Ado Ekiti and other communities in Ekiti State were full of activities for days, recently, when Governor Abiodun Oyebanji marked his two years in office. However, one innovation that many didn’t notice was how the governor succeeded in using citizens’ involvement to drive his developmental agenda.
Since October 16, 2022, when Governor Abiodun Oyebanji took over the mantle of leadership, the third week in October thereafter has become a harvest period for people of Ekiti State.
To commemorate his inauguration, the week has been set aside for the anniversary which is mostly characterised by the start of new projects and commissioning of completed projects, as well as providing a platform for the governor to present his scorecard to his people.
Among other activities, the hallmark of this year’s edition was the commissioning of laudable projects which many observers agreed would have far-reaching impact on the people of the state. But one noticeable trend was that the governor’s penchant to run an inclusive government that factors in citizens’ participation yielded fruits during the anniversary. At least three projects stood out while the anniversary lasted as beauties of such collaboration. They include; the new Ado-Ekiti New Town (housing) project, the Bver Hostel at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ado Ekiti and Dr Mike & Grace Arokodare Lecture Building at the Ekiti State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti.
Many development experts have argued that for any nation to be fully developed, its citizens have to be active participants in the governance process. In the same manner, Governor Oyebanji believes that for a community or state to develop, its citizens must contribute meaningfully no matter their status in the society.
A former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, once said, “any society or country that closes the vital valves of its democratic space can neither develop at a reasonable pace nor have good governance” and when the discussion is about democracy, citizen participation cannot be dismissed because it is a prerequisite for good governance.
Every society is intrinsically designed as an institutional system made up of economic, cultural, religious, political and other professional structures. And to achieve all societal good, as well as goals of these structures, governance is key; but not just governance, good governance.
Through citizen participation and involvement, Oyebanji has demonstrated in the last two years that good governance is possible with an innovative leader that has foresight.
Since he became Governor in the state, Oyebanji has not for a day shied away from telling critical stakeholders that he needs their support to deliver on his electoral promises. To this end, he has engaged various stakeholders in the state and outside the state and lay-bear his projection for possible partnership and collaboration.
In most advanced countries of the world today, governance is marked by citizen participation, accountability and transparency. Painfully, even in this era of globalisation, elected governments in countries like Nigeria have failed to fully acknowledge the importance of citizen participation to development. This is where Oyebanji has gotten it right as evident by what happened in Ekiti recently.
Through this citizen participation initiative, Ekiti State government within the years under review has extended hands of fellowship to individuals and organisations; the President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dipo Ajayi, Ijero-Ekiti born Philanthropist, Dr. Abiodun Arokodare and his wife, Mrs. Grace Arokodare and another private sector player for a housing scheme in Ado Ekiti.
Through a Public-Private Partnership by renowned entrepreneur Dipo Ajayi, the Nursing education in the state has received a significant boost under the governor’s infrastructure upgrade initiative with the commissioning of a 600-bed student hostel at the College of Nursing Sciences, Ado Ekiti. The hostel was built through the partnership with the renowned entrepreneur.
During the commissioning of the N800 million project during the anniversary, Governor Oyebanji reaffirmed his commitment to aggressive infrastructure development in the state’s educational institutions, aiming to reposition and deliver effective higher education.
The governor explained that his administration’s commitment to expanding access to education had prompted increased investment in education and technology, in line with the third agenda of his government. He emphasised that his administration remains focused on providing physical infrastructure that will create a conducive environment for both teaching and learning in all state-owned institutions.
He praised President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dipo Ajayi, for his steadfast dedication to the state’s development, despite the numerous challenges encountered in delivering the project.
In his remarks, Ajayi, who is also the Chairman of Bver Hostels and Suites, stressed the importance of unity and cooperation among stakeholders for the state’s development. He revealed that the 600-bed hostel, constructed within six months, cost N800 million due to the rising cost of materials. He also called on the Governor to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder investors, to encourage more development projects in the state.
Ajayi commended the people for their unwavering support and acknowledged that the Governor’s visionary leadership and progressive policies had positively impacted education, healthcare, and infrastructure in Ekiti.
In the same development, the state government also launched the construction of 1,000 affordable housing units under the Ado Ekiti New Town Project during the anniversary ceremony.
The project, in partnership with the private sector, is part of the governor’s strategy to enhance growth and development in the state.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Oyebanji said, “My administration will prioritise the provision of a housing scheme that will help relieve the populace from the stress of building homes themselves.”
The governor also revealed that 1,000 units of housing would be delivered within the next year.
While pledging to leave a lasting legacy in the provision of mass housing in Ekiti State, Oyebanji noted that the state’s current housing deficit was of great concern to his administration.
He emphasised the urgent need for the government to adopt a housing model that optimises limited space and delivers safe homes through public-private partnerships for the people of Ekiti.
At the Ekiti State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, where a philanthropist, Dr Abiodun Arokodare and his wife, Mrs Grace Arokodare donated a storey building for students, Governor Oyebanji described the couple as rare breeds in the order of Aare Afe Babalola and Asiwaju Wole Olanipekun.
Governor Oyebanji also applauded the College Provost, Dr Olajumoke Adebayo not only for ensuring industrial harmony amongst Staff of the College but also for effectively utilizing the Institution’s meagre resources.
In her address, Provost of the College, Dr Olajumoke Adebayo appreciated Governor Oyebanji for his love and passion for Educational Development, which she hinted was evident in the increase of government’s monthly subvention to the college, as well as the financial support for the Institution at its last NBTE accreditation.
The Provost also hailed the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo for his immense support for the College, which he hinted served as motivation to the Donor.
Dr. Adebayo further urged other notable indigenes of Ijero Community, eminent personalities in Ekiti State and others across the globe to emulate the kind gesture of Dr Mike and Mrs Grace Arokodare.
In all, Governor Oyebanji has demonstrated in the last two years that Governance is the act of leading and exercising authority to enact policies and decisions that serve the overall good of the people in Ekiti State.
Balogun is with the Ekiti State Government
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