Oyebanji Condemns Looting As Fire Razes Multimillion Naira Property in Ekiti Community.

Oyebanji Condemns Looting As Fire Razes Multimillion Naira Property in Ekiti Community.

....sympathises with Victims.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has condemned the reported cases of looting of property by some unscrupulous elements during the midnight fire outbreak that surged in Igede Ekiti, on Tuesday and engulfed multimillion Naira property.

The governor promised to investigate the masterminds of the looting and bring them to justice.

Oyebanji said this in Igede Ekiti during his visit to the spot of the fire outbreak that engulfed two buildings, comprising six shops and other residential apartments. 

The inferno, which started around 1.30am, razed down two buildings and destroyed property worth millions of naira before the men of Ekiti State Fore Services intervened to rescue the situation.

Addressing the victims, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, sympathised with the victims, pledging that the government will intervene to palliate  their sufferings through relief materials .

He, however, expressed elation that no life lost during the midnight conflagration that destroyed the two buildings and many shops. 

Oyebanji suspected that the inferno must have surged due to electricity spark occasioned by high voltage and melting of wires, saying this makes it expedient for shop owners to always off their lights at night. 

On the reported cases of looting during the midnight fire outbreak, the governor described the action as extreme display  of wickedness, which he said shouldn't occur in an ideal society. 

The Governor also visited the palace of Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru to sympathise with the monarch on the highly painful occurrence and promised that his government shall swiftly commence enumeration of the property lost for intervention.

"I want to believe that the fire must have surged from electricity spark. The government has been crying and warning our people to always off their lights while not at home. Those who left their shops and refused to off the lights caused this and it was painful. 

"The wires must have melted when the high voltage electricity came resulting in fire that spread across the two buildings. Try and heed the government's advice on how we can effectively use our electricity.

"We sympathize with you. The news about these losses was not pleasurable to our governor. But we are assuring you that we will intervene. 

"The operatives of the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency will soon come to do the enumeration of the victims and the estimate of the losses incurred".

On the looting, the governor , said: " I am not really happy that some people were looting property when they were to help safeguard the situation. This is bad and wicked. We are going to investigate this and whoever that is indicted shall be arrested and prosecuted accordingly", he vowed.

One of the victims, Mr Chinedu Nbamu, appreciated the governor for the visit, urging that those who looted  property should be investigated and arrested to serve as deterrent to others.

Nbamu, who described the incident as worrisome and painful, added that no one could ascertain the source of the inferno, while debunking the claim that the fire surged from his multimillion naira shop.

Expressing grieve over the occurrence, the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, appreciated the governor for displaying compassion and empathy at this highly excruciating time for the victims.

The monarch appealed to the government to act swiftly and start offering the victims palliatives to return to their businesses as quickly as possible.

GOV OYEBANJI CONGRATULATES AVIATION MINISTER, KEYAMO ON 55TH BIRTHDAY.

GOV OYEBANJI CONGRATULATES AVIATION MINISTER, KEYAMO ON 55TH BIRTHDAY.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has congratulated the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) on his 55th birthday.

Governor Oyebanji said he is  happy to share the joy of the day with the Minister which came at a time he is on a working visit to Ekiti State. 

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the Governor hailed Mr Keyamo's contributions to national development as a renowned lawyer, human rights activist and a reputable public servant.

The Governor described Keyamo as one of the most distinguished legal minds in the country, adding that the Minister has carved a niche for himself as a result- oriented public servant.

He equally lauded Keyamo for selfless service to his fatherland as a member of the Federal Executive Council first as Minister of State, Labour and Employment and presently as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Governor Oyebanji said Mr Keyamo would be remembered for his efforts in driving the vision of President Bola Tinubu to use the aviation industry as a catalyst for inflow of investment in line with the Renewed Hope agenda.

While praying for long life and sound health for the celebrant, the Governor wished the Minister more fruitful years of service to the nation and mankind.

“The Government and good people of Ekiti State, Land of Honour, felicitate a friend of the State, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo( SAN) os he marked his 55th birthday, in line of duty our dear state. 

“Our prayer is that God grants  him many more prosperous years as he continues to contribute to national building.”, the statement added.

Ekiti Airport Runway, World class, says Aviation Minister.

Ekiti Airport Runway, World class, says Aviation Minister.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has commended the quality of work done on the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado- Ekiti, describing the airport runway as world-class. 

Keyamo who landed at the Ekiti airport around 5.15pm on Monday and was welcomed with a water salute, said he was at the airport on a fact finding mission. 

 He told journalists on arrival that the airport is ready, adding that virtually all the facilities needed for a standard airport have been provided. 

The Minister said the delay in the commencement of commercial flight operations at the airport is to give room for non-schedule flight which is the standard procedure across the world.

Keyamo said the agro allied airport has been on the radar of the Ministry of Aviation for a long time and it was high time it commenced operation.

“Well, I am here on a fact finding mission, the Ekiti Agro- Allied Airport has been on our radar for a long time and we felt it was time for us to start operations here. 

“What we have approved for now is for the first six months for us to conduct non-scheduled flight. In other words, we will not have big commercial airlines coming in with plenty of passengers now but it is ready for the private jets to come in now to test the facilities here. It's not because it is not ready but that is actually the standard procedure all over the world that you start with non-scheduled flight and test the facilities before bringing a lot of passengers here.

“I can see that the aeronautical side is absolutely ready, the aeronautical where you have runway and am sure you have seen the quality of the runway, this quality of the runway you see here can be compared to any runway in the world”, the Minister asserted.

The Aviation Minister said the airport is long overdue considering the huge agribusiness going on in Ekiti State.

He expressed optimism that the airport would compete favorably with similar airports across the world.

The Minister was received at the airport by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Transport, Mr Kolawole Ajobiewe; Commissioner for Information, Rt Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun, Special Adviser Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, and Technical Adviser to the Governor on Airport Project, AVM Sunday Makinde (rtd) among others. 

The visit came barely one week after the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) embarked on the calibration of landing equipment at the airport .

Oyebanji hails FUOYE council on development, promises support for institution.

Oyebanji hails FUOYE council on development, promises support for institution.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has commended the Governing Council of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) for developing the university to enviable heights within 11 years of its establishment.

Governor Oyebanji stated this while receiving members of the Governing Council of the University led by its chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina at the Governor’s office, Ado Ekiti on Monday. The Governor also applauded the institution for championing academic excellence among over 280 public universities in the country.

The Governor said there is no doubt that FUOYE under the leadership of Senator Ndoma-Egba will continue to soar higher, adding that he is impressed with the accomplishments of staff and students of the institution in areas of academic excellence and research. 

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the state government would continue to support the university in its infrastructure development drive, which is geared towards repositioning the institution as one of the leading institutions of higher learning. 

Speaking on the education policy of his administration, the Governor said his government would continue to translate the state’s comparative advantage in education into wealth creation in line with shared prosperity agenda of the administration. This, he said informed huge investment in learning facilities in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state. 

He commended Senator Ndoma- Egba for the richness of his  contribution during his time at the National Assembly as well as his sterling contribution to national development as an accomplished lawyer, politician and public servant. 

“When you were in the Seventh Senate, you were one of the few senators I took special interest in, because of the richness of your contributions on the floor of the senate and by the kind of leadership you espoused. You remain a leader that I have absolute respect for.

“I must congratulate FUOYE for having you as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, I must also thank the President for putting a fit and proper person as the chair of the council of the university.

“Like you rightly said, I keep telling my friends that Ekiti state has the highest PhD holders per capital in the country, our challenge as a government is how to translate that to wealth creation for the people. How to ensure that those titles solve problems for Ekiti. We must add value to the people and the state that will bring gains to the society.

“I can assure you that we will partner with you to ensure that we realize those indelible legacies that you intend to leave behind. On most of the issues you raised, especially the issue of Certificate of Occupancy, the state will take that up immediately. We will also look into the request for fencing and I will also tell you that work has already started on the road from Oye to Are Ekiti.

Earlier, the Chairman of the University Council, Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba had commended the hospitality of Ekiti people, which according to him had been the greatest impetus that had driven the university to thrive and achieve remarkable growth and development it has achieved.

Senator Ndoma-Egba  also applauded Governor Oyebanji for his development strides in the health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and other sectors of the economy, which he said the Governor is doing without noise. 

“Your Excellency, let me congratulate you once again. You are doing so much in Education, agriculture, infrastructure, in health and other sectors. You are doing so much with very little noise”, he added. 

The Pro Chancellor  stated further that during his tenure at FUOYE, he would do all within his power to stabilize the academic calendar of the university, urging the unions to allow relevant and extant laws to guide their grievance management.

Also at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Miyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Prof. Akeem  Azeez , Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr Yinka Oyebode as well as principal officials of the university.

Stakeholders Laud Governor Oyebanji for Landmark Achievements in PWD Care and Inclusivity.

Stakeholders Laud Governor Oyebanji for Landmark Achievements in PWD Care and Inclusivity.

.....Advocate for ramps, hand railings, and visibility markings in all public facilities.

Stakeholders within the community of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State for his remarkable strides in promoting inclusivity and providing care for Persons with Disabilities in Ekiti State. 

The commendations were made at an interactive meeting organized by the State Ministry of Education, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Omolayo, lauded the Governor for ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or disability, has access to quality education.

In her introductory speech, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, highlighted the pressing need to address the significant barriers faced by individuals with disabilities across various aspects of life.

She shared inspiring stories of individuals with disabilities who have achieved extraordinary success. One of such examples is Adebolu Adejobi, a young boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy and speech impairment, who was unable to speak for over four years. Despite these challenges, Bolu achieved the best WAEC results in his school and is now pursuing a scholarship at Bells University. Another remarkable example is Kodi Lee, a visually impaired musician whose incredible singing and instrumental performances amazed his audience worldwide, earning him first place on the "America's Got Talent" show.

Princess Adetoun also provided an overview of the different types of disabilities, including those affecting vision, mobility, cognition, memory, learning, communication, physical form, hearing, mental health, and social relationships. She emphasized that fostering diversity and ensuring accessibility not only empower Persons with Disabilities but also drive innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen the collective resilience of the PWDs.

The Special Adviser went further to urge participants at the training to treat all Persons with Disabilities with dignity and respect. She condemned the use of derogatory terms such as 'Disabled People' or 'Less Fortunate,' emphasizing that they are human first before being identified by their disabilities. As an example, she highlighted the common misuse of terms like 'Albino People' instead of 'People with Albinism.' She stressed the importance of prioritizing "Person-first language" to affirm their humanity.

The Ekiti State AGILE Coordinator, Mrs. Yewande Adesua disclosed that N191 million has been invested in the three Special Schools for various projects, including the renovation of hostels and classrooms, provision of learning materials and the creation of an enabling environment for children with disabilities.

During their goodwill messages, stakeholders including the Chairman, Board of Disability Affairs, Dr Ebenezer Ogunlade; JONAPWD Chairman, Mr. Sesan Aina; and the Executive Director of Disability Not a Barrier Initiative (DINABI), Mr. Funso Olajide, praised the state government for its pioneering efforts within the community of PWDs in Ekiti State. They also cautioned women against unapproved medical treatments during pregnancy, which could lead to disabilities in unborn children.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development announced the Governor’s approval to include a PWD representative in the Gender-Based Management Committee chaired by the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji. She called for greater support for Women with Disabilities, who are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence.

In her lecture titled “Inclusivity and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in the 21st Century,” Dr. Esther Oyefesobi made several recommendations, including establishing more Special Schools to accommodate rising enrollment, training and re-training of teachers in the Special Education sector and introducing Special Education programs in higher institutions of learning in Ekiti state.

The Director General of the Bureau of Asset Management, Architect Temitope Oni, provided technical insights on ramp measurements standards. She stressed the importance of critical factors such as slope ratios, width, landings and handrails in constructing accessible public facilities. 

Several recommendations were made to further promote inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities. These include: accessibility and inclusive infrastructure, access to free healthcare, provision of calming spots for neurodivergent persons, braille-labeled drugs for visually impaired, opportunities for leadership capacity, employment opportunities and inclusive education.

Participants commended Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his deliberate efforts in prioritizing the welfare of Persons with Disabilities. They acknowledged his administration's proactive measures in addressing many of the outlined recommendations, particularly in the areas of Healthcare, Employment, and Educational programs tailored to meet the needs of Persons with Disabilities in Ekiti State.

The meeting served as a platform to strategize on fostering an inclusive and sustainable future for Persons with Disabilities while ensuring their full integration into society.

Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) to Inaugurate 4th Assembly, Unveil Digital Platform.

Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) to Inaugurate 4th Assembly, Unveil Digital Platform. 

The Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) is set to inaugurate its 4th Assembly on February 13, 2025, at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, in a grand ceremony aimed at redefining youth leadership and innovation in the country.

A key highlight of the event will be the unveiling of YAN's multi-million naira website, a state-of-the-art digital platform designed to enhance the organization's operations, advocacy efforts, and engagement with Nigerian youths and global partners.

Distinguished personalities will be inducted as Patrons, Matrons, and Advisers, representing all geo-political zones. Notable figures include:

Dr. Bello Matawalle, Honorable Minister of State for Defense (Grand Patron)

Rt. Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi, Former Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (National Patron)

Dr. Oluwatoyin Afiz-Ogun and Dr. Oludare Akande (National Patrons)

Ambassador Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu and Alhaja Bisi Eletu (Matrons)

Additionally, the event will be chaired by Engr. Olawande Ayodele, Honorable Minister for Youth Development, and co-chaired by Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Youth Engagements. Prominent advisers such as Hon. Femi Adekanbi, Hon. Bello El-Rufai, and Hon. Umar Yusuf Yabo will also be inducted.

The inauguration will serve as a platform to celebrate YAN's achievements, set future goals, and reinforce its mission to empower young Nigerians. Keynote speeches, panel discussions, and strategic planning sessions will equip young leaders with the tools to address social, economic, and political challenges.

In a statement by YAN's National Speaker, Rt. Hon. Famuyibo Oluwasegun, the unveiling of the website marks a significant step in YAN’s digital transformation. The platform is designed to amplify youth voices, facilitate resource sharing, and foster collaboration to drive impactful change.

This event signifies not only a celebration of progress but also a call to action for Nigeria’s youth to rise as future leaders. Through innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, YAN is poised to shape a brighter future for young Nigerians and the nation as a whole.

Oyebanji visits gallant firefighter injured during operation.

Oyebanji visits gallant firefighter injured during operation.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Sunday commended the selfless and heroic acts of a Stste firefighter, Higher Superintendent Osho Oluwasola, and his team for their swift response in extinguishing a raging fire at a filling station in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, last week. 

Governor Oyebanji gave the commendation on Sunday when he paid an unscheduled visit to Osho, who was injured during the operation, at his residence in Ado Ekiti.

The firefighter and his wife were overwhelmed with emotions on sighting the Governor at their residence in Dalimore area of the state capital Sunday afternoon.  

Governor Oyebanji, who said he came to express the gratitude of the State Government and the people of the state to Osho, said he also wanted to follow up on his recovery, having been hospitalized over the injury he sustained. The Governor commended the firefighter and engaged him on aspects of their job during the visit which lasted about 20 minutes.  

Speaking with journalists shortly after the visit, the Governor who hailed the firefighter and his team for their gallantry noted that their effectiveness in curtaining the fire was a reflection of the dedication of public servants in the state to their duties. 

The Governor said the swift response of the State Fire Service officials was instrumental in averting what could have been a major fire disaster in the state.

He attributed the effectiveness of the state fire service to emergencies to his administration’s huge investment in fire fighting equipment as well as Government ‘s efforts at revamping the agency.

Governor Oyebanji said the state fire service under his administration, had undergone significant transformation, adding that the agency has been revamped, with staff undergoing rigorous training programmes on different aspects of emergency response in order to enhance their capacity. This, he said, is in addition to the deployment of fire trucks across senatorial districts in the state thereby ensuring swift response and effectiveness during emergencies.

The Governor who also use the opportunity to interact with residents who had trooped out in their large numbers, upon sighting him in the neighborhood, assured the people that his government would continue to prioritize the safety and security of lives , properties and investments in the state.

He emphasized that his administration’s investment in emergency response such as fire service and others were part of a broader strategy to create a safe and thriving environment for all.

“I came here for two reasons, to thank one of our gallant  firefighters, who is a staff of Ekiti State Fire Service, Higher Superintendent Osho, who got injured while responding to an emergency tire incident at a filling station. With that singular act, they saved many lives,  investments and a lot of properties. 

 “But in the course of that, he was injured, and was rushed to the hospital. I was out of the state then, but I was monitoring his recovery. So I just came here today to confirm the report I got that he is responding to treatment and I am happy he’s  recuperating well. I am here to also thank him on behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State for making us proud”. The Governor said.

In his response, the fire fighter, Mr Olusola expressed his deepest gratitude for the Governor’s visit and the massive support he and his team got from the state government. 

Describing the visit as a morale booster, Mr Osho reaffirmed his commitment to serving the state, stating that the incident had only strengthened  his resolve to protect lives and properties.