How has Oyebanji administration fared in three years?

Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the scorecard of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, based on the six-pillar agenda of the administration.

On assuming office on October 16, 2022, Biodun Oyebanji unfolded a six-point agenda focusing on youth development and job creation, human capital development and infrastructure, industrialization, arts, culture and tourism, and good governance.

Three years after, he is seeking a renewal of mandate. The poll, which takes place next year, would be a major event in the Fountain of Knowledge.

The governor came to office with a lot of experience, having served as Senior Special Assistant and Chief of Staff under former Governor Niyi Adebayo, and commissioner and

Secretary to the Government (SSG) under former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The governor understood why and how the state was created, having joined the elders to demand for its creation by the military government. His blueprint still serves as a guide for effective leadership and delivery of dividends of democracy.

Not only has Oyebanji built on the foundation laid by his four predecessors and sustained their legacies, he has also made new marks across the sectors. It is therefore, not surprising that the Big Four- Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Segun Oni, an engineer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ayodele Fayose – are backing him for a second term.

The governor has been able to keep the state together in unity and peace. Many prominent indigenes are returning home to contribute ideas because Oyebanji listens and appreciates their patriotism suggestions which also serve as feedback on government’s policies and programmes.

Ahead of governorship primary, external forces collaborated with a tiny segment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti to paint the governor in a bad light through their campaign of calmuny. Facts were twisted, particularly in the media by desperate rivals trying to pull down.

But Ekiti people rose in defense of their humble and performing governor, who is fulfilling his campaign promises. When his colleague- governors joined him in commissioning many infrastructural projects across the states, their lips were permanently sealed.

Oyebanji’s style is strange to the pompus rivals who are clearly estranged from the legitimate aspirations of the people. Not a noise maker, the governor’s impact is felt by the targetted grassroots people across 16 local governments.

Job creation and income generation are the priorities of the administration. The government cannot do it alone.“We have identified some of the drivers, markets and industries that create these opportunities within the system and intend to nurture them and give them the enabling structures and support required to deliver the jobs we need,” he said.

Ekiti is an agrarian state, which made a lot of contributions to internally generared revenue drive of the old Western Region in the days of Premier Obafemi Awolowo.

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Oyebanji promised to further develop the agricultural sector by attracting more investment in agribusiness. This is necessary to deepen the processing capacity of both the staple and cash crops. Through this, food security is achieved. Also, it boosts the country’s non- oil export.

The governor, who reiterated his commitment to the sector, added:“We have a responsibility to support our farmers with facilitated adequate financing, value chain support, access to markets, skills and technology to increase productivity within the sector.”

Oyebanji promised to support  small and medium enterprises to attract investment and foster a business-friendly environment. In his his New Year broadcast, he pointed out that agriculture and technology would drive economic development. He stressed: “We will continue to prioritize the sectors that drive economic development. Our efforts will ensure that Ekiti remains a hub of opportunities for everyone, especially our young people.

“We are committed to shaping the future of our youths by investing in education and vocational training. The young people of Ekiti are our greatest resource, and we will continue to empower them to reach their fullest potentials.

To ensure adequate healthcare delivery, the governor promised to make it more accessible, qualitative, affordable and sustainable. His also promised to focus on improved life expectancy and and zero-child and maternal mortality rates.

Adultrated drug is a threat to the health sector and wellbeing. The governor vowed to curtail the menace of fake drug that could cause sudden death or health deterioration.

During the distribution of equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and the commissioning of the Pharma-Grade Warehouse at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), he unfolded an agenda for the revatalisation of the sector. He said the new warehouse, built with the support of the Global Fund, would serve as the pillar of an effective and transparent drug management system. He said the Drug Management Agency would be equipped with the resources to operate at the highest professional standard.

Oyebanji disclosed that the agency’s monthly revenue has been increased from N28 million to N75 million to foster effective and efficient operations.

The governor noted that 750,000 people have benefited from a health scheme programme tagged: ‘Ulera Wa’ since it took off.

Oyebanji said: “With this facility, Ekiti State now has the capacity to maintain an adequate supply of medicines and consumables, prevent frequent stock-outs, and effectively curb the circulation of fake and substandard drugs within our boarders. It represents not just an investment in infrastructure, but in the health security of our people.

“The results speak for themselves. Before the establishment of the Drug Management Agency, only about 43 per cent of health facilities in the state had regular access to essential medicines. Today, that figure has risen to 89 per cent. Primary healthcare coverage now stands at 80 per cent, while both secondary and tertiary facilities have achieved 100 per cent coverage.”

Education is the pride of Ekiti. Oyebanji has fulfilled the promise to hire and retain competent and experienced teachers.

During the World Teachers Day, he announced the extension of the retirement age of teachers from 60 years to 65 years and service year  from 35 to 40 years. The governor also rewarded outstanding teachers with N46 million cash gift, granted an upward review of the allowance of science teachers and heads of department and paid the 2019 leave bonus arrears to motivate the teachers.

No fewer than 5,000 teachers converged on the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, AdoEkiti, for the celebration. The governor reiterated his commitment to their welfare in line with the shared prosperity agenda of his administration. He said: “I have heard your yearnings with respect to the mandatory age for retirement and this has been approved as recommended but only for able and willing teachers.

“On the issue of science teachers and heads of department allowances, I know that the Head of Service is doing the review of the allowances and I have instructed her to bring it by next week for approval.”

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Oyebanji described education as the most valuable investment that any government can bequeath on citizens. He therefore, promised to fund the sectir so that it can meet the demands of the 21st Century.

Oyebanji received Ekiti-born teacher, Anifowose Oluwaseyi, who set a Guinness World record for organising the largest gathering of teachers in the world. He told him his administration is investing in reforms that would make education in the state globally competitive and responsive to modern realities.

The governor unfolded plans to upgrade the teaching method, the curriculum and the entire learning environment to produce citizens, who can adapt to knowledge-driven economy. He said he intended to create an education ecosystem that focuses on both quality teaching and conducive learning environment.

Oyebanji added: “If you look at the six pillars of our administration, you will see human capital development.

“We try as much as possible to strike a balance between infrastructure and human development and we have been deliberate in ensuring that we create an ecosystem that strikes a balance between what you teach and how you teach it because we believe strongly that the future of education rests on those pillars.”

While critics indulge in falsehood and attempt at image denting, objective observers have always given Oyebanji excellent marks in behavioural creativity and good governance. His counterpars, including Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Monday Okphobolo of Edo and Usman Ododo of Kogi marvelled as his giant strides without making noise.

Ododo lauded him for “purposeful leadership and progressive governance” during the commissioning of the 21kilometre Ikere-Ilawe road and the renovated General Hospital, Ilawe-Ekitii.

He said Oyebanji has prioritized local content and engaged indigenous contractors in the execution of developmental projects in the state.

Ododo added: “When you have the best, why run out of the country to get contractors? I thank you most sincerely for proving your worth and ensuring this project was completed on time and within cost.”

 Ododo, who highlighted the significance of the Ikere-Ilawe road, said the project completed with drainage, culverts and asphalt pavement, symbolized a “bridge to opportunity, growth, and prosperity for Ekiti people.”

He added: “Your administration’s strides in infrastructure, education, health and youth development, speak to your love for your people and your clear vision for Ekiti. Even if your opponent will not admit it in public, they will know your great performance.”

Aiyedatiwa, who commissioned the Itawure(Efon-Alaaye)/Okemesi Road and the renovated General Hospital at Oke Agbona in Okemwzi-Ekiti, said Ekiti is fortunate to have Oyebanji as governor, urging the people to renew his mandate for a second term.

Oyebanji thanked his party leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing a condusive atmosphere for the sub-national units to drive development at the grassroots. He said President Tinubu’s economic reforms “enabled states to deliver meaningful development projects without resorting to borrowing.”