By Law Ibitoye
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has described the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State as a historic milestone, celebrating the sacrifices of the state’s founding fathers while unveiling a 30-year transformation agenda aimed at repositioning the state’s economy.
Oyebanji stated this in a statewide broadcast on Thursday monitored to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State and Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary monitored by PRECISE NEWS. He recalled that Ekiti was created on October 1, 1996, by the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha, after years of agitation by Ekiti leaders, traditional rulers and citizens for the creation of a separate state.
The Governor, who served as Secretary of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, paid tribute to the founding fathers, traditional rulers, political leaders, civil servants and other patriots whose contributions, he said, made the creation of the state possible. He also acknowledged the contributions of former military administrators and elected governors, including Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, to the development of the state.
Oyebanji said Ekiti had experienced challenges including economic difficulties, insecurity and periods of instability in the last three decades, but had continued to make progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, human development and other sectors. He urged the people to preserve values associated with Ekiti, including integrity, industry, scholarship, courage, frugality, communal cooperation and respect for hard work.
Looking ahead, the Governor announced a 30-year transformation agenda under the theme, “Ekiti at 30: Celebrating the Past and Creating the Future.” He said the agenda would focus on agriculture and agro-processing, technology and innovation, functional education, research and skills development, tourism, culture and the creative economy, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
According to him, the administration’s objective is to move Ekiti beyond its traditional civil-service economy by deliberately attracting private-sector investment, creating quality employment and improving productivity. He identified the ongoing multi-billion-naira economic zone project as part of the strategy to develop a technology and innovation ecosystem capable of positioning Ekiti as a major commercial and technology hub.
The Governor also disclosed plans to commence the special agro-processing zone project, expressing optimism that the initiatives would transform the state’s economic outlook and support the government’s shared prosperity agenda. He said the administration would engage young people in conversations on the future of Ekiti as part of activities marking the anniversary.
Oyebanji congratulated Ekiti people at home and in the diaspora, as well as residents who have made the state their home, urging them to remain committed to the ideals that inspired the creation of the state 30 years ago. He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as support for his administration and called on Ekiti people to support the President’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election.
The Governor’s anniversary address comes as his administration prepares for a second term, with his inauguration scheduled for October 16, 2026. The state government had earlier announced a youth essay competition as part of the 30th anniversary activities, inviting young Ekiti people to present their visions for the state over the next 30 years.