Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji was on Friday honoured with the Governor of the Year (2025) award in Infrastructure by the New Telegraph Newspaper, for his visionary leadership and massive infrastructure development in the state.
The award came barely twenty-four hours after the Governor received the Leadership Governor of the year (2025) award in recognition of his transformative leadership and people-oriented development efforts.
Receiving the award at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lagos on Friday, Governor Oyebanji promised to continue to give his best towards the development of Ekiti State through greater investment in key sectors of the economy.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, My Niyi Adebayo, at the event, stated that his massive investment in infrastructure development of the state was borne out of his belief that infrastructure remains a major catalyst for all round development of any society, stressing that his government’s deliberate efforts in this direction has positioned the Ekiti as a destination of choice for investors.
While noting that his administration prides itself in laying a solid foundation for a more prosperous and socially stable Ekiti State, Governor Oyebanji assured the people of the state that he would consolidate on the gains of the first three years of his first tenure.
Expressing confidence that he would be re-elected for a second term in office, Governor promised aggressive investments in key areas of the economy, such as education, health, human capital development and agriculture, during his second tenure.
“This year, we are going to consolidate on the gains of the last three years plus and close out on the first tenure on a high note. By the grace of God, we will win a second time come June 20 and I believe that over the next four years, we will see greater investment in education, in human capital development, in the health sector, and further investments in agriculture as well. Once we cover those three sectors, basically, we have touched the lives of almost everyone.”
The Governor also reinforced the belief that infrastructure is the ultimate cornerstone for national development, stressing that he will not relent at efforts to renew the infrastructural architecture of the state beyond road construction and rehabilitation but also on innovation and technology.
He highlighted some of the achievements of his administration to include reduction in infant mortality rate by more than half from 96 deaths per 1,000 babies under five years old to about 44 or thereabouts, renovation and equipping of all the General Hospitals and over 200 Primary Healthcare facilities in the state, commissioning of over 28 roads totalling 280km and mobilisation of 5000 youths in the Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture among others.
The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun affirmed that Governor Oyebanji has been running impactful policies of action which have enlivened the lives of the people, stressing that their trust and confidence were not wasted.
The commissioner explained that the Governor has been able to impact the people in terms of provision of adequate and effective health facilities, electricity, roads network as well as building a veritable economy.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, explained that Governor Oyebanji’s focus on power and road infrastructure is driving huge socioeconomic development in the state, adding that businesses thrive and prosper where there is effective power supply and a good road network.
Oyebode said the capacity and capability of the Governor to drive all-round development is being attested to by the various awards he had received over the past three years and the various accolades he continues to receive from residents of the state and development agencies.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, congratulated all the award winners, urging them to use the honour as a serious challenge to continue to contribute to the growth and progress of Nigeria.
Chief Osoba, who expressed optimism that Nigeria has the capability to surmount the various challenges currently facing it called on the honourees to use the platform to continue to support the development of the country
Other award winners at the colourful event include Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State (Distinguished Leadership Award), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (Innovation), Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State (Education), Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (Digital Economy and Skill Development)
Also present at the event were Commissioner for Works, Mr Sola Adebayo, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Olabanji Filani, Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs Adetoun Agboola, captains of industry and media executives, among others.
