The Ekiti State House of Assembly has confirmed the nominations of Mr. Dayo Apata, SAN, and Mr. Akintunde Oyebode as commissioner-designates following their screening during plenary on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

The Assembly also approved the appointment of 10 Special Advisers to support governance across key sectors of the state.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, presided over the plenary, during which the House considered nominations and other legislative matters forwarded by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

According to a statement by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Oke, the two commissioner nominees were allowed to take a bow and leave after the Speaker acknowledged their previous service as commissioners and their familiarity with the legislative process.

Aribasoye noted that Apata and Oyebode had appeared before the House on several occasions, either for screening or to present their stewardship accounts, adding that their records were already known to lawmakers.

Following the Speaker’s remarks, members unanimously agreed to allow the nominees to take a bow and leave without further questioning. The House subsequently considered and confirmed their nominations.

Meanwhile, the screening of another commissioner nominee, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, has been rescheduled to Monday, November 2, 2026.

Filani had written to the Assembly to explain his inability to attend the screening scheduled for Wednesday and requested a new date, a request which the House granted.

In another development, the Assembly commenced consideration of the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, with the Leader of the House, Hon. Tolu Ige, leading the debate.

After the bill was read for the second time by the Clerk, the Speaker referred it to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative scrutiny. Other relevant committees were also designated to serve as sub-committees in the consideration of the bill.

The Assembly said it remained committed to expediting legislative business, including confirmation processes and consideration of bills, in the interest of good governance and service delivery to the people of Ekiti State.

The statement was signed by Hon. Babatunde Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on M

edia and Public Affairs.

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has called on the Lagos State Government and other Southwest states to establish a regional development and investment compact to accelerate infrastructure development, economic integration and regional prosperity.

Bamidele made the call on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the Lagos Physical Planning Summit held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he proposed a Lagos-Southwest Spatial Development and Investment Compact.

He said Lagos could not secure its long-term prosperity through isolated state planning, stressing that its economy was deeply interconnected with neighbouring states through labour markets, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, trade and environmental systems.

According to him, the proposed compact would provide a framework for coordinating cross-border infrastructure, developing regional economic corridors, strengthening environmental resilience and mobilising investments in projects that benefit multiple states.

Bamidele urged the Lagos State Government to move beyond treating physical planning as a routine governmental activity and embrace it as a coordinated system for delivering economic value, social welfare, environmental sustainability and regional prosperity.

He explained that achieving this transition would require a change in mindset, stronger institutions, reorganisation of investment priorities and closer alignment between development plans and implementation.

The Senate Leader proposed a collaborative framework involving Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, alongside relevant federal institutions, planning authorities, infrastructure agencies, private-sector operators, professional bodies and development partners.

He said the framework should prioritise regional transportation networks, complementary economic corridors, cross-border urban planning, environmental resilience and investment mobilisation.

Bamidele also urged Lagos to leverage the emerging digital revolution by expanding broadband infrastructure, smart-city technology, digital services, innovation hubs and technology-driven enterprises, while equipping its workforce with the digital skills required to compete in a changing economy.

He maintained that the future of Lagos would depend not only on the quality of its development plans but also on the determination with which they were financed, coordinated and implemented.

“We must connect physical planning to economic development, infrastructure investment to measurable public benefits, digital innovation to effective governance, and state-level priorities to regional cooperation,” he said.

Bamidele further emphasised the need for capable institutions, predictable regulations, transparent financing, responsible investment and sustained collaboration among governments, the private sector, professional institutions, communities and development partners.

He expressed confidence that a coordinated Lagos-Southwest development framework would strengthen regional economic integration, unlock investment opportunities and promote sustainable development across the six states.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the death of Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, the revered Afenifere leader, who died at the age of 100.

Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by the State House on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, described the late Yoruba leader as an icon of integrity, a patriot and one of the foremost figures in the progressive political tradition associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The President extended his condolences to the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure Kingdom, the Ondo State Government and people, the South-West region and members of Afenifere.

He said Fasoranti’s century-long life exemplified integrity, discipline, selflessness and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the Yoruba people and the unity and progress of Nigeria.

Tinubu recalled the deceased’s contributions as an educationist and school principal, his service as Commissioner for Finance in the old Ondo State, and his leadership of Afenifere, noting that he remained committed to true federalism and social justice.

According to the President, Fasoranti also made significant sacrifices in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria, sometimes at the risk of his life.

He lamented that the country would miss the elder statesman’s wisdom, moral authority and fatherly counsel, particularly at a time when his guidance was greatly needed.

Tinubu also recalled celebrating Fasoranti’s 100th birthday on May 11, 2026, describing the milestone as an opportunity to celebrate not merely longevity but a lasting legacy of honour and service.

The President further recounted his visit to Fasoranti’s residence in Akure in 2022 to inform him of his intention to contest the presidency.

According to Tinubu, the Afenifere leader prayed for him and expressed confidence that he would become President during his lifetime, a prayer he said was answered.

“I had hoped Papa would also be around with us for my second term to witness the full dawn of economic growth and prosperity in the land,” Tinubu said.

Despite the loss, the President urged Nigerians to give thanks for Fasoranti’s long life of service and fulfilment.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and asked God to comfort his family and all those mourning his passing.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” the President added.