Oyebanji Seeks Deployment of More Police Personnel to Ekiti.

Oyebanji Seeks Deployment of More Police Personnel to Ekiti.

….Wants State Borders Fortified.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has called on the Nigeria Police Force to  deploy additional personnel to the state to further enhance  security and address criminal activities particularly at the border towns. 

Governor Oyebanji, who made the call on Thursday when he received the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 17 (comprising Ondo and Ekiti States), Ajani Musubau Omolabi in his Office in Ado-Ekiti. He also urged the Police force to intensify efforts at enhancing security as the state would soon enter election season.

While saying that Ekiti remains one of the safest states in the country, the Governor  also noted what he described as inadequate security coverage in many the rural areas of the state, leaving residents vulnerable to criminal activities which undermine public safety. 

The Governor appealed to the AIG not to deplete the current strength of the force in the state, stressing that any reduction would further weaken the already strained security apparatus.

While commending the leadership of the force in the state for displaying a high sense of professionalism in securing lives and property, the Governor said the activities of police force had helped reduce the spate of criminality in the state, as well as creating a conducive environment for investors. 

Governor Oyebanji assured the Police authorities that his administration will continue to support the force to assure adequate security of lives and property across the state, adding that his administration is committed to ensuring that the state remains one of the safest in the country and that his government would continue to invest in resources, infrastructure, and partnerships to strengthen security measures in the state.

“ You said you are here to work, we are also ready to work with you and we will continue to partner and support the police force because they have added value to us, we are lucky in the state that the rate of kidnapping, banditry, and criminality has gone down tremendously and that speaks to the hard work and the cooperation we enjoy together and I must thank the Commissioner of Police for that.

“I will just plead with the AIG to also help us, I know that the police force is stretched in respect to manpower, but I have to say this since you are here, we are underserved, a lot of communities have no police formation and I have discussed with the Inspector General of Police himself and he told me the problem but even if you cannot add to our numbers do not deplete us”. The Governor asserted. 

Earlier in his remarks, AIG Ajani Musbau, said the purpose of the visit was to familiarize himself with the Governor and express his gratitude to the Governor for his consistent support of the police force which had significantly improved the effectiveness of security operations in the state.

While commending Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment that has facilitated the smooth functioning of the police in the state, the AIG assured the Governor of his commitment to working tirelessly to sustain the peace and security, emphasizing that it has ensured the safety of residents and maintaining public order would remain a top priority under his leadership.

Also at the meeting were, the Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brigadier Gen Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo among others.

Ekiti Govt Disburses N50Million to Fire Disaster Victims.

Ekiti Govt Disburses N50Million to Fire Disaster Victims.

As a display of compassion and a window of opportunity to regain their losses, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has distributed a staggering sum of N50 million to victims of fire disaster in the state.

The governor said the action further accentuated how committed and steadfast his administration was to the plights of Ekiti residents and the desire of his government to be inclusive to rid Ekiti of exclusion and neglect.

Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while distributing cheques to another set of victims of fire disaster in the state.

Oyebanji noted that what the government was offering might not be suffice to cover all the losses, but emphasized that the gesture would help in mitigating the sufferings of the victims and give the needed respite.

The governor appealed to well meaning indigenes to always exhibit solidarity and empathies toward those who suffered any disaster, while advising the residents to take precaution by taking proactive steps to reduce disasters in the facets of fire, rainstorm and flooding.

To underscore how passionate the government was, Oyebanji stated that victims of rainstorm in 2024 received millions of Naira as grants, and that same gesture would be demonstrated to those whose buildings were blown off recently in the state.

“It is not common to get this kind of assistance. This is the fifth assistance we will be giving to victims of fire disaster since 2022 that we came on board.

“You will recall that the state had witnessed rainstorm, flooding , thunderstorm and fire disaster. The Biodun Oyebanji’s administration has demonstrated sincerity of purpose and has not abandoned the victims by ensuring that he attended to them and gave them help.

“We are aware that the pains have been so much for our people , we know that whatever we have provided may not be enough to guarantee full recovery from the losses. We are grateful to God that the inferno did not claim lives.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to everyone affected. The government recognizes your struggles and we assure you that you are not alone. We understand that rebuilding is not just about structures, it is about restoring lives , dignity and the dreams that were disrupted”.

In his submission, the General Manager, Ekiti State State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), Mr Oludare Asaolu, said the state government shared the pains of the victims and that the actions being taken were to mitigate their sufferings.

To bolster the strength of the state in fire disaster management, Asaolu said government had retooled the state Fire Service offices across the three senatorial districts with proficient personnel and tools for effective service delivery.

“This government is emphatic and prioritising the welfare of the people despite the paucity of funds. And the fortification of our fire fighting offices have helped to reduce the level of damage and reduce the number of casualties during fire incident”.

The National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), represented by Mrs Foluso Adetimehin, applauded Governor Oyebanji for displaying support for the victims, pledging the backing of the federal government to Ekiti to overcome disaster challenges.

The beneficiaries, represented by Messrs Dada Oluwasiji and Joseph Chinedu, showered encomiums on the government for the philanthropic gesture, pledging that the victims would continually support the government to succeed in the execution of its programmes, policies and projects.

The occasion was attended by a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Kareem Akunbiade, Chairman, Board of EKSEMA, Alhaji Ademola Bello, Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr. Moyo Ekundayo, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Abayomi Opeyemi, among others.

DISTINGUISHED SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU A TOWERING FIGURE IN POLITICS.

DISTINGUISHED SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU A TOWERING FIGURE IN POLITICS.                                                         Comrade Oso Emmanuel Piper 

 

True leadership is earned via visionary statesmanship, unwavering integrity, people's championship, unimpeachable character, unshakeable principle and legendary figure.... Sacrosanctly, the undaunted dedication of service to humanity by Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu earned him the unmeasured admiration, credibility, popularity and acceptability by his people and Ekiti at large.

Agbaman has since in the wake of democracy gained popularity among the people at the grassroot... His productive and cordial relationship with his people made him a core grassroot politician par excellence. A.T.M as labelled by his people affirmatively confirm the generosity and genuineness of Senator Adaramodu's leadership towards innovative and transformative development of Ekiti South Senatorial District and Ekiti at large.

Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu has in short time made commendable developmental achievements at the Red Chamber which included; monetary and material empowerment to members of the district, distribution of palliatives, rehabilitation of roads across the district, sponsoring of bills, award of scholarships to students, payment of students' bursaries, renovation and building of classrooms across the district, installation of solar light to illuminate communities across the district, renovation of Health centres, distribution of farms tools and grains to farmers, digital and other skills acquisition empowerment training and programs, facilitated job employment for youths across the districts, and many others but a few to mention.... 

Interestingly, distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu remains an adorable political figure in Ekiti politics, and a respected sagacious political juggernaut in national politics... Evidently and undoubtedly, the political coast of Agbaman is all inclusive that conglomerates vibrant and intelligent young politicians, strategic comrades and gallant political soldiers.

Above all, with utmost sense of modesty and admiration,  we the good people of Ekiti South Senatorial District appreciate and commend the good work of our National Treasure, "Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu." And as we pledge our undaunted support, we are trusting for more dividends of democracy at our doorsteps to complement the transformative and innovative political viability Agbaman is known for. May God bless the Leader. 

#A.P.C For A Reason 

#Adaramodu Our Leader 

#Ekiti South for Agbaman

Comrade Oso Emmanuel Piper writes ✍️

FG Ranks Ekiti High for Agricultural Investment.

FG Ranks Ekiti High for Agricultural Investment.

Yomi Ayeleso

The Federal Government has rated Ekiti State highly for its significant agricultural interventions and investments towards ensuring food security in the country.

The national report, tagged 2024 Wet Season Agricultural Performance in Nigeria by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), is certified by the National Technical Committee on Agricultural Statistics under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the report obtained by our correspondent, the Ekiti State Government was commended, among other states in the region, for its deliberate efforts to improve agricultural productivity in the state.

The report acknowledged the growth witnessed by the state in major crops such as maize, rice, cowpea, soybean, yam, and cassava in terms of land area, production, and yield per hectare.

Aside from encouraging mechanised farming in the state, the report lauded the Ekiti state government’s agricultural investment in training no fewer than 7,542 farmers across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Additionally, the state was adjudged one of the few that procured and supported farmers with necessary seedlings and agrochemicals during the 2024 farming season, contributing to high levels of productivity along the agricultural value chain, including livestock production.

The report reads: “Ekiti State Government procured and distributed 7,053.5 litres of herbicides, 1,239 litres of liquid insecticides, 123.32kg of powdered insecticides, 199 litres of liquid fungicides, and 213.8kg of powdered fungicides. The inputs were deemed accessible and affordable by farmers.

“Additionally, 1,250 sprayers were distributed by the Ekiti State Government during the 2024 farming season.

“Ekiti State successfully distributed 40,000 day-old chicks and 134 tonnes of poultry feed, maintaining accessibility and affordability.”

Reacting to the latest report from the Federal Government, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the rating is a testament to the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to agricultural revolution in the state.

The commissioner revealed that, over the past two and a half years, the administration has invested in the agriculture sector to ensure the socio-economic development of the state in line with the shared prosperity agenda.

He said part of these efforts includes the creation of close to 100 farm clusters for communities and cooperatives, as well as no fewer than 13 farm hubs across the state, which have accommodated youths interested in agriculture.

According to him,”To curtail the excesses of middlemen who capitalised on farmers’ lack of market access, the state set up Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company Ltd last year to buy back products from farmers and retail them to citizens in order to bend the food inflation curve.

“The retail strategy, coined Ounje Ekiti, will be marketed online and through physical footprints in the market space.”

Boluwade maintained that the investment is already yielding the desired results across the value chain, promising sustained government efforts to make Ekiti the food basket of the region and the country.

Security: EKSG Begins Recruitment of Over 500 Amotekun, Agro-Marshals, Anti-Gracing Corps.

Security: EKSG Begins Recruitment of Over 500 Amotekun, Agro-Marshals, Anti-Gracing Corps.

In a bold step to further enhance security of lives and property across the state, Ekiti State Government has begun the process of recruiting over 500 personnel into the Amotekun Corps, Agro-Marshals, and Anti-Gracing Task Force. 

The recruitment process which is geared towards reinforcing the state’s ability to curb criminal activities, protect farmers as well as enforce anti-gracing laws effectively, began in Ado- Ekiti on Tuesday. 

Speaking with journalist during the screening exercise held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado- Ekiti , the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier-Gen Ogundana Ebenezer (rtd) said the exercise is a critical step towards beefing up the security architecture of the state and expand personnel aimed at addressing the growing security challenges across the country, particularly in rural communities.

Describing the exercise as a proactive step by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to step up security of lives and property, government infrastructures and agricultural development, General Ogundana  said the move underscored the state government’s dedication to enhancing the operational capacity of local security outfits to combat crime, protect agricultural sector and rural communities, as well as address the security concerns related to open gracing thereby contributing to the reduction of farmers-herders conflicts.

Gen. Ogundana emphasized that the recruitment drive is not only a response to security threats but also a proactive step in ensuring the realisation of government’s vision for a robust agricultural sector by strengthening security around the farms and in the grassroots. 

He explained that the screening exercise and the recruitment process for the new personnel is being carefully considered for local knowledge and familiarity with the terrain, stressing that deploying security personnel that are well familiar with their environment would greatly improve surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The Special Adviser explained that after the screening exercise, all the successful candidates would undergo comprehensive training to ensure that they are fully ready and equipped to tackle the state’s security challenges effectively and professionally.

“The screening exercise going on here today is for those that have been shortlisted to be recruited into Amotekun, Agro-Marshals, and Anti Gracing Corps in Ekiti State, which is a proactive measure by Governor Oyebanji to recruit more men into the local security outfits.

“After the screening, we will train them and after that return them to their respective local government areas to go and protect the area, and you are also aware of the Governor's Agriculture projects, which is  creating employment for the youth and since most of the forests been used by the criminals as hideout had been turned to farms, we have to protect the farmers and the farms and that's why we are increasing the strength and capacity of Amotekun in the state”, he added. 

The  young men that turned up for the exercise were drawn from across all the local government areas of the state with input from their community leaders.

EKITI HAS LOST A GREAT SON, OYEBANJI MOURNS OLUBOLADE’S DEATH.

EKITI HAS LOST A GREAT SON,  OYEBANJI MOURNS OLUBOLADE’S DEATH.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed condolences on the death of former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd).

The late Olubolade, also a former Minister of Police Affairs and a former governorship aspirant in the state passed on Sunday, aged 70 years old. 

Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, rued the demise of the former Minister of Police Affairs saying "Ekiti has lost a great son who made indelible impact in his military career, public service and in politics”. 

Governor Oyebanji described Olubolade’s death as a huge loss not only to Ekiti, his home state, but to Nigeria, a country he served during his stellar military career and as a distinguished politician and public servant. 

The Governor noted that the late Navy Captain Olubolade's legacies will forever be remembered in Bayelsa State, where he helped lay a solid foundation for the development of the South-South state and also at federal level where he served as a Minister in three different ministries. 

According to Governor Oyebanji, the late Navy Captain Olubolade shone like a glittering star as Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Minister of Special Duties and later as Minister of Police Affairs during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He noted that the deceased’s foray into politics after his retirement from the military was borne out of his desire to serve and contribute to the development of Ekiti State where he ran for the governorship position on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC) and later People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The Governor described the deceased as an apostle of politics without bitterness who believed in the Ekiti project and worked assiduously with other patriots for the development of the State. 

He prayed God to grant the immediate family, friends and associates of the deceased, the people of Ipoti Ekiti as well as the entire people of the State the fortitude to bear the great loss.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I express condolences to the children, members of the immediate and extended families of the late Navy Captain Olubolade on the demise of this illustrious Ekiti leader and pray that God grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the departed eternal rest”, the Governor added.

Ilamoye Residents Hail Hon. Oluwatuyi as Solar Borehole Project Lifts Community Spirit.

Ilamoye Residents Hail Hon. Oluwatuyi as Solar Borehole Project Lifts Community Spirit.

By Asubiojo G.O

Residents of Ilamoye Quarters in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State were in a celebratory mood on Monday as Hon. Oluwatuyi Oluwagbenga, popularly known as Chenco, officially commissioned a newly drilled solar-powered borehole in the community.

The solar borehole project, which commenced on April 30, 2025, under Hon. Oluwatuyi’s administration, was described by many as a timely intervention to alleviate water scarcity and improve access to clean and safe water in the area.

Addressing the crowd during the commissioning, the local government chairman, Hon. Oluwatuyi, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development, stating that the provision of the borehole aligns with the broader water intervention efforts of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO).

He said, “This solar borehole is not just a project; it is a promise fulfilled. It represents our shared commitment to sustainable development and to ensuring every household in our community has access to clean, drinkable water. This initiative complements the laudable efforts of our Governor, His Excellency BAO, in delivering good governance to every corner of the state.”

The chairman also highlighted the long-term benefits of the professionally drilled borehole, which has been certified to provide safe and potable water. According to him, the facility guarantees year-round access, promotes water security, reduces environmental stress, and cuts the cost of water provision.

Also speaking, the Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Mrs. Akode Kehinde, gave a practical tutorial on how to maintain the solar borehole. She emphasized the importance of regular flushing and cleaning, water quality testing for salinity and pH levels, and timely replacement of UV bulbs and sediment filters to preserve the quality of the water.

In her remarks, the Head of Local Administration (HLA), Mrs. Akinbobola D.B, expressed deep satisfaction with the project's execution, stating that the borehole goes beyond just providing water — it is a key driver of health and communal growth.

“With this solar borehole, Ilamoye is now better positioned to combat waterborne diseases and promote healthy living. This project reflects a leadership that listens, responds, and delivers. It reduces environmental impact by sustainably extracting potable water from underground, and it will play a major role in boosting the overall development of the community,” she added.

Traditional ruler of the area, Chief Rotimi Osalusi, the Ruku of Igede Ekiti, could not hide his excitement, praising Hon. Oluwatuyi for his foresight and responsiveness to the community’s needs.

“This is leadership in action. Hon. Chenco has proven once again that good governance is possible when leaders are close to the people. This borehole will serve generations, and we are grateful that our voices were heard,” he said.

The event was graced by political office holders and directors of various departments in the local government, all of whom were part of the chairman’s entourage.

Speaking on behalf of Ward C, the ward councillor, Hon. Osalusi Oluwaseun, commended Hon. Oluwatuyi for his tireless efforts and people-centered governance.

“Our chairman has distinguished himself through consistent delivery of impactful projects. This borehole is a testament to his love for the people. On behalf of Ward C, I say thank you, sir, for lifting our burden,” the councillor noted.

Residents and stakeholders described the project as a “symbol of renewed hope,” calling on other leaders to emulate the people-first leadership demonstrated by Hon. Oluwatuyi.