Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanj has reiterated how he has strengthened security measures and cooperation from local communities.
In an interview with Vanguard, Oyebanji shared his government’s achievements and ongoing efforts to enhance security, improve agriculture, and foster a peaceful state.
“Insecurity is a national and global challenge, but in fairness, Ekiti is still one of the safest states in Nigeria,” he said, adding that improved intelligence and community involvement have helped address security issues. He credited regular security meetings with traditional leaders and stakeholders for the state’s calm environment, stating, “We have adopted a system that provides us with intelligence about criminal elements in society, allowing us to respond before they strike.”
Oyebanji also spoke about his administration’s focus on agriculture, noting the success of the “Bring Our Youth to Agriculture” program. “When we started the program, people thought it would not be possible…cumulatively, they [young farmers] have cultivated more than 2,000 hectares of all sorts of crops,” he shared. He emphasized that supporting local farmers, especially with access to capital, is key to making farming sustainable and beneficial to the Ekiti economy.
Reflecting on challenges, Oyebanji acknowledged that limited financial resources sometimes hinder the progress of initiatives. However, he expressed confidence in the people’s trust in his leadership, noting that his administration prioritizes transparency and direct communication with residents. He stated, “As a government, we do not sit in our offices and just develop policies for our people. This has deepened our transparency and accountability index in governance.”
Oyebanji remains committed to keeping his promises to the people of Ekiti, saying, “I made a promise to the pensioners that I would pay their gratuities, and we started paying as promised.” He shared a touching moment from an event where a local pensioner told him he would finally be able to buy a mattress with his gratuity after 14 years of waiting. “I almost wept when I learned of this,” Oyebanji admitted.
