Oyebanji wants leadership training entrenched in school curriculum.

Oyebanji wants leadership training entrenched in school curriculum.

....as Foursquare church’s annual lecture focuses on leadership question.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has made a case for the inclusion of leadership training and mentorship into the school curriculum at every cadre of education in the country.

Teaching of leadership and associated values, according to the Governor, would help inculcate the right leadership values and qualities in the younger generation, thereby addressing the leadership question more effectively.

Governor Oyebanji stated this in Lagos on Tuesday, in his remarks at the 11th Annual Public lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church, titled: “Leadership in Nigeria and Its Impact on The Next Generation”.

Oyebanji, who chaired the occasion, said Nigeria ought to be futuristic enough to have embedded curriculum that teaches leadership skills and principles, both as practical skills and indoctrinated value in the young population. According to him, if we have identified bad leadership as the bane of the society, it is important to ensure a well structure leadership training for the younger generation.

He spoke just as the Guest Speaker at the lecture and founder The Chair Centre, Mrs Ibukun Awosika and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babjide Sanwo-Olu, also canvassed a deliberate effort at equipping future leaders with necessary values.

According to Oyebanji. “Leadership must be part of the basic everyday skills that every citizen should possess. Leadership training must be as important as basic education for literacy and numeracy. As a nation, we should have embedded curriculum that teaches leadership skills and principles, both as practical skills and indoctrinated values. For me, I believe if you want to change a people, teach them what you want them to change to.

“There is no doubt that a major problem with leadership recruitment in Nigeria is that, people, sometimes, just find themselves in leadership positions without the right aptitude and attitude. For long, Nigerians continue to gamble with leadership selection through try by error system.

“There are those who become leaders by default or by circumstances of privileged pedigree and not because of personal merits. Yet, the best of leaders are those who have been trained, tested and exposed to the nitty-gritty of leadership in addition to their innate ability.

“Leadership is such a serious thing that being certified should be one of the requirements to hold certain strategic positions in the society. Evidence abounds that technical skill on jobs are not enough for people to lead competently; there is the need for real and special training in the art and science of leadership for people to succeed today.

“I therefore subscribe to the argument that people should, of necessity, go through intentional leadership training before they can lead at some certain levels in the society. We all need to be well exposed to the call of leadership and how to manage a mass audience of people with differing characteristics, needs and tendencies.” He said.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said the foregoing propelled his government to introduce Ekiti Values Education (EVE) into the curriculum as a way of identifying  those with high propensity to lead in future at their tender age, adding that the domestication of this concept as part of educational development, was to make Ekiti a model in leadership among  the next generations of Nigerians.

"In Ekiti, we are already doing this. As a State that is serious about preparing the next generation of leaders from today, we have evolved a ’catch-them-young’ curriculum that prepares our future leaders for leadership position right from the primary school.

Ekiti State Hosts Groundbreaking Training on Ethics and Proficiency for Leaders and Advocates within the Community of People with Disabilities.

Ekiti State Hosts Groundbreaking Training on Ethics and Proficiency for Leaders and Advocates within the Community of People with Disabilities. 

The Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion had yesterday, 7th of October, launched a pivotal training program on "Fundamental Ethics and Proficiency in providing support for People with DisabilitiesEkiti State. The training, which is aimed at empowering leaders, individuals, and Non Governmental Organization working with the Community of People with Disabilities, was held at the Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere Ekiti.

Princess Adetoun Agboola, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, welcomed the participants and commended Governor Oyebanji for his visionary initiatives that have revolutionized the Special Education and Social Inclusion landscape in Ekiti State. These initiatives include the recruitment of specialized teachers and caregivers, monthly stipends for children with severe disabilities, and access to free healthcare services for all persons with Disabilities in the state. 

The keynote lecture was delivered by Mr. Oke Aruleba, a distinguished lecturer who emphasized the need for a transformative approach to leadership. In his lecture titled "Changing Leadership Narration: From Theory to Action," Aruleba urged the PWD leaders, people working within the PWD Community and NGOs to embrace a mindset of "learning, unlearning, and relearning" to keep pace with the evolving needs of the community.

Mrs. Olawunmi Famuyiwa, Director General of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, brought an important focus to ethical responsibilities in her address, "From Ethics to Accountability." She highlighted how ethical leadership is crucial in ensuring that the rights of PWDs are protected and upheld.

Further enriching the participants, Hon. Biyi Fashona, the Technical Advisor on Change Management in the Ekiti State Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, advocated for a paradigm shift in special education practices. He prompted the audience to adopt forward-thinking strategies that prioritize innovation and full inclusion.

Participants also benefited from the practical insights shared by Mr. Olajide Funso, the Executive Director of Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI). Mr. Funso provided actionable advice on equipping oneself with the necessary skills to excel in examinations, interviews, and entrepreneurial endeavours.

The training initiative is expected to foster a new generation of leaders committed to advocating for and supporting the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities in Ekiti State. Participants left with renewed enthusiasm for implementing innovative strategies in their communities.

As part of Ekiti State’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for People with Disabilities and transforming the special education sector, this event marks a significant step towards building a more inclusive society where no one, regardless of disabilities, is left behind.

Ekiti Governor Calls for Replication of State’s Human Capital Development Model in Local Councils.

Ekiti Governor Calls for Replication of State’s Human Capital Development Model in Local Councils.

Ekiti State Governor Mr. Biodun, has called on local government and LCDA chairmen to replicate the state's Human Capital Development (HCD) structure within their respective councils to fully harness the potentials in the three thematic areas: health nutrition, education and labour force participation.

He made this call during a capacity-building workshop for the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), organized by the Ekiti State Government in collaboration with the National Office of Human Capital Development, Abuja, held at the Sani Abacha Hall in the Old Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti.

Represented by Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, who equally serves as the State Chairperson of HCD, was with the Special Adviser on HCD, Hon Olugbenga Agbeyo who is the State Focal Person of the program.

Oyebanji urged local governments to adopt a similar structure, where vice chairmen of LGAs/LCDAs would be appointed as HCD chairpersons, and focal persons be nominated by the council chairmen. 

"It is essential that every local government adopts a functional and sustainable Human Capital Development structure, in line with national HCD policy. The HCD is the third actionable pillar of this administration, aimed at providing quality education and equipping children with the tools to build successful lives". Oyebanji said. 

He reminded participants that the HCD programme was introduced in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari as a proactive measure to address Nigeria's poor global ranking in HCD.

Oyebanji added that the purpose of the workshop was to ensure that local governments domesticate the policies operating at the national and state levels, with the belief that investing in HCD would reduce youth unemployment and drive comprehensive growth.

The governor highlighted his administration's achievements across various sectors and urged stakeholders to actively engage in the workshop to develop a sustainable HCD blueprint for the state. 

He also expressed gratitude to the National Human Capital Development Office in Abuja for its support in advancing the state's HCD efforts.

Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Folakemi Olomojobi, stressed the need to prioritize education, health, and labour force development, stating that these sectors are critical for national progress.

The Special Adviser/Director General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Dr. John Ekundayo, represented by the Technical Adviser to the Governor on OTSD, Pastor Kayode Odunayo, echoed the importance of capacity building for public workers, noting that it enhances productivity across all sectors.

Earlier in his opening remarks, HCD Focal Person in Ekiti State and Special Adviser to the Governor on Human Capital Development, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo, commended Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to HCD and thanked the National HCD office for its support. 

He explained that the three days workshop aimed to incorporate HCD at the local government level, particularly as the implementation of local government autonomy progresses.

Hon. Agbeyo emphasized that establishing a robust HCD structure at the council level is crucial for unlocking the potential of the people and driving sustainable growth, describing the three-day workshop as a key step in preparing all stakeholders for the effective implementation of HCD programmes at the local level.

The workshop was attended by local government and LCDA chairmen, including the ALGON chairman, Chief Segun Ojo, represented by his deputy, Hon. Segun Afolabi; Special Adviser on Project Monitoring, Hon. Femi Ajayi; and several commissioners from the Local Government Service Commission, among other dignitaries.

Oyebanji Makes Functional Education, Skills, Job Creation Cornerstone of Govt – Deputy Gov.

Oyebanji Makes Functional Education, Skills, Job Creation Cornerstone of Govt – Deputy Gov.

.…As Ekiti moves to domesticate HCD roadmap for LGs.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has disclosed that the Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration was making significant investment in functional education, skill development, job creation and farming, to promote human resources in the state.

Afuye said Oyebanji being a serious- minded leader, believed adequate attention must be accorded quality education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, skills and job creation, which accounted for why the government was focusing on these critical areas.

Mrs Afuye said these on Tuesday, while flagging off a stakeholders’ capacity building workshop for technical working group and Local Government Chairmen in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

The Deputy Governor, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, stated that the workshop will be a leeway for the domestication of Oyebanji’s human capital development roadmap at the State level in all the Councils.

She said the foregoing became imperative to substantially complement the human capital development strides at the state level and efforts being intensified by the federal government via National Human Capital Development Office.

“As a serious government, adequate attention must be given to human capital development , especially in the areas of healthcare, nutrition, quality education, agriculture, skills and jobs.

“The essence of the quality education is to equip our children with the foundation required to build successful lives. This government has been adopting multi -pronged actions that would allow schools from primary to tertiary to be responsive to demands of today’s realities.

“It is on this note that the office of the HCD in Ekiti State and National Human Capital Development office organised this workshop in other to domesticate what operates at the national and state levels at the local governments”.

Similarly, Mrs Afuye added the current government was upscaling efforts to shore up food sufficiency through cluster farming at Oke Ako, Iyemero and Gede, in Ekiti North Senatorial District.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, said Human capital development as a Pillar 3 of the Oyebanji’s administration must be zealously focused on at the grassroots, where over 70% of the population reside.

She advised the drivers of the local government system to perceive the training as an opportunity to broaden their horizons about the HCD concept and the priority placed by this administration on the sector.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Human Capital Development and Allied Matters, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo, emphasized the imperative of the council bosses’ readiness to key into the Ekiti’s HCD Agenda, to fight poverty, joblessness and neglect in the system.

Senate Leader Distributes 5,000 Bags of Fertilizer to Ekiti Farmers, Applauds Tinubu's Support.

Senate Leader Distributes 5,000 Bags of Fertilizer to Ekiti Farmers, Applauds Tinubu's Support.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has distributed 5,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, in an effort to boost agriculture and improve the livelihoods of residents. This initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu's agricultural support scheme aimed at enhancing food production across the country.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

Speaking during the distribution event in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Bamidele disclosed that President Tinubu had allocated 1,200 bags of fertilizer to each senator and 600 bags to each member of the House of Representatives for distribution to farmers in their respective districts. However, the Senate Leader explained that he took it upon himself to source additional funds to increase the number of fertilizer bags from the 1,200 allocated to 5,000 for his senatorial district.

“I felt I needed more than 1,200 bags for my district, so I looked for money and got additional bags to make it 5,000. These fertilizers are for registered farmers only,” Bamidele stated.

He emphasized that the distribution was targeted at genuine farmers and warned beneficiaries against selling the fertilizers. “Do not collect it if you will not use it,” he cautioned.

Bamidele also used the occasion to clear up rumors circulating about his alleged opposition to regionalism, dismissing them as “fake news.” He clarified that there was no bill or memorandum before the National Assembly on regionalism but pointed to his work in championing the passage of the South West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill, which would benefit all six states in the region.

The Senate Leader expressed confidence that once President Tinubu returns from his vacation, the SWDC Bill would be signed into law. The Commission, which will have its headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, will see key positions distributed among the Southwest states.

Bamidele commended President Tinubu for his commitment to improving agriculture, saying the fertilizer distribution was part of the president's broader strategy to make agriculture more productive and sustainable in the country. 

He further added, "The president believes we should go beyond sharing rice and actively invest in agriculture," highlighting the administration's goal of achieving food security and improving the economic conditions of Nigerian farmers.

Your Future is Bright in APC, Oyebanji Assures Defectors.

Your Future is Bright in APC, Oyebanji Assures Defectors.

…as ex-female Gov candidate, Elebute- Halle, joins ruling party.

The ranks of the All Progressives Congress(APC) further swelled in Ekiti State, on Monday, as Governor Biodun Oyebanji received the former female governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the 2022 election, Engr. Kemi Elebute-Halle into the ruling party.

At the carnival-like event, Oyebanji assured the decampee and her backers that their future and political careers are guaranteed in the party.

The governor gave the assurance on Monday, when Elebute- Halle and hundreds of her supporters officially dumped ADP and joined the ruling party.

Elebute- Halle was the candidate of the ADP in the June 18, 2022 governorship election won by Governor Oyebanji in the state.

Receiving the defectors, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, described APC as the most democratic party in the country in terms of better welfare packages for the masses.

Allaying all fears, Oyebanji stated that nobody will be allowed to discriminate or deprive the defectors of their fundamental rights as members under his leadership.

Oyebanji said the rank of the APC has continued to swell owing to populist governance and people- centric policies and programmes his government has initiated to bring solace to the masses, since he assumed office.

He congratulated Mrs Elebute- Halle and her teeming supporters for joining APC, saying the party is unique from others in terms of inclusivity, welfare and dividends of democracy being given to members and the citizens at large.

“Let me assure you that Governor Oyebanji and the party leaders will provide you with every opportunity to realise your ambition in APC. Our party is for all Nigerians and this is the only party that prioritises the interest of Nigerians over and above other narrow interests.

“The APC is the most democratic party in Nigeria, and which also considered women and youth as strategic partners in decision making process.

“Try and have confidence in the leaders of APC and have good rapport with all members of this great party. No one can discriminate against you, because the party is above any individual interest, so that we can work together and achieve our goals”, he assured.

Speaking about the giant strides being made by government to enliven the people’s spirits, Oyebanji said: “Within this short period, the governor has touched the six pillars of his administration. He has brought great progress and development that he promised when he took over the mantle of leadership”.

Handing over the party’s flag to the decampees, the National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, described the leader of the defectors as a heavyweight politician, who will add value to APC.

Ganduje, represented by the APC Acting Chairman in Ekiti State, Hon Sola Elesin, assured that all the defectors will be given unrestricted opportunities to realise their ambitions in APC without hindrance.

“We have no new members in APC. We are one and equal. You are welcome to our party on behalf of our National Working Committee, led by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. APC is a party of progress and we shall go extra miles to bring people of substance like you into our fold”.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, boasted that APC will continue to dominate the polity because it is populated by progressive-minded people.

“We are ready to go to the mountain top and valleys to woo people who value progress into this party. APC stands for progress that is why we are different from others. And we don’t normally put barriers on anyone’s way to realise his ambition, our party is for all”.

Expressing delight over the electrifying reception, the highly ecstatic Elebute- Halle, said she decided to defect to APC to add value to Governor Oyebanji’s government, she described as resounding in terms of performance and delivery.

She promised to ensure peace and unity within the APC fold and work assiduously for the success of the party in all elections, by deploying her structures and networks across the State to work for the party.

At the event, Elebute-Halle distributed food palliatives to some selected persons in solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“We are joining APC to add value to the governments of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji. I have seen the two leaders as being committed to the welfare of the masses and the development of this nation. I shall do all within my power and reach to make sure that my positive impacts are felt.

“I advise all my supporters to relate freely with APC members in all the 177 wards. We are now one and indivisible entity”.

Oyebanji Excited as FG’s Validated Ward Boundary Exercise Begins in Ekiti.

Oyebanji Excited as FG’s Validated Ward Boundary Exercise Begins in Ekiti.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has saluted the federal government for adopting the State as representative of all the 17 Southern Nigerian States in the Validated Ward Boundary and Harmonisation exercise.

Oyebanji gave the commendation, on Monday, while receiving a federal government’s delegation who were in the state to undertake the Validated Ward Boundary and Harmonisation Exercise in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said his government had resolved many intra and inter state boundary disputes, which he said accounted for the relative peace being savoured in the state.

Oyebanji revealed that his administration was enthralled and excited with the fact that Ekiti was picked as the pilot state to representative 16 other states in the southern part of the country.

About the significance of the exercise, Oyebanji said this will resolve all issues previously encountered on ward boundary delineation and will form a document that will be applied to broker truce in other boundary issues nationally.

Essentially, Oyebanji added that the exercise will help in validating all data previously captured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Population Commission (NPC) and the Geo-Referenced Infrastructure and Demographic Data for Development (GRID3).

“If data are wrongly or erroneously captured, it will definitely affect the outcome of our electoral process. Since allocation of resources are sometimes distributed based on the existing Wards in the nation, even and equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy to the citizens may also be jeopardized.

“As a government, we have made tremendous progress in resolving several intra-town, inter-town and inter local Government boundary issues peacefully and amicably. We are happy with this exercise and we shall cooperate with you”, he said.

In his submission, the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surveyor Abduganiyu Adeyemi, revealed that the exercise will help in bridging the existing gap in the operations of the international organisations in getting to the grassroots in their aids for Nigerians.

Adeyemi, represented by a senior official in his office, Mr. Azees Afeez, said grassroots development remains a cardinal objective of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, saying the exercise will help in actualising the policy, now that the councils had been granted autonomy.

The Surveyor General stated that the policy will provide one ward boundary delineation roadmap that will be acceptable to all agencies of government and international donors to operate with in the performances of their duties.

“It was agreed that two states should be piloted, Bauchi State in the North and Ekiti State in the South, but we are starting with Ekiti in the pilot scheme.

“We are seeking your cooperation so that we can make a success of the exercise for the greatness of our nation. We are here representing the federal government and this exercise is not in any way political”.