Biodun Oyebanji, has taken the oath of office as the new governor of Ekiti State.
Today, history is made. I owe this feat to you all. Thank you, Ekiti Kete.
Now, Let's Keep Ekiti working!#BAO4Ekiti pic.twitter.com/TBoQ0sSuuG
— Biodun Oyebanji (@biodunaoyebanji) October 16, 2022
At 12:53 p.m., he was sworn in by Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, Chief Judge of Ekiti State, amid applause from the large crowd in attendance.
He pledged to preserve, protect, and defend the office of governor while dressed in white agbada and a cream cap.
Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Oyebanji’s deputy, was also sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State. She took the oath of office at 12:46 p.m.
Oyebanji was the former Secretary to the State Governor during Fayemi’s administration before resigning to run for governor on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
Oyebanji’s first governmental speech
DAWN OF A NEW ERA
“Today, we are witnesses to the reversal of the previous political transitions fraught with tension and strife, and bear testimony to the dawn of peaceful transition of power from one administration to the other – the first of its kind in our history.
“It also marks the beginning of the implementation of the Ekiti State (Transition) Law, 2019 which effectively provides for seamless transition from one administration to the other,” Governor Biodun Oyebanji said.
“As I assume leadership of our dear State before God and this distinguished audience today, it is indeed an emotional and historic moment for me, that destiny has now placed upon my shoulders the onerous task of furthering the journey to the actualisation of Ekiti prosperity; which was, and remains, our core mandate.”
CONTINUING THE RESTORATION OF EKITI VALUES
“We may have had political differences, but the Ekiti ideal was never lost on us. This is why my esteemed leader, boss and immediate predecessor, His Excellency Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, determined that the God-inspired purpose of his second tenure of office was to get us back on track with the mantra ‘Reclaiming Our Land, Restoring Our Values.
“There is no doubt that this was achieved in his time, and Ekiti has been on a trajectory of stability and inclusive growth, as, the State is today, leading in all indices of good governance and human development.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi is a leader of leaders who has led with integrity and compassion, and a unique spirit of excellence that has lifted our profile in the comity of States.”
Oyebanji’s vision and mission
“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 actualised we need to focus on a roadmap to get there.
“You would recall that I campaigned on a manifesto anchored on six pillars, which have been carefully designed to position Ekiti for peace and prosperity despite the challenges of this season.”
Concerning youth development and job creation the Ekiti state governor said “Creating employment and income-generating opportunities for the people of Ekiti is a critical component of our administration’s agenda.
“We have identified some of the drivers, markets and industries that create these opportunities within the system and intend to nurture them and give them the enabling structures and support required to deliver the jobs we need,” the governor said.
“Ekiti State has the second-lowest number of out-of-school children in the country. Our goal is to build on the progress made by the previous administration by bringing that number as close to zero as possible, making sure that our children are not just in school, but are learning.
“…Therefore, ensuring that all our children can access free and qualitative basic education up to Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3), with curricula that prepare them adequately for further learning or the job market, is our objective. We shall replicate this in all our Social Investment programmes.
“We will also ensure that gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment continue to be given priority in all policies and programs,” the newly sworn-in governor of Ekiti state said.
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