Oyebanji’s silent infrastructure revolution in Ekiti.

Oyebanji’s silent infrastructure revolution in Ekiti.

In almost two years in office, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has raised the golden bar of governance in the state with every sector witnessing magical transformation, especially in the area of infrastructure, correspondent RASAQ IBRAHIM writes.

When Ekiti State Governor, Mr.  Biodun Oyebanji fondly called ‘BAO’ took over the mantle of leadership, he promised to transform the state, but not a few would have imagined what he meant by that statement. But two years down the line, the reality of the statements is beginning to dawn on many with the catalogues of ongoing projects in different parts of the state.

The governor has turned the whole Ekiti State into beehive construction activities. The presence of heavy earth-moving equipment and machine, has become a common feature across Ekiti State. Ranging from the litronic crawler excavators, compactors, cranes, pavers, to craters, the hills are being leveled, the contours sand-filled, grounds compacted and road tarred all in a bid to pave way for transformation.

Every part of the state is filled with men in hard hats and construction workers changing the faces of old structures or building new ones. From public buildings to bridges to road infrastructures (major and inner roads), the state is getting an infrastructural makeover as never before in the history of the state.

The governor is currently building new roads and bridges with streetlights and road markings, reconstructing deplorable roads, revamping healthcare centres, and renovating several schools with state-of-the-art facilities across the state. Rural areas are being opened up in a manner that would create a striking balance between urban and rural populations. The state is witnessing a magical transformation on all fronts.

No fewer than 16 road projects across the 16 local government areas of the state are under construction. These are Ado township road, the Ilawe-Ikere Road, Ado-Ilawe Road, Ikole Township Roads, Ado-Ilawe Road, Ilawe-Igede Ekiti Road, Igede-Aramoko Road, Ayegunle-Ijurin-Iloro Road, Iworoko-Are-Afao- Airport ring road.

Others are Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road, Ifaki-Ido Road, Imesi-Kosomolate-Ipole Road, Ikere-Ilawe Road, Igbaraodo- Ikere Road, Ikere-Ise Road, Awo-Ara-Ijero-Ekiti Road among others.

Apart from these roads, construction work has commenced on several farm roads across the 16 local government areas including the Enu Odi-Igirigiri Road, Omisanjana-Ben Folarin-Oke Aso Road, Ise-Imola Road, Owode-Anaye Road, Oye- Are Road.

Others are Afolu-Odofin 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.

Similarly, the deplorable federal roads linking Ekiti State with the neighbouring states are currently under revitalisation to ease the hardship faced by transporters and commuters.

Ekiti state may soon attain the status of a megacity once the strategically outlined urban renewal programmes and policies are fully implemented and the ongoing developmental projects spread across sectors are completed.

Since he assumed office, the governor has exceptionally performed beyond the expectation of many, changing negative perceptions and shaming pessimists at the same time without making any noise. Many social commentators have opined with conviction that Governor Oyebanji is walking the talk in Ekiti state.

His imprints are everywhere. From Ado to Ijero-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Ilawe-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti Aramoko, Ifaki-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti among other places, the people are genuinely feeling the impacts of the Oyebanji’s purposeful leadership.

Everyone who has followed the trajectory of his administration will agree that he hit the ground running with a frenetic pace from the first day in office. He is not only fixing roads and bridges, institutions are being reorganised for effective service delivery, and rural areas are being opened up for development and interconnected for easy access.

Oyebanji has been a toast of the people in the past two years.

He has taken governance in the state to greater heights to the admiration of the Ekiti people and the chagrin of his traducers who never saw anything good in the policies and programmes of his administration.

Apart from being disruptively innovative and creative, Oyebanji is very proactive, assertive, and decisive. Once he has his eyes on the ball, he doesn’t give in to undue pressure and armchair criticism. His leadership style has quietly disrupted the status quo, a development that is gradually enthroning the politics without bitterness and governance that is anchored on developmental agenda in the state.

He is very at home with virtually all well-meaning sons and daughters of the state ranging from his former predecessors, Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni, and Adeniyi Adebayo to traditional rulers, opposition leaders, civil servants, students, market women, and transport union leaders. No one else has achieved such level of camaraderie in the political history of the state.

Anywhere the governor goes in the state, the people of Ekiti troop out to shout ‘Mr. Project’, his new sobriquet.  This again played out last Monday when he unveiled three road projects in different locations in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The roads were the Jimoh Aliu-Adewumi Road along the Adebayo Area, the Hospitals Management Board/Doctors’ Quarters Road;  and  Obisesan-Oke Ala Link Road along the Basiri Area of Ado-Ekiti.

The unveiling of the road projects in the three locations was turned into carnivals by euphoric and appreciative residents, landlords associations, transport union members, community and religious leaders, youths, and students of the three communities where the roads unveiled were located.

The jubilation could not be masked after enduring long periods of abandoned roads which made both human and vehicular movement difficult for the residents. For many years, they used to pray for rain not to fall.  Their reason was simply because of the derelict state of the roads in the communities.

But now, the story is different. Signs that a new lease of life beckons for residents of the three areas were noticed first when earthmoving equipment was mobilized to project site. So excited were they to see the three roads asphalted with stone-based and drainages on the two sides of the roads.

The new three roads were also complemented with solar-powered street lights to facilitate illumination and boost nightlife.

The members of the three communities were in a festive mood as the roads were inaugurated. House owners, private and commercial vehicle drivers, and commercial motorcyclists rolled out drums to sing and praise Governor Oyebanji for spreading development to inner neighbourhood.

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus deyemo Adejugbe cut the tape declaring one the Jimoh Aliu – Adewunmi Road; while the Hospitals Management/Doctor Quarters Road was inaugurated by the Governor himself. The Obisesan-Oke Ala link Road was commissioned by Chief (Mrs) Ronke Okusanya, an elder stateswoman who resides on the street.

Inaugurating the road projects, Oyebanji  described the road projects as another testament to his administration’s development agenda of transforming the state.

📡FG takes action on foreign certificates.

📡FG takes action on foreign certificates. 

All degree certificates from Cotonou University issued between 2017 and the present will be rendered invalid. Additionally, all personnel currently employed by the Federal Government are to be terminated immediately.

The federal government has authorized the termination of employees in both the public and private sectors who possess counterfeit degree certificates acquired from the Republics of Benin and Togo.

During a press conference held in Abuja on Friday to mark his first anniversary in office, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman revealed that these initiatives were sanctioned in a recent meeting of the federal executive council, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

He said, “One of the things we did in the course of the year was — remember when information broke out about some of our students going to neighbouring countries —some not even going at all — to obtain certificates.

“The ministry set up a committee to look into that; the committee came up with a detailed review; that review was sent to the federal executive council about a month ago, which approved some of the recommendations from the ministry.

“Now the recommendations will be implemented along with other ministries and agencies affected, including NYSC, Immigration.

“Because we have to take some major decisions here, some staff who are affected faced disciplinary measures, and that the whole unit went through some kind of review.

“But by and large, we can’t have in our midst people who procure fake certificates and to compete with our students who graduated from our universities and polytechnics through their sweat, some spent four, five, six, or more years going out to compete with people who procure certificates right here without going anywhere, for a lot of them.

“So what the FEC now approves is that, through the data, that NYSC has, about 21,684 students that are parading fake certificates from Benin Republic, obtained between 2019 to 2023.

“Togo is about 1,105. How did that happen? They simply attend schools, which are not recognised in those countries.

“Remember, this point is extremely important. The non-recognition itself is in those countries. They are not institutions recognised to offer degree programs in those countries.

“Instead, some of our parents, take their wards to these institutions, and of course there is no way we would recognise qualifications which are not recognised in those countries.

“In the case of Togo, we have three universities that are officially approved and licensed to offer degrees, and in Benin, there are about five of them.

“So anyone who didn’t attend these universities is parading a fake certificate.

“And from 2017, anybody who attended a university solely run in English is wasting his time because it’s not an approved university. That is their policy.

“But a lot of our countrymen went there—some didn’t go anyway; remember, these numbers are just what we have, a lot of them didn’t even bother to go to NYSC.

“The number may be more…Some who attempted to but couldn’t succeed in the screening process disappeared into thin air.

“So in the final analysis, what the federal government approved is that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, will issue a circular to all employers, whether public or private, to fish out anybody with a certificate from these institutions—that circular probably would have been out by now.

“And the Head of Service, has also been mandated to fish out from the public service anybody who is parading certificate from these institutions.

“So this is the decision of the federal government on this matter”.

Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, Distributes School Materials to 500 Students, Urges Stakeholders to Invest in Youth.

Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, Distributes School Materials to 500 Students, Urges Stakeholders to Invest in Youth.

The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has called on stakeholders in the education sector to prioritize continuous investment in the youth to build a brighter and more educated society.

Dr. Oyebanji made this call in Ado Ekiti while distributing school bags containing educational materials—including notebooks, food warmers, water bottles, and mathematical sets—to students across the state. The initiative is part of her pet project, the 'Widows, Aged and Orphan Hope Project (WAOH).'

Addressing stakeholders at the event, which included 500 beneficiaries, Dr. Oyebanji stated that the initiative, tagged "Back to School," was conceived to equip students with the tools they need to thrive academically, acknowledging that education is the cornerstone of every child’s development.

"In total, 500 students will benefit from the various items, but we are making a symbolic presentation to 200 of them here today, while the remaining students will receive theirs at their respective local governments. These items may seem small, but they are vital in supporting the children’s educational journey," Oyebanji said.

She emphasized the state's commitment to ensuring that every child in Ekiti State has access to the resources needed to succeed in school. She also urged the beneficiaries to view the materials as a morale booster and to study hard and aim high.

Dr. Oyebanji also called on well-to-do individuals in society to replicate such gestures in their respective locations, in a bid to reduce the number of out-of-school children across the state.

Earlier, the WAOH Coordinator, Mrs. Kemi Dairo, expressed confidence that the distributed materials would provide significant relief to parents, especially as the new academic session approaches. She recalled that last year's edition of the program, which impacted 400 students, had a lasting effect on the beneficiaries, motivating them to excel in their studies.

In their goodwill messages, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, Head of Service Dr. Folake Olomojobi, Commissioner for Education Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, and Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Peju Babafemi, among others, appealed to the beneficiaries to remain committed to their studies. They also urged parents not to leave the responsibility of child upbringing solely to the government.

Beneficiaries of the program expressed gratitude and promised to put the materials to good use in their educational pursuits.

"I’m The Outright Voice Of The Masses" - Esan Ayoola Christopher Declares Bid for FPASU Presidency.

"I’m The Outright Voice Of The Masses" - Esan Ayoola Christopher Declares Bid for FPASU Presidency.

With ecstasy and much gratification, Esan Ayoola Christopher, popularly known as Privacy, has announced his candidacy for the position of SUG President of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti (FPASU). Christopher, a student in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (HND1), has been inspired to take on this role due to his belief in liberal values, including meritocracy, freedom of speech, and the right to a good education.

Christopher, who has been actively involved in numerous social, religious, and academic activities since childhood, stated that service to humanity has always been a driving force in his life. He believes that his vast experience in these areas makes him a suitable candidate for the role. If elected as SUG President, he vows to uphold the rules and regulations of the institution and ensure that students' interests are prioritized.

In a statement, Christopher explained his motivation for running for the position, saying: "I am vying for this office mainly because I'm persuaded that this is a divine imperative. I'm certain that I have the capacity to move the movement forward with the use of my skills and talents in leadership."

He added that his strong influence on campus and ability to connect with students give him the edge needed to fulfill the functions of the *Reliability Movement*, which he is spearheading. Christopher emphasized that hard work, competence, and political will are key elements in achieving developmental growth for the institution.

"Our institution is guaranteed to develop if we focus not only on hard work but also on competence," he said. "We should always remember that there can be no developmental growth in any region without hard work, competence, political will, as well as vesting our interest in the hands of people who are strategic in their political leaning."

He further expressed the need for strategic representation, urging fellow students to be mindful of their choice of leaders: "We make it happen by putting a round peg in a round hole. We make it happen by being strategic in our choice of representatives."

Christopher's candidacy comes at a critical juncture for FPASU, as the union faces a tense transition of power. He believes that his diverse understanding of unionism, coupled with his proven track record of service to humanity, places him in a unique position to elevate the union to greater heights.

Quoting Dwight Eisenhower, he said, "The growth and development of individuals is the greatest calling of leadership." In line with this vision, Christopher outlined his key priorities if elected President, focusing on five major areas: academics, welfarism, social life, sports, and skill development.

He promised a well-represented union that prioritizes accessibility to all Nigerian students and aims to push for more union matters that directly affect students' welfare. "If elected, I will ensure I and other elected executives are accessible to all Nigerian students, and I will make sure the union improves its approach to stand for students," Christopher said.

As he embarks on his campaign, Esan Ayoola Christopher, PKA Privacy, hopes to be remembered as a student leader who pursued the interests of Nigerian students and achieved great things for the institution.

"I’m the outright voice of the masses," he declared, urging the students to support his candidacy for FPASU President for the 2024/2025 academic session.

Ekiti Government Reinforces Commitment to Local Content Compliance in International Art and Culture Theater Project.

Ekiti Government Reinforces Commitment to Local Content Compliance in International Art and Culture Theater Project.

In a decisive move to uphold local content development and fairness in contract execution, the Ekiti State Government, through the Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Local Content, Mr. Olalekan Ijidale, has once again reiterated its unwavering commitment to enforcing compliance among contractors handling projects in the state.

The enforcement exercise, carried out by Mr. Ijidale and his team, focused on the ongoing construction of the International Art and Culture Theater Project situated along the Ekute/Ajilosun road. During the visit, Mr. Ijidale commended the project consultant, Adedokun Alade & Company, for their compliance with the local content law, particularly in their engagement of local workforce and utilization of locally sourced materials.

However, Mr. Ijidale emphasized the need for the contractor to further regularize their registration with the Bureau and adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, which includes engaging at least 40% of local workforce and prioritizing locally manufactured goods and materials in the execution of the project.

The MD/CEO of Adedokun Alade & Company, Engineer Alade, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Ekiti State Bureau of Local Content, led by Mr. Olalekan Ijidale, in aligning with the Governor's development agenda. He pledged the company's unwavering support to ensure the successful realization of the state's core development strides.

This latest enforcement exercise by the Ekiti State Government underscores its steadfast commitment to fostering local content development and ensuring fairness in the contract execution process, ultimately contributing to the sustainable growth and prosperity of the state.

The New Spring Team Celebrates Principal, Professor Siji Olamiju's Achievement, Sympathises with Akol Pharmacy on Loss.

The New Spring Team Celebrates Principal, Professor Siji Olamiju's Achievement, Sympathises with Akol Pharmacy on Loss.

The New Spring Team has expressed immense joy in celebrating their principal, Professor Siji Olamiju, on his recent achievement of attaining professorship. Professor Olamiju, a former cabinet member in charge of Public Health under the leadership of ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola, fondly known as "Akol," was lauded for this significant milestone.

In a statement released in Osogbo, the team conveyed their admiration for Professor Olamiju's unwavering dedication to community development and education. They praised his focus, commitment, and leadership, describing him as a source of inspiration and a beacon of hope for the youth and those around him.

"Your achievement is a testament to your hard work and perseverance. You are not just a leader; you are a role model worthy of emulation. Your words of encouragement have been a constant source of inspiration to us all," the statement read.

However, the celebration was tinged with sorrow, as the New Spring Team also sympathised with Akol Pharmacy, following the devastating loss of its inventory store in Esa-Oke, Ibokun Local Government, which was ravaged by fire in the early hours of today.

The team expressed their deepest sympathies for the unfortunate incident and prayed that God grants the pharmacy strength and resilience during this challenging period.

In conclusion, the New Spring Team offered their prayers, wishing Professor Olamiju further success in his endeavors and stating, "May your heart's desires be fulfilled, and may you continue to soar to greater heights. Congratulations once again, Professor Akol."

_Akolmediateam_

Renewed Hope Initiative: 1000 Ekiti petty traders receive N50,000 grant.

Renewed Hope Initiative: 1000 Ekiti petty traders receive N50,000 grant.

The wife of Nigeria President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has given cash grants of fifty thousand Naira to 1000 petty traders in each of the thirty states of the Federation to boost their businesses .

Ekiti state First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji presenting the cash grants to selected beneficiaries drawn from artisan groups, market women and other groups in the state said Small and Medium Enterprises, especially women petty traders form the backbone of Nigeria’s local economy.

Senator Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, noted that the project was funded through Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme to re-capitalize and grow petty traders businesses.

She explained that the initiative spearheaded by Senator Oluremi Tinubu was not a financial aid but an expression of commitment to the upliftment of lives, especially in these challenging times.

The Nigeria’s First Lady therefore urged each beneficiary to use the support wisely by investing in their businesses or enhancing skills that would further strengthen their capacity towards a better future for themselves and their families.

“This program is a reminder that our administration is deeply committed to the welfare of every citizen. We will continue to work tirelessly to create more opportunities, alleviate poverty, and support the most vulnerable among us,” the first lady explained.

In his remark, the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji applauded the initiative for boosting local economy.

Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, therefore sought the continuous support of the people of Ekiti State for President Tinubu led administration .

In their respective messages of Goodwill, Commissioner for women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, Council Chairpersons and other top government functionaries, urged the beneficiaries to always re-invest, innovate and forward-looking so that the purpose of the grants would not be defeated.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event, appreciated the gesture and commended the efforts of both federal and Ekiti state governments at re-vatalisation of small scale business.