• Lauds Afe Babalola’s contribution of $1.6 million, N356 million
• EAF congratulates governor on commencement of commercial flights

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday, said that the state government expended N49.77 billion on the construction of Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.

Oyebanji, who disclosed this during the inaugural commercial flight into the Ekiti Airport by the United Nigeria Airlines, said that from May 2019 to October 2022, when the trial flight landed under the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, the state had expended about N14 billion on the project.

The governor said that, as indicated in the speech of Fayemi, there was still a lot to be put in place for the airport to be fully ready for operation, adding that from October 28, 2022, after the takeover of government, his administration committed in excess of about N34 billion to continue the outstanding works on the airport.

He, however, said that the Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, made a direct donation of the navigational aids (CVOR/DME) and Control Tower equipment worth a total of $1.6 million to the airport.

“In addition, Afe Babalola has also built a 100-car capacity car park, opposite the terminal building, at a cost of N356 million. “On behalf of the good people of Ekiti State, I wish to use this opportunity to once again appreciate and thank Afe Babalola for his selflessness, generosity and unflinching fatherly support to the airport project and Ekiti State in general,” he said.

Oyebanji noted that the making of the airport was a collective legacy of at least three governors before him, including Segun Oni, who first conceived the idea, Ayo Fayose, who acquired and initially cleared the site and Dr Kayode Fayemi, who, despite all odds, braved the wind of challenges to commence the building of the airport six years ago.

In his address, Babalola, represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, commended Oyebanji for his resilience to ensure the full operation of the airport.

He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the state, emphasising that he remains fully prepared to continue offering support in every humanly possible.

The ABUAD founder said the state is also in dire need of a railway station that would start from Osogbo to Ado-Ekiti and further to Onitsha in the eastern part of Nigeria.

Also, a group, Ekiti Advancement Frontiers, extends hearty congratulations to Oyebanji and the good people of Ekiti State on the historic commencement of scheduled commercial flight operations at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Airport.

According to a statement signed by Press Officer, Ekiti Advancement Frontiers, Richard Akinpelumi, the achievement is a testament to Oyebanji’s unwavering commitment to project continuity, infrastructure development, and the economic revitalisation of the state.

“This is a victory for continuity in governance and a giant stride towards shared prosperity.

“We urge all Ekiti indigenes, home and abroad, as well as the investors, to take full advantage of this new gateway to drive development across the state,” the statement stated.