By Gbenga Sodeinde
As the continue Agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s government in Ekiti State was recently set in motion with the emergence of the party’s esthwhile governorship candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. Aka BAO, as Governor-elect in June 18, gubernitorial poll, there have been high expectations from the people and agitating questions begging for answers.
Yes, the incumbent Governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi has successfully broken the age-long Jinx by becoming the first Executive Governor ever in the history of Ekiti state to hand over to a successor from his own political party and moreso, a man after his heart. However, this places an herculean task and much more responsibilities on the incoming Governor, Oyebanji.
These are the reasons for the many questions from the people of Ekiti home and abroad begging for answers as all responsibilities of government are now in the hands of Oyebanji, the incoming Governor.
Some of these are the high expectations of the people of Ekiti as to whether Oyebanji could fulfill some of the promises that Fayemi had made but may not fulfill before his tenure expires in October?
Others are the gigantic ongoing works and legacy projects of the current government, while many are expectant to see the set goals in realizing a greater Ekiti achieved through Oyebanji who will take up the mantle of leadership from October 16, 2022, others are sceptical that such plan may be halted.
There are many people-oriented legacies of the outgoing governor over which the people are expressing doubt as to whether they will continue, just as there are several other requests that have been laid before the incoming Governor to fulfill despite the paucity of funds coming to Ekiti?
Apparently responding to the agitations on the minds of the people, Governor Fayemi at the inauguration of the JKF-BAO transition committee on Monday in Ado Ekiti gave answers to all the foregoing questions.
Assuring the people of Ekiti, both the optimistic and pessimistic, Governor Fayemi said: “Our beloved homeland would be in safe hands. The Governor-elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji would be coming to office on the back of his record as an experienced public administrator who is well-educated and well-travelled – a true homegrown son of the soil who has his fingers on the pulse of the yearnings of the people”.
For Avoidance of doubt, Fayemi revealed that Oyebanji has been a central figure in his administration both from his first tenure, 2010 to2014, and his on going second tenure, 2018 till date. He added: Oyebanji deservedly shares in the credit for all we have been able to do for the good 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 was confident in Oyebanji’s ability to take it up from where he would be stopping and take Ekiti to the greater heights, pointing out that this incoming Governor: “shares in our achievements in education and the restoration of our pride of place as the intellectual hub in the country, with our 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 our schools”.
The outgoing governor was categorical about Oyebanji’s impact and efforts in the development of Ekiti and particularly in his government, as he pointed out that, “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.”
Continuing, Fayemi said:
“He 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 our comparative advantages in agriculture as well as science and technology which is centred around the Ekiti Knowledge Zone for which we 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.
“Oyebanji 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 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”, Governor Fayemi revealed.
The out-going Chief Executive further vouched for his successor’s competence to consolidate on his achievements in the area of education and infrastructure.
He said the fact that BAO has been a part of the various efforts to upgrade broadband access through the comprehensive deployment of fibre optic infrastructure, gives him such confidence in him. His words: “He has been part of these areas noth within our education quadrangle and also state wide. He has equally been a part of the team that has been responsible for the 5 megawatt 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.
“He was at the centre of our 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.
“He has been a part of the team that has prioritized workers’ welfare and ensured the prompt payment of salaries and pensions.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.
“He has been as much a part of our history as a state, as he is a symbol of our hope for the future. 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 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”
Therefore, confidently, Fayemi declared that: “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”.
Fayemi declared further that “my administration transition committee is ready, I am confident that with Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, Ekiti is in safe hands. This formidable team will surely consolidate on our laudable achievements and especially, they will carry on with building on the solid foundation on restoring the core values of Ekiti which My administration has laid, ” he assured.
The outgoing governor therefore assured the people of his ability, saying “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”
Fayemi therefore urged Ekiti people to support him and continue to pray for him to succeed, “I ask that Ekiti Kete gives the incoming administration the same degree of support and goodwill I have enjoyed”