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Jubilation as FHA hands over FESTAC mechanic village to artisans

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Senator Gbenga Ashafa
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Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), on Thursday handed over the site of the six acres Mechanic Village/Market in FESTAC Town to the artisans.

Speaking during the handing-over ceremony at the new site on 6th Avenue, FESTAC town, Ashafa said that the event was in line with his promise to restore the lost glory of FESTAC town.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ashafa was represented by Mr Akintola Olagbemiro, FHA South-West Zonal Manager, at the handing over the site to the Nigerian Automobile Technician Association (NATA).

He expressed joy at the achievement of FHA’s age -long plan to resettle the mechanics in a comfortable permanent site.

“Let me quickly add that the place of mechanics, technicians, and artisans can never be underestimated in any society.  Their overall importance in any economy is not of low profile because of the essential nature of their trade.

“The value chain they add to the economy is quite enormous, owing to the many jobs and employment they create through service deliveries.

“We in FHA will do all we can within our reach to make you comfortable, relevant and organised,” he said.

He urged the leadership of NATA, FESTAC branch, to ensure orderly business premises and collaboration with all tiers of government and other stakeholders for peaceful coexistence.

“With the success of today, it has been officially declared illegal for any auto mechanic to operate in any other part of FESTAC Town.

“We also implore the auto mechanic/technician leadership to help relevant authorities concerned with the security and sanitation of FESTAC Town, by compelling all your members to avail themselves of this facility,” he said.

Ashafa pledged continuous collaboration of FHA with the artisans and other stakeholders and thanked the FESTAC Town Residents Association, security agencies and other stakeholders for their patience.

He said that the FHA would liaise with the Amuwo Odofin Local Government and other stakeholders towards Right of Way (RoW) recovery.

Ashafa added that FHA surveyors had taken the measurements of the site for laying of the beacons on the new site.

The Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government (AOLG), Mr Valentine Buraimoh, said the move would bring added development, not only to FESTAC Town, but to the entire community.

Buraimoh, however, noted that there was need to hold a stakeholders meeting to determine how the space allocated could be maximised.

“We need to get ideas and suggestions on how best we can use the space given to us,” he said.

NAN reports that NATA members, led by the immediate past chairman of the Amuwo Odofin Local Government (AOLG) Area, Mr Ayodele Adewale, marched in joy to the venue to take possession of the facility.

Adewale told journalists that he was overwhelmed with joy that efforts of his tenure to ensure that the artisans and traders take possession of the site allocated to them in the original Master plan of FESTAC Town, had become a reality.

The Chairman of NATA, Mr Yunusa Elekolomo said: “I am happy that finally this site that rightly belongs to us is being given to us today.

“Since the 70s, we have suffered a lot of encroachment on this land, we have suffered too much, I will say that today that we are taking possession is my happiest day,” he said.

Earlier, President, FESTAC Town Residents Association (FTRA), Mr Shola Fakorede, said that enough sensitisation and awareness campaign was carried out for residents and artisans to embrace the project which had become a reality. (NAN)

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Adubiaro Expresses Gratitude to Oyebanji Over Reappointment as Ekiti SSG

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Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro
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Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro has expressed profound gratitude to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for reappointing her as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), describing the renewed mandate as an honour and a call to greater service.

Adubiaro, in a statement issued following the announcement of her reappointment, appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in her capacity, dedication and commitment to the development of the state.

She pledged continued loyalty, diligence and commitment to the ideals and objectives of the Oyebanji administration, assuring that she would work towards the successful implementation of its policies, programmes and development agenda.

The SSG said her renewed appointment offered another opportunity to contribute meaningfully to building a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Ekiti State.

She also expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Ekiti State, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji, for her encouragement, support and contributions to the growth and development of the state.

Adubiaro extended her gratitude to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Dr. Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, and Olori Abosede Adejugbe for their goodwill, prayers and support, noting the important role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, unity, cultural heritage and sustainable development.

She equally appreciated the Grand Imam of Ekiti State and President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Southwestern Nigeria, including Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, as well as the Muslim community in the state, for their prayers, spiritual guidance and encouragement.

The SSG also acknowledged the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their solidarity and support, reaffirming her commitment to the ideals of the party and collaboration with political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to advance the administration’s development agenda.

She did not leave out her family members, friends, associates and well-wishers, whom she thanked for their congratulatory messages, prayers and expressions of goodwill following the announcement of her reappointment.

Adubiaro further pledged to discharge her responsibilities with professionalism, accountability, transparency, teamwork, humility and integrity, stressing that she remained conscious of the high expectations associated with public service.

She assured the people of Ekiti State of her determination to work closely with relevant stakeholders to translate the governor’s vision into tangible benefits for residents.

The SSG also prayed for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for Governor Oyebanji, while seeking peace, unity and prosperity for the state’s traditional institutions, religious leaders, political stakeholders, public servants and residents.

She reiterated her resolve to justify the confidence reposed in her through dedicated service and an unwavering commitment to the progress and development of Ekiti State.

 

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Oyebanji Makes First Appointments in Second Term, Retains SSG, Chief of Staff, CPS

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Ekiti State Governor,Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji
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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has made his first set of appointments following his inauguration for a second term in office, retaining three key members of his administration.

The governor approved the reappointment of Professor Habibat Adubiaro as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo as Chief of Staff, and Mr Olayinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor.

The appointments were announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, shortly after Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye, were inaugurated for another term in office in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, the appointments take immediate effect.

The decision to retain the three principal officials ensures continuity in key administrative, executive and communication positions as the governor begins his second term.

As Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adubiaro occupies a strategic position in the coordination of government policies, administrative processes and inter-agency relations.

Similarly, Adebayo, as Chief of Staff, is responsible for supporting the governor’s office and coordinating executive activities, while Oyebode oversees official communications and media relations for the state government.

The reappointments constitute the first official appointments announced by Oyebanji since his inauguration for a second term, signalling the continuation of the existing leadership structure in these critical offices.

The statement did not indicate whether further appointments would be announced in the coming days.

The announcement was signed by Olayinka Oyebode, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ekiti State.

 

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Bamidele Hails Oyebanji’s First Term, Says Peaceful Politics Drove Ekiti Development

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has described the first term of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as remarkably peaceful, attributing the achievement to the governor’s humility, sense of duty and inclusive leadership style.

Bamidele said Oyebanji’s ability to foster cordial relationships among political stakeholders across the state had created an enabling environment for development and progress in Ekiti State.

The Senate Leader stated this in his welcome address at the second-term inauguration of Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye, in Ado-Ekiti.

He commended the governor for sustaining a peaceful political atmosphere, noting that cooperation among political leaders and stakeholders had contributed significantly to the state’s developmental strides.

Reflecting on Ekiti State’s political and developmental journey from the administration of its first civilian governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, through subsequent administrations, including that of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Bamidele said Oyebanji had continued to strengthen the culture of political stability and peaceful coexistence.

He noted that the governor’s leadership approach had helped sustain a harmonious political environment, allowing the state to focus on governance and development rather than political divisions.

Bamidele further described Oyebanji’s re-election as a historic milestone, noting that the governor had broken a longstanding political barrier by becoming the first governor in Ekiti State to secure consecutive second-term mandates.

He expressed confidence that the governor’s second term would provide further opportunities to consolidate the achievements of his first administration and advance the development of the state.

 

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