oyo In this interview, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and former Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly,  enumerates Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s government’s giant strides in the last two years.

Ekiti is one of the few states in Nigeria that have been able to attract Foreign Direct Investment in 2024. How has the Oyebanji-led administration been able to achieve this?

Yes, Ekiti is one of the few States in Nigeria that has successfully attracted Foreign Direct Investment in 2024. In fact, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), apart from Ekiti, only Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) attracted capital importation in the first quarter of 2024. How we did it is simple: good governance with proactive measures and policies that has engendered a conducive environment for both local and foreign investments. Key and strategic initiatives implemented by the administration within the two years of existence to attract investment include Investment Incentives under which our administration introduced tax breaks and incentives for foreign investors, making the region more attractive for businesses.

We also focus on Infrastructure Development with significant investments in infrastructure, such as roads and energy supply which has improved the business environment and reduced operational costs for investors.

The Oyebanji administration entrenched Ease of Doing Business with efforts to streamline regulations and reduce bureaucratic hurdles thus successfully creating a more investor-friendly climate with faster business registration processes and improved legal frameworks. We target specific sectors such as agriculture, technology and renewable energy which has helped to attract investment tailored to local strengths and global trends.

We also engage in active diplomacy and partnerships with foreign governments and businesses. We promote the region as a viable investment destination while laying emphasizes on skill development and education to guarantee a capable workforce that can meet the needs of foreign companies thus promoting local talent as well.

Additionally, we must not diminish the amazing ability of Governor Oyebanji to unite political gladiators in the State and garner unflinching support of all stakeholders across all political divides for collective effort to develop the State as well as the astounding synergy amongst the different arms of Government.

This administration came on board on a mantra of a shared prosperity agenda strategically weaved around the six development pillars. Would you say this administration has fulfilled his electoral promises to the people of Ekiti state in two years considering the volume of funds received by the state in the years under review?

Yes, it has been two good years for the administration and I want to stress that the Governor Oyebanji has not embarked on any major borrowing other than the monthly overdraft we usually take from banks to pay salaries before the federal allocation comes into our account since the advent of this administration. It is also on record that there has been an increment in the revenue allocation from the Federal Government but there has also been a major increase in our IGR. From about N600 million per month at the advent of this administration to about N1.5 billion per month and it keeps increasing every month. I don’t know what you mean by “volume of funds received by the State in the years under review” but I can tell you that while the administration may have received significant funding, its effectiveness ultimately depended on how well it translates these resources into tangible benefits for the people of Ekiti State.

With all sense of accomplishment, I want to say that evaluating whether the Oyebanji-led administration has fulfilled its electoral promises in Ekiti State requires a nuanced look at the shared prosperity agenda and the six development pillars. If we consider key indicators like Infrastructure Improvements, Economic Growth, Social Services, Governance and Transparency as well as Public Feedback; it is obviously an unprecedented performance.

On infrastructural development, the BAO administration is concentrating on developing foundational products and services to increase the quality of life and stimulate long-term economic growth. Is it the road network that is successfully easing movement of goods and services without bias to the state of Federal roads in the State? All the 203 public secondary schools have been touched, renovated, and equipped to a global standard while not leaving out the over 900 primary schools in the State. It is actually on record that Ekiti State recorded a major improvement in Health indices recently released by Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report. The report indicated that neonatal, infant, and Under- 5 Mortality in the State had reduced by over 50 percent in the past five years which surpassed its expected targets set four years ago.

These achievements can only be attributed to the strong political leadership and support provided by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, leading to huge investment in the health sector; regular meetings and reviews, accountability, teamwork as well as proper maintenance of fiscal fidelity, and ensuring accountability through which more development partners felt comfortable working with the state.

Cutting across all strata of society and political divide, all major stakeholders including all the past political leaders and heads of government in the State agree that the BAO administration is performing fantastically well. What more feedback is there to provide a grounded view of how the administration’s initiatives have impacted the state and the lives of the people?

How is the administration planning to sustain the tempo of development going forward looking at the fact that the political space in the state is expected to witness more activities leading to the 2026 governorship poll?

Are we talking about the 2026 governorship poll here or good governance? For now, the State Governor is concentrating on how to rapidly develop the State and see to the welfare of the people in line with his vision of shared prosperity for the State. I told you that this administration is strategic and methodical so everything is already mapped out. We shall, however, continue engaging all stakeholders in the state for inclusive governance in the overall interest of Ekiti State. It is a very transparent government that has successfully built the trust of the citizens, businesses, investors, and tourists in government to do what is perceived as right and fair which in reality, is one of the most important foundations upon which the legitimacy and sustainability of political systems are built.

Will you say the style of governance of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the last two years in bringing leaders and stakeholders across political divides together working in the interest of the state? How?

Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s governance style over the last two years has emphasized collaboration and inclusivity among leaders and stakeholders from various political backgrounds.

He has indeed successfully created a more cohesive government and political environment that is collaborating to prioritize the state’s overall well-being.

His approach has been characterized by key strategies including dialogue and engagement, which has helped foster open communication and mutual understanding across party lines.

His Excellency’s inclusive governance encourages collaborative policy-making aimed at creating policies that reflect a broader consensus, addressing the needs of various groups within the state.

His focus on development is without bias to political affiliations which is boosting cooperation amongst different political bodies while his community engagement initiatives have also built a sense of ownership and participation among the populace, reinforcing the idea that governance is a collective effort.

The opposition PDP has described the 1.2km flyover bridge between Ijigbo Roundabout and Okeiyinmi in Ado-Ekiti as a misplaced priority, arguing that the money channel for the construction of the bridge should have been used for other developmental projects. What’s your take on this?

My issue with this kind of criticism is that they never provide alternatives but run-down good projects. Let the purported critiques mention one sector that is lacking attention. Is it in the area of infrastructure, agriculture, technology, micro, small and medium scale enterprises, health care delivery, ICT, education, etcetera ad nauseam? I want to tell you that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration is strategic in its approach to governance. With a huge foresight, the administration not only considers the short term benefits but also the long-term gains before embarking on projects. The flyover, to be specific, will ease traffic flow and ensure safety, improve socio-economic activities of the areas, and make lives and property of people more secure on the roads as well as add aesthetic value to the state capital.  The area was already becoming congested and it would have been a total disservice to the people to wait until it becomes almost impassable before finding a solution. It is a wonder that anybody, who is not self-serving, will condemn a project that will alleviate traffic congestion, boost economic activity, and assist the metropolis to sustain the status of a vibrant commercial center.

What are the legacies this administration intends to leave behind after the completion of its tenure?

Legacies? Several, starting from Good Governance and Transparency which is a very wide scope, Infrastructure Development, Economic Growth, Poverty Alleviation and Community Development, Education reform, Environmental sustainability as well as Public Safety and Security significantly improve public health, education, and living standards. What we are aiming at is to make Ekiti united, cohesive, peaceful and prosperous. That is the vision of Governor Oyebanji.

A few weeks ago, the Ekiti government signed a memorandum of understanding with four different Chinese firms on agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and aviation development. How will this help the administration to achieve programmes for the people?

These partnerships are aimed at assisting the Ekiti State Government to achieve its goals of sustainable development, economic growth, and improved living standards for its citizens. Governor Biodun Oyebanji had repeatedly explained that the strategy of his administration was to, in the first two year, develop infrastructure to a sustainable level that can drive other sectors and subsequently concentrate on building on the foundation. The signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) between the Ekiti government and four Chinese firms in key sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, energy and aviation can significantly benefit the administration’s programs for the people in several ways including the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies, improved crop yields, and enhanced food security which is expected to lead to increased employment opportunities and better livelihoods for farmers and allied workers in the value food chain in the State.

The partnership will also lead to better roads and transportation of goods and services which will facilitate trade, improve access to markets, and enhance overall economic activities benefiting the local population. The partnership in Energy Projects is targeted at energy development to address power supply issues. Reliable energy sources can boost local businesses and industries, leading to job creation and improved quality of life for residents.

With the establishment of the Cargo International Airport, partnership for aviation development is to boost tourism and business travel, facilitate the movement of goods and services, generate revenue, create jobs, and generally boost the economy.

And of course, it is also a transfer of technology and capacity building to train and develop skills of local workers to empower the workforce and promote sustainable development.

We must not forget that foreign investment can stimulate economic growth, leading to a more robust local economy that can support public services and infrastructure development.

Governor Oyebanji has said on several occasions that the next year’s budget will primarily focus on agriculture and welfare of the citizens. Is this not a way of buying the people ahead of the 2026 election?

As I said earlier, we cannot rule out criticisms, both genuine and pretentious. Are we saying that Governor Oyebanji should jettison his laudable programmes so that it will not look like he does not want the continued support of the people?  What Mr. Governor said was that the State’s budget for 2025 would focus more on agriculture as part of efforts to ensure food sufficiency and make Ekiti the food basket of the Country and there is really nothing outrageous in that since the administration had always prioritized investment in agriculture, boost capacity of farmers and create a market for farm produce as part of efforts to boost food production and tackle food insecurity. In fact, the government’s deliberate investment in agriculture is already yielding the desired positive results and that is the primary goal. It is actually a plus that the people are supporting him in the process of rapidly developing the State and making life more meaningful for residents.

With the recently approved  N70,000 minimum wage, are workers in Ekiti not being left in the lurch?

*Continue to read from the source: The Nation