Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to use his second term to raise governance standards and expand opportunities for young people.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti on Friday during the inauguration of Governor Oyebanji for a second term
READ ALSO: VP Shettima Arrives In Ekiti For Governor Oyebanji’s Inauguration
He said the people of Ekiti State had assessed Oyebanji’s first-term performance and renewed his mandate, adding that the governor must honour their decision by serving everyone, particularly those whose voices were rarely heard.
President Tinubu described the inauguration as both a celebration and an obligation.
“The louder the applause, the greater the obligation it announces. They have examined your first term and entrusted you with their next four years. Honour that judgement by opening more doors for the young, raising the quality of public service and keeping faith with those whose voices are seldom heard,” President Tinubu stressed.
READ ALSO: Ekiti State Governor Begins Second Term In Office
He described Oyebanji as a leader known for composure, respect for institutions and a refusal to mistake public office for personal grandeur.
Conveying President Tinubu’s goodwill message, Shettima described Oyebanji’s re-election as “a triumph of democratic accountability and the labour by which trust is earned.”
Massive Support
President Tinubu said support for the Nigerian Government’s reforms was anchored on Nigerians’ understanding of the difficult but necessary measures undertaken to stabilise the economy.
“We have confronted fiscal burdens and structural distortions whose neglect would have inflicted greater injury. Nigerians have endured the discomfort of difficult correction. Their patience deserves an economy that rewards work and expands opportunity,” he maintained.
The President commended the Oyebanji administration for investments in roads, schools, health facilities, power supply and the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.
He noted that Ekiti State had consistently punched above its weight by producing “formidable minds and principled voices” for Nigeria.
President Tinubu assured the state that the Nigerian Government would continue to serve as a dependable partner.
Focus On Development
In his address, Governor Oyebanji thanked God, President Tinubu and the people of Ekiti State for their support, pledging to preserve the state’s unity. He also commended his opponents for their sportsmanship.
The governor said his first term focused on workers’ welfare, infrastructure, electricity, healthcare through the health insurance scheme, agriculture, education and security, promising to build on the achievements.
“We have improved schools, we have also enhanced security. Our skilled workers contribute a lot to our progress, we must make them feel the presence of government. We will also pursue reliable power for industries and enterprises,” Oyebanji pledged.
He therefore urged the people of Ekiti State to support and vote for the All Progressives Congress at all levels in the forthcoming general elections.
