Tag: Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State

By Daniel Edu

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has criticized Nigeria’s approach to leadership selection, describing it as a “trial-and-error” system. Speaking on Tuesday at the 11th Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Yaba, Lagos, themed “Leadership in Nigeria and Its Impact on the Next Generation,” Oyebanji emphasized the need for a more deliberate approach to choosing leaders.

In his remarks as the event’s chairman, Oyebanji highlighted a recurring issue in Nigeria where individuals ascend to leadership positions without the necessary skills or mindset.

“There is no doubt that a major problem with leadership recruitment in Nigeria is that people, sometimes, just find themselves in leadership positions without the right aptitude and attitude,” he said. “For long, Nigerians have gambled with leadership selection through a trial-and-error system. We sometimes look for folk heroes or messiahs, and at other times, we base our choices on geopolitics or religious considerations.”

Oyebanji also criticized the tendency for some leaders to emerge due to privilege rather than merit. “There are those who become leaders by default or by circumstances of privileged pedigree, not because of personal merits,” he noted, emphasizing that the best leaders are those who are trained, tested, and have proven themselves capable in addition to their natural leadership abilities.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has called upon his team of commissioners and special advisers to demonstrate outstanding performance in their respective roles within the government. He emphasized that their ability to excel and deliver results would determine their tenure within the administration.

Speaking at the commencement of a three-day retreat held in Ado-Ekiti for commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries, general managers, and executive secretaries, Governor Oyebanji urged his appointees to view their positions as opportunities for dedicated public service rather than personal gain.

The governor stressed the importance of collaboration between political appointees and accounting officers to realize Ekiti State’s vision for progress. He encouraged proactive, innovative, and creative approaches to governance to ensure the state’s growth and development.

The retreat, themed “Shared Prosperity: From Promise to Reality,” aligns with the government’s developmental goals and ongoing efforts to transform the state. Oyebanji called on all department heads to fully embrace the administration’s developmental agenda, which is built upon six pillars.

Governor Oyebanji also revealed that new commissioners would be required to commit to performance bonds to ensure their ongoing membership in the executive council. He urged them to promptly immerse themselves in their responsibilities after the retreat, focusing on substantive work rather than seeking superficial recognition.

The governor emphasized, “Your creative thinking, innovative capabilities, and tangible results will be the primary factors in your continued role within the state executive council. Regular performance evaluations will be conducted to gauge your progress.”

Dr. Otive Igbuzo, the Lead Facilitator of the retreat, outlined its objectives, including the effective implementation of government policies and programs. All ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) were tasked with developing work plans aligned with the administration’s six-pillar agenda to ensure cohesive efforts toward shared prosperity.