Ododo Commissions Ikere–Ilawe Road, Hails Oyebanji’s Capacity and Performance in Governance

… says Oyebanji demonstrated capacity in governance

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has said his counterpart in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has demonstrated capacity, which indicates that he was well prepared for the task of governing the State.

This, he said, continues to reflect in Oyebanji’s excellent performance across all sectors in the last three years.

Ododo posited that there is verifiable and convincing evidence across the critical sectors of the economy that point to the fact that Governor Oyebanji has fulfilled the social contract he signed with the people of Ekiti State.

He spoke in Ilawe Ekiti on Tuesday, while commissioning the 21-kilometre Ikere-Ilawe road and the renovated General Hospital, projects of the Governor Oyebanji administration.

Addressing the large crowd of residents that thronged the venue of the ceremony, Governor Ododo, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, applauded Oyebanji for hiring the services of local contractors to execute some of the road projects.

The Kogi Governor stated that such an extreme display of leadership speaks volumes about Oyebanji’s unflagging belief in the development of human resources that are available to the country.

He saluted the Ekiti Governor for making the state pass through the trajectory of impactful governance in the areas of infrastructure, human capital development, tourism, agriculture, and youth development, which audibly speak to the government’s inclusion policy.

“With what I have been briefed, this road started in 2022 through self-financing under the last administration, but could not go far due to some difficulties. Once a leader is focused and forward-looking, his vision will outlive transitions.

“With your governance and leadership in Ekiti, you have demonstrated that the government is about vision and performance. With what I have seen and the solid support you are getting from the Ekiti people, it is evident that you came solidly prepared for governance.

“Even your opponent knew that you had performed well, and they knew that BAO had bowed their heads with great performance. Ekiti and Kogi States do not just share common boundaries; we share a history and close ties of brotherhood and the development of our people.

“Let me assure you that all the progressive governors are behind you and I hope that you will continue with this tempo till 2030. We have the same vision, which is to serve the people and nothing more.

“I want you to remain focused and not be distracted by the confusion being caused by the members of the opposition. You are a quiet person, but your actions speak louder in your performance. I am proud of your achievements,” he said.

Speaking, Oyebanji described the completion of the road as a jinx-breaking expedition, saying whatever he has achieved in Ekiti could be hinged on the enigmatic economic reformations being carried out at the federal level by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The governor stated further that his administration has not borrowed a dime to fund any of the capital projects being undertaken for the benefit of the masses. He thanked the president for making more resources available to the subnational.

“I have not borrowed a dime to fund any of the capital projects going on in Ekiti State, and this is because of the audacious reforms being carried out by President Tinubu that have made more money available to states,” he said.

Oyebanji said an aggregate of 10 roads spread across Ekiti will be commissioned to mark the third anniversary, which were strategically undertaken to drive tourism, local economy, transportation, small and medium enterprises and agriculture.

For the third anniversary, the governor revealed that a total of six hospitals, with state-of-the-art facilities, will be commissioned to serve the people at the grassroots, saying the rehabilitated general hospital in Ilawe Ekiti will facilitate improved quality healthcare for the masses.

The Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, applauded the Governor for clearing all hurdles and ensuring the speedy completion of the road, after the initial setback that nearly stalled the readiness of the road for usage.