Lifestyle

By Oriola Afolabi

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has vowed to take all necessary steps to eliminate crime in the society.

Governor Oyebanji who made the pledge during the Grand Finale of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, urged officers of the Nigerian military to uphold the national flag with integrity and honour.

Commending the Nigerian military and other security agencies for maintaining peace in the state, the governor cautioned citizens against actions that could foster division among the country’s ethnic groups.

In an interview, the Acting Chairman of the Ekiti State Legion, Colonel Aderotimi Ajayi, expressed gratitude to the Ekiti State government for supporting retired soldiers and the families of fallen heroes.

Colonel Ajayi also encouraged well-off individuals to assist the children and widows of the fallen heroes.

The event included a special prayer for peace, progress, and economic development in Ekiti and Nigeria.

Gun salutes, a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths honoured the fallen heroes for their selfless service in keeping Nigeria united.

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Lifestyle

By Quazim Ayodeji

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing policies that prioritize the people’s welfare and drive the state toward sustainable development.

Speaking at the 2025 Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Service to usher in the New Year, held in Ado Ekiti, the governor expressed deep gratitude to God for His guidance and he thanked President Bola Tinubu, his cabinet members, and the people of Ekiti for their unwavering support in fostering the state’s progress.

Governor Oyebanji, who expressed confidence in a brighter future for the country, urged citizens to maintain a positive outlook for both Ekiti and Nigeria in the New Year.

He called on Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora to invest in the state as a way to complement government efforts in driving development.

The event featured a sermon by Reverend Kayode Ayinde of the Baptist Church, Ado-Ekiti, who underscored the importance of gratitude for past, present, and future blessings, highlighting it as a pathway to greater rewards.

Also, the Ekiti State Missioner of Alfatihu Qoreeb, Sheik Abdul-Akeem Afenifere, admonished leaders to fear God and always place the welfare of the people above personal interests.

Special prayers for the state and Nigeria were offered by the President of the League of Imams and Alfas for the Southwest, Edo, and Delta States, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere, and Prophet Dipo Bamidele of Jehovah Ropheeka Ministry, Ado Ekiti.

The service equally featured renditions of praise by the Government House Chapel Choir and YOMBAS from the Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti while Bishop Clement Abifade of the End-Time Revival Fire Mission, Ikere Ekiti, and the State Missioner of the Ansar-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulsalam Babatunde, also led prayers for the prosperity of the people of Ekiti.

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Religion

By Quazim Ayodeji

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on Nigerians and Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to serving God, despite the challenges facing the nation.

Pastor Adeboye made the call during the annual one-day open programme, “Let’s Go A Fishing”,  held in Ilogbo-Ekiti, where he encouraged the congregation to embrace the good news brought by Jesus Christ, assuring them that this would lead to prosperity and fulfilment.

Pastor Adeboye urged Nigerians not to lose hope, given the current economic difficulties facing the nation, adding that God would soon intervene and meet them at the point of their needs.

Speaking with newsmen at the event, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, expressed gratitude for Pastor Adeboye’s impactful ministry and his presence in Ekiti State, describing the programme as a divine gift to the people of the state during this Christmas season.

Governor Oyebanji prayed that the blessings associated with the birth of Jesus Christ would manifest in the lives of every Ekiti resident, bringing peace, joy, and prosperity to the state.

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News

By Amos Ogunrinde

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has directed security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators of Wednesday’s bank robbery in Ikere- Ekiti.

The Governor who described the robbery incident which claimed three lives as disheartening, said no stone would be left unturned in the bid to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Governor Oyebanji, condoled with families of victims of the robbery, the Ogoga-in-Council and the entire people of Ikere Ekiti.

He also directed government hospitals in the state to take proper care of those that got injured during the robbery attack.

Governor Oyebanji implored residents who have information that can help security agencies in their investigations to make such known to relevant authorities.

The Governor advised people of the state to remain calm and vigilant as they go about their daily activities.

Mr Oyebanji added that government was committed to their security and safety and would not spare any efforts at ridding the state of criminal elements.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ogundare Dare has visited the scene of Wednesday’s armed robbery incident at Ikere-Ekiti for an on-the-spot assessment.

In a statement made available to Newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Abutu said the Commissioner expressed displeasure over the ugly incident.

He directed the Ikere Area Commander and all the Tactical Teams within the Command to ensure that the perpetrators are trailed, arrested and brought to book.

Mr Dare commiserated with the family members of those who lost their loved one and wished those currently receiving treatment in the hospital a quick recovery.

The Commissioner called for calm and implored everyone to go about their lawful businesses as the Command will not rest until the hoodlums are made to face the full wrath of the law.

He explained that the Command’s tactical squads as well as the military who were deployed to the scene immediately information was received, engaged the hoodlums who later abandoned the three vehicles and two motorcycles they used for the operation and escaped into the bush.

According to the CP, the vehicles and the motorcycles were recovered to the station.

Mr Dare therefore enjoined anyone with useful information concerning the identities and whereabouts of armed robbers to contact the following numbers; 08062335577, 07031620186, 08033470524, 07032152150,, 09064050086

News

By Kazeem Ayodeji

Former Governor of Ekiti State and candidate of the Social democratic Party (SDP) in the last governorship election, Chief Segun Oni has stressed the need for politicians irrespective of party differences to put politics aside and form Friendly bonds in the collective interest of the people as well as development of the societies.

Chief Oni who stated this when he joined Governor Biodun Oyebanji to worship at the Sunday Service held at the government house chapel in Ado Ekiti, highlighted the benefits of political classes of different calibres to cross-breed ideas that would propel Ekiti to greater heights.

He said politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair where politicians would see themselves as sworn enemies after contesting in an election, adding that this became imperative in as much as they work towards the same goal of developing the state.

The former Ekiti State Governor who scored Governor Oyebanji high on various transformative achievements recorded so far, pledged his unalloyed support to the administration towards delivering more dividends of democracy to the people of Ekiti State.

He called on all politicians and influencing figures across the state irrespective of parties or religious affiliation to rally around the present administration in the task of building a virile Ekiti State.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who acknowledged taping from the administrative wisdom of Chief Segun Oni in his current transformative drive, said he would continue to leverage the support of the leaders of great repute to collectively propel the state prosperity.

Mr Oyebanji also emphasized the need for politicians to play political games wisely without compromising their good relationship in such a way that would create unnecessary upheaval or crises in society.

The Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Pastor Segun Awolumate, who hailed the humility and simplicity of both former Governor Oni and the Incumbent Governor Oyebanji, urged politicians and public office holders or seekers to take a cue from the lifestyles of the two leaders.

Pastor Awolumate encouraged individuals to remain mindful of shared objectives and cultivate a practice of actively contributing to the realization of positive aspirations, even in the circle of an adversary.

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Power

By Olawale Asake

Ekiti State Independent Power Project, IPP, has commenced operation with test running as part of efforts at addressing the shortage of electricity supply to the State.

The State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun who made this known during a facility tour of the Power Plant Station in Ado Ekiti, said the project initiated by the immediate past administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi and completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was one in the series of interventions to address inherent challenges in electricity supply to the State.

Mr. Olatunbosun stressed that the IPP is currently guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) and streetlights along major roads in the metropolis.

According to him, the initiative was geared towards boosting industrialization and socio-economic development as well as enhance good governance, noting that doing away with the use of generating sets with attendant huge cost of diesels and environmental pollution used to power public facilities like streetlights and government offices would block a lot of wastage.

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Politics

By Kayode Quazim

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has signed five bills into law to strengthen governance in the state. 

The five bills include the Ekiti State Sports Commission Bill, 2023, Ekiti State Lotteries and Gaming Bill, 2023, and Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, EKDIPA First Amendment Bill, 2023. 

Others are the Ekiti State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2023 and 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

Addressing the exco members and the state lawmakers at the governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, Mr Oyebanji expressed the belief that the bills would in no small measure engender delivery of impacting governance and effective implementation of good policies to the people of the state.

He commended members of the House of Assembly for their support, understanding, commitment, and sacrifices to the Ekiti people and for being partners in progress.

Earlier, the speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, EKHA, Mr Adeoye Aribasoye appreciated members of the House for their efforts at ensuring seamless passage of the bills, saying that signing them into law would serve as a strong foundation upon which the state’s prosperity would be built.

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Energy

By Kazeem Ayodeji

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in Ekiti state have assured the state government that all filling stations in the state will open and start selling fuel at reasonable prices to the people.

They gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti a during meeting with Governor Biodun Oyebanji, following sudden hoarding and hike in the price of fuel by filling stations.

The spokesperson for IPMAN in Ekiti state, Mr Adeyinka Shodowo said executive members of the association and that of other related bodies would embark on a tour of filling stations to ensure that anyone that has more than 3000 litres in their storage tanks was dispensing fuel to the people.

Acknowledging that removal of subsidy is in the best interest of the country, Mr Shodowo explained that they would not allow any station to sell above 250 per litre so as not to inflict unnecessary hardship on the people.

Responding, governor Biodun Oyebanji frowned at the marketers for trying to sell their old product at new price rate for people when the government had not increased the official pump price of the product, Saying what they bought is what they should sell to the people.

He expressed displeasure that the artificial fuel scarcity they created had negatively impacted on the people of the state.

Mr Oyebanji consequently ordered the state petroleum task force to shut down any filling station that refused to dispense, adding that defaulting filling stations will remain shut till the end of this year.

The meeting had in attendance, the state’s executive members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN,  Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG, Ekiti State Special Petroleum Intervention Taskforce among others.

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Energy

By Ogunrinde Amos

Following the scarcity of petrol and long queues at filling stations in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has cautioned marketers in the state against hoarding petroleum products.

The governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, pleaded with the marketers to await further directives on the implementation of the planned subsidy removal by the federal government.

He implored them to avoid actions capable of inflicting hardship on the citizens.

To this end, Governor Oyebanji has summoned the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, to a meeting in his office later on Tuesday.

According to the governor, heavy sanctions await any filling station or marketer found hoarding petroleum products or involved in arbitrary increases and other sharp practices in the state.

The Governor urged the citizens of the state to go about their daily activities peacefully and avoid any rancorous situation.

President Bola Tinubu had during his inaugural speech on Monday said that his administration would remove fuel subsidy.

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