By Oludamisi Ojo
Barely a few hours after taking over the new Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has frozen all the state’s accounts.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Ekiti State governor, Yinka Oyebode, yesterday said all accounting officers and financial institutions are urged to comply with this directive.
Oyebanji yesterday took the oath of office as the eighth governor of the state.
He has promised to implement a six-point agenda to consolidate the legacies of his predecessor toward ensuring economic prosperity in the state.
The governor made the promise in Ado-Ekiti shortly after he was sworn in as the governor of Ekiti State amidst Funfair.
Oyebanji said his six-point developmental agenda would focus on job creation, human capital development, Agriculture and rural development, infrastructure and industrialization, arts culture, and tourism as well as governance.
He noted that the agenda was carefully selected based on his experience in public and private sectors coupled with the yearnings of the masses to improve the status of the state.
The governor urged stakeholders and people of Ekiti state to support his administration and gave an assurance of transparency and accountability while in office.
In a remark, President Muhammadu Buhari thanked the people of the state for believing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) with their determination during the last Governorship election to deliver the state for the party.
Represented by APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, the president assured the people of more federal support and urged them to vote for the party in next year’s presidential election
In a comment, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi expressed the belief that the new governor would make the state better for economic prosperity.
The occasion was attended by state governors, former governors, national assembly members, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as stakeholders, among others.
At the swearing-in, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, congratulated the new governor, describing his assumption into office as a blessing for the people of the state.
He also congratulated the new deputy governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye, and urged the people of Ekiti State to support the new governor and his deputy for the continuous growth and development of the state.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, described Oyebanji and Afuye’s landslide victory during the June 18 governorship election and their swearing-in as Ekiti State governor and deputy governor as a testament to the good work the APC-led government had done in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, who attended the swearing-in ceremony along with the presidential candidate of the APC, Tinubu, and some other state governors at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, urged Oyebanji to continue the good work of his predecessor, Fayemi.
The Lagos State governor also applauded ex-governor Fayemi for his commitment and selfless service to Ekiti State and her people, saying that Fayemi did his best to transform and develop the Fountain of Knowledge State during his tenure.
Sahara Reporters’ article on Wike is baseless, malicious, slanderous – Rivers Govt
He said the people of Ekiti and South-West, as well as Nigerians, will continue to remember the contributions of Fayemi to governance and politics as the governor of Ekiti and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
“I congratulate Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, on their swearing-in as the governor and deputy governor of Ekiti State following their victory in the June 18 gubernatorial election in the state. I also rejoice with their families, friends, associates, APC members, and the people of Ekiti State, at today’s swearing-in ceremony.
“Governor Oyebanji is the right choice by the people of Ekiti State. I have no doubt that based on his antecedents and experience in the private and public sectors; he will not disappoint the people of Ekiti State, who elected him as their governor.
“As an active participant in Ekiti State politics and governance, having served with two former governors, I believe Governor Oyebanji will continue the people-oriented programmes and good governance of his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who served passionately and delivered dividends of democracy to the people of Ekiti State in different sectors.
“Without any iota of doubt, Governor Fayemi has set a good template of good governance for his successor. I will urge Governor Oyebanji to follow the path of good governance set by Dr. Fayemi.
Sanwo-Olu also applauded Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, for being a worthy and supportive partner to Governor Fayemi during their tenure in office.
Meanwhile, Oyebanji has appointed Dr Habitat Omolara Adubiaro as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
A statement by the CPS said the appointment takes immediate effect.
In another development, the newly sworn-in governor has pledged to make Ekiti State a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace, and progress.
In his address, he said: “My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace, and progress.
“A land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health, and safety. A land of honour where integrity matters. For this vision to be actualized, we need to focus on a roadmap to get there.”
Governors at the swearing-in ceremony were Lagos Sanwo-Olu; Edo’s Godwin Obaseki; Jigawa’s Badaru Abuba.
Also in attendance were former governors of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, and Ayodele Fayose, as well as the pioneer chairman of APC and former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande.
