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Tag: Governor Biodun Oyebanji

  • ‘I won’t take my victory at primary for granted’

    ‘I won’t take my victory at primary for granted’

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on his victory during the recent consensus primary and plans for raising the bar of good governance. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

    This is the first time we will have a consensus arrangement in APC where all the tendencies within the party are saying it has to be you. How did you achieve this?

    What happened today is historic.  In the history of this state, we are 29 years old as a State, and no democratically elected government has been able to pull this kind of feat. There has been no time that a government succeeds itself. So, by God’s grace, if we win next year June, we’ll be the first government that will run back to back. We have had governors that have spent two terms, but usually they will lose an election, leave and then return back to office. And that has been the bane of our development, because there is always policy truncation, you know, when a government comes, it abandons the project and policies of the former. It will start its own, and it will spend four years, it will go, another government will come. When we were fighting for this state, by providence, I was the secretary of the committee for the  creation of Ekiti State, I was a very  young man then,  I was 26 years than, I worked with the founding fathers of the State and I sat at meetings with them, I know their desire for Ekiti. I know the visions of the founding fathers of this state and there’s no politician in Ekiti State today that has the kind of experience I’ve had in public service.

    Before I became governor, I’ve put eleven years into public service. I started as a Senior Special Assistant,  I later became a Special Adviser, and later became the Chief of Staff, to Governor Niyi Adebayo. We left in 2003. And then Dr Kayode Fayemi came in 2010. So, there was seven years hiatus. We came back in 2010, and I worked with Dr Fayemi for four years.  I served in three different capacities- Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs; Head, Office of Strategy and Service Delivery, and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning. The Government lost re-election in 2014.  In 2018, Dr Fayemi came back and I was appointed Secretary to the State Government, So, I have seen governance at very close range and those two appointments as Chief of Staff and SSG made me to work very closely with the two governors.

    I’ve seen them taking decisions and facing the consequences. So, I cannot claim not to have the experience when it comes to governance.  I told myself when I got to this seat, that look, all these mistakes they’ve made, I have to avoid them. It was intentional on my part. I also discovered that the former governors don’t have good relationship with one another. When Governor Segun Oni was governor, we had a meeting in Ilupeju, and I told him Your Excellency, why don’t you do something like the Council of State, like an association or a forum of former governors to  meet quarterly, he said he would do it, he didn’t  do it.  I’m going to do it in my second term. We are going to send a bill to the House of Assembly that will make it mandatory for any governor to have such a meeting once in a quarter.

    So, when I became governor, I made up my mind to be at peace with everyone. Governor Fayose did something that shocked me, his party contested against our party, the day I won, he called the candidate of his party to congratulate me and he should also write a letter of congratulation and he should not go to court. He did that. This same Kayode Ojo took me to court on pre- election matters, it ran to the Supreme Court. Engr Segun Oni took me to the court, it ran to the Supreme Court. For two years, I was in and out of court. So, if Fayose had added his own to it, I would have had three cases.  At a point, I had 35 court cases. So, I went to him and said, why did you do this?

    He said look, I am now matured and now I can rise beyond politics and be a statesman, you deserve every support that you can get. Some may ask how do I relate with well with all the former governors.  I just respect them. If they want to see me, I go to their houses. I don’t allow them to come to my office. I call them, I check on them. If they have social functions, I go there, that is all. But people assume that maybe I’m giving them money. No. it’s not like that. Even if you give money and you don’t respect them, you know, they will just take the money and they will not support you. But it has got to a point now where I can pick my phone and call Governor Fayose or call the wife, it’s that kind of relationship I have with them and I also have relationship with their children. So, we are members of the same family, and the people are happy for that, we are able to plan our life, people are able to sleep with their two eyes closed, there is no tension in town, there’s no violence, you know and everybody is happy, and the State is better for it. So, it is just mutual respect and understanding.

    There’s been clamouring in recent times for reserved seats for women generally in politics and knowing that women are very crucial in governance, whether national or sub-national, what are your plans for women ahead of 2027?

    If you look at our record, we are one of the best in the country when it comes to gender equality and affirmative action. We have the highest number of female in the House of Assembly in the country today. My deputy is a woman, my Head of Service is a woman, the SSG is a woman, Accountant General is a woman, and Accountant General for local government is a woman. We have so many women serving as councilors, vice chairmen and chairmen of local government councils. So, maybe you have one or two states that could beat our record, so that is the tradition I met on ground because my predecessor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi is a gender activist, so we have a strong structure to protect the rights of women. But it should go beyond political appointments and elective offices, there are also spaces for those of them in the informal sector to ensure that we provide resources for them to support their businesses, and to support their trade so in every area, in   every department of government there’s a desk for affirmative action. But for the reserved seats you know that depends on the National Assembly. If I am going to tell you the truth it’s going to be a bit tough., but we must have to keep the conversation ongoing.

    Your Excellency, we have gone around and we have seen your efforts in terms of road infrastructure and health.  But one area that Ekiti states is known for is agriculture. So, what are you doing to leverage on both the weather and the landmass, especially to help our youths, the citizens, and the economy of the state?

    When I asked whether you have gone outside the town, I wanted to know whether you have visited our agric belt. You know, agriculture is one area that we have invested so much resources and Mr. President has been supportive. In the last one year, we have been able to pull from the streets to the farm 5,000 youths across 13 clusters in the State. We clear land for them, we give them improved seedlings, we do tractorization, we do land preparation, land development and we also set up an aggregation company to buy from them. We have now scaled it up to also building what we called the Renewed Hope Farm Dormitories. If you go to Ikere,  I don’t know why you didn’t get to one of them, the dormitory is built as hostels for male and female, security house, they have a kitchen, they have a common room, there is internet, there is  DSTV for their comfort. You can decide to stay on the farm for three to five days and  you will not miss anything in the city.

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    We provide buses and provide security for all the clusters, we are doing this in partnership with the local government. It’s something I’m so proud of, because there’s no kind of formal employment that you can pull 5,000 people off the streets at once. The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Monday Okpebholo will be here to commission a road project and one of the dormitories on Wednesday.

    We have done six dormitories across six clusters in the State. Our intention is to scale it up to 16 because we have 16 local governments areas because the challenge they are having presently is having to commute to the farm everyday which is not good for them, but now they can sleep over. They are making so much money and they are happy, and I am so excited.

    You mentioned former governors and I know Ekiti has produced a lot of strong political figures. How do you navigate the influence of political godfathers while maintaining autonomy in governance? 

    To your first question on godfatherism, I think I have been lucky a bit with that because in Ekiti State we don’t have a history of a predecessor lording it over his  successor. We don’t have that history, and do you know why, because we never had continuity.

    How do you talk to a man who doesn’t belong to your political  party?

    The closest we’ve had was Governor Niyi Adebayo and Governor Kayode Fayemi, not because they succeeded each other, but because Otunba Adebayo brought Dr Fayemi to Ekiti, but Governor Adebayo left government in 2003 and Governor Fayemi did not come until 2010. So, it was actually Governor Segun Oni that left before Governor Fayemi came in. Immediately Fayemi became governor, Adebayo left the State. I was in that government, he did not come back, in fact at a point, people were insinuating they were quarreling and when I asked him, he said, look, I have given you someone that can be Governor, so why should I disturb him. Let him run his government, and when he came back, the same thing happened.  I worked with Governor Fayemi as Secretary to the State Government, in fairness to him, when it comes to policy options and everything, he doesn’t disturb me at all, except I call him and I ask him for his advice. So, we don’t have that, and when he asked me to come and run, he did not give me any condition.

    He didn’t say you have to do this for me, he doesn’t disturb me at all, you know, yes, there may be political interests, people going to him to ask him to talk to me for appointments, but those are things you can manage, but with respect to a predecessor lording it on his successor, we don’t have that problem and I was telling Edo and Kogi Governors yesterday that once I leave as a governor, I will just allow the Governor to run his show. Having faced this troubles for eight years, one should go and rest. 

    This state is known as the slogan, the Fountain of knowledge. How are you ensuring that public education matches this reputation in terms of quality and outcomes?

    Coming to education, our strategy in education just like you said, we  pride ourselves as one of the most educated states in the country, we have the highest PhD per capita in the country. There’s no household in the state that doesn’t have a PhD holder, but are we still that strong? No. And for us to the reverse the trend, we made up our mind that we need to strike a balance between what you teach, how you teach, and where you teach. I believe that those three issues will be extremely critical to the future of education. What you teach refers to the currency of the curriculum. How current, how relevant are your curriculum. How you teach refers to methodologies of teaching, the conditions of the teachers and other staff, are they happy with their welfare. Where you teach refers to the environment itself, is it inviting and conducive. So, our policy in education is to address all those gaps and we are doing that at the primary school level now through UBEC, but we don’t have that structure for our secondary schools and one area that by God’s grace that we are going to put attention on in the second term is secondary school education, because I’m not happy with the state of our secondary schools, there’s no structure at all to renovate them, we concentrate on primary schools, and secondary education is so critical. You cannot have a good primary schools and a bad secondary school. Once we strike a balance between the three issues of content, welfare and environment, the outcomes will be okay.the outcomes will be okay.

    Are you jittery that the opposition party might truncate your second tenure aspiration? 

    Politicians are incurable optimistic, but I’m not. People will say that Ekiti is a one-party state, yes, but like you said, we have opposition, but we are waiting to know their candidates, then we will know the strategy to deploy. They don’t have a candidate yet, you know, but we will work until the election is won, because the election has implications for the 2027 presidential election. So, once their candidate emerges, then we will craft the appropriate strategy to deal with that. But are we jittery? No. But we won’t be complacent and also, we will not assume that it is Eldorado. We will work till the last minute.

    At the end of your tenure, where do you expect Ekiti to be?

    Well, we have a 30-year development plan that is the offshoot of our campaign manifesto, so the development plan stipulates where we should be at the end of every year. By 2030, by the grace of God, we envision a state that will be economically prosperous, a state that will have industries, a state where people will be able to live, to work, and to invest. A state that is secure, and a state where the indigenes will be proud that they have an entity they can call their own. So, our benchmark is the development plan, and every year we benchmark ourselves with that development plan, but we also have to review it now.

  • Ekiti: A path to economic emancipation

    Ekiti: A path to economic emancipation

    By Damilola Adeniran

    Since the creation of Ekiti State on October 1, 1996, various administrations have been focused on achieving rapid socio-economic development. The quest for development was undoubtedly a fundamental factor driving the calls for the state’s creation. This is understandable, given the historical context: the old Ondo State was dominated by the Ondo clan, while Ekitis were marginalized from governance.

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji assumed office at a time when order and efficiency in governance were crucial for Ekiti State. The state is often characterized as an “agrarian state,” reflecting its rural agricultural lifestyle, subsistence farming system, and historical political decentralization. In this context, agriculture and trade have long been intertwined, with men typically cultivating crops like yams, cassava and cocoa, while women played a vital role in trading these crops on designated market days.

    Ekitis are renowned for their academic excellence and upright decision-making, traits that align with the state’s reputation as one of the most literate communities in Nigeria. However, the state’s economy faced an uncertain future, with concerns about its meager resources and corporate existence from the outset. To address this, Oyebanji prioritized revamping the battered economy, recognizing that enhancing the living standards of the people requires a multifaceted approach. A key aspect of his strategy involves building relationships with critical stakeholders, which some perceive as “political diplomacy.” His approach stresses the significance of stakeholder engagement and diplomacy in governance.

    This approach is guided by the philosophy of ‘Consolidate old friendships, Win new ones, and Repair damaged relations,’ underpinned by the logic that collective effort can foster a brighter future for Ekiti and its people. By fostering relationships with various groups, the administration can better address the state’s challenges and promote inclusive development.

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    Oyebanji is laying a solid foundation for an ideal state that embodies equal opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of their social status, economic well-being, religious beliefs or ethnic affiliations. This vision acknowledges that conflicts may arise if individuals are not afforded diverse incentives and opportunities that cater for their unique skills and abilities. However, this approach diverges from the conservative stance of the opposition, thereby highlighting a distinct philosophical underpinning of governance.

    As enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the welfare of the people is a major priority for state policies, programmes and decisions. Oyebanji adheres to this principle, making it a guiding doctrine by ensuring that his actions and decisions are geared towards improving the living standards of the Ekitis.

    BAO, as Oyebanji is fondly called, can not only be classified as the author of modern Ekiti state, governing with civility and humanity, but also as a champion of a classless and egalitarian structure in governance. He embodies values and traits like intellectual capacity, honesty, and integrity, making him stand tall among his contemporaries.

    The governor identified two critical issues that could inform the assessment of his administration’s policies and programmes: poverty eradication and improved food security. Given Ekiti State’s agrarian economy, where rural poverty often precipitates urban misery, his focus should be on the agricultural sector. Specifically, employment generation in agriculture should be the cornerstone of the administration’s poverty alleviation efforts.

    Poverty breeds criminality, impoverishes the masses, and perpetuates underdevelopment, even among the privileged class, while also leading to land alienation. In a poor society, even the wealthy live in fear, often barricading themselves indoors, vulnerable to armed robbery. Moreover, a poor state fosters an unhealthy business environment and it’s often a breeding ground for corruption. Poverty is a pervasive issue in Africa, with deep historical roots in sub-Saharan Africa, where it appears to defy conventional solutions.

    When access to economic opportunities is monopolized by a few, honest means of making a living become closely tied to escaping poverty. Often viewed as a vicious cycle, escaping poverty requires extraordinary efforts. Its persistence is attributed to unequal wealth distribution and the multiplicity of human needs. Thankfully, Ekiti State’s approach to poverty alleviation and eradication is exemplary and unparalleled. For this, BAO deserves the highest accolades.

    In his work “Politics”, Aristotle, an ancient philosopher, posited that the state’s purpose is to foster “the good life, equity, and the common good.” While alleviating poverty is crucial, ensuring its permanent alleviation is a distinct challenge. This underscores the importance of sustainability in poverty alleviation measures, beyond just their implementation. For instance, providing small and medium-sized credits to unemployed youths to launch entrepreneurial ventures requires careful consideration of the scheme’s long-term viability.

    The adage, “give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day; teach him to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime”, illustrates this point. By equipping individuals with skills and resources, they can break the cycle of poverty. Moreover, the aversion to poverty stems not only from its inherent hardships but also from the exploitative nature of capitalist systems and the disproportionate power dynamics between the ruling elite and the vulnerable populations.

    In Ekiti State, agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy, playing a multifaceted role in the state’s economic development. Its significance is evident in several key areas, including providing an adequate food supply, generating employment opportunities, supplying raw materials to a growing industrial sector, and creating an expanding market for industrial and other sectoral products.

    Regardless of one’s perspective on BAO’s administration, it is evident that he envisioned his role as a transformative leader for Ekiti State. It goes beyond infrastructure development to encompass poverty eradication, economic empowerment of the poor, and liberation of the oppressed. loathed the exploitation of the vulnerable and the accumulation of wealth at the expense of the larger population, particularly the most disadvantaged segments of society.

    On Oyebanji’s watch, the allocation and distribution of state resources are guided by the principles of fairness and justice, while personal enrichment and the accumulation of private property are discouraged. This approach is evident in the execution of budgetary allocations to various sectors of the state. Furthermore, the governor emphasizes the importance of fairness, justice and transparency in the discharge of duties by commissioners, underscoring his commitment to accountability.

    His primary concerns appear to be increasing prosperity for all, reducing the cost of governance, and improving living standards. To achieve these goals, he has prioritized the fair and just allocation of state resources across the state’s local government areas, while also facilitating pay increases for workers through enhanced productivity. In the years to come, political analysts, human rights activists, and concerned citizens will surely have reason to discuss the developmental strides made by Oyebanji in charting a path towards economic emancipation for Ekiti State.

    • Adeniran wrote from Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

  • Oyebanji promises more appointments for Muslims

    Oyebanji promises more appointments for Muslims

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has assured the Muslim community that more of their members will be appointed into strategic positions in his government.

    The governor gave the assurance on Monday evening when he joined hundreds of Muslims leaders and faithful across the state to break their fast at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti

    Governor Oyebanji thanked the Muslim community for their continuous prayers and support for his administration, stressing that their prayers have been instrumental to the peace, stability and development the state is witnessing.

    While commending Muslims in his cabinet for being good ambassadors of the Muslim community, the governor said their dedication and contributions have positively impacted his administration, assuring that the number of Muslims in his government would not decrease but instead increase as his tenure progresses.

    “I don’t have much to say today than just to thank you and I will continue to appreciate you every day for your prayers and support. I deeply appreciate you for dealing with me with a pure heart.

    “When the SSG reeled out the number of Muslims in our government, it cannot be less than that, it can only be more and before the end of this tenure, we will bring more people to the government”, the governor assured.

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    Earlier in her opening remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, expressed her profound gratitude to the governor for his unprecedented commitment to inclusivity in governance with the appointment of over 50 Muslims in different positions in his government, a gesture which she said reflects the governor’s dedication to equitable representation and genuine regards for the Muslim Community.

    While maintaining that the Muslim community has never had it so well in the state, Prof Adubiaro said the governor’s action has not only fostered unity and trust among religious groups but has also inspired the Muslim faithful to actively support the administration’s vision for the state.

    In their separate goodwill messages, a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hakeem Jamiu; President, Ekiti Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Dr Hameed Bakare, and Coordinator, NACOMYO, Alhaji Mudathir Oladele Yusuf, all expressed their appreciation to the governor for his commitment to inclusivity and equitable representation and for giving Muslim community significant voice in his cabinet.

    While describing the Governor as a leader who has consistently demonstrated fairness, respect, and dedication to the well-being of all citizens, the Muslim faithful assured the Governor of their continued prayers and efforts to mobilize the Muslim Community in ensuring his re-election for another term of impactful governance.

    The President, League of Imams and Alfa, Southwest, Edo, and Delta States, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, who also led the Muslim leaders in prayers for Governor Oyebanji and government officials in the state, hailed the Governor for his exemplary leadership and unprecedented support for the Muslim Community, describing it as historic gesture that reflects true equality and fairness.

    Also present at the event include, Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, former Senator representing Ekiti Central, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Muslim leaders and scholars, Political leaders, among others.

  • Ekiti disburses N22m to youths, students’ bodies

    Ekiti disburses N22m to youths, students’ bodies

    Ekiti State Government has disbursed N22m subvention to 49 registered youth organisations and student associations in the state.

    Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Gold Adesola Adedayo, while distributing the  cheques to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, said the subvention was aimed at promoting civic engagement, innovation that can have sustainable impacts in the communities. 

    Giving a breakdown of the disbursement, Adedayo said the beneficiaries included seven Youth organizations including faith-based groups, seven Students’ associations and 35 Community Groups across the 16 Local Government areas of the State. 

    He explained the gesture was a demonstration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to youth development and empowerment, adding that the administration had made youth development and job creation a top priority.

    Describing such subvention as novel in Ekiti’s history, Adedayo stated that it further amplified the fact that Governor Oyebanji wasn’t deceptive, by making Youth Development and Job Creation as a Pillar One of his policy thrust. 

    The Commissioner urged beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the funds to drive meaningful projects that would add values to their operations and boost welfare of youths in the State.

    “To our dear youth leaders and student representatives, today’s event is a call to greater responsibility. The subvention you are receiving today is a seed meant to drive meaningful projects, support organizational growth, and enhance the welfare of your members. 

    ”I urge you all to utilize these funds judiciously, ensuring they are channeled towards the intended purposes. Let this support serve as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and community development among our youth”.

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    “As we celebrate this landmark initiative, I encourage you all to remain steadfast in your contributions to the growth and prosperity of Ekiti State. The future belongs to you, and with the continuous support of our beloved Governor, the path to success is brighter than ever”.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter,  Comrade Segun Bankole, applauded the state government for its exemplary and landmark generosity.

    Bankole described Governor Oyebanji’s generosity as a game changer in  the working ties between his government, youth organisations and students bodies in the state . 

    He pledged that they will  judiciously utilize the funds toward achieving the desired goals that will add values to governance and the community at large .

  • Young farmers made over N200m profit last year, says Oyebanji

    Young farmers made over N200m profit last year, says Oyebanji

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has said young farmers that participated in the state’s farming scheme made over N200million last year from the sale of their produce.

    He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving food security through aggressive infrastructure development capable of turning the state into an agricultural hub in the country.

    He spoke while hosting the management team of Origin Tech Group led by its Chief Executive, Prince Samuel Joseph.

    He said government had turned agriculture into a veritable business venture through its interventions in the sector.

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    Oyebanji said Ekiti State was ready to partner with the tech company for a more enhanced development in the agriculture sector, adding that the N200 million realised by the young farmers during the last harvest season was from off-takers and big processing plants as well as the state government, which bought the produce for storage.

    Prince Joseph hailed Governor Oyebanji for his efforts in developing the state, especially the agricultural sector, which, according to him, was a testament of the visionary leadership he had been providing for the state in particular and Nigeria at large.

    He said his company was ready to partner the state in its agriculture development drive through initiatives of the company, including introduction of middle-level cooperatives, prototype clusters and sorting and logistics centres capable of generating resources for the state and the people as well as assisting the state achieve at least 40 per cent equity with the company.

  • ‘I’ve connected over 40 communities to national grid’

    ‘I’ve connected over 40 communities to national grid’

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said at the weekend that he had connected over 40 towns to the national grid since assumption of office two years ago, to upscale local economy and add modern touch to the grassroots.

    He spoke in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, during the inauguration of De-Head/Faglo Road and electrification project that connected suburban areas such as Irewumi, Orungbe, Olorunsogo, Surulere, Olorunda and Ijadu with Basiri, completed by his administration.

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    Speaking at the event attended by former Governor Ayodele Fayose, Oyebanji said he decided to build the road with solar lighting to enhance nightlife in the area and bring an upswing to the economic development of the populace, adding that putting electricity along new road remained his standard practice.

    “This road was started by former Governor Ayodele Fayose, but I completed it. This is why it is good for a leader to perform while in office. By my assessment, our past governors have done well, they deserve our respect. “

  • ‘We’ve paid N1.2b gratuities to councils, primary school retirees’

    ‘We’ve paid N1.2b gratuities to councils, primary school retirees’

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said yesterday that his administration had paid N1.2billion gratuity to retired local government workers and primary school teachers.

    He spoke in Ado-Ekiti while disbursing N250million gratuity cheques to 114 retired local government workers and primary school teachers.

    Oyebanji said he shared the pains of the retirees waiting for too long before being handed their gratuity, assuring them that with increase in the monthly payment of gratuity from N50million to N100million, many pensioners would soon be captured.

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    He said: “It is important to place on record that we have paid N1.2billion as gratuities to 377 retired council workers and primary school teachers since the beginning of this administration. Our target is to get everyone covered; and with God on our side, we will not rest on our oars until this is achieved. Rest should indeed be sweet after labour.”

    The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ekiti State, Mr. Joel Akinola, commended Oyebanji for clearing the salary arrears of civil servants and pensioners, hoping that this would be extended to retired local government workers and primary school teachers.