LG Boss Oluwatuyi Champions Staff Support with Tools, Emphasizes Punctuality and Performance.

LG Boss Oluwatuyi Champions Staff Support with Tools, Emphasizes Punctuality and Performance.

By: Asubiojo G.O

The Executive Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Honourable Oluwatuyi Oluwagbenga, popularly known as CHENCO, has once again demonstrated his charismatic and inclusive leadership by encouraging total dedication and punctuality among local government staff.

Speaking to the workforce, Hon. Oluwatuyi emphasized the importance of consistent attendance and timely reporting at duty posts, noting that staff commitment and visible engagement in their assignments remain vital to the growth and efficiency of the local government.

He affirmed that the dedication of staff can serve as a catalyst to further motivate the local government’s administrative leadership to prioritize staff welfare and professional development. According to him, such dedication will also draw the attention of the state government, under the dynamic leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), to continue exceeding expectations in staff empowerment and infrastructural support.

The Chairman further urged all Directors, Deputy Directors, and Heads of Units to sustain and improve upon their renowned pragmatic approach to official duties. He emphasized the need for analytical service delivery and interdepartmental collaboration with assigned political advisers and supervisors to achieve departmental goals effectively.

In a move to fast-track developmental goals, Hon. Oluwatuyi inaugurated a five-member Administrative Committee, headed by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Remi Alade. Other members include Mrs. Mosunmola Odeyemi (Director, BPR&R), Mr. Akomolafe (Director of Works), Mrs. Adetukasi (Director of Procurement), and Mr. Faluyi (Director of Audit). The committee is tasked with identifying and recommending modern working tools needed across departments and is expected to submit its report within two weeks.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman Remi Alade expressed confidence in the team’s capacity and pledged full commitment to achieving the outlined objectives within the given timeframe.

The Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mrs. Akinbobola Deborah-B, praised the Executive Chairman and his progressive team for their unwavering attention to staff welfare and consistent drive for administrative excellence. She urged all directors to double their efforts, reminding them that the legacy they establish today will serve as a benchmark for future generations.

In his remarks, the Local Government Secretary, Honourable Sule F. commended the Chairman’s leadership and urged all political office holders and civil servants to align with the council’s visionary agenda. He emphasized that the unity of purpose championed by Hon. Oluwatuyi is pivotal in elevating Irepodun/Ifelodun to the next level of development, in line with Governor BAO’s transformation agenda for Ekiti State.

NUC Approves Mechatronics Engineering, Six Other New Courses for EKSU.

NUC Approves Mechatronics Engineering, Six Other New Courses for EKSU.

By Olamide Akinwumi 

The National Universities Commission has approved the commencement of seven new academic programmes at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

This followed the outcome of the May 2025 resource verification exercise conducted by panels of experts from the commission, who assessed the human and material resources available for the proposed programmes to ensure compliance with national academic standards.

The NUC’s approval, conveyed in a letter dated July 17, 2025, and signed by the Acting Director of Academic Planning, Abubakar M. Girei, was addressed to the Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele.

According to the university’s management, the new programmes are:

●B.Sc. Mechatronics Engineering

●B.Sc. Agricultural Economics

●B.Sc. Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

●B.Sc. Animal Science

●B.Sc. Crop Science

●B.Sc. Horticulture and Landscape Management

●B.Sc. Soil Science

The Vice Chancellor described the approval as “a dream come true” and attributed it to the relentless efforts of both academic and administrative staff in the university. He said the development underscores EKSU’s commitment to expanding educational frontiers and meeting contemporary societal needs.

Professor Ayodele also commended the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Akin Oyebode, for their support and contributions to the growth of the institution.

With this development, prospective students are expected to begin applying for admission into the newly approved programmes from the 2025/2026 academic session.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Bode Olofinmuagun.

New Dawn for Ise/ Orun Students as FIESU Revives After Years of Dormancy.

New Dawn for Ise/ Orun Students as FIESU Revives After Years of Dormancy.

 After years of inactivity, the Federation of Ise-Ekiti Students’ Union (FIESU) has bounced back to life with the inauguration of a caretaker committee aimed at restoring the union’s activities and relevance among students.

The move follows a series of deliberations among student stakeholders and community leaders, who highlighted the urgent need for a functioning student leadership body. The union, which serves as an umbrella for students of Ise/Orun origin across various higher institutions, had suffered prolonged inactivity, leaving a gap in both student welfare advocacy and community engagement.

Before the recent development, the dormancy of FIESU had led to a disconnection between students and opportunities that could have aided their academic and personal growth. Many students lamented the absence of structured programs such as workshops, seminars, and career development initiatives—programs typically driven by a proactive union.

"This gap has placed our students at a disadvantage compared to their peers from other local government areas," a concerned stakeholder said.

The leadership vacuum also deprived students of social, cultural, and networking events that foster unity and communal ties. According to student leaders, events that could have promoted solidarity among Ise-Ekiti students became sporadic and poorly coordinated during the union’s inactive years.

With the new caretaker committee now in place, expectations are high for a revival of both academic and social engagements within the student community.

The committee’s mandate is to temporarily oversee the union’s affairs and reestablish an inclusive platform where students can express concerns, proffer solutions, and actively participate in shaping the future of FIESU.

"The task before us is not just to manage the union temporarily but to rebuild trust, rekindle participation, and pave the way for permanent leadership," a member of the committee told Punch.

Plans are already underway to organize town hall meetings, mentorship programs, and advocacy drives aimed at addressing student welfare and promoting unity.

The reactivation of FIESU is seen as a turning point for students from Ise/Orun, with many optimistic that the union will soon reclaim its position as a voice for student advocacy and development.

Stakeholders have called on all Ise-Ekiti students to embrace the revival efforts by participating actively in union activities and supporting the committee’s initiatives.

"Now is the time for every Ise-Ekiti student to rise, reconnect, and rebuild the union together. The future of FIESU begins with all of us," a statement from the committee read.

Cavista Holdings Elevates Female Leaders to Strategic Roles Across Its Group.

Cavista Holdings Elevates Female Leaders to Strategic Roles Across Its Group.

Cavista Holdings is proud to announce the promotion of two exceptional women in leadership - Funlola Akintonde and Anthonia Attoh to senior roles that reflect their outstanding contributions, leadership excellence, and continued commitment to driving transformation across the Group.

Funlola Akintonde has been promoted to Senior People Director and Chief of Staff to the Chairman, a dual role that places her at the heart of the Group’s strategic execution. In addition to leading the Group’s People function, she will support John Olajide, Founder and Chairman of Cavista Holdings, in aligning enterprise-wide priorities, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, and driving organizational effectiveness. 

A distinguished Human Resources executive with over 20 years of experience across finance, energy, and tech, Funlola holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan. Her elevation is a testament to her vision, impact, and ability to lead with both heart and strategy.

Meanwhile, Anthonia Attoh has been appointed Vice President, Operations at Agbeyewa Farms, transitioning from her role as Director of Operations at Cavista Holdings. Since joining the Group in 2024, Anthonia has been instrumental in strengthening operational capabilities and professionalizing operational processes across the Group. Her new role will see her focus on driving operational excellence and institutional growth at Agbeyewa Farms, reporting directly to the MD/CEO of the business. 

Anthonia is an alumna of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (HND, Mechanical Engineering) and Lagos State University (MBA, Human Resource Management). She also holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Analysis from The George Washington University School of Business, and is a certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence.

Speaking on the appointments, Niyi John Olajide, Founder and Chairman of Cavista Holdings, said: “At Cavista, we are deeply committed to recognizing talent and advancing leaders who embody our values of excellence, purpose, and impact. Funlola and Anthonia represent the very best of our organisation. Their leadership, character, and ability to deliver results will play a defining role in the next phase of our growth across industries and continents. I am incredibly proud of them and excited for what lies ahead.”

These appointments not only reinforce Cavista Holdings’ commitment to empowering women in leadership but also signal the Group’s continued investment in top-tier talent to drive lasting impact across Africa and the global markets in which it operates.

So Many Roads Constructed by Oyebanji — Yet They Judge Him for the Ones He Hasn't Touched.

So Many Roads Constructed by Oyebanji — Yet They Judge Him for the Ones He Hasn't Touched.

By Idowu Ephraim Faleye

How do you judge a man who is fixing over 30 major broken roads, yet you accuse him for the ones he didn’t break? This is the reality Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is facing today in Ekiti State. He’s working tirelessly, silently, consistently, and passionately building roads that make life better for ordinary people, but some still choose to judge him by the federal roads he doesn’t control.

Let’s tell ourselves the truth: when it comes to road development in Ekiti today, Governor Oyebanji has set a new standard. The roads he's building are not just about asphalt and concrete; they are about connection—connection to markets, schools, hospitals, and opportunities. From the map above, over 30 road projects that spread across every part of the state are either completed or ongoing under his watch. This isn’t noise. This isn’t PR. This is real work—real roads in real places changing real lives.

From the heart of Ado-Ekiti to the far corners of Ikole, Ijero, Emure, and Efon, BAO’s touch is visible. He’s not doing it for praise. He’s doing it because he knows what suffering looks like. He’s doing it because he believes that a government must not abandon its people, especially in something as basic as roads.

Inner-city roads are been fixed, and one policy of his government is that all township roads must have solar street lights installed from end to end upon completion. Rural roads are being opened. Roads leading to economic hubs and tourism zones like Ikogosi have been rehabilitated. New roads now connect previously isolated communities to the rest of the state. And still, people say, “What about Ado-Akure? What about Aramoko - Itawure?”

Let’s pause and be honest. Ado-Akure is a federal road. So is Ado-Ijan. So is Aramoko - Itawure. These roads belong to the federal government, not the state. But in the face of their abandonment by Abuja, did Governor Oyebanji fold his arms? No. He rose up where others gave excuses.

He didn’t just speak up, he acted. He completed the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road, another neglected federal road that had caused pain for years. Four governors before him couldn’t get it done. But BAO did it without federal help, without waiting for compensation. He did it because Ekiti lives matter to him.

And because he understands that people must move, goods must move, families must move, he went a step further. He created alternative routes to federal roads that had become death traps. If you can’t ply Ado-Akure, you now have options: Ikere - Igbaraodo. - Igbaraoke - Akure or Ado - Ilawe - Igbaraodo - Igbaraoke. Heading towards Ilesha? Ado - Ilawe - Erinjiyan - Ikogosi - Efon Alaaye is now a strong backup. If you're traveling Ado-Ijan, the Ekiti State Ring Road Phase 1(ongoing) or Ikole Ara Isinbode road are your new path.

This is a man thinking ahead. This is a governor solving problems others would have politicized.

Let’s even look deeper. When the federal government finally started construction on the long-abandoned Akure-Ado road, governor Oyebanji paid over ₦400 million in compensation to affected people. Imagine that—spending state money on a federal project, simply because he couldn’t bear to see his people continue to suffer.

And when he took his complaints to Abuja, he wasn’t ignored. The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, publicly acknowledged Oyebanji’s efforts and the condition of the roads in Ekiti. That recognition didn’t come from nowhere—it came from the governor’s tireless push for federal attention.

Critics may pretend not to see all these. But people who travel these roads every day feel the change. Farmers who can now reach markets without their produce rotting in traffic. Students who get to school on time. Sick people who no longer die in ambulances trapped on terrible roads. This is what Oyebanji is fixing—not just roads, but lives.

And he’s not focusing only on Ado-Ekiti. Every zone—North, South, and Central—has been touched. From Ido to Igbara-Odo, from Ipole-Iloro to Omuo, from Ilawe to Ikogosi, the work is happening. Without drama. Without propaganda. Just solid, silent transformation.

This is not about politics. It’s about truth. It's about fairness. It’s about not letting ignorance or bitterness blind us to progress. When someone is doing the right thing, the least we can do is not sabotage it with unfair judgment.

So yes, there are roads he didn’t build—but let’s not forget: many of them were never his to build. And the ones he could build, he has not only built them—he’s done so with heart, with urgency, and with results that even his enemies cannot deny.

This is the governor Ekiti has been waiting for. A man who doesn’t shout. A man who doesn’t sleep. A man who works. Let us not be among those who waited decades for a saviour but failed to recognize him when he came.

Give credit where it’s due. Support progress. And let the truth be louder than propaganda. Because no matter how long it takes, history always remembers who built and who broke. And Governor Biodun Oyebanji is building—with love, with grit, and one road at a time.

Idowu Ephraim Faleye writes from Ado-Ekiti | +2348132100608.

Adegoke Olajide’s Claims on Federal Roads in Ekiti: a misguided blame.

Adegoke Olajide’s Claims on Federal Roads in Ekiti: a misguided blame.

By Mary Oso-Omotosho 

Adegoke Olajide, our resident expert on everything except, apparently, reality, needs urgent rescue. His latest masterpiece, “ODE FOR EKITI LIBERATION series 1,” is less a call for liberation and more a cry for relevance. It seems our former House of Assembly member has traded legislative prowess for the art of throwing shade, and boy, is he throwing it with gusto! 

 

One might almost admire the sheer audacity of someone so confidently detached from the facts. Almost! His recent article is a masterclass in misdirection and misguided blame. How refreshing to see someone so passionately grappling with reality! 

Well, let’s address his claims about the federal roads that he insists are somehow beyond the reach of our beloved Governor Biodun Oyebanji (BAO). Yes, Adegoke, we get it—federal roads are not the direct responsibility of the state government. But how convenient of you to ignore the fact that the Ado-Ifaki road, a federal road, has just been completed under the diligent leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO).And guess what? The state has not  even gotten  a refund for that! But let’s not let facts get in the way of a good narrative, right?

You raise a good point about the federal allocation, Adegoke. But isn’t it funny that while you lament about the allocations from Abuja, you fail to mention that the state government has been working closely with our National Assembly representatives and the federal government on these matters? It appears that while you’re busy throwing mud, the Governor is busy getting things done! 

The governor has strategically provided alternative roads to the poor federal government roads for travelers . Ado-Akure has two alternative roads : 

a. Ikere-Igbaraodo-Igbaraoke-Akure

b. Ado-Ilawe-Igbaraodo-Igbaraoke

And for your information, the alternative road for Ado-Aramoko-Itawure-Ilesha axis is now

Ado-Ilawe-Erinjiyan-Ikogosi-Efon Alaaye, while that of  Ado-Ijan-Agbado axis is the Ekiti State Ring Road phase 1. Let’s not forget again that Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Federal road was completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji after several administration of four governors. Goke Olajide didn’t see this development too?

Anyway, as of last year, the incumbent Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, acknowledged BAO's proactive outreach regarding the poor conditions of federal roads in Ekiti. It’s heartening to know that genuine efforts are being made to address these issues, even as you’re busy writing your political epitaph. If you are not too lazy, google is your best friend on this!

Oh, and let’s not forget the ongoing construction on the Akure-Ado road, which is now under federal government contracts. Meanwhile, Governor Oyebanji has invested over 400 million Naira in compensation payment for the Ikere-Akure, Ado-Ijan, and Omuo-Ifaki roads. Currently, the Governor is actively resolving logistics issues to ensure speedy delivery. But again, facts are clearly not your forte, Adegoke and your co-travellers! 

Your desperate attempts to tarnish BAO’s reputation may reflect more on your own political orphan status in your local government area than on the Governor’s performance. It’s almost comical how you seem to think that attacking a successful leader will revive your dead political career. Perhaps it’s time to take a step back and reassess your strategy, Adegoke. 

In a nutshell, while you throw around baseless accusations and engage in a circus of political theatrics, the people of Ekiti will continue to see the real progress being made. So, keep the noise coming — it's only further proving how out of touch you are with the realities of governance and the needs of our communities. 

So, before I come back to respond to your other unfounded accusations, keep trying, Adegoke; perhaps by then you would have found a way to contribute positively instead of being a footnote in the history of Ekiti politics! 

Mary writes from Ado Ekiti.

20th July 2025.

Agricultural Group Backs Oyebanji’s Second-Term Bid.

Agricultural Group Backs Oyebanji’s Second-Term Bid.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI), Ekiti State chapter, on Friday, declared support for the second-term bid of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, citing his administration’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and food security.

Members of the association, led by their Convener, Princess Kehinde Badun, staged a solidarity walk to the Governor's Office in Ado Ekiti, where they sang, danced, and formally announced their endorsement of the governor.

Badun said the association resolved to support Oyebanji for re-election following what she described as the unprecedented support the agriculture sector has received in the last three years.

 “Since Governor Oyebanji came on board, farmers in Ekiti have enjoyed massive support. We have received fertilizers, tractor services, subsidized seedlings, and farm inputs. Our farmlands are being cleared and ploughed at reduced costs, and farm roads have been constructed across the state to ease the transportation of goods and products,” she said.

She added that the group would not only vote massively for the governor but would also embark on aggressive mobilisation to canvass votes across the state.

“We are not just going to vote for him; we are going to campaign and convince more people to join this progressive agenda because Governor Oyebanji has performed beyond expectations,” Badun stated.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Inter-Party Affairs, Chief Jide Awe, applauded the group for publicly declaring their support.

 “What you have done today is a bold and commendable step. The developmental strides of Governor Oyebanji, especially in the agricultural sector, are unmatched in the history of Ekiti State,” Awe said.

He urged the farmers to prioritise collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to translate their goodwill into actual votes during the election.

“Your support is noted, but I must remind you that the power to re-elect the governor lies in your PVCs. We must ensure that the good work of Governor Oyebanji is not truncated,” he added.

Also present at the event was the Director-General of Community Communications, Mrs Mary Oso-Omotoso, alongside other government officials.