Curtain was drawn on Kayode Fayemi’s tenure on Sunday as Biodun Oyebanji was sworn in as Governor of Ekiti state at 12:53 pm at a ceremony witnessed by thousands of citizens as well as dignitaries from far and near at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji, who was the former secretary to the state government (SSG), becomes the new helmsman of Nigeria’s 30th most populous state in Nigeria, with an estimated population of 3.3 million people. However, it is popularly known as the “Fountain of Knowledge” because it is reputed to have the highest number of Professors in Nigeria.

He was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 187,057 votes to defeat his two closest challengers — Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 82,211 votes, and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 67,457 votes.

His immediate predecessor in office Dr. Kayode Fayemi, left office a fulfilled person having supported and worked for Mr. Biodun Oyebanji to emerge the governorship candidate of his party, the APC, against all odds and successfully worked for his victory at the June 18, 2022 governorship polls.

Governor Fayemi spent his final week in office commissioning different projects across the state. These include the Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo and Passenger Airport, which he described as a legacy project of his administration to stimulate the economy and by extension the growth of Ekiti State.

Another was a Geospatial Data Centre in Ado-Ekiti to interlink the people and strengthen data collection, land administration, infrastructure, and workforce in Ekiti State. Yet, on his final day in office, he commissioned the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) centre at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

He also commissioned the Elderly People’s Resort and Wellness Centre in Ekiti State which he described as a testament to the commitment of his administration to prioritize the welfare of Ekiti-kete, particularly the older citizens.

In his inaugural address titled “Dawn of a new Era, Governor Oyebanji described his predecessor as “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.”

He said his 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.

Dignitaries present at the event include the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Plateau State counterpart, Simon Lalong.

Others include Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).

Below are excerpts from the Inaugural Speech Delivered by His Excellency,Mr. Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji

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.

“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.

“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.”

MY 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.

Youth Development and Job Creation – “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.

“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.”