By Oluwasegun Aina
In the words of Douglas MacArthur which says “a true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but become one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”
At a time when the trust people have on their political leaders is at an all time low, a time when most of the political leaders don’t always mean what they say, a time when the majority of the people have given up on their leaders’ ability to salvage them from the triple shackles of poverty, illiteracy and disease, and a time when there is dire need for a set of leaders to liberate the mass their people leading to Stardom, God in His infinite mercies brought His Excellency, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’ to the fore to steer the ship of Ekiti State.
The aim of democracy is to achieve happiness for the majority of the people, and government provides the material conditions for self-actualization and recognizes the people as the repositories of sovereignty. After protection of lives and property of the people, the next is welfare, which cements the relationship between the government and the governed.
We make bold to submit that if the criteria for judging performance is hinged on hard work, then, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’ does not need performance appraisal. From the day he was sworn in, he has continued to reel and roll out illuminating ideas to prove to the people that he is there to ensure that the paradigm has shifted from that of paralysis to that of performance and lifting the livelihoods of the majority of our people.
His administration has shown high level commitments to the fight against the lingering insecurity earning Ekiti State a secured place to be. Governor Oyebanji recently donated two Armoured Personnel Carriers, ten operational Vehicles and other security equipment and gadgets to the State Command of the Nigeria Police whilst proper suppliment for Amotekun to complement the efforts of the conventional security outfits. The government is also known for its openness to act on any credible information that will help in achieving a secure Ekiti State.
Education as the bedrock of image has also received more than its fair share of the Oyebanji’s dexterity. Governor Oyebanji’s led administration in Ekiti State paid over N300 million for the 2023 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for students and N600 million counterpart fund to State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for local contractors to be paid in the state and approved the recruitment of 1,300 teachers early this year with additional 500 teachers presenting receiving positing letter to various working designation.
On 3rd May, 2023, Governor Oyebanji presented N915 million as payment of gratuities to more than 289 pensioners in Ekiti State leading to prompt payment of pensioners and workers salary therein. The beneficiaries, comprising state, local government and primary school retirees, lauded the governor for the payment of their dues.
In the area of welfare, the state transport authority has been strengthened with just concluded commissioning of Ado-Ekiti City Centre Bus Terminal. That is not all. Distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal has also been successfully carried out. Remodel Ikogosi warm spring is tourist attraction giving Ekiti State beautification amongst others.
Governor Oyebanji understands politics as an avenue to achieve prosperity for the broad mass of the people, security of lives and property at home, at work, on the roads and in social harmony. The milk of human kindness in his heart makes him a people’s person. So far, only those who are cognitively stunted will fail to see the giant strides of the present Ekiti State government under the able leadership of our amiable Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’. We shall, as the government progresses, bring more updates as our own modest contribution to publicity, sensitization, mobilization and advocacy towards a better Ekiti State. Oyebanji is Determined to Deliver Dividends of Democracy in Ekiti State.