EKITI STATE — Governor Biodun Oyebanji has declared that the success of his second term will be measured by the extent to which government investments translate into improved livelihoods, stronger businesses and greater economic opportunities for the people of Ekiti State.
Oyebanji made the declaration during his inauguration ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, outlining an ambitious development agenda focused on electricity, agriculture, skills development, job creation, education, healthcare and critical infrastructure.
He stressed that public spending must deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens, particularly households, farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs and young people grappling with rising living costs.
“The measure of our second term will be how much of investment we have made improve the lives of our people,” the governor said, insisting that development must be reflected in better incomes, productive farms, thriving businesses and improved access to essential services.
He explained that roads must enable farmers to transport their produce to markets efficiently, while reliable electricity would drive industrialisation, boost productivity and help small businesses sustain their operations.
Oyebanji also pledged to strengthen the education sector by connecting formal learning with practical skills, entrepreneurship and the demands of a changing economy.
“In this second term, we will connect education more closely to enterprise, practical skills, and the need of a changing economy,” he said.
Reflecting on Ekiti’s longstanding commitment to education, the governor acknowledged the sacrifices made by parents who endured economic hardship to educate their children, describing education as a defining pillar of the state’s heritage and future prosperity.
On agriculture, Oyebanji promised to expand productivity and strengthen the entire value chain through investments in farm clusters, processing, storage, packaging, transportation, marketing and access to capital.
He maintained that Ekiti’s agricultural potential must translate into greater economic returns for farmers, while creating employment opportunities for young people and other players across the production and distribution chain.
According to him, agriculture should be repositioned as a viable business driven by technology, innovation, investment and modern farming practices, rather than being confined to subsistence production.
“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,” he said.
The governor further emphasised that healthcare facilities must provide accessible medical services without forcing families to deplete their savings, while investments in schools, roads and other public infrastructure must serve clearly defined social and economic purposes.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Oyebanji on his inauguration for a second term, urging him to consolidate on his administration’s achievements and deliver greater dividends of democracy to the people.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ceremony, Tinubu described Oyebanji’s electoral victory as evidence of the confidence reposed in his leadership and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President urged the governor to sustain the momentum of development and deepen his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Ekiti residents.
Oyebanji’s second-term agenda places particular emphasis on converting government investments into measurable improvements in living standards, with economic growth, job creation and household prosperity emerging as key benchmarks for assessing his administration’s performance.
