By Ayodele Oni
President Bola Tinubu has noted that the victory of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji is a testament to the trust that residents have in his administration and by extension, in the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The president congratulated Governor Oyebanji on his inauguration for second term in office, urging him to consolidate on his previous achievements to deliver more dividends for the people of the state.
Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the inauguration ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, on Friday, urged the residents to come en masse on January 16, 2026 and vote for President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
Earlier in his speech, Governor Biodun Oyebanji pledged to prioritise electricity, agriculture, skills development, job creation and infrastructure in his second term, declaring that the success of his administration would be measured by the extent to which government investments improve the lives of ordinary citizens
Oyebanji assured that his administration would focus on translating infrastructure projects and public spending into tangible economic benefits for households, farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs and young people.
The governor acknowledged the economic pressures confronting families, particularly the rising costs of food, transportation, education and other essential needs, stressing that government policies must deliver practical relief and expand opportunities for citizens.
According to him, the prosperity his administration seeks must be reflected in better livelihoods, stronger businesses, productive farms, improved public services and greater economic security for families.
He explained that roads should enable farmers to transport their produce to markets before harvests are lost, while reliable electricity should support industrialisation, improve productivity and help small businesses remain operational.
The governor added that schools must equip children with knowledge, confidence and functional skills, while health facilities should provide accessible medical care without forcing families to exhaust their savings.
Oyebanji said his administration would ensure that public expenditure was more closely linked to the everyday needs of residents, noting that development must enable people to earn better incomes, access essential services and plan their futures with greaterl confidence.
On education and youth employment, the governor said his administration would strengthen the connection between formal education, practical skills and the demands of a changing economy.
He described education as a defining part of Ekiti’s heritage, recalling the sacrifices made by parents who sold farm produce, postponed personal comfort and worked hard to ensure that their children received an education.
“The measure of our second term will be how much of investment we have made improve the lives of our people,” he said, emphasising that roads, electricity, schools, airports and health facilities must serve clearly defined economic and social purposes.
“In this second term, we will connect education more closely to enterprise, practical skills, and the need of a changing economy”.
Oyebanji also pledged to expand agricultural productivity and strengthen the value chain by promoting processing, storage, packaging, transportation and marketing.
He asserted that land remained one of the state’s major economic assets, adding that government would work to ensure that farmers derived greater benefits from their labour.
According to him, agricultural development requires coordinated investments in farm clusters, processing facilities, reliable electricity, water supply, transportation and access to capital.
He said the administration wanted young people to view agriculture as a viable business capable of attracting knowledge, technology, investment and innovation, rather than merely as subsistence farming.
The governor noted that opportunities extended beyond cultivation to other activities that could generate employment and retain more economic value within the state.
“When agriculture prospers, the benefit travels from the farm to the market, from the market to the workshop, and from the workshop to the family home”.
