Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has attributed his approach to leadership to the virtues of humility, contentment, and love that his late Mother instilled in him, stressing that her emphasis on simplicity and service has been a major influence in his life and career.
Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed this on Friday at Ikogosi Ekiti, while commissioning an ultra-modern multipurpose hall donated to the First Baptist Church, Ikogosi, by the Abiyamo Esther Oyebanji Foundation, a foundation in memory of the Governor’s mother.
He said the lessons learned at home have guided his approach to governance, helping him maintain perspective and empathy in his service to humanity.
According to him, his late mother was an example of true motherhood who used all she had to assist the less privileged and trained her children the right way to success.
While calling on parents to inculcate the virtues of honesty, love and empathy in their children, the Governor charged the Church and the community to make the best use of the hall as well as cultivate good maintenance culture towards ensuring the durability of the facility.
He assured the community that more development projects would be executed within the town and other towns in the state, calling for a more united front in achieving collective growth and shared prosperity.
“We are here today to give glory to God and celebrate our late Mother who lived for us. Mummy is no more, the greatest legacy to her is what we are doing today, walking the talk, the way he brought us up in humility, contentment, and in love for everybody around us.”
“We were brought up to show love to everybody, to respect people, fear God and serve him. So I am happy today that between myself and my siblings, we are able to bring this together in her memory”, the Governor said.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji who described the late Esther Abosede Oyebanji as a disciplinarian and philanthropist, said the Governor’s leadership attributes of empathy and love for the people, as well as commitment to just causes were product of his upbringing, adding that they have been part of him long before he embraced public service.
Other dignitaries and community leaders at the event included the regent of Ikogosi Ekiti, Princess Omobola Adepoju, the President of the Ekiti Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Aribasoye, Prof. (Mrs) Ojo and Dr Temiola eulogized the late matriarch of the Oyebanji dynasty and commended the initiative of the children at immortalizing her. varsity pensioners laments 31 years old unpaid gratuities arrears, urges Oyebanji intervention
Pensioners under the aegis of a Association, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, BOUESTI, in Ekiti State has lamented over 41-year-old unpaid gratuities and arrears to their members.
The pensioners also called on the Governor of the State Mr Biodun Oyebanji as a matter of urgency and intervene into the matter by mandating the University to pay the outstanding gratuity without further delay.
The BOUESTI retirees said the non-payment of the gratuity and other entitlements for a long time had impacted negatively on the lives of their members.
According to a letter dated 3rd of November and signed by its Chairman and Secretary Dr. Kola Ajaja and Mr. Tunde Olowe, respectively, a copy which wasade available to Journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, said the delay in the payment had terminated theives of many of their members.
“Many of us are facing serious health challenges and some others are in a very bad conditions because of lack of money to cater for their daily needs.
“The none payment of pension arrears. Our people are owed various amounts of pension arrears. In addition, the management is yet to pay two months arrears of 2018 pension to all our members.
“None remittance of 12 months deductions from the pension of our members to the union’s account by the University management”.
The Pensioners noted with dismay the none implementation of the 20 – 28 percent pension increase by the University management which had been paid to the regular staff with effect from March 2024.
“Our pension should be paid as and when due, without discrimination and fractionalization”.
When contacted for reaction, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of BOUESTI, Mr. Temitope Akinbisoye, noted that the University is doing all it can and hopefully will yield the desired results.
Akinbisoye added that the management of the University still has a fruitful discussion with the leadership of the association on October 16, 2024 and that plans are on the way to pay the outstanding allowances.