The Ekiti Patriotic Vanguard (EPV), a group of Ekiti professionals, has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his exceptional performance in his first two years, stating that he has effectively justified the mandate entrusted to him as the State’s Chief Executive.
Expressing pride in the quality and quantity of completed and ongoing projects, the group noted that Governor Oyebanji’s administration has steadily positioned Ekiti for economic stability, attracting investors across multiple sectors. The EPV National Convener, Architect Olayemi Ogunjobi, shared this assessment in a statement released from Lagos and distributed to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
Ogunjobi highlighted the governor’s efforts in reconnecting over 40 towns, previously in darkness for over a decade, to the national grid. “This reconnection has rejuvenated the local economy and alleviated poverty across the state,” Ogunjobi remarked, pointing to the transformative impact of this achievement on Ekiti’s economic landscape.
The EPV also praised Oyebanji’s strategic approach to infrastructure, particularly in road development, which Ogunjobi emphasized as essential for improving transport links and boosting agriculture—Ekiti’s stronghold. The group noted the administration’s efforts to create alternative routes to deteriorated federal roads, enhancing state-owned road networks and position Ekiti as a key transit route.
“Ekiti Patriotic Vanguard expresses its satisfaction with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s performance over the past two years and congratulates the people of Ekiti, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the governor’s commitment,” Ogunjobi stated. “We are proud to stand by Governor Oyebanji, whose achievements include reconnecting over 40 towns to the national grid, such as 12 towns in Gbonyin Council and 10 in Ekiti East that faced over two decades of power outage.”
The EPV highlighted that towns like Ijero, Ijesa Isu, sections of Ikere and Ado Ekiti, Ilawe, Ogotun, Igbara Odo, Ikogosi, Erinjiyan, and Ipole have now rejoined the national grid. “This reconnection empowers local economies, enabling artisans to re-engage in economic activities, thus reducing poverty,” the group said.
Ogunjobi also praised the governor’s focus on food production, noting the significance of constructing roads to agricultural areas. “The new roads will facilitate the movement of farm produce to markets, helping to curb inflation in food prices,” he said. He highlighted the commissioning of the Ilawe-Ikogosi Link Road, known for its plantain, banana, and yam production, and other roads, including the Agric Olope-Moferere-Matthew road, Ikole township road, and De Head-Faglo road, which are opening up Ekiti to further investment opportunities.
The group applauded Governor Oyebanji for fostering private-sector partnerships to advance human capital development, citing the recent commissioning of 628 hostel accommodations for students at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital’s College of Nursing in Ado Ekiti. “This facility will elevate Ekiti Nursing College, enabling it to produce medical personnel who are competitive nationally and globally, thanks to an improved learning environment,” Ogunjobi noted.
The governor’s initiative to construct 1,000 low-cost housing units was also lauded by the EPV as a game-changer for reducing the state’s housing deficit. “This project will combat exploitative rent practices by some landlords and make Ekiti an attractive destination for investors, who will find affordable housing options upon completion,” Ogunjobi said.
On youth empowerment and job creation, Ogunjobi praised the governor for initiating the construction of a modern Indoor Sports Complex, which he described as a crucial step in nurturing local athletic talent. “Engaging our youth in sports will help reduce security threats related to internet fraud, ritual killings, and other crimes, positioning Ekiti as a peaceful and secure state,” the group added.
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