BY LAW IBITOYE
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated that development thrives where peace, collaboration, mutual respect for one another and alignment of vision between the people at the state and representatives at the federal level are given top priority.
Governor Oyebanji who was elated while commissioning the digital Library built and handed over to the state by the Senate leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele on Friday at Ado Ekiti.
The Governor while appreciating Senator Opeyemi for meeting the dire need of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji said the library is very critical and dear to him saying that he promised to build a public library when he got a complaint from the Executive Secretary of the State Library Board, Mrs Yemisi Adeleye, that the State have no functional Library said he consulted the Senate Leader about it and that he told him that he was building one already and promised that he would release it to the State.
The Governor called for efficient use of the library, reminding youths and students to cultivate maintenance culture, promised to make the library fascinating for reading.
Explaining why he built the library, Senator Opeyemi said he built the Library in memory of his former principal, Late Bishop Gabriel Oloniyo who mentored him at
Egba Owode Grammar School in Ogun State (1976). According to the Senate Leader, ” Bishop Oloniyo instilled a lot of discipline in me and other people who were privileged to school under his tutelage, he didn’t spare the cane.
“He flogged like no man did. I can’t remember any teacher who flogged more than the late Bishop Oloniyo. He was not only a school principal but also a class teacher. He’s someone I have a lot of honour and respect for and someone to whom I owe a lot of gratitude as a mentor. I am personally happy today that somehow, I have found a way to recognise our father and it’s really my pleasure to handover the facility to the State”.
Speaking on 2026 Governorship race, Senator Opeyemi, the Senate leader in the 10th Assembly , representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District at the Senate, said he is not
running for governorship in 2026.
“I have said it in good faith. It’s about our people who are hungry and need all the help. It’s about the people who are underemployed. It’s about the progress of the State. I chose to form a partnership that I know in the eight years with BAO governorship will take the State to a greater height. I am sorry if I offended anyone”. Bamidele said.
The Senate leader appreciated Governor Oyebanji for given him encouragement to do the little he’s doing. Adding that he and his colleagues have rest of mind coming home, saying that’s the beauty of having a cordial relationship with visionary leaders .
The Governor appealed to the Senate leader to spread the joy beyond Ekiti Central Senatorial District saying God has made him the Leader of the Senate for the entire Ekiti people, urging that if there are projects he could put in other Senatorial Districts that he shouldn’t hesitate in doing so as long as it doesn’t against the procurement law.
In his word, “don’t mind what anybody will say, just do it to serve Ekiti people”. The Governor said he wants all Ekiti people to benefit from Opeyemi Bamidele now that he is the Senate Leader”.
The State Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi commended the leadership prowees of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, saying the best gift is the gift that is meeting a need. She said the library is meeting a need.
Describing the library as a gift for generation, she thanked the donor on behalf of the people of Ekiti State particularly the upcoming generations whose lives will be turned around as they use the facility.
In her reaction, the Executive Secretary of the State Library Board, Mrs Yemisi Adeleye, thanked both the State Governor and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele as she described the project as an answered prayer.
Adeleye described Governor Oyebanji as a listening father, selfless and a man of vision. Saying he took action immediately he heard about the project. “He has saved us from 28 years of groaning, pains and tears. Today, God Almighty has done it”.
In a separate interview with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Mortgage Development, Dr. Gboyega Oloniyo, appreciated the Senate Leader for naming the facility after his father, the departed primate of Anglican diocese of Ife, Osun State.
According to Oloniyo Gboyega, “MOB might not be his biological son but he is one of the cherished sons of baba Oloniyo while he was alive”.
Speaking on the facility, the Governor’s aide explained that the State is blessed to have the digital library which according to him means imbibing reading culture with technology.
“We are privileged for the distinguished Senator to think of bringing this kind of thing to this environment”.
He therefore urged the youths to make proper use of the library.