The Oyebanji Administration At Two!

Chief, Engr, Emmanuel Chukwue­mka Iwuanyawu, Ahaejiagamba 1 of Igboland and the 11th President General of Oha na Eze Ndi Igbo world-wide.

I first saw him at Princess Alex­andra Auditorium (PAA), Univer­sity Of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he chaired the UNN Founders’ Day Lecture Series with Governor Chimaroke Nnamani as the Guest Lecturer.

According to him in that forum and other forums, Chief Iwuanyawu told the story of how he and other UNN engineering students at that time joined the Nigeria/Biafra civil war in 1967 as well as how he donated one million naira at that time for the Imo State airport project, including his aircraft for its take-off.

I saw Chief, Engr, Dr. Sir Emman­uel Iwuanyawu last six months ago, also at PAA, when he accompanied Governor Hope Uzodinma and his entourage to a convocation lecture.

May God rest his generous heart, inspiring spirit and gentle soul.

Amen.

Nwabueze, a political evangelist, writes via iykenwabueze04@gmail.com

ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (aka BAO) marked his second anni­versary as Governor of Ekiti State, having been sworn in on October 16, 2022.

Oyebanji’s two-year anni­versary celebrates his dedica­tion to Ekiti State’s progress. He has masterfully navigated Nigeria’s intricate politics, balancing competing interests and fostering growth through strategic investments in key sectors. With his ‘homeboy factor’ and extensive expe­rience serving two former governors in six different capacities, the governor has managed to unite various tendencies within the state, bringing about peace, stabil­ity and development.

In today’s political land­scape, where transactional politics and the interests of the elite often take centre stage, BAO’s focus on trans­formational leadership, com­passion and empowerment is a breath of fresh air. In a country where politics of­ten takes a backseat to petty squabbles and power strug­gles, it is refreshing to see a leader who walks the talk! His initiatives – fixing community power issues, boosting agri­culture, and creating a digital hub in Ekiti, among others – will have a lasting impact.

Oyebanji’s leadership shines as former Governor Ayodele Fayose, from a rival party, pub­licly endorses his vision. It sug­gests that his commitment to the people is genuine, and that his vision for Ekiti’s future is one worth fighting for.

His second anniversary offers a chance to define his historical legacy and posi­tion him as a key trajectory in driving growth, especial­ly by quadrupling the state’s GDP at the end of his Second Term. Therefore, BAO should draw inspiration from Apos­tle Paul’s wisdom: “… forget­ting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, press toward the goal for the prize …” (Philippians 3:13-14).

May Governor Biodun Oye­banji’s next two years be filled with even more innovative solutions that inspire future leaders!

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

Komolafe writes from O20, Okenisa Street, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State