By Wasiu Owolewa
Days after being sworn-in as the 4th Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji wasted no time by immediately swinging into action. He took some commendable steps which has sent a clear signal that he really means business.
The Governor left the shore of Ekiti to meet investors, head of Federal Government agencies, development partners and top government functionaries at the federal level to solicit for their support for Ekiti development. Those he met included top officials of NIRSAL MFB, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency(FERMA) and World Bank. He also met with the Minister of Works, Raji Babatunde Fashola, Minister of women affairs, Pauline Tallen and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Oyebanji embarked on this visit to attract more presence of these agencies to Ekiti state with a view to aiding his administration’s plan to boost the economic prosperity of the people of the state and also fixing up some roads that needs urgent attention.
His visit to these Federal agencies has been yielding positive result as the federal government recently launched various empowerment programmes like tradermoni, marketmoni, farmermoni, conditional cash transfer for the vulnerable and owners of small businesses in Ekiti state. Thousands benefitted from these empowerment programmes which has underscored the readiness of the present administration to boost the economic prosperity of the people of the state.
The Governor in fulfilment of his campaign promise to fix up some deplorable roads in the state capital before his 100 days in office ordered the Ministry of Works and Transportation to commence comprehensive rehabilitation of Ado-Ekiti township roads which is currently ongoing. A development which has been highly commended by users of these deplorable roads.
Also within days of being in saddle of governance, Glocient hospitality became concessionaries of Ekiti’s flagship tourism asset,
Ikogosi warm spring limited.
It is a thing of joy that life has been brought back to this precious Ekiti asset. Ikogosi Warm Spring now wore a new look. Gov. Oyebanji must be commended for resuscitating Ikogosi Warm Spring.
Another commendable step taken by the Governor was his swift response to find a lasting solution to fuel scarcity by constituting a committee in regards of that. The Governor did not only constitute a committee but carried out inspection on some filling stations to access the situation of things and ensure compliance with his directive that fuel should be made available for sale to the populace.
This singular act elicited positive reactions from the people who highly commended the Governor for his quick response and indetifying with them during their challenging period.
Gov. Oyebanji stepped further by giving a directive that the streetlights in the state capital should be put on as at when due. He didn’t only give a directive but carried out inspection to ensure compliance. A step that has been commended by Ekiti people.
The Governor did not stop at that but moved to restore light to his hometown, Ikogosi-Ekiti which has been in darkness for years. At present light has been restored back to Ikogosi-Ekiti. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the Governor to bring this Ekiti town out of darkness.
Another laudable step taken by Governor Oyebanji is the approval for the recruitment of primary school teachers which will help in reducing unemployment in Ekiti state. This step has shown the readiness of the new administration to fight unemployment and increase workforce in the state.
The government of Ekiti State under the able leadership of His Excellency, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is working towards striving of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ekiti state.
Within the shortest time, Gov. Oyebanji has endeared himself more to the heart of Ekiti people with the above steps that has been taken by him. We have seen some members of the opposition defecting to the ruling party on the account of governor’s sincerely approach to governance in the state.
People’s opinion has it that if the Governor can continue like this, his name will be written in gold.