X-raying Ekiti 26 Years after Creation

Twenty-six years after the creation of Ekiti State, residents and stakeholders are not happy with the economic growth of the state.

As the state prepares for another election to elect new leaders, concerned citizens want a change of tactics from the old order to move the state to an enviable height.

Ekiti State was created in 1996 after it was carved out of the old Ondo State by the then military Head of State, Late Gen. Sani Abacha.

From barely a million people during its creation in 1996, Ekiti has risen to about four million in 2020 according to statistics obtained from the Ministry of Information.

Though people of the state were predominantly farmers from the onset, over the years significant progress was recorded in Education thus the state is referred to as the Fountain of Knowledge.

Twenty-six years down the line, successive governments have introduced various policies and programmes to boost the economy but residents and stakeholders seem not to be satisfied with the level of results as captured by the Radio Nigeria microphone.

Going forward, the respondents hoped to see an industrialized Ekiti with increased GDP and better opportunities for unemployed youths.

In his reaction, Prophet Ade Ologbonyo of the Christ Apostolic Church, Boanerges Ministry, said though the state of things in the country had its effect on the economy of the state, much more ought to have been done to make things better than they are present.

Also speaking recently at the May Day celebration, the chairman of NLC in Ekiti State, Mr. Olatunde Kolapo said the civil service is a major determinant of the Ekiti economy, hence government must ensure regular payment of salaries as and when due as well as the settlement of all outstanding benefits.

To a public affairs analyst, vote-buying is a major factor that had crippled the economy of the state because it had encouraged corruption and bad governance.

A community leader from Ayegbaju Ekiti, High Chief Ogunmoye Ojo called for a conducive environment that would encourage small-scale businesses while equally advising youths in the state to acquire skills that could earn them a living.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode said the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi had done much to open the state and build its economy with emphasis on the rehabilitation of the Ire Burnt Brick, Ikun Dairy Farm, and the ongoing construction of Airport.

All the respondents were of the opinion that for Ekiti state to witness an improved economy, both the government and the governed should work together in order to fast-track meaningful development.

Click to listen