The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has declared that Governor Biodun Oyebanji wont relent in his efforts to dismantle obstacles dragging the state down in accomplishing the set targets in quality education, Universal Heath Coverage and job creation to drive Human Capital Development(HCD) policy.
The Deputy Governor posited that no nation can rise above the development of its human capital potentials, saying this makes it imperative for Oyebanji to place high premium on education of its citizens as well as their wellbeing.
Mrs Afuye gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, during the official presentation of Ekiti State Human Capital Development Strategic Plan , 2025-2030 to HCD Council, at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
Receiving the document, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, appealed to the committee members to be patriotic and zealous in their duties to the state to reinforce the efforts being devised by Oyebanji to build the state’s human resources.
Mrs Afuye, who doubles as the Chairman of the Council, averred that the quantum of innovative actions taking place in agriculture, healthcare delivery, education, job and wealth creation for all categories of population, buttressed Oyebanji’s committed spirit to bail the state out of economic doldrums.
The Deputy Governor assured the citizens that Oyebanji wont neglect any stratum of the population in his development agenda, saying both the literate and illiterate classes will have cause to smile at the end of the first term administration of the governor.
She said: “As a serious government, adequate attention must be given to Human Capital Development, especially in the areas of healthcare, nutrition, quality education, agriculture, jobs and skills.
“It is on this note that the office of HCD in collaboration with National Human Capital Development has come up with strategic draft workable work plan document in line with national policy on HCD.
“Three thematic areas like education, health and labour participations were all contained and encompassing in this document to address the obstacles to the wellbeing of the citizens and achieve eradication of poverty in the state”.
In his submission, the Special Adviser , Human Capital Development, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo, commended Oyebanji for exhibiting strong commitment to the growth of state’s human resources, saying the HCD document that will be presented to the State Executive Council for ratification will attract foreign and local partners to key into government policies when adopted.
Agbeyo said it has always been the focus of the current governor for Ekiti to have a workable, sustainable and strategic HCD document that can guide the operations of government in achieving its set targets in education and labour related issues, to foster the culture of excellence in the system.
The Special Adviser added that the Oyebanji’s government will continue to collaborate with relevant and strategic stakeholders to achieve its shared prosperity focus and make life more abundant for the citizens.
“The HCD implementation strategic document focuses on three thematic areas of education, health and labour force participations. This document is designed to empower our people , drive growth and foster culture of excellence.
“This document outlines our vision , objectives and actionable plans to enhance the skills, knowledge and wellbeing of our workforce”, Agbeyo added.
In his presentation, a former Statistician- General, Mr. Jide Oguntimehin, was enthralled with statistics indicating that government has reduced indices of out- of -school children, having the second lowest index of child illiteracy achieved through improved funding, conducive environment and proficient personnel.
Oguntimehin, who was a resource person, revealed that statistics also ranked Ekiti as having the least infant mortality rate in the country, which government’s efforts had forced from 69% to 27% rate, while the Life Expectancy has increased from 47 to 55 years and being the highest in Nigeria.
The Statistician stressed the imperative of government injecting more jobs, funding and proficient personnel into the system to boost agriculture, quality healthcare, to fully achieve the expected target in Human Capital Development.