Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, inaugurated the Ikole township road and the Ilumoba-Ijesa Isu-Ikole 33kVA electricity project on Tuesday.
He highlighted how increased land cultivation for commercial agriculture has helped curb kidnapping in the region.
In a statement shared on the state government’s Facebook page, the governor emphasised that his administration’s focus extends beyond infrastructure development in power and roadways to advancing agriculture.
This approach, he said, aims to ensure food security, create economic opportunities, maximize land use, and drive industrialization.
Governor Oyebanji hailed the commissioning of the Ikole township road as a success of the continuity mandate overwhelmingly supported in the 2022 governorship election. He noted that the project was initiated by his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi.
He further described the completion of the power project as evidence of his administration’s commitment to boosting socio-economic activities in the region, which in turn invigorates grassroots economies and attracts investments.
The governor highlighted the significance of the Ikole area, home to the state’s Special Agriculture Processing Zone (SAPZ), which has drawn both government and private sector investments.
He reiterated that expanding commercial farmland in the region has been a key factor in reducing criminal activities such as kidnapping.
Governor Oyebanji encouraged more citizens to engage in agriculture, assuring them that the government will provide the necessary support to promote this sector.
He also urged the public to take advantage of investment opportunities within the SAPZ and pledged continued infrastructural support to create an investor-friendly environment and improve living conditions in the state.
He called on residents of the benefiting communities to safeguard the newly commissioned projects and protect them from vandalism, emphasising that significant resources had been invested.
Addressing concerns about non-energized transformers in some localities, the governor explained that the inauguration, marked by switching on the electricity project, was only the first phase, and that other issues would be addressed in due course.
Oyebanji also assured the public that appropriate compensation would be paid for any land used for development purposes, including areas within the agriculture processing zone where some individuals are yet to be compensated.
He disclosed that the contractor handling the Isinbode-Ara-Ikole Road has been directed to move to the Oke Ako-Ipao-Irele Road for rehabilitation due to its importance as a key access route to the SAPZ.
Additionally, he said the contractor working on the Ado-Iluomoba road will begin site work next week, with assurances that the road will be extended from Iluomoba to Ikole.
Governor Oyebanji urged residents of the Ikole local government area to continue supporting his administration, noting that their representatives working in government are contributing significantly to governance.
More so, he acknowledged the critical role of the region in hosting the state’s SAPZ and expressed gratitude to local traditional rulers for their cooperation, promising to resolve outstanding compensation issues.
“Opening up more land for agriculture has reduced kidnaping in this axis. We are injecting more money into the grassroots economy to assist our local artisans, traders, beer sellers and others doing business in our localities.
“We are working with our National Assembly members to ensure that all dilapidated federal roads are rehabilitated. We are presently spending Ekiti resources on Ado-Ifaki Road which is a federal road but we cannot continue spending our money on federal roads because we will not be refunded; that is why we are collaborating with our National Assembly members.”
The Elekole of Ikole Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Egbeoba Land, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku, represented by the Olotin of Ikole Ekiti, Chief Oluwasayo Okunola, expressed the kingdom’s unwavering support for Governor Oyebanji’s leadership beyond 2026, lauding his impressive performance to date.
Similarly, the Alaaye of Oke Ayedun Ekiti, Oba Olufemi Aribisala, speaking on behalf of the other monarchs present, voiced the gratitude of the local councils for the Governor’s significant contributions across various sectors.
He emphasised that the people are eager to reward his efforts with their votes when the time comes.
Paul Alabi, the first elected Deputy Governor of the state, engaged the crowd by asking who they wished to see as Governor in the next administration. The response was unanimous: “We have agreed to re-elect BAO (Oyebanji).”
Adeoye Aribasoye, Speaker of the House of Assembly, highlighted the numerous positive developments under Governor Oyebanji’s tenure in Ikole LGA, Ikole West LCDA, Kajola LCDA, and Ajoni LCDA. He stressed the importance of sustaining this progress.
Aribasoye further explained that in less than two years, economic activity in the region has surged, driven by commercial farming initiatives in SAPZ in Oke Ako and Iyemero. Investors such as YSJ, FMS, and Agbeyewa Farms have played a pivotal role in transforming opportunities for local youth.
Additionally, he noted ongoing township road and electricity projects, as well as the construction of the Isinbode-Ara-Ikole Road. Furthermore, several communities are benefiting from the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which is rehabilitating critical farm access roads.
