How I’m tackling infrastructural challenges, low industrial presence — Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, said that despite the challenges the state faces in areas such as security, infrastructure, and low industrial presence, the six-pillar agenda of his administration was carefully crafted and is already yielding results across all sectors.

The governor noted that the creation of the state on October 1, 1996, accelerated the development of Ekiti land, culminating in the state becoming a trailblazer in various aspects of human development under his leadership over the past two years.

Addressing the people of the state in a broadcast to mark the 28th anniversary of Ekiti’s creation and the 64th anniversary of the nation’s independence, Governor Oyebanji praised President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support of Ekiti’s development since taking office on May 29, 2023.

The governor paid tribute to the founding fathers, especially the Royal Fathers, who championed the struggle for Ekiti State’s creation through the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, chaired by Chief Deji Fasuan.

He also appreciated Aare Afe Babalola for his contribution to the actualization of the Ekiti Project.

Referencing empirical evidence of social and economic growth in Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji stated that the state is building a strong profile in all development indices, as confirmed by recent figures from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), achieved through the robust implementation of his administration’s six-pillar development agenda.

He said: “There is no doubt that the creation of Ekiti State has accelerated the development of Ekiti land. Today, we are proud to affirm that Ekiti is now a trailblazer in every aspect of the human development index, with those who started before us now struggling to catch up with us in critical development indices.

“For instance, in recent data on education by the National Bureau of Statistics, Ekiti was adjudged the second most literate state after Lagos in the South West and one of the most literate in Nigeria. Similarly, the same Bureau also reported that Ekiti has the fewest out-of-school children in the South West.

“We are proud to say Ekiti is a front-runner in education, life expectancy, access to quality healthcare services, physical infrastructure development, access to water, peaceful co-existence, ease of doing business, gender equality, social inclusion, and more. Gradually and assuredly, Ekiti is building a formidable profile as a progressive and development-oriented state, poised for prosperity for all.”

While acknowledging the challenges the state faces, including macroeconomic, security, and infrastructural issues, as well as low industrial presence, the Governor said the six-pillar agenda of his administration was designed to tackle these issues and is already showing positive results across all sectors.

He added, “To address these challenges, we developed the Six Pillars of Administration, with the primary objective of ensuring shared prosperity for all. It is gratifying to note that our efforts are already yielding results across all sectors. In many instances, we have not only met but surpassed targets.

“We believe in inclusive growth and sustainable development, leaving no one behind. As demonstrated by our efforts so far, our government is focused and strategic in our development drive. We want every policy and program of government to align with the Ekiti Development Master Plan and the Six Pillars of Administration to deliver on our shared prosperity promise.

“We are also intentional in ensuring that every government expenditure leads to job creation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Over the last two years since we took office, we are pleased to report significant strides in various aspects of administration, in line with our social contract with the people of Ekiti.

“Law and order are the primary responsibilities of any government. Accordingly, we have made security of life and property our topmost priority. Like other parts of the country, we have faced occasional opportunistic attacks by ‘hit-and-run’ kidnappers, but I am glad to report that we have brought them to justice, and we continue our efforts to prevent future occurrences.

“Similarly, we have been able to end the troubling incidence of street hoodlums who caused disturbances in Ado-Ekiti in recent months. We have arrested them, and they are currently facing trial. I assure you that we will continue to do our best to protect you, and we appeal to you to assist the government by providing helpful information to aid security agencies in preventing and fighting crime in our dear state.”