Ekiti State Reinforces Local Content Requirements for Immobiliare Construction company.

Ekiti State Reinforces Local Content Requirements for Immobiliare Construction company. 

In an effort to ensure the patronage of local artisans and vendors, the Ekiti State Government, through the Bureau of Local Content, has reiterated its policy requiring construction companies to prioritize the employment of local workers and the use of locally sourced materials.

The policy, overseen by the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Local Content, Olalekan Ijidale, has been reinforced, particularly for the Immobiliare construction company and other construction companies operating in the state.

During a recent unscheduled visit to an Immobiliare construction site, the Bureau team conducted a headcount to verify compliance with the local workforce and material requirements. This initiative is seen as a crucial component of the state's efforts to boost economic and shared prosperity, as outlined in the agenda of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

"We are committed to ensuring that the people of Ekiti State directly benefit from the development projects taking place in their communities," said Ijidale. "By reaffirming the use of local workforce and materials, we are empowering our artisans and vendors, and driving economic growth from the grassroots."

The policy is relevant for the Immobiliare and other construction companies handling projects in the state, which are major infrastructure undertakings. The Bureau has called on all citizens with relevant skills to approach the construction sites and explore the employment opportunities available.

The Ekiti State Government's continued emphasis on the use of local workforce and materials for construction projects, including Immobiliare and other construction companies, is part of its broader strategy to promote sustainable and inclusive growth throughout the state.

Oyebanji, at S/W APC Assembly, urges Support for Tinubu's Reform Agenda.

Oyebanji, at S/W APC Assembly, urges Support for Tinubu's Reform Agenda.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has called on the Yoruba Nation to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its bid to implement key reforms aimed at revitalizing the country. 

The Governor made this appeal on Saturday during the Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) Assembly, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos where past and present officeholders and political leaders from the six states in the region gathered to chat the way forward for the party. 

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the Yoruba people must play a leading role in defending the transformative policies of the current administration, assuring that the present economic challenges would soon be overcome.

 Stressing that the policies and programmes being introduced by the President are crucial to rescuing the nation from its current difficulties, Oyebanji urged the Yoruba race to seize the moment to demonstrate unity and showcase the region's renowned human capital, rather than allowing negative narratives to prevail. 

“I just want to plead with us, that we have a sacred duty to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. History has put it on our shoulders now to stand by him. We don't have a choice other than to give him our total support. We, from the south West don't have a choice. 

“It is not in our place to criticize this Government. We have access to the President through the Governors, through our party leaders. And if there are things we feel strongly about, we should put heads together and look for the right channel to pass it across to him. This is because we don’t know when we will have this kind of opportunity again.

“I also hope that one of the resolutions of this meeting will be to go back to our various states and replicate this kind of forum at every level.” Governor Oyebanji remarked

In his keynote address at the event, immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, reflected on the historical struggles of the Yoruba people for political prominence at the national level. He encouraged the Yoruba to remain steadfast in the face of present challenges and to continue advocating for their interests within the framework of the country's politics.

Dr. Fayemi also called for a unified effort among political officeholders, particularly those within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reminding them of their responsibility to the masses, emphasizing the need to create jobs for the youth and address the growing insecurity in the nation.

“While we can be proud of the road we have travelled since 2015, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels as a party or be complacent about anything. It is imperative that we openly and honestly acknowledge current challenges and develop a coherent and comprehensive plan that can enable us to confront them. 

“This we must do by resolutely learning lessons of experience. 

We should also be ready to mobilise ourselves for the urgent and necessary task of rebuilding the hope of our compatriots both in Project Nigeria and in our ability as a party committed to leading the charge against underdevelopment, disunity, and insecurity” Dr Fayemi said. 

Other notable figures at the event included the Coordinator of the Southwest Political Caucus and Chairman, Southwest Governors’ Forum, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; former Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba who charged the Yoruba people to be patient and to channel their grievances through their governors, assuring them that President Tinubu remains committed to addressing all concerns brought to his attention.

Flooding: Stop Building on Waterways, Oyebanji Warns Developers.

Flooding: Stop Building on Waterways, Oyebanji Warns Developers.

…..Donates relief materials to flood victims.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has warned developers against building on waterways, saying this has been the most identifiable snag sabotaging government’s strides to tame flooding.

Oyebanji gave the warning in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, while inspecting some sections of the capital city and suburbs ravaged by flood on Saturday.

Section visited include Osekita area of the Ekiti State University, where some hostels were overran by water, where he donated food palliatives to students who lost valuable materials to the occurrence.

Addressing the victims, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, urged residents to desist from actions that could sabotage the flood-controlled measures being devised by Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led government.

Oyebanji sympathised with the victims, who are predominantly students, and reminded the residents that indiscriminate blocking of drainages and building of structures on waterways, are sabotaging government’s efforts against flooding.

Expressing grief over the sordid event, Oyebanji said some of the issues causing flooding in Ekiti State can be prevented, but due to laxity on the part of the citizens, who often dropped refuse inside canals , drainages and built across waterways haphazardly.

As part of the preparedness of government ahead of rainy season, the governor stated that his government, had been proactive enough, by carrying out dredging and channelisation in flood prone sections of Ado Ekiti and suburbs.

“Let me on behalf of Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathise with you on this incidence. You can all bear witness to the huge investment this government has made to control flooding. As sad as this situation is, we thank God that no life was lost, that is the most important thing to us as a government.

“In the last two years, we have dredged and channelised places like Elemi and Ureje rivers that crossed some parts of Ado Ekiti. We have also channelised the Agric Olope area , where cases of flooding had been reported.

“We are assuring you that the government will come to your rescue. We have been helping victims of flooding, rainstorm and fire incidences. Just recently, the government spent over N58m for the victims of rainstorm and fire disasters, so we will not abandon you in this critical situation”, he promised.

The governor said the officials of National Emergency Management Agency and Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency will visit all the affected areas for proper enumeration and documentation to guide the government on best way to bring respite to the victims.

The EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Babatola Ayodele, who led the institution’s management team, promised that holistic preventive actions will be taken to avert recurrence of such situation on campus.

The Scholar said the university will embark on aggressive sensitisation of students against securing hostel accommodations in flood prone areas to avert recurrence of this situation.

Prof Ayodele, who appreciated the fact that nobody died during the incident, however, lamented that the students lost valuables like books , foodstuffs and clothing materials, which he said require relief packages to mitigate their sufferings.

“We received the message around 11pm on Saturday that our students were affected by flood and we felt so sad about this. We appreciate Governor Oyebanji for this sympathy visit. We need to do some drainages here to checkmate this kind of occurrence.

“We are also working to have habitable hostel accommodations on campus. The management is assuring you that we will step up efforts to ensure that private hostel owners are made to provide facilities in their hostels.

“We are also going to prevent building on waterways and areas that can be affected by flooding. We can’t allow our students to be witnessing this kind of a bad situation. We are happy for this on- the-spot assessment of the situation and the palliatives being provided by government”.

Applauding the governor for the visit, one of the students residing at HavardHood Hostel ravaged by flood, Adekunle Adeyemi, said the relief materials will go a long way in lessening their sufferings at this critical time.

OYEBANJI: WHEN INTEGRITY IS SINE QUA NON

OYEBANJI: WHEN INTEGRITY IS SINE QUA NON.

_By Segun Dipe_

 _People with good intentions make promises; people with integrity keep them._

-unknown.

_Sine qua non_ is a Latin phrase that means "without which not" or "an indispensable condition." It refers to a necessary condition or element that is required for something to happen, exist, or be true.

In other words, a sine qua non is a crucial factor that is essential for a particular outcome, event, or situation to occur. Without this factor, the outcome, event, or situation would not be possible.

Integrity, on the other hand, implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a high degree. People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Leaders who make integrity their watchword tend to embody trust and create the foundation for long-term success.

Ekiti is a very complex State to govern for the fact that limited resources are often thrown at limitless needs, with the people feeling entitled, it is quite tough to meet every need. It takes the citizens' trust for the governor to be acceptable. In a political landscape like ours in Nigeria, often marred by corruption and self-interest, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State, codenamed BAO, stands out as a shining example of what it means to be integrity-driven. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of his constituents has earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the governors driven mostly by integrity in Nigeria today.

BAO's integrity is not an artificial one. He also backs it up with action, and he is consistent with it. In his words: "If I make a promise, I will surely see to its fulfillment." Meaning that he walks his talk, and does it so humbly that one would almost take it for granted as an auto-run venture. 

While declaring open a three-day retreat for the heads of local governments and local council development areas, LCDAs, of the state last June, Gov. Oyebanji urged them to borrow a leaf from his administration by placing high premium on professionalism, discipline, compassion, and teamwork in order to drive substantial improvement in local government administration in the State.

The Governor further said the only way for them to earn the trust of the people was such that they would discharge their civic responsibility with utmost sincerity, integrity, efficiency and professionalism. He encouraged them to uphold the highest ethical standards of honesty and transparency in all their dealings. 

Inconsistency is the antithesis of trust. A person commits the fallacy of inconsistency when he or she makes contradictory claims or when his actions are incongruous with his words. Oyebanji is very consistent in his dealings. He seems to have perfectly rehearsed and perfected his acts as if he knew he would someday mount the saddle. 

Oyebanji does not only govern with integrity, he keeps his ears to the ground to listen to the yearnings of the people. Like he would often tell his aides: "don't try to gag anyone, let them voice their feelings freely and let us endeavour to assuage them." 

It is two years now that Oyebanji canvassed, earned and mounted the saddle to govern Ekiti State. Right down the line, his passion to govern with integrity and prioritise the needs of the people has not waned a bit. He works relentlessly in and out of the box to meet every expectation. While traversing the length and breadth of the State passionately, asking the citizenry to trust him with their votes, Oyebanji made a lot of promises that not a few began to wonder if he was not over-promising. He indeed promised much. For every concern, he had an assurance to give. In general, he promised shared prosperity, that he won't rest on his oars until every home feels the positive impact of his governance. He promised to give every son and daughter of Ekiti a sense of belonging and make them to be proud of their State under his watch. He promised every community a touch of governance in terms of projects and appointments. 

Oyebanji promised the youths, he promised the aged, he promised the women, he promised the children, he promised the royal fathers and the subjects, he promised to make every religion count, he promised the investors, he promised the farmers, he promised the market women, he promised the artisans, he promised the transporters, he promised the teachers, he promised the students, he promised the workers, he promised the retirees, he promised the unemployed, he promised the out of school, he promised the politicians, he promised the apolitical., he promised the indigenes and non-indigenes alike. In his words, there would be something for everyone in his government, and no one would doubt where he stands as the governor on any matter. 

Today, two years into his government, it can be said of Gov Oyebanji that he has not failed any of his promisees. Give it to him that he prioritizes integrity, he regards it as the paragon of his values. He not only preaches it, he embodies it in his official and personal lives. Add to this his non-treacherous nature. He honours all his predecessors in office and continues to value the ladder he climbed to reach the top. 

By swashing about with qualities like honesty, transparency, accountability and by accommodating criticisms of all sorts, Oyebanji has given everyone a reason to trust his leadership and warm up to him. Even his critics today are of the view that the mantle of leadership should rest on him much longer. 

As a leader steeped in integrity, Oyebanji makes ethical decisions, even when grappling with formidable dilemmas like trying to meet conflicting needs. He weighs the ramification of every choice on a broad spectrum and considers the interest of every stakeholder, especially that of a larger community. 

Oyebanji is quick to accept blames. He takes ownership of his actions and tasks himself with shouldering responsibility for his choices. He does not give excuses, he gives results. And in doing so, he demonstrates an unwavering commitment to constant betterment. 

Two of Oyebanji's powerful assets as governor, aside humility and diligence, are diversity and inclusivity. He actively seeks out a multitude of perspectives, fosters an environment where all voices are respected. Such a "no-foe" approach to governance, fuels innovations and augments good decision making. 

Simply because Oyebanji puts his integrity forward, communicates transparently, makes ethical decision and projects shared vision for the people to flourish collectively, not a few have come to believe in his mission and they call for an encore of his tenure, albeit, an uninterrupted second term. The call keeps resonating and increasing by the day. 

Succinctly put, if the people must continue to believe in beautiful soul, kind heart and good energy, then, they must stick to BAO. Though he has spent just two of the first four-year term, a second four-year term is loading already and becoming a surer bet in Ekiti. So far, so good, it's a merited call from the people who are happy with the current situation in Ekiti, made possible by Oyebanji's sincerity of purpose. 

_-Segun Dipe writes from Ado Ekiti._

AMBASSADOR DR. DARE OWOTOMOBI CONDEMNS CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST SENATE LEADER.

AMBASSADOR DR. DARE OWOTOMOBI CONDEMNS CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST SENATE LEADER.

The Global Chairman of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard, BATSV, Ambassador Dr Dare Owotomobi, has condemned in strong terms the allegations making rounds against the Senate Leader, Distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, that he is working against the interest of the Yoruba Nation, as a figment of the imagination of people that don't mean well for Oduduwa.

He said that the Senate Leader has assiduously worked, alongside others in trenches during the era of the military junta, to ensure our hard earned democracy is achieved and therefore frowns at those elements trying to malign his character.

He pointed out that the distinguished Senator was one of those that endangered their lives during the dark days of the military by  giving publicity to the activities of NADECO, and therefore wonders why anyone would seek to denigrate him, after this hard earned victory.

The Global Chairman therefore states that the imposter and his gullible supporters that always believe hook, line and sinker any form of malicious manipulation and misinformation should know the difference between a leader of government business in the upper legislative chamber championing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which national unity is embedded, and an ethnic chauvinist seeking to only championing the interest of his people.

Recall that only recently, an amorphous group under a leader begging for recognition had embarked on a smear campaign to  malign the image of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Frontline supporter of President Tinubu. Dr Owotomobi said the group will not folds its arms and allow any faceless group malign the character of Sen. Bamidele, who has been a Member, Board of Trustees of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard, BATSV, since 2021.

The Global Chairman therefore calls on the populace to disregard all insinuations against him, and consider such the ranting of some disgruntled elements.

Hon. Ojuawo Lauds Governor Oyebanji on New Appointees.

Hon. Ojuawo Lauds Governor Oyebanji on New Appointees.

Hon. Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi, representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1, has praised Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for appointing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to various boards of parastatals in Ekiti State. 

In a statement, Hon. Ojuawo expressed his gratitude, stating, “I commend and thank Governor Oyebanji for appointing our party members to these positions. This will motivate our members to work tirelessly for the growth and development of our party, bringing fresh ideas to government business.” 

He urged the newly appointed members to see their roles as opportunities to serve the community and called on them to justify their positions by delivering exceptional results. 

Emphasizing unity, Hon. Ojuawo remarked, “While not everyone can hold appointments, we must work together as a team to support our dedicated Governor at all times.” 

The commendation highlights the importance of collaboration and dedication within the party as they aim for effective governance in Ekiti State. 

OJUAWO MEDIA TEAM

Oyebanji splashes N47.8m gift on best teachers, berates exam fraud.

Oyebanji splashes N47.8m gift on best teachers, berates exam fraud.

…Ekiti teachers back Governor’s 2026 re-election. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Saturday presented a total 47.8 million naira as gifts to teachers who emerged best in different categories during this year’s Teachers’ Day celebrations in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital. 

In a stern fashion, the Governor also stressed the resolve of his administration to stamp out examination malpractices in whatever form in order to maintain the integrity of the educational sector in the state. 

The teachers also used the opportunity of the World Teachers Day celebration, which took place at Ekito Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti to pass a vote of confidence in the education policies of the Oyebanji administration and endorsed the Governor for a second term in office. 

They hinged their endorsement for the Governor on the need to further give him an unfettered opportunity to consolidate on the various programme and policies being implemented to revamp education in the state.

 

At the event with the theme: 'Valuing Teachers' Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for  Education”, Mrs Modupe Folayemi of Saint Francis' Primary school, Igbara Odo and Mr. Odunayo Oriloye of Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi Ekiti, received a whopping sum of N6 million each, as the best teachers in  primary and secondary schools respectively. 

Two teachers got the sum of N3 million each as first runners up, four received a sum of N1.5m each as second  runners up, while  26 teachers were rewarded with N200,000 each as consolation prize.

The venue of the event was turned into a carnival, as teachers across educational cadres, adorned in Aso Ebi, electrified the arena in celebration of the annual event and praised the Governor for what they described as his teacher-friendly  policies.

In his address at the event, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers(NUT), Ekiti State,  Com. Daodu Bamidele, announced that all the teachers are appreciative of the governor's positively impactful  educational policies and pronounced that  they are solidly backing his reelection in 2026.

Daodu commended Oyebanji for his positive contributions to strengthen the sector, urging  the government to initiate policies that will checkmate brain- drain in education and retain the best brains within the system.

To accomplish the foregoing, he sought immediate implementation of 65 years retirement for teachers, as obtainable in some states of the federation to give his colleagues job security and relevance in the scheme  of things. 

"All the teachers in our dear state  are appreciative of what the Governor has done. He has paid some of the arrears owed by the past administration and also initiated new ones. For the 2026 governorship election, we want to say that we are solidly behind him", he said. 

In his submission, his counterpart in Academic Staff Union of Secondary School( ASUSS), Com Sola Adigun, advocated that the secondary school teachers should be given the leeway to ascend grade level 17 for better career progression.

In his address, Governor Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said his government has ensured expeditious and timely payment of salaries, deductions, and approval of multimillion naira worth of housing and vehicle loans to motivate the teachers and shore up their outputs. 

The governor, who described the teachers as the fortress of the education sector, promised to provide all the necessary incentives that could propel and buoy Ekiti's rating in educational advancement of the country.

Miffed by reported cases of examination malfeasance in the system, the Governor warned that his government would not tolerate examination malpractices under any guise, promising to wield the big stick against promoters of such sordid action in the state. 

"I want to sternly warn school managers at all levels that government has zero tolerance for examination malpractice and investigations are  ongoing to look into some of the allegations of connivance in the promotion of examination malpractice in some schools which led to seizure of SSCE certificate examination.

"I haven't sent any school manager to impress me with bogus result to prove anything to me. We are not in phony competition to earn fake glory that is cancerous to the future of our young ones. 

"Ekiti  has a great name as a land of scholarship, learning and integrity, we will not tolerate any unwholesome and unethical practice from ant school or staff that could tarnish this glorious reputation", Oyebanji stated.

On efforts being devised to fortify the sector, Oyebanji said besides payment of salaries and other emoluments, that teachers were being trained locally and internationally to sharpen their mental horizons and increase  propensity for better delivery. 

The governor applauded the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Academic Staff Union of  Secondary Schools, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary schools and Association of Public Schools Head teachers of Nigeria for their partnership, professionalism and cooperation at all times. 

"It is on record that our administration has initiated car and housing loans for primary school teachers, ensured distribution of laptop computers to public secondary schools, colleges and special schools to mitigate the consequential personnel gap and regular disbursement of car/housing  loans to eligible secondary school teachers, among others.

"Through the adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, a World Bank assured project, many of our public schools have been refurbished and perimeter fences have been constructed in line with our safe school initiative. 

"We have also fulfilled our promise to address the issue of career progression for graduate teachers in primary schools by approving their advancement from grade level 15 to 16, so as to bring them to a parallel peak with their counterparts in the Civil Service". He added.