Oyebanji takes oath of office as 5th Ekiti State Governor

 

• rolls out six-point agenda

Abiodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been sworn-in as the governor of Ekiti State.

He was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye at exactly 12:53 pm amid cheers from the mammoth crowd present.

His deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, was also sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State. She took her oath of office at exactly 12:46 pm.

Clad in white agbada with a cream cap to match, he pledged to preserve, protect and defend as well as preserve the office as governor.

Oyebanji who was a former Secretary to the State Government is succeeding his former principal Dr John Olukayode Fayemi as the Governor of Ekiti State.

His ascension to office is the first time a sitting governor in Ekiti State is being succeeded by his chosen successor.

It is also the first time in the History of Ekiti State that the ruling party in the State is being succeeded by a member of the same party.

Speaking after his swearing-in, Oyebanji rolled out six-point agenda to further bring economic prosperity and good governance to the people of the state, stressing that his six points developmental agenda would focus on youths development and jobs creation.

Others are: human capital development, Agriculture and rural development and infrastructure, industrialisation, arts, culture and tourism as well as good governance.

The governor said that his vision for the state was for it to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace, progress and a land which transformed people and for communities to reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety.

Oyebanji said the six-point agenda was carefully selected based on his experience in the public and private sectors, coupled with the yearnings of the masses to improve the status of the state.

He said for the vision to be actualised, there was need to focus on a roadmap to get there, urging the people to be partners in progress.

Oyebanji said that creating employment and income-generating opportunities for residents of the state would be a critical component of his administration’s agenda.

“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.

The governor promised that his administration would ensure that all eligible students have access to free and qualitative basic education up to the Senior Secondary School (SS3), with curricula that prepare them adequately for further learning or the job market.

He also promised to further develop the agriculture sector by attracting more investment in agri-business to deepen the processing capacity of both the staple and cash crops, which would not only provide food security, but help the country to 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 practitioners 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.

“Accelerating the development of key infrastructure that is critical to our economic development will have a vast impact on our progress.

“Power and transportation are two key priority sectors that will improve our competitiveness and generate positive economic and social impact.

“We are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that we boost these underdeveloped core sectors,” he said.

Oyebanji said that his administration’s modus operandi would be the establishment of numerous platforms for widespread participation, interaction and inclusiveness of all stakeholders in actualising the set goals.

“We intend to ensure robust dialogue and uncensored expression and consultations across the length and breadth of the state, thereby ensuring the interest and participation of all in the welfare of Ekiti Kete.

“We assure the people that we will hear you and truly see you. Our outlook is a government of the people, for the people and by the people through active involvement.

“On this platform, I hereby pledge my accessibility to you all,” he said.

The governor thanked his predecessors in the state, especially the immediate past Gov. Kayode Fayemi and his wife, for laying the solid legacies on which the new administration would stand upon.

“Though, the Fayemis are leaving behind very huge shoes for me and Olayemi to fill, we are confident that with their supports, we will assuredly grow into them.

“I am enthusiastically counting on the generosity of spirit of the Adebayos, Fayemis, Fayoses and other past leaders, to continue in the service of our homeland by constantly affording us their enormous goodwill, expertise, and experience,” he said.

His Swearing In ceremony was witnessed by dignitaries in the All Progressives Congress led by the Party’s Presidential Candidate and Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum and Southwest Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, of Ondo State, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru.

Also present at the Swearing In were the former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, Former Governors of Ekiti State and Minister of Trade, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who was the surprise guest.

His presence at the event caught many by surprise owing to his well-known Political differences with the Leadership of the All Progressives Congress and in particular the former National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who was also a former governor of Edo State.