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Ekiti Airport targets 24-hour flight operation, says Gov Oyebanji

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….Says Ekiti economy has improved significantly under his watch

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has revealed that efforts are in place to ensure the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport runs 24-hour operation, in a bid to make the route competitive.

The Governor also expressed delight that the economy of the state has recorded significant improvement in the past two-and-a-half years, promising to do more in order to ensure a more sustainable development of the state and better living standard for the people.

Governor Oyebanji who stated these on Monday night during the March edition of his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor”, said his government intends to make the Ekiti Airport a major hub, as well as a major driver of the economy, attracting more investors to the state and boosting the economic capacities of the citizens.

He explained that his administration has entered into discussions with three major airlines in the country to commence commercial flights at the airport, facilitate air travel, tourism development, more investment and transportation of cargoes and export of farm produce to local and international destinations.

While expressing optimism that at least two of the airlines would operate flights to and from the airport, Oyebanji said his administration also hopes to make the route competitive by working hard to install Instrument Landing System (ILS) that will enable the operation of 24-hour flights in the airport.

The Governor said: “The issue is to make the route profitable and competitive for airlines and if the route is profitable, they will bring their planes. Part of what we are doing is to make it an airport of choice and by next year, they will be able to run Hajj and (Christian) pilgrimage.

“To make it an airport of choice, we must put a structure that guarantees 24-hour landing.

There is what we call Instrument Landing System (ILS) which enables night operations and also enables planes to land in extreme weather.

ILS as at today will cost close to N4.6 billion but we are determined to get it done.

“We are determined that before the end of this year, we will install ILS at the Ado Airport.

If we are able to do that, it will be the second airport in Southwest after Lagos Airport that has such a facility so that aircraft can land at night. We are also talking to a vendor that will provide a hangar for airport services, so it’s a whole gamut of transaction that is going on.

“The Governor also disclosed that a cargo shed is being constructed at the airport to serve as storage facility for farm produce and cash crops. He commended the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for facilitating its inclusion in the budget.

The Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport was given approval for non-scheduled flight operation for six months last December. Governor Oyebanji who said expressed optimism that the airport would be one of the most competitive by the time it commences commercial operations.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji identified some indices of economic growth witnessed under his administration to include springing up of more businesses in the state made possible by an enabling environment for them to flourish, improved internally generated revenue and receipts from the Federation Account, as well as adequate protection of lives and property.

The Governor who disclosed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) have moved from about N600 million monthly to over N2 billion monthly, attributed the feat partly to the fact that more residents are now encouraged to pay their taxes, having seen evidence of the government’s effective utilization of proceeds of the taxes in every part of the state.

He explained that his administration has not restricted development strides to only Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as it is being speculated in some quarters, noting that virtually all parts of the state including the rural areas have been touched.

He also expressed readiness to keep on working for the people of the state till his last day in office, stressing that he wont be distracted by on going politicking.

Speaking on the state of the treasury, Oyebanji said what the state government and local governments receive monthly are not hidden as they are published by the office of the Accountant General noting that they vary from one month to the other.

He emphasized that his administration does not tamper with the local government funds as the State House of Assembly has an enabling law with established the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) with the monies for the councils coming directly into the account from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

While noting that he does not get involved in how the funds are shared, the Governor pointed out that he only monitors the projects the council chairmen execute with the funds to ensure that they are in line with the needs of the people and they such projects are satisfactory.

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Soludo Visit President Tinubu, Says ” I’ve been his friend for 22 years”

During the visit today, Soludo for the umpteenth time, declared his support for President Bola Tinubu second term, noting that they have maintained a friendship for over 22 years.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Receives Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Chukuma Soludo,at Presidential Villa Abuja

During the visit today, Soludo for the umpteenth time, declared his support for President Bola Tinubu second term, noting that they have maintained a friendship for over 22 years.

Governor Soludo who wore a white cap emblazoned with Tinubu’s insignia and the inscription “Progressives are working together,” stressed the importance of remaining focused in their shared objectives.

He described President Tinubu as being in high spirits, healthy, and hale, adding, “It was such a pleasure to meet with him; it was a very pleasant meeting.”

Governor Soludo also emphasized that all political parties committed to progressivism are collaborating, and praised President Tinubu’s bold initiatives, particularly his reforms in the economy and structural sectors.

When asked why he boldly endorsed Tinubu despite not belonging to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the President’s party, and being the leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, he replied:

“The caps were produced when President Tinubu visited Anambra State, and you saw the billboards proclaiming that progressives are working together. This is a fundamental belief I hold—that all political parties that profess progressivism should unite in a massive coalition to strengthen our democracy and advance the country’s economic and social development,” Soludo.

For me, saying ‘progressives working together’ is a call to those who share these ideals. Regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I have no apologies for my support.

He has been my friend for 22 years and counting—you don’t deny your friend. I fully support him and am impressed by the bold economic and structural reforms he has implemented. We are on the right path, and we need to stay the course.”

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News

Akinfeleye Now on Obafemi Awolowo University’s Governing Council

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, a renowned communications specialist, to the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Akinfeleye is the former Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos and the Chairman of the Centre of Excellence in Multimedia and Cinematography/Unilag Radio 103.1 FM and Television.

Formerly a member of the Governing Council of Yakubu Gowon University of Abuja, Akinfeleye replaces Mr. Wahab Owokoniran, who was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Federal University of Transport, Daura, Katsina State.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu also appointed Prof. Hon. Chisom D. Obih to the Governing Council of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State. Obih’s appointment follows the death of a member of the council.

Tinubu also named Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.

The President appointed Mr. Hamisu Yusuf Yelwa as the university’s registrar, Usman Nakazalle Sanusi as the Bursar, and Dr. Shehu Aminu Liman as the Librarian.

A retired Colonel from the Nigerian Army, Prof. Yakasai, is the Provost of the College of Health Sciences at Bayero University in Kano.

He is also the chairman of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria and a governing council member at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State. He obtained an MBBS at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He later won a scholarship from the European Economic Commission to do his postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a membership to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a fellowship at the same prestigious college.

Prof. Yakasai obtained a Master’s in Medical Education at the University of Winchester and subsequently went to the USA to pursue the Fellowship of the International College of Surgeons, FICS (USA), and the Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons.

He also served as the Director-General of the Hospitals Management Board, Kano State.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy)August 12, 2025

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Crime

16 Inmates Escape in Keffi Prison Break

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Sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after breaching the facility’s security and overpowering prison staff.

According to a statement by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, the inmates launched a coordinated attack on duty personnel, leading to the breakout. Five officers were injured in the process, with two currently in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.

Abubakar confirmed that seven of the escaped inmates have already been recaptured, while a manhunt is underway to track down the remaining nine.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the general public of an incident… where some inmates breached the security of the facility and attacked personnel on duty, enabling 16 inmates to escape custody,” the statement read in part.

Following the incident, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the Keffi facility and ordered a thorough investigation. He warned that any staff found complicit in the escape would face disciplinary action.

Nwakuche also directed immediate efforts to recapture the fleeing inmates, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The public has been urged to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious movements or sightings of the escapees to the nearest security post.

The NCoS reassured citizens of its continued commitment to public safety and the integrity of custodial facilities across the country.

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