By Idowu Ariwodola
When current Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji came into office two years ago, not many, who had known him previously, either at close range, or, from afar off, could describe him outside being a typical leader, so much in a hurry to develop Ekiti, and a complete gentleman.
He is practically a friend of all, and an enemy of non.
But they were wrong. He is also a no-nonsense governor who can be very unpredictable and decisive, not ready to compromise standards or principles, or bend the rules because of anyone, when it comes to enforcing discipline on any subject matter, no matter how close you are, to him.
In addition to his character of fostering peace among the people and uniting all past leaders, irrespective of political differentiation, he is also a man that has street credibility, because many of his silent philanthropic gestures to the people, are sometimes more on the streets, than in the office.
Many atimes, he would pay unscheduled visits to his old elementary teachers, old school mates, his old tailor, barber and the stuff, among others, to see how he can appreciate them for believing so much in his future and vision, when he was much younger, not knowing what the future had in stock for him then.
He would then use opportunity of such visits, coupled with the influence they had on his past good relationship with them, to uplift their lives.
Besides, he is one kind of a governor who do not derive pleasure in fomenting trouble, and he is not controversial in any way.
And to justify the trust, reposed in him, he has continued to be transformative in his approach, when it comes to issue of leadership.
To ensure standardisation, he do inspect projects by himself, without having to give directives to anyone to do it on his behalf, except his deputy, and that is, in exceptional cases, when he is out of the state on official travels.
Besides, humility is his second name. Whenever he visited leaders of the state, like elder statesmen, legal icon, Afe Babalola(SAN) retired federal permanent secretary and chairman of the committee for the creation of Ekiti Pa Deji Fasuan, and Chief Niyi Adebayo, first elected governor of the state, among many others, he would prostrate to them in the open glare.
He did same to the woman regent of his hometown, Ikogosi-Ekiti only recently, where he had to publicly prostrate, and without minding the sharp lens of the media, just to show respect.
Not done, he has equally paid repeated visits to all past governors of the state, including those who are not members of his party, to identify with them, and seek their advise, at every slightest opportunity, and show respect.
As a result of this, many Ekiti residents think there are certain actions he would ordinarily never take, but no, Oyebanji can sometimes spring surprises, to show seriousness in governance.
He dribbled people’s imagination of him, by holding firmly to his electioneering promises, by prioritising key developmental projects, like electricity supply, road construction and rehabilitation, and improving connectivity across the state.
He made segmented, and huge appointments of unemployed graduates as well as scholl leavers into the public service, and implemented series of policies that have increased funding for schools, and improved teacher training programmes.
His administration also made significant strides in upgrading health facilities and ensuring access to quality medical services, and fostering a healthier workforce that can contribute more effectively to the economy, and has attracted series of investments that have created jobs, and stimulated local economies.
His focus on agriculture and technology is also currently paving the way for sustainable growth, and ensuring that Ekiti remains competitive.
He ensured Ekiti now has improve energy supply, as it now has Independent Power Plant, through which he secure operational licence for the state.
Such arrangement is currently serving major parts of Ado-Ekiti, supplying electricity to greater part of the state capital, including certain Public offices, while he is also giving Pre-Paid meters to residents, at subsidised rates
On issue of people with disabilities, he has done massive support for them, especially in the infrastructure upgrade for the three special schools in the state, and hiring the best hands in the industry, to lead the revolution in the special education and special care.
Only recently, the governor went on inspection of a special Therapy Centre, built by his administration, inside the old Governor’s office at Oke Ori omi, Ado Ekiti.
The center, which is equipped with modern gadgets and top notch professional therapists, is to cater to children with special needs.
On general governance and accountability, he has shown a commitment to transparency and good governance by always making available to the public, the State’s balance sheets, whenever occasions demanded.
He listens to the people and ensures that their voices are heard, in decision-making processes, by making sure every community, including their traditional rulers, have inputs to preparation of every yearly budget.
However in a number of instances, the governor left many mouths gaping at his unexpected actions.
It is on record that sometimes in the last quarter of 2023, he suspended four officials of the State Sports Council, due to inadequate kitting of state athletes at the then 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta, precisely in September 2023, though he later pardoned them in May, 2024, after replacing them, and reassigned them to other positions.
The four officials, included the then General Manager Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, Mr. Isaac Elegbeleye, Mr. Isiaka Oluyemi, and Mr. Olusola Ibitoye.
The officials were suspended for alleged mismanagement of funds and inadequate kitting of Ekiti athletes at the sports fiesta.
Also sometimes, at the tail end of 2023, the governor gave information that a number of buildings, many of which are old fashioned and dilapidated, would have to go in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, particularly in the notorious Atikankan area of the city, to pave way for the administration’s proposed Urban Renewal project, during which he distributed N300m compensation to property owners to be affected.
Though, the project in view, is said to be for the construction of the proposed Ultra Modern Central Business District and Modern Park, many residents are happy that the governor had the courage and effrontery to embark on such unprecedented project in the first place, because Atikankan is belied to be a major harbour for criminals.
To say the fact, Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti is a den of criminality and Indian hemp smoking.
It is not common not to find security vehicles,not regularly stationed in the area, arresting a minimum of at least, 10 criminal suspects per day.
Many had thought the governor was joking, or going to change his mind later about the planned mass demolition, but exactly about a year after giving them notice, the bulldozers arrived Atikankan on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 to commence action, and as we speak, no fewer than 50 houses have been levelled, and action still continues on the rest of the many houses.
He had earlier paid another batch of millions of Naira compensation to another set of property owners, whose buildings stalls, and crops were also demolished for the ongoing construction of second Ekiti’s 1.2 kilometres flyover, situated between Okeyinmi, Ijigbo and Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti metropolis,and Ekiti State Ring Road Phase 1.
On October 28, 2024, the administration, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), suspended the Head teacher of Elemi Community Nursery/Primary School, Ado Ekiti, Mrs. Olaniyi Olaniyi, over allegations of misconduct.
It was gathered that the headteacher, and one other, Chief Yusuf Ibrahim, under the School Based Management Committee, signed a letter, dated October 25, 2024, requesting donations from organizations and the public for construction of classrooms in the school which is dilapidated and unconducive for learning.
Part of the letter reads, “Recently, inspectors from Abuja came to our school for inspection to see the area where they can help or assist our school. In this process, they later decided to help us renovate the old (2) classrooms that almost fell into ruin and disuse.
” And before they can do that for us, the school must have a certain amount of money which they will add to before it can happen. We were given just two to three weeks to do that and if we failed they would give the project to another school which we don’t pray to happen.
” Since the school is not financially strong to get such a huge amount this is why we are asking for financial support from individual/community leaders/ groups/churches/ associations in this community in making the project happen.
” As to this, your support will be highly appreciated and it will help us in making the project come to reality. This project will give more room for effective teaching and a conducive environment for both pupils and teachers in this school.”
But the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, in a statement, said the headteacher was suspended over allegations of breaching extant rules of the board.
The statement reads, “The suspended Head Teacher, Mrs Catherine Olaniyi, who was indicted for writing an inflammatory letter to the public, demanding for unauthorised financial assistance towards implementation of an SBMC-SIP project in her school was ordered to handover all government documents in her possession to the most senior assistant Head Teacher in the school, with immediate effect, pending further determination of her case.”
Prof. Akinwumi said the board has zero tolerance for anything that could tarnish the good reputation of the state government, stressing that the state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is working round the clock to provide an enabling teaching/learning environment in the basic education sector.
He re-echoed the free education policy of the state government, adding that government would continue to clamp down on perpetrators of fraudulent activities in public schools.
Similarly, the board announced the indefinite suspension of the Education Secretary of Ikere Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Mr Gbenro Buraimoh.
According to the SUBEB Boss, the Education Secretary was accused of violating the extant rules of the board by deliberately delaying official matters, and irregular appointment of Teachers of junior ranks into managerial duty posts in schools.
He was also accused of granting leave of absence to teachers without recourse to the board and postings of high number of teachers to schools with low pupil enrollment in farmsteads thereby leading to underutilisation of staff.
The Board directed the Education Secretary to hand over to Dr. Akande Oluwafemi of the Quality Assurance Department of the Board who is to take over as Acting Education Secretary with immediate effect.
The affected education secretary was also ordered to hand over all government properties in his possession to the Head of Administration in the LGEA.
Again, on November 1, 2024, the State Government, through the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, indefinitely suspended the Principal of Ekiti Baptist High School, Igede Ekiti, Mrs. Veronica Yemisi Ilesanmi, for the unauthorised release of the school’s playground for a social engagement
A release from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Michael Boluwade, stated that the principal was sanctioned, for allowing the use of the school field, in flagrant disregard of the State Government’s policy guidelines, contained in a circular with Reference Number EK/ED/AD/398/155 dated 12th August 2024, which forbids such.
According to the release, the circular prohibits the use of facilities in public schools in Ekiti State, for any kind of social engagement.
Mrs Ilesanmi had since been directed to hand over all school property in her possession to the most senior Vice Principal of the school, and was prohibited from visiting the school premises, during her suspension.
As his actions, towards changing the tide in Ekiti, continues, the governor has again, at the recent yearly celebration of Ikogosi-Ekiti Day, his home town, reiterated that he is not given to frivolities and preferentialism, as anyone, caught flouting standard rules, would be made to face the consequences.
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