BY LAW IBITOYE
As Ekiti State prepares to celebrate the third anniversary of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, the Anniversary Committee has highlighted major achievements recorded across key sectors in the past three years, while announcing plans for the week-long celebration.
Chairman of the Anniversary Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
Adebayo congratulated the people of Ekiti on the approval granted to the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to commence full commercial flight operations. He explained that the approval followed the state’s full compliance with all regulatory requirements of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and confirmation by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) through its instrument flight check validation report.
Expressing gratitude to the people for their unwavering support, understanding, and cooperation, Adebayo recalled that three years ago, Governor Oyebanji was given a mandate to deliver inclusive development, restore public confidence in governance, and reposition Ekiti on the path of sustainable progress.
“Today, we stand at a significant milestone — not just to reflect on how far we have come, but to celebrate what we have achieved together as a government and as a people,” he said.
Adebayo described the airport’s approval as one of the results of deliberate planning and infrastructural development under the Oyebanji administration.
“It is also a testament to the visionary leadership and relentless commitment of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, whose practical, problem-solving and value-based approach to governance continues to translate dreams into tangible realities,” he added.
Announcing the theme of the anniversary as “Consolidating Impactful Governance,” Adebayo explained that it reflects the Governor’s commitment to continuity, accountability, and bold development strides across all sectors.
Highlighting key achievements under the administration’s Six Pillars of Development — Governance; Youth Development and Job Creation; Infrastructure and Industrialization; Agriculture and Rural Development; Human Capital Development; and Arts, Culture and Tourism — the Chief of Staff listed several milestone projects:
Construction and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure linking towns and villages for improved access to farms, markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Revamping and equipping five general hospitals to enhance healthcare delivery across the state.
Investments in education, public service reforms, and innovation-driven youth empowerment initiatives.
Strengthening the agricultural value chain, improving rural roads, and boosting food security.
Expansion of electrification projects in rural areas, enhancement of security architecture, and implementation of social investment programmes benefiting pensioners, the elderly, and vulnerable households.
Adebayo announced that the anniversary activities will include the flag-off and commissioning of projects across the state — including roads, hospitals, public health centres, dormitories, and electrification projects — as well as a State of the State Address by the Governor before the House of Assembly.
Other events will feature engagements with key groups such as the elderly, public servants, and pensioners; interfaith observances including Jumat prayers, a praise evening, and a Christian thanksgiving service; and the unveiling of new initiatives designed to drive Ekiti’s future growth.
He assured that the Oyebanji administration remains committed to transparency, delivery, and leaving a lasting legacy of progress.
“As we enter the fourth year, our focus will be on consolidating growth and development gains, and expanding economic opportunities for all citizens,” Adebayo stated.
In his opening remarks, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to media partnership and urged journalists to support the coverage of the anniversary activities.
Other members of the anniversary committee present at the briefing included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi; Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr. John Ekundayo; APC State Chairman, Barr. Sola Elesin; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode; and Hon. Olusegun Ojo.