Eid-el-Fitr: Fayemi Urges Peace, Unity and Reflection Among Nigerians.

Eid-el-Fitr: Fayemi Urges Peace, Unity and Reflection Among Nigerians.

Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), has extended warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Fayemi Media Office, Dr Fayemi congratulated Muslims on their devotion, discipline, and spiritual renewal during the period of fasting, prayer, and charity, noting that Eid-el-Fitr is a time to reinforce the values of compassion, sacrifice, humility, and love for humanity.

He urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds, to reflect deeply on the season's enduring lessons,  emphasising the need for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect at a time when the country is in dire need of unity.

“Eid-el-Fitr is not only a celebration of the end of Ramadan but also a reaffirmation of the virtues of self-restraint, generosity and faith in God. These are values that should guide our conduct as individuals and as a nation,” Fayemi said.

The former governor called on citizens to embrace peace and shun all forms of division, violence and intolerance, stressing that Nigeria’s progress depends on the collective resolve to live together in harmony.

He also encouraged the Muslim faithful to sustain the spirit of giving and compassion beyond the festive period, particularly towards the less privileged in society.

Dr Fayemi wished the Muslim Ummah a joyful and peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration, praying that the blessings of the season bring hope, unity and prosperity to Nigeria.

148 Battalion Commanding Officer Visits Agbeyewa Farms, Assures Continued Security Support.

148 Battalion Commanding Officer Visits Agbeyewa Farms, Assures Continued Security Support.

The Commanding Officer of the Headquarters 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Dimka, has pledged continued security support for the operations of Agbeyewa Farms following a familiarization visit to the company’s base in Ipao-Ekiti.

Lt. Col. Dimka was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Agbeyewa Farms, Oska Seyi Aiyeleso who stated that Agriculture is a national service, and at Agbeyewa, we are proud to contribute our part. He disclosed that the company is targeting the cultivation of 5,000 hectares of cassava in 2026 as part of its contribution to strengthening food security in Nigeria.

Vice President, Operations, Anthonia Attoh, highlighted the deployment of mechanized farming systems and the company’s positive socio-economic impact across its host communities.

Lt. Col. Dimka reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment: “We will continue to support your security needs.”

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#EkitiState

Venite University Hosts Agbeyewa Team, Receives 2026 Retreat Invitation.

Venite University Hosts Agbeyewa Team, Receives 2026 Retreat Invitation.

Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, recently received a delegation from Agbeyewa Farms, led by Alhaji Dauda Lawal, Director of Community Engagement, on a familiarisation visit to the institution. The visit was aimed at establishing a working relationship with the university’s new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charity Onye Aremu, while exploring areas of mutual interest that could foster collaboration between the two institutions.

During the engagement, the Agbeyewa team formally extended an invitation to the Vice-Chancellor to serve as guest speaker at the 2026 Retreat for farmers, industrialists and traditional rulers. The visit also provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss prospective partnerships, particularly in areas that connect academic learning with practical industry exposure. The university management expressed appreciation for the visit, noting its significance in strengthening ties between academia and industry stakeholders.

Venite University reaffirmed its commitment to building a forward-thinking institution that goes beyond conventional classroom education. The management emphasised its focus on integrating academic excellence with real-world experience to produce self-reliant, innovative, and globally competitive graduates, while expressing optimism about future collaborations with Agbeyewa Farms.

Oyebanji’s wife canvasses greater empowerment for women at IWD Celebration.

Oyebanji’s wife canvasses  greater empowerment for women at IWD Celebration.

The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has called for effective and sustained empowerment of women as a critical driver of growth and economic sustainability in Nigeria.

Dr Oyebanji made this known during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration held at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, where she emphasised that investing in women remains a strategic pathway to national development.

Speaking on this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” the Governor’s wife noted that the theme underscored the need to recognise women’s achievements and challenges while intensifying efforts to promote gender equality and rights.

 “When we give women access to education, empowerment, and holistic development, we gain stronger families, more prosperous communities, and a more inclusive nation”. She stated.

According to her, this is being driven by deliberate investments in girl-child education, women’s economic empowerment, and social protection programmes.

She further highlighted that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji prioritises women’s empowerment through its Human Capital Development agenda. 

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, institutions and organisations to accelerate progress toward gender equality. 

She stressed the need to  dismantle systemic barriers and biases confronting women in both personal and professional spheres.

Babafemi noted that this year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” alongside the campaign slogan “Give to Gain,” reinforces the vision of a society where women and girls enjoy equal rights, power, and opportunities.

Delivering a lecture at the event, Professor Kemi Ogundana of the Department of Sociology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, explained that empowering women creates a multiplier effect that positively impacts all sectors of society.

In their goodwill messages, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju; Special Adviser on Gender Mobilisation, Mrs Kemi Olaleye; the Wife of the Ogoga of Ikere, Olori Funmilola Adejimi; and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dayo Apata SAN,  urged women to continue supporting the present administration in its drive for inclusive development.

The celebration also included colourful dance past competition, with Ado Local Government emerging first, Ilejemeje Local Government placed second, and Ekiti East Local Government secured the  third position.

Land ownership is bankable asset in Ekiti - Gov. Oyebanji.

Land ownership is bankable asset in Ekiti - Gov. Oyebanji.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that owners of landed properties in the State enjoy appreciable turnover on their assets over time, promising an enabling environment for private investors to thrive in Ekiti.

Governor Oyebanji stated this during a courtesy visit by Council members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) at the Governor's office, Ado Ekiti on Monday. He noted that with the level of investors visiting Ekiti State to invest in real estate, he envisioned the possibility of turning barren lands into bustling commercial hub in the nearest future.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser ( Media) to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, a major highlight of the visit by the NIESV leadership was the investiture of Governor Oyebanji as patron of the reputable professional body.

Governor Oyebanji, who spoke shortly after his investiture by the institution’s President and Chairman of Council, Dr Victor Alonge, expressed his appreciation to the Institution for the honour and promised to live up to the expectations and standards desired of a patron by collaborating with the institution to achieve its goals and objectives nationally and at the state level.

While assuring the institution of his administration's support and collaboration, the Governor commended the State’s team for their professionalism and for providing strong and quality leadership for its members as well as effective advice for government to drive its policies formulation.

“One area that we’ve been challenged is the issue of land administration in the state and we've embarked on a very ambitious massive land reforms in the state to ensure that we digitize the system and put everything on a cadastral and it's going on now with the help of Professor James Olaleye. I think by the time we finish, anybody that has land in the State, will have a bankable asset. It’s been tough, it's been capital intensive, but it's something we need to do because I believe strongly that land is one asset that if not carefully managed, you know, it can make or mar a people.

"One thing we have also done as a government and it's a policy that if we are going to take over your land, which is your asset, we have to compensate. We have not taken over any land asset in the state without paying compensation because I believe strongly that if I'm going to take your means of livelihood, I must provide an alternative for you to live, so you cannot say you are developing and you are impoverishing your people. So, as a policy of government, there's nothing we have done in this state when it comes to land acquisition, we pay compensation.” He said.

Earlier, the President of the institution, Dr Victor Alonge said Ekiti State under Governor Oyebanji is a rising citadel of progress undergoing rapid development and transformation. This, according to him, has catapulted the Governor into a national relevance, made him a canvass for the artistry of good governance and a reference point in raising the bar of governance.

Alonge revealed that the NIESV Council approved the decoration of the Governor as its Patron in recognition of his giant developmental strides at showcasing developmental initiatives in areas such as massive infrastructural development, agriculture and food security; industrialization, security; welfare initiatives, functional education; provision of accessible and quality health care as well as initiating enduring policies that will stand the test of time and capable to outlive his administration.

He noted that Governor Oyebanji has made the State an investment destination stressing the need to continue to partner with government in Policy Formulation, Land Administration, Asset Management and Administration, Housing and Project Development and other related areas. He added that the Institution will continue to offer the State its professional services in the best global practices, upholding our Code of Professional Ethics in doing so.

"The high point of our visit today, is the formal investiture of Your Excellency as a Patron of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV). This honour is in line with Article 7 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers which recognizes the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the grand patron and State Governors as patrons”, he stated.

2026 IWD: Stakeholders Highlight Women’s Role in Development, Rally Support for Oyebanji.

2026 IWD: Stakeholders Highlight Women’s Role in Development, Rally Support for Oyebanji.

Stakeholders in Ekiti State have called for increased support for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji ahead of the June governorship election, as the Wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, reaffirmed her commitment to women's empowerment at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration.

The collaborative event between the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Office of the First Lady was held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti. It brought together women leaders, civil society organisations, government officials, and development partners to highlight the importance of gender equality and inclusive development.

Speaking at the programme, Dr Oyebanji emphasised that empowering women remains central to sustainable growth, noting that this year’s campaign slogan, “Give to Gain,” underscores the benefits of investing in women.

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, describing it as a step towards prioritising women, children, and vulnerable groups.

The First Lady also highlighted ongoing initiatives by the state government under Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, including partnerships with Development Agencies on programmes such as the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up.

She added that her Office, through platforms like the Widows, Aged and Orphans Hope Support Foundation, would continue to support women, children, and vulnerable groups across the state.

Dr Oyebanji further appealed to women to sustain their support for the current administration, especially as the State prepares for the governorship election.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, commended the First Lady for driving positive change among women and urged more support for Governor Oyebanji’s second-term bid.

Similarly, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, stressed the critical role of women in society and called for strategic voter mobilisation to ensure continuity in governance.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dayo Apata (SAN), expressed appreciation for the efforts of the First Lady and the Deputy Governor in advancing women-focused initiatives, pledging his Ministry's continued support.

In her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, said the Oyebanji administration had prioritised women’s welfare through empowerment programmes, social protection, and various efforts to combat gender-based violence.

She noted that beneficiaries across the State received tools, financial support, and access to education through various interventions, while survivors of gender-based violence are being provided with medical, legal, and psychosocial support.

Also lending her voice, the Special Adviser on Gender Empowerment and Mobilisation, Chief (Mrs) Kemisola Olaleye, commended the First Lady for her dedication to women’s welfare and called on female political stakeholders to mobilise grassroots support for the Governor.

The keynote speaker at the event, Professor Kemi Ogundana from the Ekiti State University (EKSU), described the “Give to Gain” slogan as a call for collective action, stressing that investing in women leads to economic growth, improved health outcomes, and stronger communities.

She urged individuals, organisations, and policymakers to intensify efforts in mentorship, funding, and advocacy to advance gender equality.

Orisunmibare appointed Renewed Hope Ambassador for youth mobilisation.

Orisunmibare appointed Renewed Hope Ambassador for youth mobilisation.

By Johnson Eleko

The Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Ondo State, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, has appointed Hon. Fashua Orisunmibare as the Renewed Hope Ambassador for youth mobilisation in the Ondo Central Senatorial district.

The appointment, which was announced amid excitement, has been widely commended by stakeholders, who praised Olabimtan for prioritizing experience and competence in the selection process.

In his reaction, Hon. Fashua Orisunmibare expressed appreciation to the Coordinator for the confidence reposed in him, describing the appointment as a call to greater service.

He pledged to support the mobilisation of youths in promoting the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while also engaging young people at the grassroots.

Orisunmibare also thanked the Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Ayedatiwa, for providing an enabling platform for youths to contribute to governance and development in the state.

He said, “I sincerely appreciate this opportunity and the belief in my capacity to serve. To whom much is given, much is expected. I will give my best to ensure effective youth mobilisation and contribute meaningfully to the progress of our state and the nation.”