OYEBANJI CELEBRATES FIRST LADY, SENATOR REMI TINUBU ON 64TH BIRTHDAY.

OYEBANJI CELEBRATES FIRST LADY, SENATOR REMI TINUBU ON 64TH BIRTHDAY.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has felicitated the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the occasion of her 64th birthday.

Governor Oyebanji described Senator Tinubu as a special gift to the nation and a pillar of support for her husband, President Bola Tinubu, in his efforts to reposition Nigeria as a prosperous nation.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, Governor Oyebanji noted that Senator Tinubu has contributed immensely to nation building as First Lady of Lagos State, a three-term Senator and now as the Mother of the Nation.

The Ekiti Governor said the wife of the President left worthy legacies behind through her New Era Foundation in Lagos State which gave empowerment to students, youths and women and gave them opportunities for fulfillment and to contribute to societal development.

He further credited the First Lady for making a great impact in the Senate from 2011 to 2023 through her advocacy for women empowerment, social development, better life for the physically challenged and the vulnerable segment of the population.

Governor Oyebanji pointed out that Senator Tinubu is presently making greater impact through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in areas of scholarship for students across the country, economic empowerment, financial support for women in agriculture and the aged.

According to him, the various segments of the RHI has benefitted many citizens of Ekiti State and have complemented the Shared Prosperity agenda of his administration.

Governor Oyebanji prayed God to grant Senator Tinubu long life, sound heath and fulfillment of her wishes and dream for Nigeria as a country and its people in years to come.

“On behalf of my wife, Olayemi, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, we wish the Mother of the Nation, a happy birthday and pray the the good Lord will continue to sustain her with good health, and wisdom so as to continue to serve God and humanity”, the Governor added.

Excitements as Tinubu's Aide, Olanrewaju, Empowers Ekiti Youths, Teachers with 200 Brand New Laptops, Cash.

Excitements as Tinubu's Aide, Olanrewaju, Empowers Ekiti Youths, Teachers with 200 Brand New Laptops, Cash.

...As Gov. Oyebanji, others hail initiative.

In an unprecedented development, 200 Ekiti people, comprising 100 youths, 70 teachers and 30 others, on Friday participated in an empowerment training on data management and computer application, sponsored by the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Parliamentary Affairs (House of Representatives), Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju. 

The programme which attracted participants across the state took place at Moba Local Government Secretariat, Otun Ekiti. However, while youths, women and a selected stakeholders had their own training in the morning, teachers had theirs in the afternoon.

The participants, who were taking through the rudiments of data privacy, identify theft and other data security techniques, were also gifted a brand new laptop each and cash gift to equip them and enhance the training. 

Speaking at the event, Hon. Olarewaju, said his decision to facilitate the training, which targeted youths, women and teachers was to prepare the participants for the 24 century work place. To this end, he urged the participants to see the laptops as an enabler and tools for transformation. 

Olarewaju, who represented Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 in the 9th National Assembly, said the initiative was in line with the vision of President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who have both indicated their passions to engage and empower the youths to be productive. 

He said, "The future of Ekiti and Nigeria economy at large is in technology and the future is now. Knowing well the place of digital in emerging technological world, these laptops and importantly, the training given today are necessary to equip our youths, women and teachers to become self reliant and fit in to the future workplace. What I'm doing here today are in line with the renewed hope initiative of Tinubu administration, which our amiable governor in Ekiti has keyed into. No doubt, today's intervention will positively impact our people and prepare them for the global current digital revolution,"

Also speaking at the event, Ekiti State Commissioner for Youths Development, Hon. Gold Adedayo, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Governor Oyebanji said the governor was impressed with the training and sent his good wishes to both the initiator and the participants. The commissioner added that what Hon. Olarewaju did was a life-long opportunity for the participants to change their worlds. 

"What Hon. Olarewaju has demonstrated today with the training and the laptops has further stood him out as a serious-minded politician who believes in pragmatic approach to leadership. With this, Hon. Olarewaju is telling the participants to go out there and conquer the world because what the participants have learnt is the future and the future is now. Mr. Governor believes so much in youth and women empowerment and that's why he's so happy with this initiative by Hon. Olarewaju. I hereby call on the participants to see this as an opportunity to excell and make a difference in life. Obviously, in today's work place, there's no work that can be done without having computer knowledge." 

A special guest of honour at the programme, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, (Adl), who described the program as a 'pathway to success' called on participants to rise up and explore the world with the knowledge provided.

According to Adl, "What Hon. Olarewaju did today has shown that he's determined to show his constituents how to fish and not to give them fish. While I'm commending our Honourable for this, I'm charging the participants to see this as equipment to explore the world."

A participant from Ijero, Ayodele Alofe, said even though he is computer literate, what he leant about data privacy and security has opened his eyes to fresh knowledge and opportunities in the digital world. 

“Data Privacy and Protection has opened my eyes to understanding how to protect my data against breaches from any where, the training is indeed an eye opener for me and would love to extend the experience to learning more in the nearest future” he said. 

Another participant, Mrs. Taiwo Bamigbola from Ekiti West said the training had prepared her better as a teacher, not only to teach her pupils but to look for opportunities beyond her immediate environment through digital knowledge acquisition.

The BAO Impact Series No. 3 OYEBANJI'S FRUITFUL COLLABORATION WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AND PRIVATE SECTOR.

The BAO Impact Series No. 3

OYEBANJI'S FRUITFUL COLLABORATION WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AND PRIVATE SECTOR.

 BY ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA.

No national government or subnational government can survive in isolation. The 21st Century world is a world that thrives on friendship, collaborations and partnerships, at bilateral and multilateral levels.

Since assuming office in October 2022, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, recognizes this fact hence his resolve to reach out to institutions, agencies, organizations and individuals that have the means to assist in translating the dream of Shared Prosperity to reality.

Before reaching out, the Governor ensured the deep entrenchment of the policy framework that would smoothen the wheel of governance, investment-friendly polices, provide the needed infrastructure and create an enabling environment to fast-track the ease of doing business in Ekiti State.

Shortly after settling down in office, institutions like banks and other corporate organizations paid the Governor courtesy visits with a view to exploring areas they could do business with the State to consolidate what was achieved with the immediate past administration in which he meritoriously served as the Secretary to the State Government.

One area in which Mr. Governor has taken the notch up further is reaching out to entities that could be of support and help to the government and the people of the state which he has done with gusto. For Ekiti to get the very best of the pie within and outside Nigeria, the Governor cannot sit down in his office in Ado Ekiti; he has to go out to look for funds, grants, credit facilities and openings for deserving citizens of the state, local and foreign investors.

It is a fact that cannot be controverted that Governor Oyebanji is a very respected face at the Presidency when it comes to pushing for the interests of Ekiti and his cause has been further helped by the love President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for him and his administration which has opened the doors of opportunities from which the state has benefitted immensely.

Almost two years down the line, the benefit of Governor Oyebanji's contacts, visits, reaching out and collaboration with federal agencies, institutions, development partners and investors are already yielding bountiful harvests in the interest of Ekiti and its people.

Agencies of the Federal Government the Governor has made representations to include Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Ministry of Power.

Others are Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Nigeria Export Processing Zonal Authority (NEPZA), Agriculture Development Bank, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

Development partners Governor Oyebanji has established a good relationship with in the interest of Ekiti are World Bank, Africa Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States African Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and some Embassies and High Commissions in the country.

This piece will not be complete without citing a few examples of how Governor Oyebanji's deepening of relationship with all these aforementioned institutions, agencies and development partners is benefitting Ekiti and its people in the key sectors that align with the five-pillar agenda of the administration.

The Governor's visit to the Ministry of Defence resulted in attracting an Air Force Base to the state with the foundation personally laid by the Chief of Air Staff. The presence of an airport in the state is expected to complement the operations of the men of the Nigerian Air Force when it is fully operational.

NAMA and Ekiti State Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of the ongoing Ekiti Airport certification process which is the last stage of approval for commercial flight operations by the nation's aviation authorities.

The Governor's working relationship with the Ministry of Defence and particularly the Nigerian Army led to the deployment of more soldiers which has helped to curb security breaches in some flashpoints in the state. 

The Governor's meeting with Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, earlier this week focused showed his relentless pursuit of benefits for the Land of Honour and its citizens. The visit, among others, was aimed at securing the Federal Government's support for the fiscal development of the state. 

The Governor used the forum to restate his commitment to exploring opportunities for collaboration with federal agencies, private sector players and development partners in order to create economic opportunities for citizens' socio-economic growth and development of the state in line with the Shared Prosperity agenda.

Governor Oyebanji has taken the state's working relationship with the World Bank to a higher pedestal since coming on board through official visits and articulation of Ekiti's interests in some of its products that are beneficial to the state.

These include the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Adolescent Girls' Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), interventions in agriculture sector and water sub-sector. Different percentages of work have been done on many rural roads through RAAMP and this will rub off positively on agriculture in terms of timely evacuation of farm produce to the markets and providing amenities to rural dwellers.

Though AGILE, many schoolgirls have been empowered with laptops and cash grants to keep them in school and provide the state-owned schools with instructional materials while capacity building programmes were organized for principals and teachers.

Ekiti is also benefitting from the World Bank-assisted Nigeria for Women Project, United States African Development scheme while the state is also benefitting from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the area of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The AfDB has provided huge support for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) and most especially its flagship Model Smart School. The Governor's commitment to payment of counterpart funds to UBEC has given the state opportunities to access funds to turn around the basic education sub-sector.

During Governor Oyebanji's visit to Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, he was assured by the minister of the Federal Government's commitment to reconstruction and rehabilitation of federal roads that are in deplorable conditions in the state with the minister paying a follow-up visit to Ekiti for an on-the-spot assessment of the roads concerned which are already receiving attention.

Time and space will not permit mentioning the benefits Ekiti has derived from the Governor's working relationship with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment through its agencies like SMEDAN, Bank of Industry, NEPZA, Agriculture Development Bank, among others.

The train of development of Ekiti State being piloted by Governor Oyebanji is moving at a faster pace and it is very sure that he won't relent in his fruitful engagement with federal agencies and development partners until the Ekiti of his dream is achieved.

Ogunmola is the Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the Governor.

PMO: AN EXEMPLAR OF TRANSFORMATORY LEADER AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT.

PMO: AN EXEMPLAR OF TRANSFORMATORY LEADER AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT. 

In the realm of Local Government Administration, few leaders have made more profound impacts. It has got to a level that people kept wondering and aghast, why that tier of government was dogged with poor governance, thereby dragging down its development and exerting heavy burdens on the rural dwellers, where over 70% of the population are domiciled .

But that of the Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Hon, (Amb)Prince Michael Ogungbemi is unique and could be adjudged to have defied the terrible past. By every standard of measurement, he is a respectable visioner and personality with midas touch and mental acumen to turn things around.

 With his well defined roadmap, daring commitment to excellence and passion for transformative leadership, Ogungbemi has recalibrated leadership and had meandered through the bumpy grassroots governance to etch his name in gold. With his mastery, he is gradually leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of the people of his LCDA.

Under his dexterous leadership, Ajoni Local Council Development Area has witnessed unprecedented development with landmark projects dotted everywhere. His wondrous initiatives have elevated the standards of living of residents. From infrastructure development, Education, social welfare and human capital development programmes, Prince Ogungbemi's administration has been a beacon of hope, demonstrating effective governance buffering the sufferings of the masses.

His leadership style is quintessential. Aptly akin to a blend of humility, empathy, and visionary prowess. He has fostered a culture of inclusivity, engaging stakeholders and citizens in the decision-making process. He has ensured that the council's policies and programs are people-centric and well contrived to respond to the needs of the community.

As a well amplified testament to his exemplary leadership, Ajoni LCDA has become a model for other local councils to emulate. His selfless dedication, integrity, and unflagging commitment to the well-being of his people have earned him a special place in their hearts.

*Overview of his programmes and projects*

His superlative track records of achievement are unparalleled, which includes:

✔️ Market Revitalization Projects i.e (constructions of both open market stalls and lockup shops across Ajoni communities);

✔️ Educational Enhancement Programmes and Projects i.e constructions of International standards public school buildings across Ajoni communities and instituted Ajoni Educational Endowment scheme); 

✔️ Youths Development Initiatives i.e young entrepreneurs recieved self reliance training modules from Internationally recognized Non Governmental Organisations sponsored by Ajoni LCDA and graduated with MBS Diploma Certifications 

■ Youths in Commercial Agriculture i.e (acquisition of 65 acres of land at the Ekiti State Agriculture Proccessing Zone for young Ajoni farmers and fully funded agric empowerment programme in cashew and cassava plantation);

✔️ Women Empowerment i.e (Women in vegetable farming, provisions of traders supports funds and widows/elderly support programmes across Ajoni communities);

✔️ Traditional Rulers Welfare package for Oba's and regents in Ajoni communities;

✔️ Job Creation Initiatives i.e (unemployed graduates and young school leavers employed as field agents and data managers across Ajoni communities);

✔️ Sports Development i.e (Establishment of Ajoni football club, registered in Ekiti football league and promotion of local sporting competition across Ajoni communities);

✔️ Local Security Architecture i.e (Establishment of Ajoni Local Security Network code-named OPERATION EBBORAC, Ajoni local Security social trust funds and other security logistics);

✔️ Health Advocacy Programmes i.e (Conducted Health/Medical outreach and organized child's morbidity and mortality rate programmes by providing micro-nutrient food supplement to over 400 malnurished children across Ajoni communities);

✔️ Community development programmes i.e (installation of hi-tec solar street lights, provisions of solar powered motorized boreholes and boreholes rehabilitation project across Ajoni communities.

■ Financial Donation towards community development programmes and project across Ajoni communities.

■ Embarking on various ecological works i.e road verges, dilsilting of block drains and other social impacts across Ajoni communities. 

■ Ongoing construction of modern Ajoni Administration Building at the Council's Headquarters nearing completion.

In fact, I doff my hat and salute Prince Michael Ogungbemi for his outstanding accomplishments, tireless and daring efforts to build a better future for the people of Ajoni Local Council Development Area. He remain a pride to several other youths and privileged young people who will be willing to occupy public offices to emulate his charismatic and wonderful dispositions towards service delivery and enviable leadership strides.

May his pragmatic and proactive leadership continue to inspire and motivate others to strive for excellence in public service.

With the personality of Prince Michael Ogungbemi impressive performance benchmarks, brilliant mind, energy and workaholic prowess to drive community development through productive partnerships and engagement with international and national Non Governmental Organisations, a well sustainable future of Ekiti development is secured and guarranteed.

~ Akinwumi Akintade writes from Ado-Ekiti.

EKITI DEBUNKS MASS FAILURE IN 2024 COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATION/PLACEMENT EXAMINATION.

EKITI DEBUNKS MASS FAILURE IN 2024 COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATION/PLACEMENT EXAMINATION.

Ekiti State Government has said that 16,167 out of 16,361 public Primary Schools pupils making 97.43% and 10,675 out of 10,859 (97.28%) pupils of Private schools in the State passed the 2024 Common Entrance/Placement Examination contrary to some media reports of purported mass failure.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye described the report as a misconception.

Giving detailed analysis of the candidates’ performance, Dr. Aderiye stated that 16,361 pupils were examined out of the 16,593 that registered while 232 were absent, adding that 2,235 (13.47%) of the candidates scored between 200 and 299; 11,493 (69.26%) had between 300 and 399 in addition to 2,439 (14.70%) that scored between 400 and 500.

Aderiye who noted that there was no problem with the performance of the pupils, however stressed that the issue is about the capacity of candidates' schools of choice and the respective cut-off marks, adding that the preference, concentration and insistence of some parents and guardians for certain schools, particularly the newly established Model Colleges and some schools considered reputable is creating a logjam.

According to her, the insistence of the parents and guardians that their children and wards attend the preferred schools led to having too many candidates than the schools can accommodate while several other schools still have spaces.

Reiterating the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to the provision of free and compulsory qualitative education up to Senior Secondary School level, she stressed that there is no reason for anyone to write off any school with the volume of interventions and developmental projects executed in all the 203 public schools in the State and Government’s favourable, proactive policies aimed at providing accessible, affordable, qualitative, functional and sustainable education for enlightenment and enterprise using emerging technology.

Aderiye assured that education in the State is now standardized and all schools are equipped to provide quality education for their students, adding that schools that may hitherto had less than good reputation have been transformed to global-standard teaching and learning environment with both personnel and state of art equipment.

She stated that “Government is partnering with reputable organizations including the World Bank using programmes like the Adolescent Girls' Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Innovative Development & Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) amongst others”.

“930 subject teachers were recruited in public secondary schools in the year 2022-2024, 131 staff employed for the Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) in the year 2024, 150 security guards engaged to strengthen security in public secondary schools in the year 2023 and 43 Education Officers appointed in 2024 to enhance efficiency and boost service delivery”.

“A sum of ₦14,293,424,499 had been expended on renovation and construction in 203 public secondary schools in Ekiti State, 44 classrooms were constructed and 1,084 renovated while 240 new Toilets were constructed and 132 renovated across the 203 public secondary schools in the 2023/2024 session, 32 new Boreholes were sunk and 8 rehabilitated across secondary schools during the 2023/2024 session as well as 18 libraries, 69 laboratories and 67 Halls renovated and or furnished and equipped”.

“2,600 Computer devices, 2,978 furniture and interactive boards were also procured while perimeter fence constructed in 16 secondary schools”.

She stressed that the target is to ensure quality and functional education through sound policies and implementation, using e-learning, whole school monitoring, provision of conducive environment and regular capacity building of personnel for optimal learning outcomes.

The Education Commissioner therefore advised parents and guardians of pupils who did not meet the cut-off marks of the schools of choice to be more flexible with their choices of schools and, emphasizing that under the current dispensation, no school is inferior to another.

She added that affected parents should write or visit the State Ministry of Education to see the list of schools and available number of spaces for placement possibility for their children.

How Oyebanji's Inclusive Policy Is Driving Peace and Development in Ekiti.

How Oyebanji's Inclusive Policy Is Driving Peace and Development in Ekiti.

By Oba Matthew.

His Excellency Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji 
Executive Governor of Ekiti State. 

Since his assumption of office as the Chief Executive of EkitiState, His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji has demonstrated uncommon commitment to good governance and development of the State through his unique policy of inclusion, which provides a veritable platform for all stakeholders to make input into the development efforts. 

Immediately he was sworn in, Governor Oyebanji left no one in doubt of his pathway to development as he embarked on fence mending moves, which saw him reaching out to critical stakeholders and opposition figures in the state. 

This deft political move rattled political pundits, who felt his romance with the opposition is “uncalled for, unnecessary and unwarranted” as there was no justification for such exercise. As a matter of fact, Ekiti politics is adversarial in nature. But BAO, as he is fondly called, appears eager to change the narratives by reaching out to all and inviting them to be part of the development process. 

Oyebanji was undeterred as he continued to meet all former governors of the state – including those that served on the platforms of opposition parties. He also reached out to the elites as well as elder statesmen and women, sharing his vision and mission with them, and getting their buying in. 

He made it entirely clear that he embarked upon the meeting in order to sell his agenda to them and seek their opinions on several state matters. Their cooperation, which was freely given, has been responsible largely to the growth and development as well as the peaceful environment in the state. 

Whereas many skeptics were initially opposed to the Governor’s inclusive approach to governance, the attendant peaceful coexistence of Ekiti people, coupled with the progress recorded in critical sectors within the first few months of the BAO administration, has made them change their minds. The move has been yielding positive results as his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is now the dominant political party in the state. 

Elder statesmen like Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), a lawyer of international repute and owner of Afe Babalola University; Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), a former NBA President; Chief Deji Fasuan, Chairman Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State; and other prominent leaders have at different fora lauded Oyebanji’s inclusive initiative and for rallying all stakeholders for the development of the state. To these fathers of the State, never had the state been so united as it does under Governor Oyebanji and they are happy to be living witnesses to the new and exciting development which also comes with growth and development.  

Several Ekiti sons and daughters have also applauded Mr Governor for this unique style of governance as his strategic partnership with stakeholders, national and state assembly members, federal agencies, international development agencies, are yielding dividends. 

Even those who contested against him at the primary election of the party then have all indicated that they will not contest his re-election with him. This position was orchestrated by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who declared publicly at a recent event that he would not contest the next governorship election in the state, and would instead lead the re- election campaign of Governor BAO. Former Governor Segun Oni who marked his 70th birthday recently also declared that he was yet to see any candidate that could match BAO’s credentials in the coming election, even as he hailed the Governor for his unique Omoluabi politics. 

The development has virtually put all major opposition parties at the crossroads as Oyebanji is seen as delivering on his campaign promises as well as uniting the people for a progressive Ekiti, with dividends of good governance pouring in torrents via infrastructure development, human capital development, industrialization and agribusiness.

Oba, is Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor,

on Digital Media.

Shun Violence, Division, Ekiti Govt Warns Communities Demanding Autonomy.

Shun Violence, Division, Ekiti Govt Warns Communities Demanding Autonomy.

The Ekiti State government, has warned communities pursuing autonomy to eschew violence and stoking of ember of division that could threaten and destabilise the existing royalty.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the warning in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, while presiding over a chieftaincy brawl brewing in Araromi Ugbesi Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of the state. 

The intervention was sequel to a petition written by Okete family of Araromi Ugbesi, calling for its enlistment as a Ruling House and as well agitating for the removal of Owa Eleshi of Araromi Ugbesi Ekiti, Oba Lawrence Adeyeye over alleged harassment and intimidation of his people.

Addressing the community, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, warned that, henceforth, any community or chiefdom pursuing autonomy must do that with civility and peace, saying such demand won't be granted under the atmosphere of crisis. 

For fence-mending, Mrs Afuye directed all the Chiefs in Okete family to reunite with the monarch and start attending community meeting to restore peace, saying government can't approve autonomy under the atmosphere of peace and disunity.

"With you changing your name from Okete to Obalende, you have pulled out of Araromi Ugbesi and it will be difficult for you to get the declaration changed in your favour.

You can't be given autonomy when you are causing crisis.

" I want you to sustain the rotation of Elenta chieftaincy within Okete family for peace to reign. Go back and reunite with your traditional ruler, so that you can be one to pursue whatever agenda you have peacefully".

Speaking to the petition, the representative of the Okete family, Mr. Dapo Adebayo, accused the monarch of charging the people of the family to court on trump- up charges, while also using his connection to discipline their members unjustly. 

"It has got to a stage that Kabiyesi no longer allow us to gather to celebrate marriages, burial of aged ones, launching for community development without permission. We are being treated like slaves in our own land.

"Using trump up charges, Kabiyesi had succeeded in sending our people to jail. All these must stop and we need the intervention of government to put an end to this maltreatment".

For peace to reign, Adebayo requested the monarch to accede to the request to change the family's name from Okete to Obalende and replace the current Elenta chieftaincy holder, Chief Meshack Alonge, with their preferred candidate. 

Debunking the accusations in his defence, Oba Adeyeye, accused the family of polarising the community, by stoking the fire of acrimony over the installation of one Chief Alonge as the Elenta of Ugbesi community.

Oba Adeyeye, said the Okete family had been pushing for autonomy at different times before Justices Silas Oyewole and Jide Aldejana Panels of Inquiry, but failed owing to the fact they had no history to support their case. 

"I am just pleading with them to allow peace to reign. Governor Oyebanji stands for peace. Let it be known that the family doesn't have eligibility to the royal stool, they are not part of the ruling house. They are using this to foment trouble.

"I didn't send any of them to jail. It was the police that charged them to court and they were found guilty and sentenced accordingly. It wasn't me that charged them to court as being alleged", the monarch clarified.