Yinka Oyebode writes that Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has changed the narratives of governance in the state through comprehensive welfare packages for the populace.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has disclosed that his government has been able to change the narratives in the state by being strong on welfare issues and creating economic opportunities for the citizens. These, he said, has impacted positively on the standard of living of the residents as well as improve on economic development programmes of his predecessors.
Oyebanji who stated these during an engagement with Ekiti Stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday, said his administration in the last one and half years has led the state with a deep sense of responsibility, guided by the fear of God and principle of transparency and accountability.
The Governor added that every money that comes into the state’s coffers has been spent transparently and prudently, adding that his government has paid over 17 billion naira as pension, gratuity, car, and housing loans to Ekiti public servants since he took over as Governor of the State.
The Stakeholders meeting had in attendance Ekiti indigenes who are in senior cadres in the Federal Civil service, top officials of Federal Parastatals and agencies, as well as para military organisations. Also in attendance were members of the Ekiti Caucus of the National Assembly; and some members of Ekiti State Executive Council.
Addressing the gathering, Oyebanji asserted that his administration remained focused on transforming the state’s economy into a productive and self-sufficient powerhouse by leveraging on the state’s resources and potentials to achieve sustainable development and economic dependency.
He said the stakeholders’ engagement meeting is part of his administration’s policy of inclusion and partnership with critical stakeholders to ensure sustainable development in the state, stressing that through forging an alignment of visions and unanimity of purpose with the stakeholders, the state could achieve the shared prosperity agenda of his administration.
Expressing confidence at what the state stands to gain by collaborating the stakeholders, the Governor said “We believe strongly that if we have alignment of visions, alignment of minds and unanimity of purpose, the Ekiti that our forefathers fought for, we can achieve it”.
According to him, “We are conscious of the burden of history on us, we campaigned for this office, we made promises to the people, we begged them to vote for us, we are not here to complain and we are not complaining. We have accepted this responsibility and we don’t lack the capacity, we don’t lack the ability, we don’t lack the vision, we don’t lack the drive but we can do better than what we are doing with your help, so I’ve come to you today not as a Governor that knows it all, I’ve come to you as someone asking for help”.
Reeling out the achievement of his administration in less than two years, the Governor said he has connected over 45 communities that have not had electricity for over 10 years back to power grid, intervened in infrastructure, provision of free education, regular payment of salaries and pension as and when due, approval and payment of promotion arrears, payment of monthly deduction, and also revamping health care services.
The Governor disclosed that his administration has also taken giant steps towards checking incessant incidence of losing medical doctors in the state to federal government by approving pay parity between state and federal health workers.
Explaining his desire to be remembered as a Governor that created wealth and make people productive, he expressed his firm belief that productivity drive prosperity, hence his administration has engaged over 600 youths in agribusiness to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.
He explained further that each participant of the youths in agribusiness would receive a parcel of already cleared land ranging fron one to five hectares, depending on the type of agriculture activities they intend to pursue as well as receive high-quality seed, fertilizer, herbicides and the purchase of their produce by government.
While calling on the federal workers to leverage their positions in the federal public service to facilitate more development to the state, provide information that can create access and opportunities for the people to prosper and achieve their potentials, the Governor said by sharing insights and data on federal initiatives and opportunities, they are helping the state to make informed decisions that can drive Ekiti’s growth and development.
He urged them to use their knowledge and resources to partner and support the state government to enhance the quality of life of the citizens and provide together an environment where every Ekiti citizen can thrive and prosper.
His words: “I believe strongly that with you behind us, people will start to have a rethink about who Ekitis are. We are extremely dedicated people
