Ekiti Governor Honours Primate Ayodele’s Late Father, Names Street After Him

The governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji has honoured the Primate Elijah Ayodele’s late father by naming a street after him in Ikere-Ekiti.

The street which used to be ‘Area One’ where the prophet’s church in Ekiti is located has now been registered as Ayomate Avenue.

According to reports, the renaming took the combined efforts of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Alagbado, his chiefs, the local government chairmen, and ultimately, the governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji.

According to the governor, the street was named in recognition of the good works done by the late father of Primate Ayodele and the continuation of the good works by the prophet. He also recognized the efforts of the prophet to drive economic growth in the community.

Primate Ayodele embraced the development while expressing appreciation to the governor for honouring God in such a manner. The prophet applauded the governor for his efforts towards bringing development to Ikere-Ekiti and promised that the presence of his church will in turn lead to more economic development in the local government.

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele promised that he would begin by sinking boreholes across the local government to support the government in solving the water crisis.

‘’I appreciate the governor for the magnanimous development of naming this vicinity after our church, it’s indeed marvellous in God’s sight. This is a testament to his love for God and the people of Ekiti state.”

“I also want to appreciate him for the development he started in Ikere-Ekiti local government, the people are happy with him and above all, God is happy with him for all he is doing”

“I want to promise His Excellency that our presence here will bring a new dawn to this vicinity, we will also assist the government. We will be sinking boreholes across the local government to solve the water crisis.’’

History has it that Primate Ayodele’s father was one of the most respected individuals in Ikere-Ekiti who brought good tidings to the community and provided succour for individuals who needed help.

Consequently, Primate Ayodele has been engaging in humanitarian activities on a large scale across the country. Since he opened a branch in Ikere-Ekiti, Primate Ayodele has organized charitable programmes thrice which involved selling a bag of rice for N20,000, scholarships for youths, empowerment for widows, to mention but a few.

APC Youth Loyal To Defence Minister Allegedly Vandalize President Tinubu Billboards Amidst Defection Rumor In Jigawa

Bulus Aminu, Dutse

In a surprising turn, a few supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly loyal to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru were been observed vandalizing billboards bearing images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Umar Namadi and Jigawa state APC Chairman, Aminu Gumel in Dutse, Jigawa state.

The incidents have sparked concerns, particularly in light of growing speculation that the Defence Minister, Badaru may be preparing to switch political allegiance by defecting to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 elections.

The billboards, located in key areas of the city, were seen slashed, defaced and in some cases, completely destroyed by youths allegedly acting on the signalled Defection notice of their boss or a script to portray the Governor bad.

Speaking to our correspondent, one of the aggrieved youths who gave his name as Bala Sule Babura, voiced his disappointment in the government, citing that Governor Umar Namadi has being running the state the way he likes without recourse to Badaru.

“The Governor here has refused to follow the instructions of the former Governor. Those of us loyal to the Badaru can hardly access government house because of the sharp divide between the Governor and his predecessor. The promises made to us haven’t materialized and it feels like we’re worse off now”, Babura expressed.

Political analysts have noted that Governor Namadi has taken full charge of the entire leadership structure in the state against the wishes of the former Governor and now Minister who fought tirelessly against the emergence of Namadi as Governor of Jigawa state, thereby rendering Minister Badaru almost politically impotent in the state as key stakeholders earlier loyal to Badaru have all switched their full loyalty to the governor, a practice Badaru is not finding funny at all.

It is worthy of note that the people of the state voted massively for Umar Namadi as their governor against the directives of Former Governor Abubakar Badaru who didn’t want his deputy to succeed him.

An indigine of Dutse, Baba Mohammad who granted an interview noted that paying a few group of boys money to destroy the President’s billboards will not change the love and trust the people of Jigawa state have on Umar Namadi.

“Badaru may have thought that to align with the PDP will help him regain political relevance in the state, but truth be told, it will further signal a total collapse of his already weak political structure in Jigawa state which is evident to even the blind particularly as the country moves closer to another general election. I was Badaru’s Coordinator for the Artisans here but I had to leave him like others did before the election when he ordered us to vote against Umar Namadi”, Mohammad stated.

The actions of his alleged supporters have further fueled these rumours of defection.

More suspicion is abound as Badaru is yet to release any official statement on his indictment of trying to force the current Governor to release a certain percentage of the state’s monthly allocation sums to him which the Governor refused vehemently.

Some party members have expressed concern over Badaru’s move to cause breakdown of law and order in the state noting that the Governor is the leader of the Party in the state and should be allowed to rebuild the party from the total mess Badaru left it.

Governor Namadi has countless times stated that the monthly allocations are mainly for the development of the state and not for political hijackers.

Meanwhile, opposition members have taken note of the events as a potential indication of rising dissatisfaction among APC loyalists, possibly providing the PDP with new alliances as they strategize for the upcoming elections.

The public too remains watchful. The remaining few around the Minister are already feeling the impact of their principal’s loss of the people’s trust as they are now left with questioning the political future of Badaru which seems to be in its diminishing phase.

This incident marks yet another chapter in Nigeria’s dynamic political landscape, illustrating the challenges of leadership and the complexities of political loyalty and home base political redundancy which Badaru is being faced with

Some opinion moulders have noted that Badaru is holding a position he doesn’t deserve following the low number of votes he was able to ganear for President Tinubu in the last Presidential election.

“In Jigawa state today, Badaru has no significant influence even as Minister of Defence as no one cares to take him serious, so his defection to PDP will be of no negative consequence to APC Jigawa state”, Mohammad concluded.

*Abubakar Kabir Bichi: Honouring Excellence and Service*
By Philip Agbese

The recent honorary doctorate conferred on Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, alongside notable figures like First Lady H.E. Senator Remi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Aliyu Wammako, is a well-deserved recognition of their exceptional contributions across various fields.

The conferment of this honour by the Federal University of Dutsin Ma (FUDMA) raises awareness of the positive impact that members of the 10th House of Representatives are making in their communities and the nation at large.

Conferring an honorary degree is a gesture of appreciation for an individual’s commitment to meaningful societal impact. In the case of Hon. Bichi, his recognition highlights his unwavering dedication to community service and academic advancement. According to the vice chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, the lawmaker’s contributions include the construction of two faculties, two residence halls, and two lecture halls, reflecting his commitment to enhancing higher education. These tangible assets aim to improve the academic environment, providing future students with essential resources for success and fostering long-term excellence at FUDMA.

Hon. Bichi’s achievements extend beyond infrastructure; he has consistently advocated for, and financially supported students from Bichi Federal Constituency. Notably, he contributed N16,874,996.55 to cover tuition for over 1,000 students at a college in his constituency during the 2019/2020 academic year. In a nation where access to education can be hindered by financial constraints, Hon. Bichi’s interventions have opened doors for countless youth.

Recently, he provided scholarships to 21 constituents to study in Malaysia, where they will pursue an 18-month program in Engineering, Computing Science, and Technology at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), one of the country’s top-ranked universities. Additionally, he sponsored 59 science and technical students from SS1 to SS3, providing them with educational kits, and recruited 150 temporary classroom teachers along with 50 Islamiyya teachers to teach in various schools across the local government area. He also approved salary increments for the first batch of 106 teachers. These actions underscore his dedication to the growth of his constituency and represent a significant transformation in Nigeria’s educational sector.

For Hon. Abubakar Bichi, building a thriving constituency goes beyond fulfilling his representative duties; it reflects a deep commitment to creating lasting change. In just about two years in office, his efforts have positively impacted countless lives, fostering growth and opportunities while enhancing the quality of life in his town and surrounding communities.

From tackling infrastructure challenges to addressing human capital concerns, he consistently makes significant strides toward progress. Through his investments in people and structures, he has established a leadership model that prioritises grassroots growth and community empowerment. Undoubtedly, he has also become an inspiration to his colleagues in the House of Representatives and to Nigeria’s youth seeking role models of positive change.

The honorary doctorate awarded to Hon. Bichi also serves as a testament to the collective achievements of the 10th House of Representatives. His recognition, alongside that of other esteemed individuals, highlights a shared commitment to national advancement. This sentiment was echoed by the recent conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)—one of Nigeria’s highest honours for those who have made significant contributions to the country—on Speaker Abbas Tajudeen by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On October 1, President Tinubu, in his 64th Independence Anniversary broadcast, conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award on the Speaker and Deputy President of the Senate, leading to controversies regarding the Speaker’s eligibility for higher honours. Hon. Bichi’s persuasive efforts and the united stance of the 10th House members ultimately resulted in President Tinubu granting the GCON to Speaker Abbas, correcting what had been a historical oversight.

Recognised for fostering success through collaboration, the support and encouragement he received from his fellow members exemplify a collective acknowledgment that transcends individual accomplishments, embodying the spirit of the House as a whole. This event also underscores the unity and resolve within the House of Representatives, reinforcing its role as a pillar of support for the nation and its leaders while shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.

Alongside Hon. Bichi, First Lady Remi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Aliyu Wammako also received accolades for their exemplary service. H.E. Senator Remi Tinubu facilitated the safe release of kidnapped female students from FUDMA, demonstrating her commitment to security and social justice, leading the institution to name a 36-bed female hostel in her honour. Senate President Akpabio received an honorary doctorate in Political Science for his leadership and support of FUDMA’s expansion, while Senator Wammako was recognised for his efforts to enhance security in an area plagued by insecurity.

These honours serve as a reminder to Nigerians of the immense potential of their leaders to effect positive change in society. By recognising these distinguished individuals, FUDMA has set a precedent for honouring leaders who go above and beyond their official duties to create lasting impact, encouraging others that every effort to improve society will be acknowledged in due time.

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi exemplifies transformational leadership through his work in community development, education, and human empowerment. His vision for his constituency aligns with the aspirations of a renewed Nigeria, where leaders are not only expected to fulfill their mandates, but also actively advocate for and implement solutions to community challenges.

For Hon. Bichi, education is not merely a sector but the foundation for societal development. His initiatives—funding scholarships, building educational facilities, and championing accessible quality education—demonstrate a profound understanding of the transformative power of education, especially in regions where financial barriers hinder access.

The conferment of an honorary doctorate upon Hon. Abubakar Bichi is therefore, a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated his career to improving the lives of those around him. This honour, alongside President Tinubu’s GCON award to Speaker Abbas, recognises leaders who serve with integrity, commitment, and vision. It underscores that true leadership requires not only rhetoric but tangible, meaningful contributions to society.

Hon. Abubakar Bichi has truly exemplified what it means to serve with purpose, prioritise self-development over self-aggrandisement, and teach others how to use their positions of power and influence for the public good. His honorary doctorate represents more than just personal achievement; it embodies the journey toward a Nigeria where leaders are valued for their dedication, celebrated for their contributions, and recognised for uplifting the oppressed.

*_Philip Agbese, MHR is the Deputy Spokesman of the 10th House of Representatives, writing from Abuja._*