Ekiti Guber: APC campaign council pledges issue-based campaign on Oyebanji's achievements.

Ekiti Guber: APC campaign council pledges issue-based campaign on Oyebanji's achievements.

...set to flag-off campaign April 27.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Campaign Council for the re-election of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged to embark on issue-based campaign ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. 

The Director General of the council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, at a press briefing heralding the commencement of the campaign activities. 

The Director General said the campaign council is poised to present the achievements of the governor to Ekiti electorates devoid of divisive rhetoric and personal attacks.

While disclosing that the campaign will officially flag-off on April 27, 2026 at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, he noted that the campaign will commence at the grassroots levels across the state. 

His words: "The campaign we are flagging off will be issue-based. We are not here to trade insults. We are here to present records, results, and a roadmap. Our candidate is a known friend of all, Mr. Prosperity Sharer, Mr. Projects, MR unifier, the People’s Governor, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, popularly referred to as BAO. He is seeking re-election on the strength of his first-term performance and in response to the wishes of the people. 

"Let me place the facts on the table. Four years ago, an APC Governor, His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi handed a clear mandate to his would-be successor, that he should surpass him in terms of performance. Gov Oyebanji accepted the challenge and the rest is history. 

"He started the work with all his energy immediately after his inauguration. Roads have been fixed across all 16 LGAs and 22 LCDAs. 

"Our schools have been renovated, teachers get trained, and bursaries restored. Health centres now wear new look having been comprehensively renovated and well equipped and properly staffed."

He declared that the target is to secure landslide victory across all the 177 wards with a minimum of 500,000 votes while urging the media to hold the campaign council accountable and the opposition. 

"Our instruction to party members is clear. Every APC member is an equal canvasser. No one is a spectator. This campaign is intra local government, intra ward, and intra unit. It must run without rancour. We will market our record\ and our plan, not abuse opponents.

"Our directive is clear. Perish the thought of violence from our side. We have told every of our member to market our record, and not abuse any opponent. Governor Oyebanji has kept Ekiti the most secured state in Nigeria. We will not destroy that record during the campaign. We will deal in facts, not fights.

"Our objective is for APC to win for Governor Oyebanji in all the 177 Wards of Ekiti State. We are targeting a minimum of 500,000 votes. With discipline and hard work, it is achievable.

"You are the eyes and ears of the people. We ask you for one thing only: report what you see. Go to the projects. Speak to the people. Verify every claim, including ours. Eschew propaganda. If you hear anything from the opposition, please confirm it from us. Call us. We will respond with facts.

"The APC and the BAO 2026 Campaign will not sponsor an iota of falsehood. We will not exaggerate figures. What we have done is enough. What we plan to do is clear. We are very focused."

COURT RULING: HON. IBRAHIM KUNLE OLANREWAJU CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR BIODUN ABAYOMI OYEBANJI, TARGETS 500,000 VOTES FOR JUNE 2026 ELECTION.

COURT RULING: HON. IBRAHIM KUNLE OLANREWAJU CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR BIODUN ABAYOMI OYEBANJI, TARGETS 500,000 VOTES FOR JUNE 2026 ELECTION.

Hon. (Barr.) Ibrahim Kunle Olanrewaju, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a frontline contestant for the APC ticket in Ekiti North Constituency II, has warmly congratulated Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji following the Federal High Court's dismissal of the suit challenging his candidacy.

Speaking shortly after the judgment was delivered in Abuja, Hon. Olanrewaju described the court's decision as a triumph for internal democracy and the rule of law. He noted that the ruling confirms the overwhelming will of the party members who chose the Governor to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the upcoming June 2026 governorship election.

"My presence in court today was to witness the ruling of the court on the said case, and like I have always envisaged, it came out as expected," Hon. Olanrewaju stated. "This victory is not just for the Governor, but for the APC and the entire people of Ekiti State."

Reflecting on the party’s internal processes, he added: "The party has spoken through the voice of her members through the choice of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to fly the party flag. With this legal hurdle now behind us, we can fully concentrate on the task ahead."

Looking forward to the general election, Hon. Olanrewaju expressed immense confidence in the Governor’s popularity and performance. He declared that the focus of the party leadership and supporters would now shift toward a massive mobilization drive.

"With this victory, we are more united than ever. We can now concentrate on delivering over 500,000 votes for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in the June 2026 election to ensure the continuation of the remarkable progress we are witnessing in our dear state."

Hon. Olanrewaju urged all party faithful to close ranks and work harmoniously to ensure a landslide victory for the APC at the June 2026 polls.

Hillside University Secures Full Accreditation for Nursing, Mass Communication, Cybersecurity, Others.

Hillside University Secures Full Accreditation for Nursing, Mass Communication, Cybersecurity, Others.

All academic programmes presented by Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi, Ekiti State, to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for accreditation have received full accreditation status.

The President and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Iheanyichukwu Okoro, disclosed this during a staff assembly held on Friday, April 10, 2026.

He listed the fully accredited programmes as Nursing Science, Economics, Mass Communication, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, “The University presented five academic programmes for accreditation during the exercise conducted between October 2025 and January 2026, in line with NUC guidelines for programme maturity. All five programmes were awarded full accreditation status.”

He emphasised that,  "This was the University’s first participation in a formal accreditation exercise", describing the outcome as a testament to the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, quality assurance, and global best practices.

Prof. Okoro expressed gratitude to God, staff, and other stakeholders for their staunch support and dedication before, during, and after the exercise. He described the achievement as a reflection of the collective effort and common vision of the university community.

He also drew attention to upcoming accreditation exercises for other programmes expected to mature within the year. “These will involve not only the NUC but also key professional and regulatory bodies, including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN),” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor further reaffirmed that all 35 academic programmes of the university had earlier been duly verified and approved by the NUC, thereby authorising the institution to admit students through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal.

OJUAWO MEETS APC LEADERSHIP IN IKERE EKITI.

OJUAWO MEETS APC LEADERSHIP IN IKERE EKITI.

Hon. (AVM Rtd) Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo, the Honourable member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency I paid a strategic visit to party leaders in Ikere Ekiti to brief them on his achievements and ongoing legislative efforts. The meeting, held at the Ekiti South Senatorial Hall in Ikere, was well attended by key APC stakeholders and chaired by Hon. Francis Aladejebi, who warmly welcomed participants on behalf of the host community at the instance of Hon. Ojuawo, popularly known as O’nfo Loke.

In his address, Hon. Ojuawo expressed deep appreciation to the leaders for honoring his invitation. He presented a comprehensive report of his achievements in office, as well as several programmes already captured in the budget and awaiting implementation. He also charged Ikere leaders to continue supporting the BAO administration as the state approaches the election period. In their responses, Ikere leaders commended his performance, affirming that he has delivered commendably in his current role.

Notably, Hon. Niyi Fabiku, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti and former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, praised Ojuawo’s legislative impact, stating: “AVM Sir, I am delighted to listen to you. You have truly impressed me. Out of the 360 members in the House, your ability to successfully advance several motions and bills, alongside your constituency interventions, speaks volumes of your competence. Well done, sir.”

Also speaking, Engr. Tunde Fakayode appreciated Hon. Ojuawo’s presentation, noting that Ikere leaders had listened attentively and would further deliberate on the engagement.

Members of Hon. Ojuawo’s entourage included Hon. Ropo Ogunbolude, Major COB Aluko, Prof. Philip Adetiloye, Chief JS Alabi (Asako), Baba Bode Ologun, Mr. Lawrence Ajimotin, Hon. Femi Babalola, Hon. Femi Ajayi, Hon. Oluremi Ajayi (Babintin), and Hon. Ayodeji Ajayi. Otunba Kayode Fasae sent his apologies for his inability to attend due to a state engagement.

OYEBANJI AT ABUAD LECTURE SAYS EKITI REAPING BENEFITS OF CONTINUITY IN GOVERNANCE.

OYEBANJI AT ABUAD LECTURE SAYS EKITI REAPING BENEFITS OF CONTINUITY IN GOVERNANCE.

...says worthy legacies can be built from pragmatic succession plan.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said the State is reaping benefits of deliberate policy of continuity of programmes, policies and projects that add value to governance and beneficial to the people.

Oyebanji said the best way to preserve legacy and ensure continuity is to deeply entrench institutional systems that carry on seamlessly even in the absence of pioneers and achieve sustainable development in all key sectors.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday while delivering the 2026 Afe Babalola Distinguished Personality Lecture organized by the Department of Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) in honour of the Founder and Chancellor of the institution, Aare Afe Babalola(SAN). 

For worthy legacies to be built, Oyebanji advised leaders to always develop a pragmatic succession plan that will sustain laudable vision and enlistment of dedicated and capable lieutenants who do not only believe in the vision but also committed to its continuation and improvement.

The Governor revealed that he had been prepared for his present role right from under the tutelage of the first elected Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and his immediate predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi in which he held positions of Special Assistant, Special Adviser, Chief of Staff, Commissioner, Director General and Secretary to the State Government.

According to him, the offices held before he became Governor gave him opportunities to serve the people, add value to governance and gained requisite experience from leaders who deliberately put in place succession plans that is presently benefiting the state.

In the the lecture titled "Building Legacies: Governance, Successor-Generation and Continuity," Oyebanji noted that the core of his administration's philosophy is the concept of continuity of inherited government projects irrespective of the political party from whom they were inherited.

This, he said, informed the decision of his administration to complete projects started by his predecessors in office including Chief Segun Oni, Mr Ayodele Fayose and Dr Kayode Fayemi as well as the diligent implementation of Ekiti Transition Law 2022 which mandates continuation of government projects by the succeeding administration.

The Governor also paid glowing tributes to Aare Babalola for bequeathing numerous legacies to Ekiti, his home state, Nigeria and humanity at large on his lifetime in virtually all spheres of human life as "a very distinguished Ekiti elder statesman, an archbishop in the legal temple, a towering national figure and one of the most iconic African achievers of modern era."

He hailed the legal icon and eminent educationist for establishing ABUAD which he has built to become a top destination for excellence in tertiary education and a citadel of learning that was recently ranked among 100 top global universities, 3rd in Africa and 1st in Nigeria by the Times Higher Education Impact.

Apart from education, the Ekiti Governor also lauded Aare Babalola for his legacies of hardwork, investment in healthcare through the establishment of ABUAD Multi System Hospital, agriculture, empowerment, creation of Ekiti State, among others which have earned him the status of a living legend and immortalized him in the hearts of the people.

Explaining the link between good governance and continuity, Oyebanji said his administration has been fully committed to a thirty-year blueprint, Ekiti State Development Plan 2020-2050 which is also in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He added that his campaign manifesto of 2022 was sourced from the blueprint and consequently crystallized into his administration's six-pillar agenda.

He said: "I must mention that at the core of our philosophy as an administration is the concept of continuity of inherited government projects. Apart from the fact that this administration is a continuation of the last one as we belong to the same party and I was also a critical participant in the preceding administration, I was personally convinced that each government is a continuation of those before it.

"So, I was committed to the completion of projects that existed before our administration including projects started by Chief Segun Oni, Mr Ayodele Fayose and my immediate predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. The benefit of this is that today, we have completed the rehabilitation of Ifaki-Iworoko-Ado Ekiti Road, the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, the first phase of the Ring Road, the IPP Project, the Traditional Council Chambers, Ado Ekiti Bus Terminal, RAAMP roads, among other legacy projects.

"Additionally, we have also delivered or continuing on many projects that were initiated by our administration, such as power projects that have seen electricity supply improvement across the state. Many road projects within Ado metropolis such as GRA III Extension Road, Maryland Road, Oke Ila Road, Agric Olope-Matthew Link Road, Moferere Road, Omisanjana-Ajebamidele Road.

"We have also completed Ikole-Ara-Isinbode Road, Omu-Ijelu Road, Ikere-Ise Road, Ikere-Ilawe Road, Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Ikogosi-Igbara Odo Road, Itawure-Okemesi Road among other roads across communities in most LGAs in our state, while many projects are at various stages of completion.

"Our government is currently building an 80-bed complex at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, in addition to the complete overhauling and equipping of all our secondary and primary health facilities. We are also in the process of completing the International Centre for Arts and Culture and Indoor Sports Complex in Ado Ekiti."

ABUAD Founder, Aare Babalola hailed Oyebanji for delivering one of the best public lectures he has heard recently adding that the lecture was lucid, easy to understand, stimulating, deep and capturing key ingredients that enriched the understanding of the audience on the principles of continuity and succession in governance.

Aare Babalola advised the Governor to consider coming back to ABUAD at the end of his public service to lecture students and share his insights and experience in governance as a means of giving back to humanity.

The legal luminary urged the Governor to beam his searchlight on the ongoing work by putting pressure on the contractor handling the federal road which leads to the institution considering the hardship faced by workers including academic staff in arriving at their duty posts.

"Whoever is the contractor working on that road, help us ensure that work.is going on day and night because we know what we suffer because of the present condition of the road. That is the only request I have for you today," Aare Babalola said.

Sport Development: Cricket Star Taking Ekiti’s Name to the Global Stage.

Sport Development: Cricket Star Taking Ekiti’s Name to the Global Stage.

By Olamide Akinwumi 

It is a proud moment for Ekiti State as Oni Oluwadamilola secures her place in the Nigeria U-19 Women’s Cricket Team for the prestigious ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers.

This remarkable achievement highlights the growing prominence of cricket in the state and underscores the immense potential of young female athletes. It stands as a testament to Oluwadamilola’s dedication, discipline, and passion for excellence.

The feat also reflects the sustained commitment of the Ekiti State Government under the leadership of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to the development of sports. Through strategic investments in youth empowerment, grassroots sporting initiatives, and talent development programmes, the administration continues to create an enabling environment for young athletes to thrive and compete on national and international stages.

Her success further demonstrates the impact of the visionary leadership of the Ekiti State Cricket Association, alongside the dedication of her coaches and mentors who remain committed to nurturing emerging talents.

As Ekiti celebrates this milestone, it is evident that the future of Nigerian cricket is brighter than ever, with promising stars like Oluwadamilola rising to the global stage and bringing honour to the state and the nation.

#SportDevelopment

#CricketSport

#EkitiRising

#BAOImpact

Ejioye Joins Forbes Business Council.

Ejioye Joins Forbes Business Council.

Ayorinde Ejioye, the Chief Operating Officer of Gidi Real Estate Investment Limited, has been inducted into the prestigious Forbes Business Council, an exclusive global network for accomplished business leaders and entrepreneurs.

The induction, confirmed in a statement issued by the Office of the COO, took effect on April 9, 2026, following a rigorous selection process conducted by a review committee.

According to the statement, Ejioye was admitted based on the depth and diversity of his professional experience, which spans business management, leadership development, and public service. The Council’s selection criteria include a proven track record of driving business growth, as well as significant personal and professional achievements.

With his acceptance into the Forbes Business Council, Ejioye will gain access to exclusive opportunities designed to enhance leadership capacity and global influence. These include lifetime EXEC access—an integrated benefits platform offering premium travel and lifestyle advantages tailored to modern business leaders.

As a member, he is also expected to collaborate with other distinguished executives within a private forum, contribute thought leadership articles, and participate in expert panel discussions published on Forbes platforms, including Forbes.com.

In addition, Ejioye will benefit from membership-branded marketing resources and dedicated support from the Forbes Councils concierge team, further strengthening his professional reach and visibility.

The statement described the milestone as a recognition of Ejioye’s longstanding commitment to strategic leadership and business excellence rather than a starting point.

“This achievement reflects a pattern of sustained contributions to business growth and leadership development. His work continues to shape emerging leaders and influence organisational direction across the ecosystems he operates in,” it read.

Ejioye’s induction underscores his growing reputation as a forward-thinking executive and reinforces his role in driving innovation and growth within Nigeria’s real estate sector.