday Michael Osasona in his office. Osasona's exceptional performance during the Ekiti State League tournament earned him an European trial invitation, recognizing his outstanding hard work, discipline, tactics, and skillful display.

As a striker for the team, Michael's impressive display on the field and exemplary conduct both on and off the pitch caught the attention of football agents who visited Ekiti State to scout for talented players from the grassroots. 

His consistency and moral excellence have led to an invitation from a football agent to trial with foreign-based clubs in 4 different countries which include Spain, Portugal, England and Germany where his skills can be assessed.

In a show of support, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, Chairman of Ajoni LCDA provided financial assistance to aid Michael's preparation for the European trial. 

This gesture demonstrates the Chairman led administrations unwavering commitment to empowering talented individuals and promoting sports development in the community which forms the basis of the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's led administration in the area of Youths and sport development. 

Team Captain of Ajoni Football Club, Sunday Michael Osasona.

The Chairman lauded the efforts of the State Governor for his giant strides and providing enabling environment for Youths to thrive, he berates Youths restiveness and charges the Youths to take a clue from Michael.

Accompanying Michael on the visit were his brother, Temitope and the scout coach, Mr. Komolafe Kunle Joseph. In the meeting are Ajoni management team which included the Vice Chairman, Prince Tunde Famoroti, Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Sola Alagbo, Director of Finance Elder Taiwo Igbalajobi and Head of Local Government Administration, Mr. Tunde Arowolaju among others.

WAEC Releases 2024 WASSCE Results.

WAEC Releases 2024 WASSCE Results.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has released the 2024 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for the May/June examination.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Organisation, Amos Dangut, who announced this on Monday, stated that results of 1,685,889 candidates, accounting for 93.9% were released.

Dangut added that although insecurity hampered the conduct of the exam in different areas of the country, 1,805, 216 candidates registered for the WASSCE.

“WAEC is releasing its results today as out of 1,805, 216 that entered for exam, 1,332, 089 candidates have credits in five subjects including any subjects with either Mathematics or English language and 1,301, 949 candidates got credits in five subjects including Mathematics and English language accounting for 72.9% of total candidates.

“This is a 7.6% decrease in examination performance compared to last year of 2023 WASSCE. Also 215, 267 results were withheld due to examination malpractice by the candidates. This accounts for 11.92% of the total number of candidates who wrote the examination,” Dangut said.

Ewi-in-Council Slashes Prices Of Goods In Ekiti.

Ewi-in-Council Slashes Prices Of Goods In Ekiti. 

The Ewi-in-Council, has cancelled various associations in markets and warned traders against inflating prices of goods.

The council gave the warning on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting with the leadership and some members of market women association.

The council noted with dismay the reports obtained from members of the public, confirming that most of traders hide under middle-men to inflate the prices of goods such as tomatoes, pepper, vegetable, palmoil, locust beans, meat, garri, among others by dictating prices to the farmers that brought them to the markets for sale.

Ewi-in-Council, who cancelled various association responsible for charging exorbitant prices for their goods ordered that vegetables should not be sold more than fifty naira, pepper, one hundred naira, garri, seven hundred niara while kilogram of meat should be reduced to four thousand five hundred naira.

Speaking during the meeting, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe noted that the step was taken to make life bearable for residents of the town while appealing to the leadership of traders in the market to effect the directive.

Oba Adejugbe said chiefs would continue to monitor the directives in market places to ensure strict implementation and sanction defaulters.

Oyebanji Names Prof. Ayodele New EKSU VC.

Oyebanji Names Prof. Ayodele New EKSU VC.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved the appointment of Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele as the new Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.

Ayodele, a Professor of Education Management, is until the appointment, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University.

Prof Ayodele’s  appointment as Vice Chancellor takes effect from August 20, 2024.

He takes over from Prof, Edward Olanipekun, whose tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University ends on August 19, 2024.

Prof Joseph Babatola Ayodele was born in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government  Area of Ekiti State on August 13, 1963. He attended Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti from 1974-1979. He later proceeded to the Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti for the Nigeria Certificate in Education between 1982 and 1985.

He obtained a First Class Bachelor of Education (B.ed) degree in Economics from the Ondo State University, (now Ekiti State University), Ado- Ekiti in 1992. He also bagged a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1997; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management from same University in 2000.

Prof Ayodele started his lecturing career as a Graduate Assistant at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti, in 1995 and rose through the ranks to the position of a Professor in 2012.

He had served the University in different capacities notably as Assistant Director, Affiliate Programmes, (2006-2008); Acting Head, Department of Educational Foundations and Management (2010- 2012); Dean, Faculty of Education (2018-2020); Director, Directorate of Continuing Education Programmes/Distance Learning (2020-2022); Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) 2022- date.

Governor Oyebanji, who is the Visitor to the University, urges the new Vice Chancellor to bring his wealth of experience as an academic and a seasoned administrator to bear in the bid to further reposition the University as a world class institution of learning, even as he wishes him a successful tenure.

The Governor thanks the outgoing EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun, for his meritorious service to the University and wish him success in his future endeavors. 

Signed 

Yinka Oyebode

 Special Adviser ( Media) to the Governor, Ekiti State. 

12-08- 2024

Ex- Gov Oni Commends Gov Oyebanji’s leadership style.

Ex- Gov Oni Commends Gov Oyebanji’s leadership style.

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr Segun Oni, has expressed his admiration for the leadership style of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his dedication to the development and progress of the state, describing it as exemplary and a model for other leaders.

Engr Oni gave the commendation on Sunday when the Governor paid him a private visit at his Ifaki- Ekiti residence. He lauded Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to good governance, maintaining that his inclusive approach to governance has fostered unity and peace in the state, thereby creating an environment conducive to growth and prosperity.

Oni, while noting that he may have different views on certain policies or decisions of the administration, said he will never criticize the Governor openly. Instead, he said he would rather approach the Governor in a manner that promotes progress rather than discord.

While expressing his willingness to offer advice and guidance privately if necessary, the former Governor stressed that sharing experience would further lead to more effective governance and better outcomes for the people of the state.

“Well, a lot of you will know I don’t make pretence, if his style is not what I can be proud of, i will not associate with him, I will find a way of avoiding him and am sure you know I have done that before with some other people.

“So, if you see us in rapport, it is because his style is agreeable to mine and am very proud of him. if there is a little suggestion, yes am free to make it to him, you can never hear me saying something about government of Ekiti State, especially if it is a criticism because I can easily tell him ” the former Governor asserted 

In his own remarks, Governor Oyebaji, who explained that the visit was part of his usual routine visit to former Governors and leaders in the state, said it was part of his commitment to learning from their wealth of experience and keeping them informed about the progress and development of the state.

He noted that the visit was to also gather insights that could help refine and enhance his administration’s strategies and policies, get feedback and suggestions, as well as serve as an opportunity to receive an appraisal about his administration’s performance from the former Governor to enable him address current challenges more effectively. 

“I do this every time, I just came to see him, I have not seen him in a long while and am free today so, I decided to come share a lot of things with him with respect to happenings in the state and also to drink from his fountain of knowledge” the Governor said.

Ekiti State Launches Artisan Training Programme to Boost Job Creation and Youth Development.

Ekiti State Launches Artisan Training Programme to Boost Job Creation and Youth Development.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

In a bid to advance job creation and youth development, the Ekiti State Government has announced a new artisan training programme set to kick off on August 12, 2024. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Board of Technical and Vocational Education, will provide comprehensive training to Master Craft persons across the state.

The inaugural phase of the programme will see 250 participants trained over a period of six weeks at the Government Technical Colleges (GTC) in Ado-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti. The training is designed to address key challenges faced by artisans, including difficulties in obtaining internationally recognised trade certification and accessing digital employment platforms.

Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, emphasized that the programme aims to equip artisans with essential skills such as value orientation, work ethics, and modern technology. By integrating artisans into digital hiring platforms and providing them with trade certification, the initiative marks a significant step towards modernising the state’s workforce.

Mrs. Adeola urged artisans to seize this opportunity to enhance their skills and leverage the new opportunities presented by the programme. This effort is part of the state government’s broader strategy to create job opportunities and foster development for both skilled and unskilled youth in Ekiti.