A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress and crown Prince of Otun Ekiti, Prince Idowu Iranlade Popoola has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on the series of prestigious media awards recently conferred on him by Leadership Newspaper and New Telegraph Newspaper, describing the honours as a testament to purposeful governance and visible transformation across the state.
In a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, Prince Popoola said the recognitions were not mere ceremonial accolades but credible endorsements of a leadership style that has steadily repositioned Ekiti on the national development map. He noted that the awards reflected the collective verdict of discerning observers who have monitored the administration’s performance since inception.
Governor Oyebanji was named Leadership Newspaper’s Governor of the Year 2025, an award the media organisation said was in recognition of his outstanding leadership and measurable achievements in critical sectors. In its nomination letter, the management of Leadership Newspapers emphasised that the governor’s people centred approach had brought about tangible transformation and renewed confidence in governance.
According to Prince Popoola, the governor’s trajectory since assuming office on October 16, 2022 has been defined by diligence, strategic planning and fidelity to a clearly articulated vision. He explained that the six pillar development agenda of the administration, carefully drawn from the Ekiti State Development Plan 2020 to 2050, was designed to deliver shared prosperity and sustainable growth for all segments of the population.
He said the disciplined implementation of that agenda had translated into visible progress in education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure renewal, women and youth empowerment, digital economy expansion and tourism development. In his view, what stands out is not merely the announcement of policies but the steady execution that citizens can see and feel in their daily lives.
Prince Popoola observed that the steady stream of recognitions from respected national platforms demonstrates that Ekiti’s story is being told beyond its borders, stressing that the media, often described as society’s watchdog, does not dispense honours lightly and that repeated awards signal a consistent pattern of performance rather than a fleeting moment of acclaim.He noted Governor Oyebanji’s selection for the infrastructure category, followed a number of the administration’s extensive investments in road construction, power infrastructure and community based projects across Ekiti State. These interventions, he said, have improved connectivity, stimulated local commerce and strengthened the state’s economic base.
According to the Statement ” Before the latest recognitions, Governor Oyebanji had received the Silverbird Man of the Year Award 2024 from Silverbird Group, the Good Governance Award 2024 from Vanguard Newspaper, the Governor of the Year Award 2023 from Daily Independent, the Most Outstanding Leadership Award 2024 from The EDGE and the Energy Governor of the Year 2024 from Energy Times. This succession of honours shows clearly a governance model that has earned national validation.” The statement reads.
Popoola stressed that “Beyond awards the administration’s performance indicators have drawn attention from policy tracking organisations. Ekiti ranked number one in the BudgIT State Fiscal Transparency League for five consecutive quarters spanning the second, third and fourth quarters of 2024 and the first and second quarters of 2025, reflecting prudent management of public resources and openness in fiscal reporting.
The state also ranked second lowest among the 36 states of the federation in the prevalence of out of school children, a development widely interpreted as a gain for its education policies and community engagement strategies. In addition, the civic advocacy group Enough is Enough Nigeria rated Ekiti as the state with the lowest media reported killings for the second quarter of 2025, reinforcing the image of our dear state as one of the most peaceful states in the country.
In the health sector, data released under the present administration show a reduction in neonatal mortality by 57 percent, from 42 per 1000 in 2019 to 18 per 1000 in 2024. Infant mortality declined by 53 percent, from 57 per 1000 in 2010 to 27 per 1000 in 2024, while under five mortality dropped by 54 percent, from 95 per 1000 in 2019 to 44 per 1000 in 2024.” He said.
Prince Popoola described these figures as life saving milestones that speak more eloquently than any trophy. According to him, the overwhelming endorsement recently expressed by critical stakeholders across the state in support of a second term bid reflects deep public confidence in the governor’s leadership and continuity agenda.
He assured citizens and denizens of Ekiti state that Governor Oyebanji would continue to prioritise policies, programmes and projects that directly improve welfare and expand economic opportunities.
