By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Year 2024 has come and gone, but we can not buy mention how the government led by Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji had affected the people, particularly the workers in the state, because they could be likened to an engine room of any government.
According to the Holy Book of Bible, Proverbs 29, 2: “When the Godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But, when the wicked are in power, the people groan”.
This is the deep reflection of the situation of things in Ekiti state under the progressive leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, whose 57th birthday slated for December 21,2024, could be best described as celebration of Ekiti people’s happiness.
This could be predicated on so many exhilarating grounds. Governor Oyebanji has proven to be a man of his words. Little wonder, he is known by many residents of the State as ” a talk and do Governor” or better still “A promise keeper “. All these sobriquets have become his symbols, character traits and philosophies of life.
Recently, at a meeting with the joint session of labour unions, he promised to start paying the N70,000 Minimum Wage from the month of December, 2024. Due to the lean purse of Ekiti, the promise looked impossible and impracticable. But the governor against all odds fulfilled the promise to the exhilaration of the entire workforce in Ekiti.
On December 19, the news filtered into town that civil servants have started receiving their salaries with huge reflection of the new wage bill. Interestingly, this coincided with the governor’s 57th birthday. The ecstasy sparked off spontaneous joy among civil servants, who described this gesture as Governor Oyebanji’s birthday gift to them.
When the civil servants received their salary alerts of the new minimum wage, they stormed the office of the Governor in their hundreds in Ado-Ekiti, dancing and singing in appreciation of payment of the new minimum wage as reflected in their December salary, which was paid in about three days to Governor’s birthday.
Among the joyous civil servants were Permanent Secretaries and other highly placed officials, who dropped their titles and danced acrobatically to praise the governor for redeeming his pledge to make them happy. They applauded the governor for including them in the new wage, thereby ending several years of exclusion in the wage arrangement.
The development, according to them, confirmed the genuineness of Governor Oyebanji’s promise to ensure that every category of worker benefits from the new minimum wage.
The ecstasy and the songs that rented the air around the governor’s office took Oyebanji by surprise. The razzmatazz reached the governor who was then superintending over the State executive council. He emerged from the state executive council meeting, accompanied by Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro and some state commissioners to receive the jubilant workers.
In fact, it was as if Ekiti never had it so good like this. It became obvious that the entire civil servants, who are most of the time known to have lukewarm attitude towards government were all happy with the Governor evidently with the way they showered praises on him. This reflected lucid display of love and passage of confidence vote in his leadership.
The farmers, the market women and men, the youths, the persons with disabilities, the senior citizens, retirees, teachers civil servants and politicians, including those in the opposition , have enjoyed unfettered patronage from Oyebanji. They all speak well of him, because of his leadership style, which is quite unique and “charming”.
Charming in the sense that his leadership style is difficult to fault. Unlike many politicians and leaders, Governor Oyebanji’s humility knows no bounds. He is putting on the garment of love, with omoluabi’s cap of compassion, which radiates primacy of selflessness and generosity, with passion and face that are showing commitment to the task ahead.
His progressive politics is down- to -heart and convincing. He has that ability to turn enemies to friends, all in a bid to make Ekiti united and develop. Gradually, opposition is waning, not because they don’t exist, but they have become more emasculated by Oyebanji’s mastery of inclusive governance and politics .
Little wonder, there are groundswell of support for his government. His 57th birthday had attracted outpouring of praises , commendations, and prayers for him from various groups, leaders, and sectors, which confirmed that Ekiti people got it right with the current governor.
One of such groups is Ado heritage, who celebrated the Governor on his birthday. The members, who are professionals from different solid backgrounds, saw it as an opportunity to let him know that he is doing well and that the people are really pleased with him.
In fact, Ekiti State stands united in gratitude as it celebrates a governor whose leadership has redefined progress.
In a tribute authorized by the President of Ado Heritage, Bashorun Tope Alabi and the Secretary, Akeem Bello, commended the governor for his remarkable achievements across multiple sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, security, workers’ welfare, and care for pensioners.
According to the group, one of the most groundbreaking milestones under his administration is the completion of the Ekiti State Airport initiated by His predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. This monumental project has placed Ekiti State on the global economic map, opening the doors for international trade, boosting agricultural exports, and creating numerous job opportunities. The airport, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, will attract investors and increase the state’s revenue inflow, positioning Ekiti as a center of innovation and commerce in Nigeria.
The group commended the governor over his recent achievements, especially the commencement of the minimum wage payment, which was a testament to his commitment to improving the lives of civil servants. This bold initiative has not only uplifted the morale of workers but also strengthened the economic foundation of families across the state.
The statement further commended the governor’s groundbreaking efforts in agriculture, where his promotion of mechanized farming, establishment of farming clusters and agro-processing hubs as well as support for small-scale farmers have turned Ekiti State into an agricultural powerhouse.
It stated that the prioritization of road infrastructure was highlighted, with numerous new highways and rehabilitated rural roads enhancing connectivity and economic activities statewide.
On security, the statement applauded his strategic investments in technology and partnerships that have established Ekiti as one of the safest states in the region.
They added that the governor’s exemplary dedication to workers’ welfare was again commended, particularly for the timely payment of salaries, promotions, and now the historic implementation of the minimum wage. For pensioners, his administration’s clearing of arrears of gratuities and introduction of welfare schemes were described as acts of empathy and respect.
Describing him as “a blessing to Ekiti State and its citizens,” the message celebrated the governor’s ability to inspire hope and deliver meaningful change. Additional achievements in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment were also acknowledged, reflecting his all-encompassing approach to governance.
in commemoration of his 57th birthday, Governor Oyebanji presented a total sum of 21 million naira cash gift and food items to the three special schools in the state and two special centers catering to people with special needs.
The three special schools including Government Special School for the Blind Ikere Ekiti; the Government Special School for the Physically and Mental Challenged, Ido and the Government Special School for the Deaf Ikoro-Ekiti alongside the State Rehabilitation Center in Ado-Ekiti were given five million naira each while the newly established Therapy Center for Children with disabilities in Ado-Ekiti received one million Naira.
Recall that Governor Oyebanji had, in a statement earlier in the week, urged his friends, associates and the general public not to organize any birthday party or newspaper advertisement to commemorate his birthday. Instead, he urged them to make cash and material donations to the less privileged children, particularly the three special schools in the state- Special to commemorate his birth day.
Speaking while presenting the cash and food items to the Special Schools at a brief event at the Oshuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by his Wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Olayemi Oyebanji, said the gesture was in line his administration’s commitment to improving the living standard of people with disabilities and ensuring that no one is left behind in his government’s developmental agenda.
The Governor who has given the children with special needs a platform that has significantly changed the societal perception about them, through the initiatives, programs and policies, which many parents of special children are now proud to celebrate their uniqueness and talents, emphasized that the welfare of the PWDs would remain a top priority for his administration, adding that he remained committed to programmes and policies aimed at providing sustainable livelihood for the PWDs community.
He called on well-meaning individuals and associations to partner with him and his government in supporting vulnerable groups in the state, stressing that collective efforts were crucial in creating a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to truly thrive and prosper.
His life trajectory typifies that of a man from solid background of compassion, who is well groomed for leadership and has started well. Here we are in 2025.
Oyebanji was born on December 21, 1967, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, and served as the Secretary to the Government of Ekiti State. He began his academic journey at Baptist Primary School, Ikogosi-Ekiti.
Young Master Oyebanji attended Awo Community High School before transferring to C.A.C. Grammar School, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State in 1979.
He later attended the Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo State, and the District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko-Ekiti from 1983 to 1985 thereby completing his secondary journey.
Mr. Abayomi Oyebanji went to the prestigious Ondo state University now Ekiti State University for his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1989.
Buoyed by his success and thirst for more honours, he proceeded to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State in 1992 where he bagged his Masters’ Degree in Political Science International Relations & Strategic Studies.
It will interest readers to know he started his professional career as a Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ado Ekiti, where he worked for four years between 1993 to 1997.
Oyebanji soon took a break from lecturing and went into the banking Industry where he held sway as the Manager, Treasury, and Financial Services at the defunct Omega Bank Plc now Heritage Bank a position he held until the new Democratic dispensation in May 1999.
As a successful businessman and a devoted public servant, Abiodun Oyebanji has earned many awards including the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Alumni Association of the then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, and the Certificate of Excellence awarded by the National Association of Political Science Students NAPSS, Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Even though Oyebanji is somewhat an introvert it will be incomplete to write the history of politics and governance in Ekiti State without mentioning the critical contributions of Oyebanji.
He was the Special Assistant Parliamentary Affairs to the Governor of Ekiti State 8th June 1999 – July 2000 Special Adviser Parliamentary Affairs to the Governor of Ekiti State 1st Aug. 2000 – Sept. 2001 Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ekiti State September 2001 – May 29, 2003.
Chairman, Governing Board, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development June 2009 – December 2010 Commissioner, Ministry of Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ekiti State 23rd December 2010 – December 2011.
He was also made Head, Office of Transformation Strategy and Delivery OTSD, Ekiti State (December 2011 – 9th January 2013 Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery, Ekiti State 10th January 2013 – 16th October 2014 Secretary, Ekiti State Government from 16th October 2018 -2022.
Despite being a youngman, he was instrumental to the creation of Ekiti State in 1996, when he served as the Secretary, Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State whilst also serving as the Secretary, Ekiti State Development Fund.