Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the incoming governor of Ekiti State, has pledged to work tirelessly to advance the culture of good administration and expose skeptics.
Oyebanji promised to adopt Governor Fayemi’s financial engineering model and to think creatively in order to spur development and fully implement his six-point agenda. He claimed he was not unaware of the state’s declining federation account revenues.
On Thursday, Oyebanji addressed the leadership and members of the Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Press Centre in Ado Ekiti.
Speaking to the media, Oyebanji pledged to maintain the continuity agenda by advancing the work of former Governor Kayode Fayemi and judiciously allocating the state’s limited resources for radical development.
“The All Progressives Congress campaigned with the promise to sustain the continuity and ensure the implementation of the 6-point agenda and that promise I shall keep and promote.
“There is so much pessimism in the minds of some people, am making it clear that I will not disappoint the people. If performing well is the only legacy I will leave behind, I will be happy.
“I know Ekiti people need good governance and we are desirous to give it to them. We will also welcome constructive criticisms. If there is a policy that the people are criticising, I will rescind it if I have a conviction that truly it would not be in the best interest of the populace.
“If a government rescinds a decision or policy, I consider that a strength, not weakness. It will show that we are a listening government and that we are responsible and responsive”, he said.
“Journalists in Ekiti State have been quite professional and I plead with you to continue to be fair to all. Journalists are extremely professional people and we will continue to do what is right so that we won’t have problems with you”.
In response to a request by NUJ members, Oyebanji pledged to collaborate with the union’s top brass on the construction of an appropriate Press Center for Journalists in Ekiti.
The incoming governor also made a plea to the media, urging them to always cover stories that will advance pacifism and sound government, to continue to stand up for the state’s citizens regardless of their political views.
The NUJ Chairman, Rotimi Ojomoyela, had earlier urged Oyebanji to be fanatical about treating all citizens fairly while leading the state to long-lasting peace and stability.
According to Ojomoyela, his supporters would constantly provide the administration constructive criticism and position themselves as steadfast allies in Oyebanji’s ardent desire to advance the state and make it a role model for others.
