Beyond the Finish Line: BAO’s Bold Transformation of Ekiti Sports Sector—A Legacy in Motion.

 Beyond the Finish Line: BAO’s Bold Transformation of Ekiti Sports Sector—A Legacy in Motion.                                                   By Olamide Akinwumi. 

Something exciting is happening in the heart of Ado-Ekiti.

What used to be a quiet corner of memories has now come alive, bursting with color, energy, and renewed purpose. The Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, once a symbol of nostalgia, now carries a bold message of growth and promise. The seats gleam with vibrant hues, and the air is filled with a new sense of pride.

This stadium holds history—but today, it also holds hope.

The Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, formerly known as the Ado-Ekiti Township Stadium, was renamed in honor of late sprint legend Oluyemi Kayode, an Ekiti-born athlete who made Nigeria proud on the international stage. He reached the finals of the 200m race at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games and won a 4x100m relay silver medal alongside Davidson Ezinwa, Osmond Ezinwa, and Olapade Adenekan at the same event. Tragically, he passed away in a fatal auto accident on October 1, 1994, in the United States.

Today, his memory lives on—not just in name but in action—as the stadium wears a fresh look that meets modern standards.

But this transformation isn’t just about appearance; it’s about purpose.

It represents the vision of the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), who is not merely talking about sports development but actively building it. The revamped stadium is now a beacon of opportunity for young athletes, a platform to nurture talent, and a statement that greatness can begin from home.

The Oluyemi Kayode Stadium serves as the home ground for Ekiti United Football Club, which plays in the Nigeria National League (NNL), and Ekiti Queens Football Club, also known as the Baoress Queens, who compete in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

Governor Oyebanji’s commitment goes beyond renovations. Under his leadership, the state has provided new standard Coaster buses to ease transportation for athletes, ensuring comfortable and safe movement from one venue to another.

In addition, towards the end of 2024, the Governor performed the groundbreaking of the Indoor Sports Hall Complex within the precincts of the Ekiti Pavilion along New Iyin Road. Construction work is currently in progress, promising to further expand the state’s sports infrastructure.

The Captain of Ekiti United Football Club, Mr. Makanjuola Ayodeji, could not hide his joy. He expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for his outstanding contributions to athlete welfare. Since the inception of the BAO administration, the players have witnessed unprecedented improvements—salary increments, better uniforms, travel allowances, bonuses, and more.

These initiatives are not just improving the lives of athletes but are also creating an enabling environment for sporting excellence.

The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has also played a pivotal role in supporting the state’s athletes. She has consistently donated various sports equipment to the Ekiti Queens (Baoress Queens) and to young, vibrant athletes across Ekiti State. Her passionate involvement has showcased outstanding love and dedication to grassroots sports development, especially for female athletes.

The tremendous strides under Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s leadership signify a new era for sports in Ekiti State. The administration is building not just facilities but also a future where young talents can dream, grow, and excel.

If you haven’t visited the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium lately, now is the time.

Stand there, take it all in—you might not believe the transformation your eyes will see.

As the saying goes, "When a leader plants seeds of greatness, generations will harvest the fruits."

BAO has planted those seeds. Let’s nurture them together till 2030.

Supporting his continuity till 2030 is not just a political choice; it is a commitment to sustaining the momentum of progress. Ekiti State deserves steady hands that understand the needs of the people and are determined to deliver.

With BAO at the helm, the future of sports in Ekiti is brighter than ever.

BAO Joor 📯 BAO Leekansi 🗳️ 2030 is the Goal, Continuity is the Key.

Written by Olamide Akinwumi, Ado-Ekiti

Venite University Issues Public Warning Against Admission Fraudsters.

The management of Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, has been alerted to fraudulent activities by certain unscrupulous individuals attempting to deceive prospective students and their families with false claims of selling admission forms and collecting school fees through personal bank accounts.

The university categorically states that at no time will applicants be asked to make payments into personal accounts. All application processes and associated fees are conducted exclusively through Venite University’s official digital platforms.
To this end, the university issues the following important disclaimer to the general public:

Disclaimer – Beware of Fraudulent Activities!

Venite University advises all applicants, parents, and guardians to adhere strictly to the following guidelines:
1. Do not make any payment to individuals claiming to represent Venite University.
2. All applications and payments must be made ONLY through our official website and portal:
○ www.veniteuniversity.edu.ng
○ ecampus.veniteuniversity.edu.ng

3. For all admission inquiries, please contact the university through the following official phone numbers: 09167032000, 09167043000, 07047437000

4. You may also reach us via our verified social media handles:

○ Facebook: Venite University, Iloro Ekiti
○ X (Twitter): @VeniteUni_NG
○ Instagram: @veniteuniversity
○ Linkedln : Venite University, Iloro Ekiti
○ Tiktok : @veniteuniversity

5. For in-person visits, the university is located at Kilometre 2, Ayetoro Road, Iloro-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Venite University remains committed to transparency and the protection of all applicants. Anyone found impersonating the institution or attempting to defraud the public will be reported to law enforcement agencies.
The university urges everyone to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the appropriate channels.

Signed:
E.A. Agbaje, PhD
Registrar, Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, Nigeria
registrar@veniteuniversity.edu.ng

Read More Update About Venite University Here 👇👇

https://veniteuniversity.edu.ng/2025/07/15/venite-university-issues-public-warning-against-admission-fraudsters/

2026: We Can't Afford Trial And Error Governance, Ekiti Deputy Gov Declares.

2026: We Can't Afford Trial And Error Governance, Ekiti Deputy Gov Declares.           ...Says Oyebanji's second term 'll be more beneficial.

As the All Progressives Congress gears up for its governorship primary, preparatory to the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye has declared that his principal, Governor Biodun Oyebanji remains the best for the state to continue till 2030.

She stated that the state can't afford a trial and error governance, by electing a neophyte to govern the state at the expense of an experienced governor like Oyebanji, whom she said has been tested and trusted as an administrator. 

Mrs Afuye spoke in Aramoko and Ado Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West and Ado Local Governments on Monday,  at the conclusion of the women mobilisation tour organised by the office of the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji to rally support for her husband.

Mrs Afuye assured the APC members that his boss, Biodun Oyebanji will serve more inclusively and  beneficially, if given the second term in office.

She saluted the APC members in Ekiti West and Ado Local Governments for their spirit of camaraderie and solid backing towards Governor Oyebanji and the First Lady, who are their son and daughter.

"You have tested Governor Oyebanji and found him suitable as a Governor. He has done excellently well in the last three years. You know that if given a second term, he will do more. I want you to double your votes for him.

"Our governor hails from Ekiti West and the First Lady is from Ado Ekiti. He is your son. I know you won't let him down. As you won't let him down, he too will not disappoint you, be rest assured about this.

"What we need in Ekiti is someone with the experience and the fear of God to lead us. I know Governor Oyebanji possesses all these qualities", she said.

Making projection into the future, Mrs Afuye added that the government will continue to be gender sensitive, by allotting more lofty positions to women in politics and administration, saying the governor is counting heavily on them to clinch the ticket in the party's primary.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro, commended the governor for standing by women to rise politically and administratively saying only Ekiti has six members in the House of Assembly in the country.

Prof Adubiaro assured that the government will elevate more women into exalted positions, if Governor Oyebanji is allowed to control the lever of power till 2030.

The APC Women leader, Mrs Caroline Eegunlusi and the Chairperson, Ekiti APC Women Council, Mrs Ronke Okusanya, said Ekiti women have indisputably enjoyed the dividends of democracy under Governor Oyebanji's leadership.

They posited that the governor deserved being supported by womenfolk at the APC's primary and the main election slated for 2026, urging them not to disappoint for posterity to judge them well as people who mean well for the state. 

The  Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, urged the women and other party members to be steadfast in their support for the governor, who has served with passion and delivered the best for the state.

Awe said the massive turn out of women at the mobilisation tour, was a well amplified message that Ekiti is safe for Governor Oyebanji in the impending primary and governorship poll, urging them not to allow anybody to derail the ongoing process, they way it  happended in 2014. 

"The governorship primary comes up in September this year, please, stand with the governor. Let us allow the present level of development to continue. We can't allow Ekiti to go back to Egypt, support the governor to win the party's ticket in the interest of all of us", Awe said.

On the entourage are: Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju, Hon Sola Elesin-led APC State Working Committee, Commissioners, Special Advisers, women groups,  market women, women  political office holders, among others.

He was an exemplary leader - Fayemi pays tribute to late Ijebu monarch.

He was an exemplary leader - Fayemi pays tribute to late Ijebu monarch.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has expressed profound sadness over the death of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba Agbotewole II, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.

In a statement by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, the head of the Fayemi Media Office, Dr. Fayemi described the late monarch's death as a monumental loss to Nigeria's traditional institution and the entire country.

"I received the news of Kabiyesi's transition with profound sadness," Dr. Fayemi said. "The death of Oba Adetona marks the end of an extraordinary era in traditional rulership in Nigeria. His 65-year reign, which began on April 5, 1960, stands as proof of exceptional leadership and dedication to his people."

The former governor praised the late Awujale's role as a unifying force, noting that his influence extended far beyond Ijebuland to encompass the entire Southwest region and Nigeria as a whole.

"Throughout his remarkable tenure, the late Awujale distinguished himself as a man of wisdom, temperance, and unity. His counsel and diplomatic approach to conflict resolution earned him respect across ethnic and religious lines," he stated.

According to Fayemi, Oba Adetona's vision for development, combined with reverence for tradition, created a unique model of traditional leadership that bridged the gap between modernity and cultural heritage.

"I particularly recall Kabiyesi's advocacy for good governance, his role as a voice of reason during challenging times, and his support for democratic institutions. His palace served as a sanctuary of wisdom where leaders from across the political spectrum sought counsel and direction," Fayemi stated.

Fayemi added that the late monarch's efforts in promoting education, fostering peace, and supporting socio-economic development in Ijebuland and beyond would never be forgotten.

"The vacuum left by Oba Adetona's passing will be deeply felt across Nigeria, particularly in the Southwest region where he played a major role in maintaining inter-communal harmony and fostering regional cooperation among traditional rulers," he said.

Dr. Fayemi extended his condolences to the Adetona Royal Family, the people of Ijebuland, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the entire state of Ogun, praying that Almighty God grant the departed monarch eternal rest.

Fayemi Mourns Buhari, Says He Was a Tenacious Leader Misunderstood by Many.

Fayemi Mourns Buhari, Says He Was a Tenacious Leader Misunderstood by Many.

Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate-past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday after a brief illness.

In a statement personally signed by him on Monday, Fayemi extended condolences to the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, calling for prayers and support during this period of national mourning. 

He described the late President as a man of deep conviction and great tenacity, who never gave up on his dream of leading Nigeria democratically, despite suffering several electoral defeats before his eventual victory in 2015.

“President Buhari’s life was defined by resilience and an unyielding belief in the Nigerian project,” Fayemi said. “He contested and lost multiple presidential elections but never gave up on his commitment to the ideals he believed in. His eventual victory in 2015 and re-election in 2019 were testaments to his perseverance and the trust millions of Nigerians placed in his leadership.”

Fayemi, who served in Buhari’s cabinet as Minister of Mines and Steel Development and also chaired the APC Presidential Primary Convention that produced Buhari as the party’s flagbearer in 2014, noted that the former president left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.

“His administration undertook some of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent Nigerian history, including massive road constructions, the revitalisation of rail transport, and the Second Niger Bridge. He believed in building for the future, and his legacy in this regard will long outlive his time in office,” Fayemi stated.

While acknowledging the challenges Buhari faced during his tenure, which ranged from economic instability to security issues, Fayemi emphasized that the late leader was “a fundamentally good man, often misunderstood, yet driven by a genuine desire to see Nigeria succeed.”

“History will be kinder to him than the moment allowed. He faced enormous trials, both as a man and as president, yet remained steadfast in his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress,” he said.

Fayemi concluded: “President Buhari has finished his course and fought the good fight. Yet his vision of a stable, united, and prosperous Nigeria remains unfulfilled. It is now our collective responsibility as leaders and citizens to ensure that his dreams for our great nation are realised. 

‘’We must build upon the foundation he laid and work tirelessly to achieve the Nigeria he envisioned.

"As we mourn his loss, let us also celebrate his life and contributions. 

‘’May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may God Almighty grant his family and our nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.’’

AWUJALE ADETONA'S LEGACIES REMAIN INDELIBLE, SAYS OYEBANJI.

AWUJALE ADETONA'S LEGACIES REMAIN INDELIBLE, SAYS OYEBANJI.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has mourned the passing of one of the most revered traditional rulers in Nigeria, the Awujale of Ijebuland, HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The late Oba Adetona joined his ancestors on Sunday at the age of 91 after reigning for six and a half decades.

The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said the late Oba Adetona's legacies would continue to remain indelible.

Governor Oyebanji said the late Awujale oozed royalty, class, colour, dignity and honour in his lifetime but yet remained humble in his day-to-day royal duties to the benefit of his subjects.

According to him, the late Oba Adetona left legacies of service, dedication, sacrifice, humility, preservation of culture and tradition of his people whom he ruled for 65 years.

He explained that the late Oba Adetona was a good example of how a leader can galvanize his people for overall community development to complement government's support.

Governor Oyebanji said the late  Ijebu monarch in his lifetime offered wise counsel to those in authority on the need to add value to governance and serve humanity with compassion.

He also described the death of Oba Adetona as a double blow to the nation, coming barely hours after the news of the passing of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The Ekiti Governor prayed God to grant Oba Adetona eternal repose and his family, Ijebu indigenes, the government and people of Ogun State the fortitude to bear the great loss.

“I convey the condolences of the Government and people of Ekiti State to the family of the late Awujale, the Government of Ogun State and the people of Ijebu over the passing of the highly revered Oba Adetona. May God grant Kabiyesi’s eternal rest and comfort his family.”, the Governor added.

How I’ve impacted my constituents in 2 years ~ Sen. Adaramodu.

How I’ve impacted my constituents in 2 years ~ Sen. Adaramodu.

ABUJA (Sundiata Post) –

Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, says he has done much to empower his constituents in his two years of being in the National Assembly.

Adaramodu, who is the Senate Spokesperson and Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated this in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.

“If you want to probe into my performance as a senator, I can beat my chest and say that I have done much for my constituents in the last two years.

“First, my primary assignment as a lawmaker is to come to the national assembly and make laws.

“But I didn’t restrict myself to lawmaking, because I know that I am very close to my people and as a first line charge of their calls, whenever they have any issue, I have to put my eyes on the ball,” he said.

According to him, in the last two years of his stay in the senate, there is no town in the six local government areas that make up his senatorial district that he has not touched.

He said from Omoke, a boundary community with Kogi to Ilasha, he had provided health clinics, street lights, boreholes, good pipe borne water and other facilities.

Adaramodu, who named several communities where he had executed one project or the other, said that he had also secured employment for many under his human development sub-head.

“I have also provided grants to scores of vulnerable people to establish petty trades. In EKiti East, Ise-Orun, Gbonyin and Ikere, among others.

`I equally attracted the construction of a pavilion at Oba’s palace in Ikere and I have brought electricity transformers which helped to address the challenging power issues in places, such as Oke-Ikere that had been without supply for about eight years,” he said.

The senator said that other areas within Ikere town were also supplied transformers to solve electricity challenges,” he said.

Adaramodu who said that he could not estimate the exact cost of all the projects so far attracted, explained that most of the projects were gotten through painstaking efforts from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

He said that it was through lobbying to the MDAs that he was able to attract of the projects to his senatorial district.

“As a senator, we are only entitled to Zonal Intervention Project (ZIP) of N225 million. With 48 towns in my senatorial district, what can that money do in terms of project delivery?

“In the present economic situation, the ZIP money is not enough to do one clinic or any other meaningful project,” he said.

Adaramodu said that as a lawmaker, his job was not execution of contracts or knowing how much the projects attracted cost, but to ensure that the living standards of his people got improved through provision of amenities.

He called on his constituents to support President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Biodun Oyebanji in their re-election bids