Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance, assuring that all stakeholders will be actively involved in his second term administration.
Governor Oyebanji gave the assurance on Friday at a special Jumat thanksgiving service held at the Central Mosque, Ado-Ekiti, to mark the commencement of his second term in office. The service was attended by Muslim faithful, government officials, traditional and community leaders, and other stakeholders.
The Governor expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve the state for another term and thanked the Muslim community for their prayers and support for his administration. He stressed that peace, unity and religious tolerance remain critical pillars for sustaining good governance and development in Ekiti State.
He said his administration would continue to prioritise programmes and policies aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of the people, noting that collaboration among government, religious institutions and citizens is essential to building a peaceful and prosperous state.
Oyebanji appealed to the Muslim faithful to continue praying for the success of his administration, noting that prayers offered during his first term contributed significantly to the achievements recorded.
“I am here to give thanks to God and my father, the Grand Imam, thank you for your support. I also thank the Muslim community for your prayers. I want to appeal to you today to continue to pray for us so that we will be able to do more. I assure you that my government will ensure that more Muslims will be given opportunity to serve during the second term.
“I have to say this publicly, all Muslims that worked with me performed exceptionally well. The wisdom I used when we want to appoint them is that I consulted the Grand Imam, who gave me the best and I thank all of them for their exceptional performance,” the Governor said.
Governor Oyebanji also used the occasion to canvass support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, urging the Muslim community to support the President in appreciation of the Federal Government’s interventions and support for Ekiti State’s development.
Earlier, the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas for the South-West, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, commended Governor Oyebanji for his inclusive approach to governance and for providing Muslims the opportunity to serve in key positions in government.
Sheikh Bello noted that the appointments had enabled Muslims to make meaningful contributions to the administration and development of the state, while praising Muslim appointees in the Oyebanji administration for their exceptional performance. He urged them to continue to justify the confidence reposed in them.
The Grand Imam further lauded the Governor for promoting religious harmony and ensuring a sense of belonging for all faiths, calling on Muslim faithful to continue to offer prayers and constructive counsel to leaders for the sustained peace and development of Ekiti State.
Dignitaries at the Jumat service included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; members of the State Executive Council; and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, among others.
