Tag: Ekiti STATE

Youths in Araromi-Obo, Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti State, on Friday protested the alleged plan to impose a new monarch for the community.

The youths alleged that some individuals were attempting to manipulatethe  extant traditional system to pave the way for their preferred candidate through the controversial appointment of warrant chiefs.

Addressing journalists shortly after the protest, the President of Araromi Obo Youths, Mr. Sunday Faseluka, pointed out that the town already had kingmakers who had been serving the town for over two decades, including  Oisangan, Chief Oluwole Egunjobi; Ejigbo, Chief Joseph Alabi; and Ejisun, Chief Ajayi Sunday.

According to him, the sudden attempt to impose replacements for these chiefs while they were still alive was not only unconstitutional and illegal but also a provocation capable of destabilizing the existing peace of the town.

Faseluka noted that those behind the move were acting in bad faith and only seeking to manipulate the traditional system for personal interest, insisting that such actions would not be tolerated.

The secretary of the group, Mr. Deji Alabi, said that the attempt to sideline the kingmakers by appointing warrant chiefs was orchestrated to favour Prince Ebenezer Ojo, whom he alleged was being positioned to ascend the throne.

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He described such a plot as unacceptable, insisting that the town would resist any imposition that did not follow the extant traditions and customs as well as reflect the will of the people.

“We want to inform the government that Mr. Ebenezer Ojo, whom some people are trying to impose on the community, can neither read nor write. In this current dispensation, we don’t want an illiterate as a king.

 “What we want is an educated person who will bring development to the town. The appointment of warrant chiefs was to favour Mr. Ebenezer Ojo. So, we the youths reject outright the alleged plot to impose Ojo on us”, he added.

The group’s publicity secretary, Oluwatosin Ojo, said that Araromi Obo deserved a monarch who would not only protect its heritage but also drive development through education and exposure.

Ojo called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to wade into the matter by recognizing and supporting the existing kingmakers to midwife a free, fair, and transparent process that will produce a monarch for the community.

He further noted that any attempt to sideline the kingmakers in favour of the warrant chiefs would be met with stiff resistance from the youths and the wider community.

The 1985 set of St. Augustine’s Comprehensive High School, Ayede-Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State is set to celebrate 40 years since graduating from the institution, which turns 50 in September.

A statement by Dr. Steve Akinyele, president of the set, and circulated by its Public Relations Officer, Segun Ayoola, said the anniversary to begin next Friday will feature reflective, and celebratory events.

Activities include unveiling of the anniversary project on the school premises, presentation of gifts at the valedictory service, prize and awards ceremony, and a friendly novelty football match

There will also be a paper presentation by Prof. Sesan Fabamise, professor of Law at Afe Babalola University, titled: “Entrepreneurship: The Bedrock of Human Capital.” A moment of reflection.

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A thanksgiving service at the school’s Alumni Hall marks the grand finale.

The event is expected to attract dignitaries, including Professor Vincent Bamigboye, Worldwide president of the Old Students’ Association; and Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbole III, , the Oloye of Oye Kingdom, among others.

To commemorate the milestone, the 1985 Set will also present a ₦2 million legacy project to the school — the tiling of the Alumni Auditorium — as part of their continuous effort to give back and contribute to the growth of their alma mater.

The 40th anniversary promises to be a memorable reunion, marked by reflection, reconnection, and rejoicing, as old classmates come together to celebrate friendship, impact, and legacy.

Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for the implementation of off-grid electricity projects across the state.

The agreement is to accelerate energy access to unserved and underserved communities in Ekiti State, and to jumpstart rural economic activities through access to sustainable and reliable power supply.

Speaking while signing the MoU at the Rural Electrification Agency State-By-State Round Table engagement with Ekiti State tagged leveraging Public-Private Partnership for Scaleable Energy Access Infrastructure, in Abuja, Oyebanji said the meeting was not just about discussions on electricity, power, energy, or their renewable forms, but about lighting up homes, powering the state’s economy and creating a future where no community is left behind.

Acknowledging that significant population in Ekiti State today still needs access to reliable power, the Governor said his administration has spent over 4 billion naira to improve electricity supply in the state, an effort, which according to him, has seen several unserved communities getting reconnected to the national grid after years of blackout, enabling some underserved communities to be better served, eased the burden on entrepreneurs and fostered business growth.

Highlighting his achievements in the electricity sector, the Governor said his administration, through a PPP arrangement had in operation an Independent Power Project facility providing 2.6MW to government facilities, and also investing in solar power infrastructure to provide reliable electricity to the general hospitals, primary health care facilities and public schools to boost efficient service delivery.

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Oyebanji further explained that his government has also initiated measures that have put prepaid meters in the homes of thousands of consumers in the state, thereby reducing 80 percent metering gap and eliminating estimated billing.

He described the partnership as a game changer, adding that his government will leverage on the opportunities provided by REA to catalyze and unlock private capital development energy sufficiency in the state.

While commending the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for its consistent efforts in bridging the energy gap across the country, the Governor maintained that his government remain resolute in the drive to achieve 120MW through the contributions of investors by 2030, thereby closing the energy gap in the state

“I am extremely pleased to address the esteemed stakeholders participating in today’s Strategic Roundtable Event with the Renewable Energy Agency (REA) focusing on Ekiti State. This event is to facilitate the acceleration of energy access to unserved and underserved communities in Ekiti State, and to jumpstart rural economic activities through access to sustainable and reliable power supply.

“Today’s event is not simply about discussions on electricity, power, energy, or their renewable forms, it is about our people. It is about lighting up homes, powering the state’s economy and creating a future where no community is left behind

“We have taken visible steps in upgrading electricity infrastructure across the state, a process that has seen several unserved communities getting reconnected to the national grid after decades of blackout, and enabling some underserved communities to be better served. This, in no small measure, has eased the burden on entrepreneurs and foster business growth. Through this effort, over 40 towns have been connected to the national grid,” the Governor asserted.

Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, who expressed appreciation to the Governor for prioritising rural electrification as a key component of his development agenda, commended the Sttate Government for putting the right policies and institutional framework in place to drive energy access and attract partnership that can deliver sustainable results.

The Ekiti State Government has initiated a dialogue to find lasting solutions to the recurring clashes between farmers and herders in the state.

The three-day training on preventing and resolving of farmer-herder conflict which was organised by Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) brought together critical stakeholders, including farmers, herders, and host communities, to discuss the underlying issues and develop strategies for peaceful coexistence.

Speaking at the event, Governor Biodun Oyebanji stressed the need for sustained dialogue and cooperation to achieve peace and reinforce adherence to the rule of law.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brig Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (Rtd), Oyebanji said that efforts have been made to resolve the crises between the herders and farmers and the host communities.

The governor added that some external factors are working against the peace efforts, saying while the state has anti-grazing laws, implementation has been challenging due to the challenges of the neighboring states.

He said “that is why we have brought together herders, farmers, and other stakeholders to dialogue and come up with ideas that will give enduring peace. It will help the government to make necessary policies.”

“With this event, we know how to work around the anti grazing laws and make it functional to ensure that farmers and herders can live together in peace”, he said.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade said that the farmer-herder conflict is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach.

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“It is not just about clashes between two groups; it is about understanding the underlying issues, which include competition for resources due to global warming. cultural differences, and environmental degradation.

“Across the nation, we have seen the impact of the conflicts firsthand, which had led to devastating consequences such as loss of lives, displacement, and economic instability”, he added.

The Ekiti State L-PRES Cordinator, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe said the training was necessary in order to establish peaceful coexistence among livestock farmers and core farmers.

He also attributed lack of resources to farmers-herders clashes, saying L-PRES has been working on natural grass land to provide these resources and manage relationships between the two parties.

Ekiti State government will spend a total of N1,179,235,500 as running grants for primary and secondary schools as well as technical colleges and the three government special schools for the 2024/2025 session alone.

Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who broke the news in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, said N11,306,760,012.54 was expended on renovation and construction of facilities in the state’s 203 public secondary schools under the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

He added that the government paid N6,154,879,897.36 as counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its 2022, 2023 and 2024 projects in the 927 public primary schools while N16,388,047.77 was spent on Procurement of Continuous Assess Documents for public secondary schools and N174,032,505.00 for instructional materials for primary schools, among others.

Giving a breakdown of disbursement of running grants since the inception of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, Olatunbosun said the public secondary schools were given N214,479,000 for the 2022/2023 session, N235,157,400.00 for 2023/2024 session and N602,356,500 for 2024/2025 session while the primary schools got N101,419,200 for 2022/2023, N109,854,900 in 2023/2024 and N381,258,000 for 2024/2025, adding that the Technical Colleges took N6,774,300 in 2022/2023, N5,981,400 in 2023/2024 and N10,737,000 in 2024/2025.

According to him, the three Government Special Schools are paid N15,407,000 monthly as grants for feeding and maintenance with facilities in the schools upgraded to ensure operational efficiency while professional therapists including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists were engaged to provide remediation services for the PWDs pupils/students in the schools.

He highlighted some of the government’s interventions in public secondary schools to include renovation of 1,135 classrooms and construction of 83 new classrooms, construction of 419 new toilets and renovation of 277 existing ones, drilled 32 boreholes and rehabilitated eight for improved water access.

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Olatunbosun said the government also renovated, furnished and equipped 18 libraries, 105 science laboratories, 67 multi-purpose halls and constructed perimeter fencing of 46 schools while 2,978 units of school furniture and learning materials were procured and distributed.

Stressing the need for stakeholders to reciprocate and support the efforts of the Oyebanji administration to develop the state and provide access to inclusive qualitative education in conducive teaching and learning environment for all, Olatunbosun solicited the involvement of all and sundry in protecting public property in their respective areas for proper maintenance and sustainability.

He reiterated the commitment of the present administration to the provision of free, qualitative and compulsory education for school-age children in the State, adding that the government had invested so much in the sector and all parties should join hands to protect the investment in order to genuinely achieve the desired goal. 

The government spokesman said protecting public property like schools would enhance safety and well-being, stressing that well-maintained public property reduces hazards and contributes to a safer environment for residents, while conversely, neglected or damaged properties can pose risks and even attract criminal activity.

He also cautioned Principals and Headteachers of public schools to shun corruption and other sharp practices, stressing that it would be wrong for anybody to misrepresent issues under any guise to attract donations from individuals, group of people, philanthropists or association without consideration to the unjustifiable effect on the image of government. 

He said, “All stakeholders, including residents, government bodies, and relevant organizations, share a fundamental responsibility to protect public property due to its importance for development and the well-being of society, and this protection can be achieved through awareness, education, and strict enforcement of regulations. Please, let’s be guided as culprits would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Babalola Olaniyi, an appointee of Ekiti State and special assistant on Environment (Waste Management) to the governor, , has applauded the salary increment for staff of Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA).

He described it as a laudable move that underscores the administration’s dedication to workers’ welfare.

 Speaking at a public engagement in Efon, Babalola commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for uplifting the workforce in the environmental sector. He noted that the pay rise will boost staff morale and translate into improved environmental sanitation.

“I commend the governor for prioritising welfare of EKSWAMA staff. This salary increase is a powerful message that every worker matters, and it will lead to greater efficiency and morale,” he said.

Babalola declared his support for Oyebanji’s re-election, urging the people of Efon Local Government to re-elect him.

 “Our governor has demonstrated commitment to grassroots development. I urge the people of Efon to vote for him again so he can consolidate and do more for our communities,” he added.

 Highlighting impact of the administration in Efon, Babalola pointed to rehabilitation of Alanaka-Imoba and Okemesi-Itawure roads, which he said are easing mobility and encouraging economic activities.

He also acknowledged the administration’s strides in addressing long-standing electricity challenges. The installation of a turbine engine and a high-capacity transformer has brought renewed power supply to several communities. Over 40 towns, including some that had experienced blackouts for decades, have been reconnected to the national grid.

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On healthcare, Babalola praised the commissioning of the ALGON Comprehensive Health Centre in Efon, describing it as a critical investment in grassroots healthcare delivery. The modern facility is now providing access to quality medical services for residents who previously faced long journeys to receive care.

In the area of education, he highlighted the back-to-school initiative championed by the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Abiodun Oyebanji, and supported locally by the Efon Council Chairman,  Segun Afolabi, who distributed thousands of branded exercise books to students in both primary and secondary schools. He noted that the gesture has eased the burden on parents while promoting a positive learning environment.

Babalola said the governor’s accomplishments in Efon are just a glimpse of what is possible under a continued mandate, stressing that re-electing Oyebanji would ensure even greater development for the people of the local government and the entire state.