Oyebanji Warns Public Servants against Fraudulent Practices

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday warned public servants against embarrassing the state with fraudulent activities, stressing that he recalled the General Manager of the state Sports Council, Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, from the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, due to alleged corruption and gross negligence.

Oyebanji clarified that he approved the sum of N20 million to prosecute the ongoing seventh Junior National Sports Festival held in Asaba, wondering why the kid athletes who are representing the state at the sports fiesta were poorly kitted by government officials.

The governor also cautioned communities engaging in fierce squabbles over the siting of the Federal College of Education in Ekiti State not to drag him into a raging crisis between Omuo and Ilawe Ekiti, which have been embroiled in a battle over the matter.

Oyebanji posited that the federal government enjoys the exclusive rights to site the  Federal College of Education in any town it deems fit, stressing that as a governor, he has no power to manipulate the process in favour of any particular
town.

Speaking yesterday in Ikere Ekiti during the second day of the Town Hall meeting with stakeholders in Ekiti South senatorial district in preparation for the 2024 budget, Governor Oyebanji pledged to critically consider all issues presented by representatives of all the local councils in a bid to make life more meaningful for the people.

At the interactive event, Prof Olufemi Babatola spoke for Ikere Council; Chief Olufemi Adigun for Ekiti East; Chief Gbenga Agbona for Ekiti Southwest; Oba Olatunji Olatunde for Ayekire; Elder Tunji Falana for Ise/Orun; Chief Akogun Abegunde for Emure, while Kayode Owolabi represented people living with disabilities (PLD).

Speaking on the sporting event in Delta State, Oyebanji said: “What happened was an embarrassment to us as a government and a people of Ekiti State. It occurred because some people wanted to make money for themselves.

“They came with a proposal of N25 million, and I approved N20 million, but they didn’t procure the kits they were supposed to purchase. As a way of deception, they provided kits for me as the governor to make it look as if they had done the right thing, but they didn’t purchase for those kids who went to represent the state. We also learnt that they didn’t get good hotel accommodation for the children.

“How can you take children to Delta State and mess up the whole show? If we sack them now, some people will start pleading for them.

“I am saying this because if we want to clean up the system, the governor and his cabinet alone cannot do it. Help us to plead with those in government to have the fear of God. I was shocked that someone who called himself a father could behave that way. Though, the children are doing well because I had to send a psychologist to go and speak with them.”

On the raging controversy over the siting of the Federal College of Education in Ekiti State, Oyebanji stated: “We have nothing to do with the Federal College of Education. It belongs to the federal government, and Ekiti people shouldn’t be dragged into it.”

Speaking further, the Governor said the requests he is garnering from the communities and local government areas are to get his priority right for prudent and accurate management of the paltry funds accruing to the state.