Eid El Kabir: Bayo Ajayi Urges Muslims to Embrace Sacrifice, Back Oyebanji’s Re-election.

Eid El Kabir: Bayo Ajayi Urges Muslims to Embrace Sacrifice, Back Oyebanji’s Re-election.

An All Progressives Congress stalwart, Engr. Bayo Ajayi, has called on Muslim faithful and residents of Ekiti State to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, peace, tolerance and morality as they celebrate this year’s Eid El Kabir festival.

Ajayi, in an Eid message made available to journalists on Tuesday described Eid El Kabir as a sacred celebration that teaches the importance of sacrifice, compassion, discipline and peaceful coexistence in society.

He said genuine greatness could only be attained through selflessness and dedication to humanity, urging residents to continually promote love, unity and communal harmony across the state.

The APC chieftain appealed to political office holders, traditional rulers, youths, women and community leaders to uphold moral values, humility and responsible conduct capable of fostering sustainable grassroots development.

According to him, the festival presents another opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to unity, brotherhood and collective responsibility towards building a peaceful and prosperous society.

Ajayi also urged residents to use the spiritual season to pray fervently for the peace, stability and continuous development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.

He stressed that patriotism, unity and sincere prayers remained critical instruments for preserving societal harmony and attracting greater blessings to the nation.

Speaking on the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Ajayi called on Ekiti residents to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the poll.

He also urged eligible voters to come out massively on June 20 to vote for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, for continuity of purposeful and people-oriented governance in the state.

Ajayi described Oyebanji as a visionary and development-driven leader whose administration had continued to inspire hope and accelerate growth across Ekiti State.

He offered prayers for the governor and his deputy, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength and divine guidance in the service of the state.

The APC stalwart further prayed that the Eid El Kabir celebration would usher in renewed joy, peace, prosperity and abundant blessings into every home and family across the state.

Eid-el-Kabir: "Leaders Must Listen to the People" - ADC Chieftain, Hon. Akinwumi Charges Nigerians.

Eid-el-Kabir: "Leaders Must Listen to the People" - ADC Chieftain, Hon. Akinwumi Charges Nigerians.

Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 House of Representatives election for Akure South/North Federal Constituency, has called on leaders at all levels to embrace sacrifice, obedience, and selfless service as Muslims across the world celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.

Speaking on the significance of the Islamic festival, the ADC chieftain described Eid-el-Kabir (Eid al-Adha) as the major Islamic "Festival of Sacrifice", commemorating the total obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to Allah.

According to him, "The major tenets of Eid-el-Kabir include obedience and sacrifice. Prophet Ibrahim completely obeyed Allah to sacrifice his son in total submission to the will of God. Therefore, leaders at all levels must listen to the yearnings and demands of the led, because the voice of the people is the voice of God. Providing leadership involves the readiness to be sacrificial on all fronts."

While congratulating Muslims on this year's celebration, Hon. Akinwumi emphasised that the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir should inspire unity, compassion, and support for the less privileged in the society.

"The actions of Prophet Ibrahim have taught us selflessness, communal unity, and helping the less privileged", he stated.

He further urged residents of Akure South and North Federal Constituency to remain hopeful for better days ahead, while sustaining the peaceful coexistence that has continued to promote harmony within the constituency.

EKITI STATE GOVERNOR APPROVES N241,549,000 MILLION FOR 2025/2026 UNDERGRADUATE BURSARIES.

EKITI STATE GOVERNOR APPROVES  N241,549,000 MILLION FOR 2025/2026 UNDERGRADUATE BURSARIES.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously approved the disbursement of Two Hundred and Forty-One Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand Naira (₦241,549,000) only for bursary awards to 5,683 Ekiti State undergraduates in tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

This announcement was made today by the Chairman of the Ekiti State Scholarship Board, Hon.Wole Adebola(Esq.) through the Executive Secretary Mrs Bukola Faluyi.  A total of 5,683 students will receive bursary awards, the number which was determined after a rigorous screening and verification process conducted by the Board and the respective tertiary institutions.  She emphasized that this initiative aligns with Governor Oyebanji's Shared Prosperity Agenda in Human Capital Development and reiterated further that Governor Oyebanji has earlier approved the increment of the Bursary award from ₦20,000 to ₦40,000 in January 2026. 

The Chairman expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for his unwavering commitment to education and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Honorable Commissioner for Education Dr. (Mrs) Kofoworola Olabimpe  Aderiye (mni) and the Scholarship Board members. She also commended the scholarship board team for their diligence and work well done in completing the verification process. Meanwhile, the Undergraduates, Masters and PhD scholarship awards is under processing.

Eligible students will receive their payments soonest.

EID El KABIR: Oluwatuyi Seeks Divine Peace, Moral Rebirth, Sustainable Development For IILG, Ekiti And Nigeria.

EID El KABIR: Oluwatuyi Seeks Divine Peace, Moral Rebirth, Sustainable Development For IILG, Ekiti And Nigeria.

By Ola Asubiojo

As Muslim faithfuls across the world celebrate this year’s spiritually symbolic Eid El Kabir festival, the Executive Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Honourable Oluwatuyi Oluwagbenga, has passionately called on residents of the council area to embrace the enduring virtues of sacrifice, peace, tolerance, morality and unwavering devotion to the progress of humanity.

The Council Chairman, in a deeply emotional, spiritual and statesmanlike Eid message made available to newsmen, described Eid El Kabir as a sacred and remarkable festival that continually reminds mankind that genuine greatness is rooted in sacrifice, while peaceful coexistence and sustainable development can only flourish where love, discipline, compassion and mutual understanding prevail.

Honourable Oluwatuyi further appealed to staff of the Local Government, political office holders, traditional rulers, youths, women groups, elders and all constituents of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government to continually uphold unblemished morality, humility, tolerance and responsible conduct capable of strengthening communal harmony and advancing grassroots development.

According to him, the holy celebration remains another divine opportunity for citizens to rekindle the spirit of unity, selflessness, brotherhood and collective responsibility toward building a more peaceful, prosperous and progressive society.

The Chairman also passionately urged residents to utilize the solemn spiritual season to offer fervent prayers for the continuous peace, stability, growth and divine advancement of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that sincere prayers, patriotism and unity remain powerful instruments for preserving societal harmony and attracting greater blessings upon the land.

Speaking further on the forthcoming electoral process in Ekiti State, Honourable Oluwatuyi appealed to citizens to conduct themselves peacefully and pray earnestly for a credible, successful and violence-free election, noting that democracy attains greatness where peace, unity and maturity dominate over bitterness and division.

The Council boss equally offered heartfelt prayers for the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, whom he described as a visionary, people-oriented and development-driven leader whose administrative ingenuity, purposeful governance and transformative leadership continue to inspire hope, stability and accelerated development across Ekiti State.

He thereafter prayed that the sacred celebration would usher in renewed joy, divine favour, abundant blessings, greater prosperity, enduring peace and everlasting fulfilment into every home and family.

 As the sacred season resonates across communities, the message remains a luminous reminder that a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government can only emerge when love for humanity, reverence for God and commitment to communal advancement continually guide the hearts of the people.

EKSU, Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers Explores Strategic Partnership.

EKSU, Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers Explores Strategic Partnership. 

In a move aimed at strengthening collaboration in the  area of stock and investment, the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, recently hosted a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers of Nigeria, on a strategic visit focused on exploring mutually beneficial academic and professional partnership.

The leader of the delegation Mr Ayorinde Adeonipekun, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, commended the leadership of the University for the ongoing yeoman's job, which makes the University to be ranked as the best state University in Nigeria.

Mr Adeonipekun explained that the visit is necessary because it would afford the institute the opportunity to intimate the leadership of the university on the various programmes the Institute is making available to our teeming youth and other undergraduates willing to enlist their interests in stock broking.

He noted that the institute has a plan to organize a career talk for the students on how they could become members of the institute. 

According to him, the institute has programmes for youth who possess a minimum of five O/L credits which must include Mathematics and English Language. The programme which is basically online is designed to make them qualify for the membership of the institute.

The Registrar stated that the youngest Stock Broker in Nigeria laments the decline in number of our youth activeness in the institute.  He noted, that the unfortunate development poses a big challenge to the industry.

According to him, the institute has decided to put measures in place to attract more youth and other age grades into the profession which is expected to benefit Ekiti State University in many ways. 

He called on our youth and undergraduates to shun the idea of getting rich-quick-syndrome, with particular references to CIBEX and other Ponzi schemes, which have affected most Nigerians negatively. 

"Make a deposit of #50,000 and it would translate to #100,000 within a week, it doesn't work that way, nothing like free lunch anywhere", Adeonipekun maintained.

Responding, the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof Joseph Babatola Ayodele thanked the Registrar and members of his entourage for choosing to visit Ekiti State University and the readiness to train the students on the nitty gritty of stock broking.

The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof Williams Adebayo, told the delegation that the Institution is blessed with a trading room, established by the Chancellor of the University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe.

He commended the leadership of the institute for putting a lot of initiatives in place with a view to bringing in more undergraduates into the profession.

He assured the delegation the readiness of the university to partner with the institute in its efforts to motivate, encourage and train our youth to becoming professionally qualified stock brokers.

Ekiti Distributes Laptops to Graduates of Digital Acceleration Programme.

Ekiti Distributes Laptops to Graduates of Digital Acceleration Programme.

The Ekiti State Government has distributed laptops to 16 graduates of the Ekiti Digital Acceleration Programme (EDAP) as part of efforts to equip young people with digital skills and improve their economic opportunities.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Gold Adedayo, said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to moving young people “from learning to earning, from dependence to productivity and from potential to performance.”

Adedayo said the programme demonstrated that youths in the state could compete, innovate and excel when given the right support and opportunities.

He described the laptops as more than ordinary tools, saying they symbolised trust, encouragement and a bridge between training and practical application in the digital economy.

“The digital economy rewards adaptability, professionalism and continuous improvement,” he said, urging beneficiaries to remain focused, upgrade their skills continuously and embrace collaboration and mentorship.

The commissioner also encouraged the graduates to serve as ambassadors of the programme in their communities by demonstrating responsibility, integrity and service.

“When you succeed, you inspire others to believe that youth empowerment is possible and that meaningful change can begin with one determined young person,” he said.

Adedayo commended Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for supporting the initiative and appreciated the contributions of development partners, particularly MOTIVAR, programme facilitators and other stakeholders involved in the success of the programme.

He also called on local government councils and community leaders to create enabling environments for young entrepreneurs through improved power supply, internet connectivity and market linkages.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mr Olawale Olaleye, lauded the governor for approving the provision and distribution of laptops to beneficiaries of the programme.

Olaleye said the intervention would improve employability, stimulate digital entrepreneurship and create opportunities for economic growth across the state.

He advised the graduates to remain accountable to their mentors and communities, utilise the networks formed during the training and regularly update programme coordinators on their progress.

“If you encounter challenges, seek support. Your success is the programme’s success,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Adesola Fadiran, described the event as a significant milestone in the journey toward building a digitally empowered Ekiti State.

Olatunbosun said the ceremony not only marked the successful completion of the Digital Acceleration Programme by the first set of graduates, but also signalled the beginning of new opportunities, innovation and transformation for the beneficiaries.

He said the distribution of laptops symbolised more than the provision of devices, noting that it reflected the government’s commitment to human capital development, digital inclusion and the future of young people in the state.

“I congratulate the graduates for being pioneers and worthy ambassadors of a new digital era in Ekiti State. I encourage you to make productive use of the knowledge and resources you have received for the development of the state and the nation at large,” he said.

Olatunbosun also commended Gov. Oyebanji for the initiative and appreciated programme coordinators, trainers and stakeholders whose efforts contributed to its success.

SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU, OLUOMO OF ILAWE-EKITI, MOURNS THE PASSING OF ALAWE OF ILAWE-EKITI, OBA ADEBANJI AJIBADE ALABI AFUNTADE I.

SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU, OLUOMO OF ILAWE-EKITI, MOURNS THE PASSING OF ALAWE OF ILAWE-EKITI, OBA ADEBANJI AJIBADE ALABI AFUNTADE I.

The Senate Spokesperson, Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development and Oluomo of Ilawe-Ekiti, Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has expressed profound grief over the passing of the revered Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade I, describing the monarch’s transition as the fall of a mighty iroko and the end of a golden era of visionary traditional leadership.

Senator Adaramodu described the late royal father as not merely a custodian of tradition and culture, but also his blossoming childhood friend, confidant and father figure whose life radiated wisdom, dignity, peace, courage and uncommon devotion to the development of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Yorubaland at large.

Reflecting on the monarch’s impactful 14-year reign, Senator Adaramodu noted that Oba Afuntade I transformed Ilawe-Ekiti into a fast-growing and strategically recognised community through purposeful leadership, intellectual diplomacy and progressive engagement with government and stakeholders across all levels.

According to the Senator, the reign of the late monarch witnessed landmark developmental achievements, including the establishment of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe-Ekiti, the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Annex, Ilawe-Ekiti, alongside several infrastructural advancements and community-based developments that elevated the status and growth of the ancient town.

Senator Adaramodu further extolled the late monarch for attaining the historic honour of becoming the first Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti to have served as the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, describing the feat as a testament to his royal distinction, administrative competence, leadership depth and the prominent place of Ilawe-Ekiti among the foremost ancient towns in Ekiti State and Yorubaland.

The Senator also paid glowing tribute to the monarch’s calm intellectual disposition, articulate eloquence and statesmanlike conduct, noting that Oba Afuntade I carried the throne with rare grace, honour and scholarly brilliance which made him a respected voice among traditional rulers and public leaders.

“His Royal Majesty was a man of extraordinary wisdom and uncommon composure. He spoke with clarity, ruled with compassion and led with honour. Beyond being a revered monarch, Kabiyesi was my blossoming childhood friend whose guidance, encouragement and warm relationship I will forever cherish.

“His reign brought visibility, growth, peace and development to Ilawe-Ekiti. He was a bridge builder, a royal statesman and a symbol of dignity whose legacy will continue to inspire generations yet unborn,” Senator Adaramodu stated.

The lawmaker extended his heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the entire people of Ilawe-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Traditional Council and all sons and daughters of Ekiti State over the painful and monumental loss.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed monarch and for strength and comfort for all grieving hearts.

Signed:

Office of Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu

Ekiti South Senatorial District

National Assembly, Abuja.