Prior to this, former Governor Kayode Fayemi handed over the Pen of Authority to Oyebanji, which was the first time in the state’s political history.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Sunday ordered the freezing of all operational accounts of the state government with immediate effect.
The governor gave the order few hours after taking the oath of office.
He said all financial officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must comply with the directive.
Oyebanji was sworn in alongside his deputy, Monisade Afuye, by the Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye.
He took the oath of office and allegiance before the Chief Justice at 12:52 p.m before the ecstatic crowd and thereafter signed required documents empowering him as the state’s new helmsman.
Afuye took the oath of office and allegiance at 12:42 p.m before Justice Adeyeye and signed the necessary documents.
Prior to this, former Governor Kayode Fayemi handed over the Pen of Authority to Oyebanji, which was the first time in the state’s political history.
In his inaugural speech, Oyebanji promised to run an all-inclusive government that would be just, equitable and fair to all, irrespective of religious and political inclinations.
The governor said his administration would focus on human capital development, good governance, agriculture and rural development, Arts, Culture and Tourism, infrastructure and industrialisation to transform the state to microcosm of development.
He hailed Fayemi for attracting development to the state, promising to consolidate the gains of the last administration.
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Oyebanji also promised to take Ekiti to higher pedestals through socio-economic development.
“Ekiti Kete! Today is a great day for us, and we should all be proud. Today, we are observing history being made, and a new chapter of our story being written.
“It was in this spirit of oneness that they bound together as a united Ekiti confederacy and emerged victorious against external forces that sought to subjugate us in our own land. In unity of purpose, they fought and contained attempts to dominate us at different epochs in our history.
“This same spirit of unity has been passed down generations, and guided the founding fathers and mothers who built on efforts made since the Second Republic, and led the successful struggle for the creation of our own Ekiti State.
“This was a struggle led by our revered traditional rulers and prominent citizens which resulted in Ekiti becoming the only entirely homogeneous state in Nigeria,” Oyebanji said.
Speaking on his plans for the state, he said: “My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace and progress; a land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety; a land of honour where integrity matters.
“For this vision to be actualised, we need to focus on a roadmap to get there.”
The new governor promised to execute the recently unveiled Vision 2050 economic roadmap initiated by Fayemi to make Ekiti a model.
APC chieftains, politicians and businessmen attended the inauguration.