Governors of the South-West states on Monday held a closed-door meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The meeting was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is also the Chairman of the regional forum.
Others included Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and the host governor, Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
Channels Television reports that the venue of the meeting is the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, where Makinde’s office is situated.
Although it is unclear why the emergency meeting was called, it may, however, not be unconnected with the security situation in the country where bandits have abducted some schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states, as well as some worshippers in a church in Kwara State.
Sources said the governors would deliberate on the security threats, fast-track infrastructural development, and strengthen regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
They are also expected to review ongoing collaborative security initiatives, including the operations of the Amotekun Corps, with a view to enhancing its capacity amid emerging challenges. (Channels)
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
He described the gesture as a profound recognition of excellence and a source of pride for the people of Ekiti State.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Tinubu made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs on Friday.
Oluyede, a native of Ikere-Ekiti, was until his new appointment the Chief of Army Staff.
His elevation to the apex of Nigeria’s military hierarchy, Oyebanji said, is both a testament to his dedication and a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to merit and national service.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, from Ado-Ekiti and put on the state website on Saturday, the governor thanked the President, saying the appointment recognises “the exemplary qualities of the Ikere-Ekiti-born General.”
“The Government and the people of Ekiti State are grateful to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for General Oluyede’s appointment. We wish him success in this new assignment and pledge our unalloyed support for him,” the statement read.
Oyebanji praised the new Defence Chief as a shining example of the Ekiti spirit of service, honour, and excellence.
“General Oluyede epitomises the core values of courage, integrity and loyalty for which Ekitis are known.
“He possesses a high level of integrity and professionalism required to make a success of the new assignment being given to him by the President,” Oyebanji said.
Expressing confidence in the General’s leadership, Oyebanji said he has no doubt Oluyede will bring his vast military experience to bear on the job.
“He is a gallant officer with a proven track record of accomplishments in his illustrious military career.
“We are confident he will leverage his extensive experience and expertise in charting a new direction for the military, particularly during this critical period,” the governor noted.
Oyebanji’s message struck both a note of pride and gratitude — pride in the elevation of an illustrious Ekiti son, and gratitude to Tinubu for what he called “a deserved appointment that reaffirms the values of competence and patriotism.”
With this appointment, Ekiti joins the nation in celebrating one of its own at the helm of Nigeria’s defence establishment — a moment Governor Oyebanji said “reflects honour not only for General Oluyede, but for the entire state.” (Punch)
Two communities in Ekiti State, Ise Ekiti in Ise/Orun Local Government Area and Ijesa Isu in Ikole Local Government Area, have called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to fulfil promises made to them.
For Ise Ekiti, the demand centres on the construction of a world-class Olowe Museum in honour of the late master carver, Olowe of Ise.
Meanwhile, residents of Ijesa Isu are pressing for the rehabilitation of the Iluomoba–Ijesa Isu–Ikole Road.
In a letter made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, and signed by its National Secretary, Patrick Abayomi, the Ten O’s Club of Ise Ekiti urged the governor to implement the museum project.
According to the letter dated September 18, 2025, he said that the museum was part of the governor’s effort “to preserve the legacies of internationally renowned carver popularly called Olowe of Ise Ekiti”.
Abayomi added, “It is of our collective appeal to Your Excellency to please, fulfil the promise made to Ise people on the ultra-modern Museum which will contribute largely to the development of the town, educate the people historically and bring revenue by visitors who shall be visiting on tourism purposes.
“It is our urgent appeal that Your Excellency listen to our demand for the implementation (kick off) of the awarded contract. We strongly believe that the second tenure of the governor will make the completion of the Museum.
“Your administration has been a tremendous one ever since you assumed office as the governor of Ekiti State, and your act of governance can never be underestimated. Furthermore, we appreciate Your Excellency on the construction of the drainage channel across waterways in the town and other projects.”
Olowe, an Ise Ekiti-based sculptor, whose works litter several museums in America and Europe, died in 1934.
Recall that Oyebanji, in 2023, announced plans by his administration to build a world-class museum in Ise Ekiti to preserve the late sculptor’s legacy, saying his government would collaborate with the Ise Ekiti community and other stakeholders in turning Olowe’s residence into an internationally recognised centre of attraction.
Also speaking during a chat with journalists at Ijesa Isu on Wednesday, the Regent of the community, Princess Omobolaji Adeniyi, appealed to the governor to hasten the fulfilment of his promise to rehabilitate the road.
She said, “The state government has assured us that reconstruction work will soon commence on the road. I can assure my people that our governor is a talk-and-do governor. He has assured us that he would do something about the road, so we are really hoping that, soon, something will be done in that direction.
“This is an agrarian community, our farmers need to transport their goods from here to other neighbouring towns and transit to and from this community with ease. We are really hoping that the government will come to our aid soon. I am hoping that the road will be done very soon.”
Governor Oyebanji, who recently restated his administration’s commitment to road development, highlighted several completed projects, including the Ekiti Ring Road, Isinbode–Ara–Ikole, Itapa–Ijelu, Ikogosi–Igbara Odo, Ikere–Igbara Odo, Ikere–Ilawe, and Ikere–Ise roads.
He also disclosed that more than 132 kilometres of rural roads were being built under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project in partnership with the World Bank. (Punch)
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