Oyebanji Presents N42million cash prizes to 82 deserving workers

MUBARAK LUKMON EKITI

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that the state civil service becomes the envy of others in the comity of states of the Federation with reforms aimed at improving their efficiency, capacity and capability to drive the activities of government.

Governor Oyebanji who made this assertion at the 2024 Public Service Forum and Award ceremony organized as part of the programmes marking the second anniversary of his administration on Monday at the State Secretariat complex in Ado Ekiti, commended labour centers in the state for showing understanding with government which has brought remarkable conducive working relationship between government and labour in the state.

He spoke spoke at the well attended event where 82 workers got cash prizes totaling 42 million naira for emerging top in different categories of the award of excellence

While affirming that strike and conflicts should always be the last option, Governor Oyebanji promised to strengthen the Civil Service to respond to the needs of all citizens to enable it continue to render quality services adding that in the following years, training and retraining of workers will become a regular feature of the public service.

He noted further that his government will lead a number of reform initiatives, which include the development and adoption of specific service goals that will make civil servants alive to their responsibilities.

On national minimum wage, Governor Oyebanji reassured workers that they will smile at the end of the day because he believes in the rule of law and since the minimum wage was a function of the law already passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, he added that it has become mandatory for him to abide by it because he swore to uphold the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Governor however affirmed that the implementation was having little delay because of the need to ensure that all segments of the public service including pensioners benefit at the same time.

“Let me start by appreciating Ekiti state workers for your support for the past two years, I am extremely grateful to all of you for your understanding, for your patience and for your trust in us. Be rest assured that I will not take this support for granted, I appreciate everything you have done, what you are doing and what you will do, without your support, we would not have recorded any achievement. Government can come up with policies and ideas but if you are not there to implement them faithfully, nothing worthwhile can be achieved.

“I know that some of you are fighting with bare knuckles, we’ve not been able to provide you with enough working tools, but despite that, you have kept faith with us and have delivered all the assignment we have given you. And that is why I support the Head of Service in attempt to ensure that we continue to reward performance. I will continue to scale it up on yearly basis because you deserve the best and the best we will give you.

“I just want to plead with you to trust your labour leaders, they are fighting for you, but because we have been transparent and we are always discussing together, so we don’t have to fight before we do what we need to do. If they are not calling for strike, it is not because they are weak, its because they recognize that at the end of the day, we still negotiate and that is why I do a lot of things for workers without even waiting for them.

“I discussed with Head of Service to know the main focus of the administration for the civil service, I told her that the service must be ready for reforms, this require a lot of training and retraining, and I will give her very strong support to ensure that we have a service that is fit for the 21st century, so as from next year, get ready for a lot of training innovations in the service.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi thanked the Governor for his unrivalled support for the state civil service especially in the areas of prompt payment of salaries, payment of deductions, approval for payment of car and housing loans to workers.

Dr Olomojobi also commended Governor Oyebanji for not owing arrears of salaries and promotions as well as providing a well conducive environment for workers in the state which had invariably assisted in boosting their outputs.

In their separate goodwill messages, chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde; Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun and Chairman Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Femi Ajoloko noted that labour in the state has been able to overcome pressure from public servants through the welfare programme of the Governor as they also commended the Governor for rewarding hardworking and deserving civil servants in the state.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, members of executive council, labour leaders and civil servants among others.

EKITI HAS TAKEN BOLD MARCH FORWARD IN TWO YEARS, SAYS OYEBANJI

…delivers State of the State Address at Assembly Complex

…Secures Lawmakers’ Endorsement for Second Term

LUKMON MUBARAK EKITI

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday expressed satisfaction that the State under his watch has taken a bold march forward in all the key sectors of the economy as evidenced by verifiable indices of development.

Oyebanji who gave an account of stewardship before members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly while delivering the annual State of the State Address, commemorating the second anniversary of his administration, said his administration has been able to achieve much in two years because of the unflinching support and cooperation he had enjoyed from all and sundry so far.

The hallowed chamber of the state Assembly was filled to capacity with top governmrnt officials and prominent citizens in attendance, They include the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; members of the state executive council, heads of education institutions, heads of financial institutions, council chairmen, labour union leaders, and representatives of cocio political groups and political parties.

Governor Oyebanji used the opportunity to articulate the life-changing policies of his administration, ongoing and completed projects cutting across the key sectors and the landmarks recorded in governance which have won Ekiti several awards and distinguished state as a model among the comity of States in Nigeria.

The House of Assembly members during the State of the State Address endorsed Oyebanji for another term in office on the strength of what they described as his “impressive, commendable and laudable performance” in the past two years as captured in the address.

A motion “urging the people of Ekiti State to renew the social contract with Oyebanji beyond 2026” was moved by the lawmaker representing Ikere Constituency 1, Hon. Babatunde Oke which was seconded by the lawmaker representing Ido/Osi Constituency 1, Hon. Babatunde Fawekun.

The motion subjected to a voice vote and was unanimously endorsed with overwhelming”ayes” by all members present and sealed with the bang of the gavel by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye. The Speaker charged his colleagues to take the message of endorsement back to their constituencies for them to key into the re-election agenda.

Addressing the Assembly members and the people of the State, Governor Oyebanji noted that his administration has invested in the state security architecture thereby ensuring protection of lives and property, which in turn has facilitated inflow of investment into the state economy.

He explained that the giant strides his administration was able to achieve in the last two years were made possible with the diligent execution of the six-pillar development agenda which was complemented with the Ekiti Development Plan 2021-2050 which highlights the State’s development projection within a timeframe of 30 years and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

he said the meticulous implementation of the development agenda with the involvement of the people had improved the living condition of the people and created more economic opportunities for them. He added that he was happy to report to the House that within te last two years the state had received excellent rankings in critical areas.

While acknowledging the fact that the first duty of the government is to maintain law and order and ensuring security of lives and property, the Governor disclosed that his administration has ramped up acquisition of security assets to further bolster the state arsenal following earlier massive security acquisitions.

He revealed that full operation have taken off at Ikere, Ijero, Ikole and Omuo Fire Service Stations while more vehicles have been procured for the Amotekun Corps which was complemented by upward review of the salaries of its operatives.

Oyebanji added that his administration also facilitated the deployment of additional troops from the Nigerian Army 32 Artillery Brigade in response to traditional rulers’ request for more security reinforcement and the establishment of the Agro Marshals Corps as a grassroots security system to protect the forests and keep suspected kidnappers at bay.

According to the Governor, his administration has strategically combined legal instruments, policies, reforms, and targeted social and physical infrastructure interventions to position Ekiti as a prime destination for investment where the State has recorded many milestones.

Some of the milestones include the $80 million support for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone from African Development Bank (AfDB; provision of $100,000 each to ten cooperatives in partnership with USADF, N1 billion cooperative fund for Ekiti Cooperative Industry, partnership with Access Bank to facilitate N1 billion credit facilities to Ekiti women to boost small scale businesses.

He stated further that approval granted by the Federal Government to make the Ekiti Knowledge Zone as a Free Trade Zone would generate 12,000 jobs for young people while the Ekiti State Mega Loca Fabrics (Aso Oke) Production Centre is been constructed.

The Governor further disclosed that total amount of N400 million was disbursed as grant to 922 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificates of 5,400 MSMEs were sponsored by his administration.

In the field of education, the Governor disclosed the over 2,000 teachers were recruited in two years while a total sum of N14 billion was spent on the renovation and construction work in 203 public secondary schools under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE)

He identified other milestones in education to include the payment of almost N700m as Running Grants to all public schools in Ekiti State for the 2023/2024 session and payment of examinations fees exceeding N1.2 billion for over 150,000 students across junior and senior secondary school exams since 2023.

Others, according to him are payment of over N2.5 billion as counterpart funding for the 2022 and 2023 Universal Basic Education Commission counterpart funding, procurement of N174,032,505 worth instructional materials for primary schools, payment of car and housing loans, upgrading graduate teachers in primary schools to grade level 16 and various training and capacity building interventions for over 1,700 teachers.

The Governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the administration. He also thanked immediate past Governor of the State, Dr Kayode Fayemi for instituting the State of the State Address, which he described as a veritable platform for accountability.

Concluding the address, he said: “Mr. Speaker, in bringing this address to a close, I would like to assure you that our commitment to upholding our social contract with Ekiti people remains steadfast and unyielding. We are driven by a passionate desire to bring prosperity to Ekiti people in the quickest time possible.

“We understand the urgency of the development agenda and will do everything within our powers to achieve the vision of our founding fathers. I also want to heartily thank the leadership and members of the Legislature and the Judiciary for guiding the other arms of Government in the direction of peace, progress, and justice for our dear state.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, explained that the State of the State Address is in line with Section 100 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

He said: “The importance of this address cannot be overstated. It serves as a platform for reflection, accountability, and projection of our vision for Ekiti State. It is an opportunity for the Governor to elucidate the strides we have made together, the challenges we have encountered, and the paths we shall forge ahead to ensure the continued development and prosperity of our beloved State.”

The Speaker noted that the Oyebanji Administration has been productive and fruitful in the last two years “with achievements which are visible to the blind and audible to the deaf.”

Rt. Hon. Aribasoye stressed that the 7th Assembly which he presides over and the executive arm led by the Governor has worked diligently to realize the core mandates encapsulated in six pillars of the current administration with the partnership fostering significant advancements in business, economic reforms, probity and accountability.

GITEX NIGERIA: LAGOS READY TO HOST THE WORLD, SAYS HAMZAT

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has expressed the Lagos State Government’s readiness to host the GITEX Nigeria conference in September next year.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other stakeholders at a meeting during the GITEX 2024 held in Dubai.

He said the State Government and indeed the entire technology ecosystem in Nigeria would be very receptive to the coming of the global tech show to the country, especially Lagos State, where tech and innovation have found a good ground in Africa.

Dr. Hamzat stated this during a meeting with Trixie LohMirmand, the Chief Executive Officer of Kaoun International, and her management team in the Lagos Pavilion at the ongoing GITEX 2024 in Dubai.

The Deputy Governor stated that there could not have been a better time for the tech world to make their presence felt in Africa, particularly Nigeria, than now, when the country is experiencing an upsurge in the growth of talents in technology and innovation.

Hamzat said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration was deliberate in its decision to make technology drive more of the State’s development programmes.

He said: “Lagos, for example, does what we call ‘Art of Technology (AOT),’ which is now in its fifth year. With the AOT, a lot of young entrepreneurs in the IT and innovation space have been discovered, and many of them are now running as business, with its attendant effect on our economy and the entire ecosystem.

“Another great thing that we’ve discovered is that the number of young entrepreneurs in Lagos State is unbelievable, and like you said, we can’t bring everybody here to Dubai. So, bringing GITEX to Lagos is very good, and it will allow even other countries to see what is possible. Because the news that we get out there is not real.”

The Deputy Governor added that the young innovators in Lagos are already creating real solutions, saying their creation is solving real-life problems and are helping their immediate families, friends, and communities.

“There are 10-year-old, 12-year-old children that all they do is coding, because they want to help their parents sell their products and services. For example, young innovators whose parents are fishermen or fish sellers. The parents are probably petty traders. But these primary and secondary school pupils sit down, do the codes to help their parents sell, and people come all over the place to buy. The parents are surprised to see the massive turnout of customers at their stalls—that is the power of technology and innovation, and as a State Government, we are more than happy to host an event of this nature that would help to connect these talents that we have in abundance to the countless opportunities out here.

“We have pockets of knowledge in our State. The question for us is, how do we explode it, how do we actually make it out there, and then allow people to benefit? The creators also need to benefit from their thinking. So, my hope is that GITEX Nigeria can do that for us when you are able to bring all these young people from different areas. 

“I know its technology, but how do we take it to entertainment? Entertainment is big in Nigeria; the creative industry is the next oil as far as we are concerned, and that is why we are investing heavily in that sector,” Hamzat said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kaoun, Trixie LohMirmand, said, “Technology is a necessity; it is not a luxury, saying that the world needs it for survival.” 

She said the last time she visited Nigeria for a meeting, she and her team saw young Nigerians who “sat in a small room with systems on their laps doing great things.” 

LohMirmand, whose company organises GITEX Global, said they are committed to discovering new partners and to connect Nigeria to opportunities that are yet untapped in the technology space.

She said: “That is our role. We will need a lot of support from your Government in terms of logistics and security for us to organise a good show in Lagos, Nigeria.”

GITEX, the biggest technology showpiece in the world, connects people with industry leaders from big tech, global governments, innovative startups, expert investors, and corporate buyers. It is a computer expo held annually at the Dubai World Trade Center in the United Arab Emirates.

The event underpins the rapid technology-driven transformations, investments, and projects shaping the economies of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

This year is the fourth time that the Lagos State Government is attending the World Technology event. The last three attendances by the state have driven value to Lagos, bringing investment opportunities into the tech space and also enhancing the capacity of tech start-ups, directly and indirectly.