Why Oyebanji is a worthy successor, Fayemi speaks
Samuel Ogunsona
Ekiti State Kayode Fayemi has expressed delight on the emergence of Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, his successor.
Fayemi spoke forum in Ado-Ekiti.
He said Oyebanji remains one of his trusted allies driven by honesty and hardwork.
He said Oyebanji has been a central figure of his administration from 2010 – 2014, and 2018 – 2022, who deservedly shares in the credit for all his administration has been able to do for the people of Ekiti state.
“As the former Secretary to the State Government, he shares in our records of achievement in Good Governance that has seen considerable improvements in the ease-of-doing-business, and earned us the second position in the Disbursement Linked Indicators mileage of the World Bank/FGN backed State Fiscal Transparency Accountability Sustainability (SFTAS), amongst other accolades”.
Fayemi further said Oyebanji shares in the achievements in education and the restoration of the pride of place as the intellectual hub in the country, with the free and compulsory education, building of new model colleges, improved teacher quality, regular grants-in-aid, massive investments in infrastructure and equipment, as well as the improvements in the learning environment in schools across the State.
“All these have resulted in Ekiti having the lowest rates of out-of-school children in the country, and significant improvements in percentage pass rates in common examinations”.
He said Oyebanji has been a part of the thinking behind the long term vision to build a workforce of the future in tune with global trends and the comparative advantages in agriculture as well as science and technology which is centred around the Ekiti Knowledge Zone for which the State government recently received final confirmation of the AfDB Board approval.
The vision has also resulted in the establishment of the Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti, and the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti as well as the growth and development of our premier university – EKSU.”
He has been a part of the infrastructural revolution in the state which has seen the completion of a number of critical roads such as Ijero – Ipoti – Iloro-Ayetoro, Igede-Awo-Osi-Ido, Otun – Osun-Iloro, Odo Owa – Oke-Ila-Osun State Boundary, Ikogosi – Ipole Iloro-Efon Alaaye, Ilawe – Erijinyan, Oye-Iye-Otun road, Ikere – Ise-Emure, Isan – Ilemeso, Iludun – Obo-Ayegunle, Aramoko-Erinjiyan-Ikogosi, Agbado-Ode-Isinbode-Omuo, New Ado-Iyin, Ilawe-Igbaraoke, Irele – Ipao – Arinkin Bridge – Kogi State Boundary, Ajolagun Bridge linking Ikere to Ijare Road – Ondo State Boundary and Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-Ijan, as well as the commencement of work on Ifaki – Esure – Eyio – Awo road, Itapa – Ijelu – Omu road, the Ado-Ifaki dual carraige way, Ilawe – Ikere road, Ijero – Ara – Awo road, Ikole township roads, and rehabilitation of Ado-Ekiti metropolitan roads. Equally, he has been part of the Rural Access and Agricultural Markets Projects – RAAMP”.
He added that Oyebanji has been part of the team that delivered the Oja Oba Market at Erekesan, the magnificent Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Center, and arguably the largest water corporation headquarters in Nigeria, as well as a total overhaul of three major water dams in Ero, Egbe, and Ureje with the installation of power sources, main pipes, and reticulation of hundreds of kilometers of pipes to towns and villages in about ten local government of the state.
“He has also been a part of the various efforts to upgrade broadband access through the comprehensive deployment of fiber optic infrastructure both within our education quadrangle and also state-wide. He has equally been a part of the team that has been responsible for the 5 megawatts Independent Power Project currently due for completion in August 2022.
In the health sector, he has been part of the team that facilitated our free health care programme, the rehabilitation of all the primary health facilities across the state, and the rehabilitation and equipping of our specialist and general hospitals. The Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital has witnessed phenomenal growth and more importantly earned full accreditation by the relevant authorities and he has contributed to one of the most successful stare health insurance schemes in the country with 100,000 enrolees”.
In terms of the comprehensive vision to position Ekiti as an economically viable state, he was part of the implementation of a number of successful public-private partnerships such as the Ikun Dairy Farm now being run by Promasidor Limited, and the Ire Burnt Brick which has been revamped now and being run by a competent core investor operator”.
He has been a part of the vision for the agriculture sector, which has birthed the Cargo Airport project billed to become operational by September 2022. The cargo airport is designed to plug Ekiti strategically into the global value chain and expose our farmers and processors to a global market, and create vast opportunities for our young people”.
He has been part of the team that envisioned and designed the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project that would make Ekiti the hub for a knowledge economy, wealth creation and application to national and global challenges”.
Fayemi further pointed out that Oyebanji was at the centre of the pioneering effort to re-engineer regional integration in Western Nigeria with the establishment of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission when he served as Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs which was to later birth Amotekun – the Western Nigeria Security Network.
The Governor also said he has been a part of the team that has prioritized workers’ welfare and ensured the prompt payment of salaries and pensions.
He said he has been a part of the Ekiti State Security Council that understands the issues and our approach to security sector governance in the state.
Fayemi also stressed that he has been as much a part of the history, as he is a symbol of Ekiti hope for the future, adding that He has an enviable pedigree as one of the members of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, in which he served as the secretary at the young age of 26.
He added that he was one of those who prepared the blueprint for the takeoff of the state, and has cumulatively contributed close to 12 years in the service of the state as a Special Assistant, Chief of Staff, Commissioner, and Secretary to the State Government.
“I have found in him a conscientious public servant who is trustworthy in all his dealings, and very dependable. I owe a debt of gratitude to him for being the engine room behind all our efforts, and for his faithfulness with all that has been committed to him through the years. At this time by the grace of God, BAO / Afuye lokan, to take Ekiti to the next level”.
“I am most gratified that I have found in Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji a worthy successor because there is no true success and legacy without a successor that can continue with the vision. I have known him and enjoyed a personal relationship with him as a friend, brother, colleague, and one of my most trusted allies for close to two decades”.
“As my administration transitions out, I am confident that with Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, Ekiti is in safe hands. I have no reservations in commending him to the good people of Ekiti as a worthy successor for the Office of Governor, who would carry on with our vision, and usher Ekiti into a new season of sustainable development, peace, and prosperity”.
“I ask that Ekiti Kete gives the incoming administration the same degree of support and goodwill I have enjoyed”. He said.