Gov Oyebanji Condoles Deputy Over Mother's Death.

Gov Oyebanji Condoles Deputy Over Mother's Death.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has commiserated with the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye over the demise of her mother, Olori Esther Iyalaje Adegboye.

Madam Adegboye died early Tuesday morning after a brief illness. She was aged 97 years old.

 

Governor Oyebanji described Madam Adegboye death as painful, but expressed joy that it was an end to a dignified era, considering the impactful life she lived and her positive influence on her Ikere Ekiti community. 

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, on Tuesday, Governor Oyebanji commiserated with the Deputy Governor, her siblings and the entire Adegboye Royal Dynasty over the passing of their matriarch. 

The Governor  described the late Madam Adegboye as a honest and resourceful community leader, who contributed immensely to the growth of Ikere Ekiti in the areas  of women mobilisation and empowerment.

Oyebanji said the good deeds of the deceased overtly reflected in the qualities of her children, whom he said are not only doing exceedingly well in their chosen careers, but always exhibit virtues of loyalty, honesty and reliability at their duty posts.

The Governor prayed God to repose the deceased's soul in His bosom and  grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, her siblings and the entire Akayejo Ruling House of Ikere Ekiti on the passing  of this quintessential community leader.

"Evidently mama lived a good life and left legacies of selfless service, diligence and loyalty. I urge Her Excelkency, the deputy Governor and the entire family to be consoled by mama’s exemplary and impactful life . 

"History will continue to be kind to Mama for her contributions to women's mobilisation and emancipation in all respects. May God grant her eternal rest”, the statement added.

Meanwhile, Governor Oyebanji has paid a condolence visit to the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, this afternoon at her official residence within the Government House Complex, in Ado- Ekiti.

Fayemi Commends the Life and Legacy of Elder Statesman, Pa Edwin Clark.

Fayemi Commends the Life and Legacy of Elder Statesman, Pa Edwin Clark.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Elder Statesman Pa Edwin Clark.

In a statement issued today by the head of the Fayemi Media Office, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, Fayemi described Pa Clark as a patriot and a towering figure in Nigerian history. 

“Pa Clark was a great statesman whose contributions to the development of our nation were immeasurable,” Fayemi stated. “His service to Nigeria spanned decades, from his early career in public service to his untiring commitment to national unity and development.”

The statement reads:

‘’It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a towering figure in Nigeria’s political landscape and true statesman.

“Pa Clark’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy of service, courage, and commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria will endure forever.

‘’Pa Clark was not just a leader. He was a patriot who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria as a former senator, minister, and elder statesman. In all of these roles, he was pivotal in shaping our nation's political and socio-economic fabric. 

‘’His tenure as Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture during the military era showcased his dedication to national unity and ability to navigate complex challenges with wisdom and integrity.

‘’Pa Clark was a vocal advocate for justice, equity, and fairness. Particularly, he was a fearless voice for the Niger Delta and a staunch defender of the rights of marginalized communities. His contributions to the struggle for resource control and environmental justice remain indelible, and his leadership in the Niger Delta struggle will continue to inspire generations to come.

It is also noteworthy that Pa Clark passed away a few days after the death of his longtime friend, political associate and ideological companion, Pa Ayo Adebanjo. Their lives were deeply intertwined by a commitment to justice, equity, and the advancement of true federalism in Nigeria. Their passing has left a deep void in our socio-political fabric.

“On behalf of my family, I extend my deepest condolences to the Clark family, the people of the Niger Delta, and indeed all Nigerians.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Signed

Mallam Ahmad Sajoh

Head, Fayemi Media Office, Abuja

February 18, 2025

Ekiti Central leaders Endorse Oyebanji for second term.

Ekiti Central leaders Endorse Oyebanji for second term.

…Senator Bamidele, Ojudu, NASS Members, LG leaders hail Gov’s performance.

....Uniting Ekiti, Oyebanji's best scorecard, says senate leader. 

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and former deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu led other frontline leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, on Monday, to endorse Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the party's sole candidate for the 2026 governorship poll in the state. 

The endorsement was passed, at a special senatorial meeting, organised by the APC leaders and stakeholders from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, held at the Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital. 

The endorsement motion, ratified through a thunderous voice vote, was moved and seconded by frontline leaders from the five local government area of the district. The leaders include Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a two-time commissioner, Mrs Ronke Okunsanya, serving House of Representatives' members, Hon. Biodun Omoleye and Sola Fatoba, a former Acting Governor in the state Rt Hon Tope Ademiluyi, former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, and other party elders. 

Justifying the reasons for the endorsement in a resolution presented to the APC Acting State Chairman, Sola Elesin and via a letter transmitted to the Governor, by former Deputy Governor and Chairman, Ekiti Central APC Stakeholders, Prof Modupe Adelabu, the party restated that Oyebanji has been endorsed as the sole candidate for the next election slated for 2026.

For clarity, Adelabu said the action doesn't abridge the rights of other APC members to contest for the plum seat. What the endorsement means, according to her is that Oyebanji will get full and solid backing of all APC members in the senatorial district in the coming poll.  

Addressing the mammoth crowd of party supporters that thronged the venue of the political gathering, the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the action taken by party members signposted that they value continuity of good governance for Ekiti's development to spiral.

The Senate Leader saluted all the past governors  of the State: Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Engr Segun Oni, Chief Ayodele Fayose and Dr Kayode Fayemi for their contributions to the development of the  state, stressing that the solid foundation they laid has helped the current governor to consolidate and fasttrack development of the state. 

"Today, we are unveiling in the open what we have been saying to ourselves under the closed doors that Ekiti has never had it so good. We are very lucky having Governor Biodun Oyebanji as our governor. What we are doing today is not a campaign, time for campaign is coming. All we are doing is to hold our regular APC senatorial meeting, this is symbolic and strategic to us. 

"The frontline and greatest achievement of Governor Oyebanji  is being able to unite everybody under one platform and umbrella. You may not understand what I meant by  Governor Oyebanji's unity magic.

"But if you follow the trajectory of our politics in Ekiti State, particularly what happened in 2003 between Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Ayodele Fayose, and what we witnessed between Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi in 2007, then you will understand Oyebanji's unity magic. All these leaders are now working together and all the achievements that Ekiti made under these past leaders are being consolidated under Governor Oyebanji. 

"Beyond uniting Ekiti and bringing down governance from the Olympian height of the past to the grassroots, you will understand that he has given government, governance and our party back to ordinary people. Oyebanji is working and Ekiti is progressing. We have never had it so good. 

"I thank the governor for uniting all of us and for taking Ekiti to the next level. We need continuity in Ekiti. If you go to Lagos before 1999 and you go there today, continuity has brought a new lease of life to that state, so the governor should continue with his good work till 2030". 

Bamidele appreciated the governor for his midas touches and enigmatic strides in the areas of infrastructures, agriculture, youth empowerment and other pivotal actions  taken to radicalise the economy, saying these have reverberated beyond the shores of the state.

In his submission, Senator Ojudu added that Oyebanji has done creditably well in unifying the party leaders and upscale development, especially focusing on human empowerment through Adire Ekiti Hub that has become the masterstroke policy turning around the lives of the citizens. 

"This is the first time since 2003 when everybody will sleep with two eyes closed without fear of being killed in Ekiti. The governor  is a unifier. No case of politically motivated killing under him. He has befriended his enemies and now having none. He is so humble and he must be elected for a second term and we will make sure he wins resoundingly". 

In his response, Governor Oyebanji, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC members for supporting him solidly to be able to take Ekiti to a mileage, in terms of development strides and for providing the platform to serve the people. 

Oyebanji, who is also from the district, promised to continue to serve dedicatedly and with every fibre in his body to mitigate the poverty index and address the infrastructure deficit in the state, while appealing to party members to embark on aggressive mobilisation and be fair to all members.  

"I am moved, very touched by this endorsement and I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. When you gave me the ticket, I told you that I will always hear your voices. In the last two years , I have served you with humility and commitment.

"Myself and the Deputy Governor accept this with all humility. But this doesn't preclude anyone who has governorship ambition on the platform of APC from showing interest. APC is a party that respects the right of every member to contest for any position of his choice. We are not afraid of competition. 

"This is history being made today in Ekiti. When INEC lifts ban on political campaigns, you will know that you have a good and acceptable governor".

Other high profile dignitaries at the event are: The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, former Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu, the House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Constituency 1, Hon Sola Fatoba, his colleague in constituency 2, Hon Biodun Omoleye, ex-House of Representatives member, Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Wale Fapohunda(SAN), serving and former council chairmen and councillors, party leaders, politicians, among others.

It is recalled that a similar endorsement was made by the leaders of APC from the South senatorial district late last year.

EKSU VC Vows to Prioritize Staff Welfare.

EKSU VC Vows to Prioritize Staff Welfare.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Professor Babatola Ayodele, has reaffirmed his commitment to making staff welfare his top priority.

Professor Ayodele made this pledge while receiving the management team of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ado-Ekiti, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. He noted that the university's Governing Council had approved the implementation of the new minimum wage, which his administration had already commenced through the payment of the January 2025 salary.

Professor Babatola Ayodele, EKSU VC Chancellor.

Additionally, he revealed that the university extended this initiative to retirees by disbursing gratuities amounting to approximately ₦200 million to 70 pensioners. He expressed his appreciation to the university’s Governing Council, led by Professor Akin Oyebode, for approving the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The Vice Chancellor also acknowledged the unwavering support of the Visitor to the university, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for his continuous assistance to EKSU. He further appreciated Her Excellency, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, for voluntarily teaching students in the Department of Educational Management, a gesture that has significantly added value to the university.

Professor Ayodele commended the staff for their increased commitment and urged them not to relent, assuring them of his continued efforts to enhance their welfare. He also extended his gratitude to the union leaders for maintaining academic stability on campus.

Earlier, the General Manager of NTA, Alhaji Ishaq Ayo Akande, expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for the warm reception and solicited a more robust partnership and patronage from the university.

In a statement signed and released by the Deputy Registrar/Head, Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs, Bode Olofinmuagun, the university reiterated its commitment to staff welfare and fostering productive collaborations with stakeholders.

BATSV'S MEMBERS CELEBRATE THEIR GLOBAL CHAIRMAN.

BATSV'S MEMBERS CELEBRATE THEIR GLOBAL CHAIRMAN.

With gratitude to God for so many things he has done in the life of their Global Chairman, Ambassador Dr Dare Owotomobi, the group wants to specially celebrate him for adding another year to his sojourn on earth.

The members recall with nostalgia Ambassador Owotomobi's untiring efforts in going round the country to drum up support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, right from 2019 to ensure he emerged the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

They specifically state that no Tinubu Support Group, TSG, equalled the feat attained by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard, BATSV, under the able leadership of Dr Owotomobi.

While urging the Global Chairman not to be detarred by the lack of political patronage, the members are making a passionate appeal to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please consider him for a very juicy appointment, so as not to dampen their spirits in the countdown to 2027.

All the members of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard, BATSV, both at home and in the diaspora therefore wish Ambassador Dr Dare Owotomobi long life in good health in order to continue to serve humanity.

Jimmy Nanyak Lar 

Special Assistant Media to BATSV Global Chairman

FUOYE Uncovers Another Intruder on Staff WhatsApp Platform.

FUOYE Uncovers Another Intruder on Staff WhatsApp Platform.

Barely 72 hours after an intruder was uncovered and arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has again exposed another infiltrator on its official staff WhatsApp platforms.

The latest intruder, identified by the codename “Ajasa,” was discovered through a joint investigation by members of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Union of Allied and Education Institutions (NASU). The university disclosed that Ajasa had been added to FUOYE’s official staff platforms, including the Joint Action Committee (JAC 3) platform, which comprises the three non-academic staff unions—Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), NAAT, and NASU. He was also present on SSANU platforms.

A member of the WhatsApp platform, Alabi Ajao, provided the information in a statement on Saturday, explaining that Ajasa was discovered after NAAT and NASU leadership directed all members of the JAC3 platform to submit their details for verification.

“This move followed the shocking revelation that another number on the platform was linked to the earlier detected intruder who, despite not being a staff member of FUOYE, had been smuggled into the university’s platforms to cause disruption and threaten members who opposed his views. He was recently arrested by DSS operatives for cybercrime-related activities,” the statement read.

In a bid to expose Ajasa, the sister unions issued a statement titled “ADDRESSING AJASA’S OPERATIONS ON THE JAC3 PLATFORM,” declaring that:

> “Ajasa, it is obvious that you were added to this platform to cause mayhem. Now that the ultimatum given to you to disclose your identity has expired, and you have failed to provide any verification, it is assumed that you are not a registered member of this platform. Your continued presence here is deemed illegal.

> “The leadership of NASU and NAAT remains committed to uncovering how Ajasa was added to the platform and will take appropriate action against those responsible. You are hereby removed from the JAC3 platform.”

Following the removal, a victory message circulated among union members, celebrating the expulsion of the intruder. The message read:

> “Freedom at last on JAC3! Now, the attack will persist on SSANU platforms, and the same executives who spend our dues monthly will continue to encourage and support such assaults. I hope members of staff are watching, and I wish newly recruited staff intending to join unions in FUOYE understand what SSANU currently represents.

> “Disagreements are a normal part of unionism, and it is not unusual for members to support different factions. Heated debates and occasional confrontations are also expected. However, when a non-member is deliberately added to platforms to attack the institution, the Vice-Chancellor, and financial members, it becomes a serious concern. Perhaps our national body will need to step in for further clarification.”

The university management, alongside the sister unions, has vowed to continue investigations into how Ajasa gained access to the platform and to ensure that those responsible face appropriate disciplinary action.

Dr. Fayemi mourns the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Foremost Nationalist and Renowned Afenifere Leader.

Dr. Fayemi mourns the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Foremost Nationalist and Renowned Afenifere Leader.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo.

Adebanjo, a renowned nationalist and advocate for democracy, died on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lagos residence at the age of 96.

In a personally signed statement, Fayemi described the late Afenifere chieftain as a man who dedicated his life to fairness and democratic ideals despite facing adversity.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, foremost nationalist and leader of Afenifere. This is a great loss not only for the Yoruba nation but Nigeria as a whole. Pa Adebanjo was a true icon of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, an unwavering advocate of justice, and a pillar of progressive politics in Nigeria,” Fayemi said.

He noted that Adebanjo was more than a political leader, describing him as a moral compass who never wavered in his convictions.

“As a committed nationalist and a leading voice in Afenifere, he stood for fairness, justice, and the restructuring of Nigeria to ensure a more equitable society. His principled courage, wisdom, and steadfastness in speaking truth to power made him an enduring figure in our national political landscape,” he added.

The former governor stated that while Adebanjo’s death is a great loss, his life and contributions to nation-building should be celebrated.

“While we grieve his loss, we also celebrate a life well-lived, dedicated to the pursuit of a better Nigeria. His legacy will remain an inspiration for those of us who believe in the principles he championed,” Fayemi said.

He extended his condolences to Adebanjo’s family, the Yoruba nation, Afenifere leadership, and all Nigerians who benefited from his leadership.

“On behalf of my wife, whom he specially adored, and the rest of our family, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, the Yoruba nation, the Afenifere leadership, and all Nigerians who are beneficiaries of his leadership and goodwill.

“May his soul rest in peace, and may God grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Fayemi concluded.