The newly elected Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has been sworn into office.
He too his oath of office today in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
He took over the baton from former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The inaguration was held at Ekiti kete pavilion, located along new Iyin road, in the state capital.
First to take the oaths of office and allegiance was the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye and was followed by Oyebanji, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Yemisi Oyebanji, who is a Lecturer at the University of Ibadan.
The oaths were administered by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice John Adeyeye, among other state’s Judicial officers.
Before the oath was administered on him, his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, handed over the Pen of Authority to Oyebanji , which was happening for the first time, since the advent of democracy in 1999.
Speaking after the parade of Guards, Oyebanji said his solutions to tackle the challenges are premised on six pillars.
He listed these as youth development and job creation, human capital development, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure & industrialization, arts, culture & tourism and governance.
Oyebanji eulogised those who had led the state before him in various capacities, saying they must have done that under different political parties, but stated that the mission was one and which was solely to develop the state.
Governor Oyebanji, promised to run an all-inclusive governance that would make Ekiti a land where prosperity,unity and equity will thrive and blossom.
Oyebanji particularly commended Fayemi for ushering in strong and enviable development to the state, promising to consolidate further and use the legacy as a springboard to catapult Ekiti to a higher economic and social pedestals.
He said he shared the views that Ekiti people shared different political views and political inclinations, saying he wont allow his political leaning to influence his relationships with all Ekiti or jettison the principle of fairness, equity and fair-play.
The new Governor added that he will promote the spirit of oneness Ekiti was renowned for,and which had been the binding force since the pre-colonial era to promote peace, unity and stability in the state.
“Ekiti Kete! Today is a great day for us, and we should all be proud. Today, we are observing history being made, and a new chapter of our story being written.
“It was in this spirit of oneness that they bound together as a united Ekiti confederacy and emerged victorious against external forces that sought to subjugate us in our own land. In unity of purpose, they fought and contained attempts to dominate us at different epochs in our history.
“This same spirit of unity has been passed down generations, and guided the founding fathers and mothers who built on efforts made since the Second Republic, and led the successful struggle for the creation of our own Ekiti State. This was a struggle led by our revered traditional rulers and prominent citizens which resulted in Ekiti becoming the only entirely homogeneous state in Nigeria”.
Oyebanji stressed that his vision is to make Ekiti a land of prosperity, where equity,justice, fair-play and stability will thrive.
“My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace and progress. A land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety. A land of honour where integrity matters. For this vision to be actualised we need to focus on a roadmap to get there”.
He added that, rural banditry and revenue generation are among the challenges ravaging the state.
“The challenges with government revenues, especially in a state like ours where most income earners are connected to government’s expenditure as salary earners, vendors and contractors, or beneficiaries of our social welfare programmes, is a significant one,” he said.
“Although this problem is global and national, we are aware of its overarching domestic impact in Ekiti state, which requires proactive and compassionate measures to mitigate and provide safety nets for our people.
“Correspondingly, insecurity remains a major concern of our people. Rural banditry remains an existential affront on our collective survival, especially for us here in Ekiti.
“There is no doubt that the confidence of our people is still low in the security situation, but we need to acknowledge that a lot of work has been done and there is now a drastic reduction in the spate of kidnapping and rural banditry that reached a frightening height at some point.
“The world is presently facing one of the most difficult economic crises that was occasioned by a hybrid of post-COVID economic recovery sluggishness and the Russo-Ukrainian war.
“This is further complicated in Nigeria by the rising cost of living, which is eroding the gains of our economic growth, since we exited the recession as evident in what many economists have called stagflation. Ostensibly, the military faceoff between Russia and Ukraine has caused an unprecedented energy crisis, reverberating across the world in the form of rising costs of living.
“Inflation continues to mount beyond what quick-fix economic remedies could resolve. At home, the pressure on the Naira in the face of low foreign exchange earnings is causing a huge burden on the purchasing power of our people.”
On the 2023 elections, Oyebanji charged the people of the state to vote for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described Tinubu as an astute administrator and a resourceful manager of human and natural resources.
“Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has presented to the nation, one of the most impactful political leaders of our time H.E Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our candidate for the position of president of Nigeria.
“Asiwaju is a committed nationalist, astute administrator, prolific thinker, and a resourceful manager of human and natural resources, who has paid his dues and demonstrated his capacity to lead Nigeria at such a time as this. Ekiti is best positioned for peace and prosperity under the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu and I am sure that we would deliver our votes for him,” he said.
Oyebanji polled a total of 187, 057 to defeat his closest rival, Engr Segun Oni and candidate of the Social Democratic Party, who polled 82, 459 votes,in a keenly contested June 18 poll.
The inauguration was attended by the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many governors, among other top rated and illustrious Nigerians.
Other dignitaries at the event include; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu,Governor of Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, Governor of Plateau , Simon Lalong, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, represented by his Deputy Benedict Alabi, Nasarawa State Deputy Governor and his Borno State counterpart.
Others include: former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazis Yari, Minister of Trade, Otunba Niyi Adebayo,Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Yayi , Senator Musiliu Obanikoro Deputy Consular General, United Kingdom, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, among others.
Also present was ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose .