• Ondo ex-ALGON chairman rejects cocoa board appointment
• Alleges illegal N150,000 levies on farmers

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the retention of the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions for another term, citing their outstanding performance in repositioning higher education in the state.

The governor said the decision was aimed at sustaining stability, strengthening institutional governance, and consolidating the gains recorded across the education sector.

Oyebanji spoke yesterday while receiving members of the Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, led by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Patrick Aina, at his office in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the governor, the decision will ensure continuity, policy consistency, and sustained progress in the administration of tertiary institutions across the state.

IN another development, a former Chairman of Akoko South West Local Council in Ondo State, Augustine Oloruntogbe, has turned down his appointment as a member of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board.

The governing councils of institutions affected by the decision include Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti; Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti; and Ekiti State College of Health Science and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti.

Oyebanji expressed satisfaction with the performance of the councils, noting that their visionary leadership, experience, and dedication have significantly improved academic standards and infrastructure development within the institutions.

He, however, reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for tertiary institutions to thrive, stressing that education and human capital development remain top priorities of his government.

Earlier, Aina congratulated the governor on his re-election victory, describing it as a clear affirmation of the trust and confidence the people of Ekiti State have in his leadership, vision, and commitment to development.

He described the re-election as a historic and record-setting achievement, reflecting widespread acceptance of the administration’s people-centred policies and notable accomplishments across critical sectors.

Oloruntogbe, who had served as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, declined the appointment in a letter addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The former chairman, in the letter, said that he would not be able to serve due to pressing personal and professional commitments that would not allow him to give the assignment the full attention it deserves.

He, however, used the opportunity of his rejection letter to draw the governor’s attention to what he described as urgent grievances from farmers in the state.

According to him, cocoa farmers within the Ose Game Reserve have alleged that as much as N150,000 was being collected from each farmer and going into a private account, with no official receipt issued for such payments.