THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE FOLLOWING:
1. Adoption of Ekiti Adire as the official attire on 3rd Wednesday of every month in Ekiti State to promote cultural heritage.
The approval is aimed at encouraging residents particularly, Political Office holders and Top Civil Servants to promote Ekiti cultural heritage by wearing Adire fabrics as a way of projecting the cloth and the State’s culture.
The development is also expected to showcase the unique artistry of Adire in Ekiti State, create jobs and provide employment opportunities thus empowering residents interested in the tie and dye craft and increasing revenue generation to the State with the aim of boosting the State economy.
Additionally, the move is targeted at the promotion of Ekiti cultural heritage and preservation of traditional craftsmanship, while enhancing tourism potential by providing opportunities for visitors to experience the authentic Batik as well as tie-dye production process.
It is expected to also help preserve traditional techniques while encouraging modern adaptations and designs with the goal of transforming local Adire craft-workers to globally exceptional tradesmen with opportunities to showcase their skills and creativity, contribute to sustainable development as well as foster entrepreneurship and innovation among young people, particularly women, in the State.
The State House of Assembly had on Wednesday, 25th September, 2024, resolved at its second session, that the State Government should set aside the third Wednesday of every month noting that the cultural heritage of any group is readily reflected and evaluated through its cultural symbols, including traditional attire.
2. Presentation of the Ekiti State Lotteries and Gaming Commission Bill, 2025 to the State House of Assembly for legislative processing and subsequent passage into Law.
The approval is to make a law establishing the State Lotteries and Gaming Commission, to regulate Ekiti State lottery, gaming, betting and other matters connected therewith.
The proposed Ekiti State Lotteries and Gaming Commission will be empowered by the law to perform the following functions among others:
i regulate the operation and business of Ekiti Lotteries/Gaming;
ii. Collaborate with operators to set standards, guidelines and rules for Lotteries/Gaming operations;
iii. Promote transparency, propriety and integrity in the operation of Lotteries and Gaming Business;
iv. Ensure the protection and interest of players, stakeholders, and the public;
V. carry out periodic assessments of the operation of Lotteries/Gaming in the State;
vi. Advise the Government on issuing the Operational Accord to conduct the Ekiti State Lottery and Gaming;
vii. consider the interests of every participant and ensure the net proceeds of the Ekiti State Lottery, Betting and Gaming increase as much as possible; and
viii. Advise the Government on matters relating to the Ekiti State Lottery and Gaming, other lotteries, or any other matter requiring the Commission’s advice.
3. N2,002,062,725.83 for the construction of a Standard (Synthetic Turf) Football Pitch and renovation of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium Ado Ekiti.
The approval was part of strategic moves of the Oyebanji administration in using sports development to discover and nurture talents to national and global reckoning as well as for wealth creation.
The target is to elevate the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium to a global standard to boost Sports Development in recognition of sport as a veritable weapon to stamp out poverty, joblessness and crime from the society.
Facilities to be renovated include:
i. The administrative block to provide a more conducive working environment for staff.
ii. Athletics tracks
iii. Seating terrace and spectators stand canopy
iv. VIP stand
v. Installation of pitch accessories
vi. Renovation of existing offices
vii. Perimeter fencing of the stadium and
viii. Standard (Synthetic Turf) Football Pitch
The contract, approved to be awarded to the same company that is handling the pitch renovation through Direct Procurement method, United Logistics Construzione Soluzione
Limited is expected to be completed within three months.
I will like to use this opportunity to correct a misconception making its round that the State Government is expending N7Billion to renovate the Oluyemi Kayode stadium. As stated above the total amount approved for the renovation of the stadium including construction of administrative building, synthetic football pitch, tartan tracks etc is N2,002,062,725.83.
However, the Oyebanji administration in a demonstration of its commitment to turning sports into a sustainable career is also currently constructing a versatile, 900-seats capacity enclosed facility designed to accommodate various indoor sports activities in Ado Ekiti that offers protection from weather and a controlled environment for both recreational and professional sports.
The indoor sports hall consists of facilities for Team Sports, including basketball, baseball, volleyball, handball; as well as Individual Sports like badminton, Table Tennis, gymnastics, chess, traditional sports, scrabble, weightlifting and Para weightlifting.
The Facility also contains accommodation for Combat Sports such as boxing, judo, kickboxing, karate, kung fu.
The proactive move of Governor Oyebanji administration is also part of efforts at fostering youth development through enabling environment to not only improve talents and provide opportunities to participate but to also host sound competitions.
4. N65,902,394.25 for replacement of damaged Transformer with New 500kva Transformer at Iluomoba Ekiti.
The approval was in furtherance of the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration to ensuring unserved and underserved communities in Ekiti State are connected to the national grid.
A significant number of the residents of Iluomoba Ekiti had been plunged into darkness for more than ten (10) years due to a damaged transformer located at the town’s round-about. The prolonged outage had led to wide-spread disruption of socio-economic activities and escalated security concerns around the location, thereby calling for immediate attention.
A visit to the site by personnel of the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) indicated that the transformer was damaged beyond repair and needed to be replaced.
The job was assigned to be carried out by the Ekiti State Electricity Board through Direct Labour because the Board has competent and qualified personnel to handle the job.
The job is expected to be completed within three months
5. N105,008,150.00 for the installation of the solar streetlights at GRA 3rd Extension Phase II, off NTA Road, Ado-Ekiti.
In line with policy of the Oyebanji led administration to install solar streetlights along all newly constructed roads in the State, the authorization was to enhance safety, aesthetics and boost economic activities in the State.
The new roads were indeed constructed to ease access to major roads and destinations of commuters in the State.
The job was also assigned to be carried out by the Ekiti State Electricity Board through Direct Labour because the Board has competent and qualified personnel to handle the job and given three months to complete the assignment
6. N133,349,196.80 for Extension of Electricity and Installation of a 500KVA Transformer at Maryland Avenue, Ado Ekiti.
Maryland Avenue, Ado-Ekiti, a fast-growing community with increasing electricity demand, has expanded beyond the load-bearing capacity of the nearest 300KVA distribution transformer from which the community received supply, leading to persistent overloading of the transformer with its attendant problems such as low voltage, erratic supply and outright blackout even for the source community. This lack of electricity infrastructure has negatively impacted the residents’ quality of life and economic activities, thus prompting them to seek the assistance of the State Government in addressing the situation.
The job was assigned to be carried out by the Ekiti State Electricity Board through Direct Labour because the Board has competent and qualified personnel to handle the job and given three months to complete the assignment.
7. N1,077,784,854.27 for Continuous airport maintenance aimed at accelerating the closure of NCAA audit gap and Corrective Action Plan, coordination of 3rd party agencies and service providers towards operational readiness, facilitate completion of outstanding ANS task items (WG84 survey, Flight procedure e.t.c), facilitation of airport operational approval by NCAA and liaison with commercial airlines thus speeding up operationalization of the Airport.
It is salient to note that even developed countries that boast of numerous airports and known for their advanced infrastructure, efficient operations, and diverse amenities require continuous maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operations, maintain the integrity of infrastructure, and extend the lifespan of facilities, all while accommodating high traffic volumes.
Specifically the State Executive Council’s approval covers:
i. engagement of the services of an experienced aviation consultant NIGERBIRD ENGINEERING LIMITED for the commencement of flight operations at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport
ii. installation of 1.6m high steel fence from end of Runway 23 to the CVOR-DME platform, construction of corridor and installation of security door, partitioning of fire station toilets, installation of stair handrails, procurement of steel ladder, and installation of safety iron guard rails for 2 fire hydrants. Other works include block work, finishes and road markings for the airport main access, connection and service roads.
iii. repair/construction of drainages/embankments to protect the surroundings of the airport from flood and erosion.
iv. grass planting at the low to medium erosion prone areas of the International Cargo airport to mitigate erosion on the runway strips and embankment at the Airport, which is situated on sand-filled and reclaimed land, grass planting is necessary in low to medium erosion-prone areas. This measure is crucial not only to safeguard the significant investments but also to ensure regulatory.
8. N63,443,097.63 awarded to Thesmophoros Environmental Services for grass planting at the low to medium erosion prone areas of the International Cargo airport, Ado-Ekiti.
The approval was part of efforts to mitigate erosion on the runway strips and embankment at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, which is situated on sand-filled and reclaimed land, grass planting is necessary in low to medium erosion-prone areas. This measure is crucial not only to safeguard the significant investments but also to ensure regulatory.
9. Upwards review of contract for the construction of Arts and Cultural Centre, Water Works Area, Ado Ekiti from N221,668,000,00 to N674,403,780.81.
Significant progress has been made on the Arts and Cultural Centre with site clearing, excavation, foundation work and column construction about 100%complete. Block-work on the ground floor is nearing completion, while framework and reinforcement work on the lintel and roof beam are ongoing at 89percent and 20-30percent respectively. External works have also reached 55percent completion. With steady progress and adequate materials, the project is on track to meet its objectives.
The approval was however premised on the fact that the initial costing was actually done at the conception of the project in 2022 and reflects the cost of materials and labour as at 2022.
There was also a huge leap in the level of inflation in 2023, occasioned by the new policies on fuel pricing and exchange rate which has since continued to affect the prices of building materials and labour at alarming rates.
Moreover, the original cost did not include the cost of building offices for workers, as well as toilets and the two restaurants that are now included in the project.
The project is to be completed within four months.
Signed
Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun
Hon. Commissioner for Information
Last modified: March 14, 2025
