By Olarewaju Falayi
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2023 general elections and the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appreciated the people of Ekiti State for voting the new governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji into power.
Tinubu who said this at the inauguration of the new Governor in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State assured the people that they will reap the reward of their efforts. He appealed to the people to remain steadfast in APC and still cast their votes for the party in 2023, imploring them to keep their PVC well for the day.
The APC chieftain described the outgone Governor of Ekiti State and the former Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, NGF, as an intellectual whose exploits cut across diverse political divides.
He acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Youths in national development and urged them to keep the flag flying.
In his inaugural speech, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji said “his administration among other segments that will get attention, will beam special searchlight on the women”.
“We shall replicate this in all our Social Investment Programmes, SIP. We will also ensure that gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment continue to be given priority in all policies and programmes”.
He remarked that agriculture remains main contributor to Ekiti’s economy, hence the sector will be developed to further attract more investments in Agri-business aimed at deepening the processing capacity of both staple and cash crops, which not only provide food security but will help Nigeria grow its non-oil exports”.
“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, giving them the ability to provide food for the State and for exports while creating the much-needed jobs and opportunities. Priority will be given to strategic crops, including cassava, rice, cocoa, cashew, maize, yam and vegetables”, he maintained.
He gave an assurance that with the commitment and collaboration of stakeholders, infrastructure and industrialization will be accelerated to ensure it boost the underdeveloped core sectors. “We have made considerable headway within the transportation sector with numerous road projects delivered and the Ado Ekiti Airport project nearing completion. We will build on this progress to deliver on the vision we have for Ekiti”.
According to him, the administration will also focus on tourism, arts and culture to ensure that the rich cultural heritage of the State and locations are steeped in history and provide an excellent opportunity to diversify the State’s economy. He noted that unique attractions like the hot and cold springs at Ikogosi are attractions that can compete on a world stage. Hence, the need to work hard to actualize the dream.
Mr Oyebanji equally pointed out that without good governance sustainable development can be achieved. He described it as the last pillar that ensures that the administration is taking adequate care of the civil servants, the residents are safe and secure. “We are operating with transparency and best practices, and collaborating with the right actors to implement our state development plans and the SDGs initiatives. Above all, this pillar is a reminder that we are accountable to you and thats how our governance reflects the trust you have placed on us”.
Also, speaking with Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, he said, “His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has just being sworn-in as the Governor of the State. He described him as someone known as part and parcel of the outgone government. “There is always continuity in government. He has had a privilege of serving as a Chief of Staff in this State, as Honourable Commissioner in different Ministries, and as Secretary to the State Government.”
Senator Bamidele believed that people’s expectations are so high, in terms of his ability to continue to grow the economy of the State, to continue to secure lives and properties of the people of the State and to continue to create wealth.
A former Chief of Staff to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Honourable Biodun Omoleye said, “the new government should be expected to consolidate on the gains and achievements of the outgone government and improve on the areas that we have shortcomings because no government can actually do everything”.
“More important, we believe that the standard of the people of Ekiti will improve and that, there will be improvement on the infrastructures in the State. And of course, the security of the State will also be a paramount concern to the government. We also believe that, the youths that constitute the majority of the population in Ekiti State will have a better time under his government. We are praying that there would be increase in the revenue for him to sustain the new ideas as postulated in his manifesto.”
Hon. Omoleye who emerged as the APC candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 in the National Assembly for the 2023 general elections said,” we are praying and hoping that Ekiti State will be better off under the new government. Usually, there would always be an anxiety when a new government comes on board, I want to appeal to our people to give the new government time to settle down. And continue to support and offer useful advises at critical moment and never relent because this is an experimental initiative and we are praying and assuring that Ekiti will never regret this new initiative”.