An APC Chieftain in Ekiti State, and founder of the Adedayo Oluwasanmi Foundation, Pharmacist Adedayo Oluwasanmi has congratulated the Ekiti State Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the two latest awards, Energy Governor of the Year by Energy Times and Vanguard Personality of the Year (Good Governance), conferred on him on Friday at two separate ceremonies held simultaneously in Lagos.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, the AOF Founder described the honours as further validation of the administration’s commitment to the Shared Prosperity Agenda, lauding the government team under the Governor and his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji.
This is coming barely one month after the Governor had earlier been honoured with the 2024 Man of the Year Award by Silverbird Group, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and transformational governance in the state.
Oluwasanmi explained that the awards were not accidental but a reflection of the tangible and far-reaching impact of Governor Oyebanji’s administration in key areas of governance, economic growth, infrastructure, and social development across Ekiti State.
According to him, the Energy Times award, which recognised 24 eminent personalities from the oil, gas, and power sectors, was a deserving honour for a Governor who has strategically prioritized energy infrastructure as a foundation for sustainable development in Ekiti.
He lauded the Governor’s inclusive and strategic leadership style, which he said had opened up the state for private investment and earned the confidence of federal institutions, donor agencies, and the business community.
Oluwasanmi particularly commended Governor Oyebanji for the bold investments in electricity supply across the state, which have led to the reconnection of Gbonyin, Emure, and Omuo Ekiti communities, the local government areas that had suffered over a decade-long blackout.
He lauded the administration’s successful delivery of the Independent Power Plant (IPP) project, describing it as a turning point in the energy sector of the state and a model for other sub-nationals within and outside the country.
The IPP, according to Oluwasanmi, has significantly enhanced power supply to critical public institutions, including the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES), and offices at the State Secretariat.
The community developer noted that with the IPP now powering several government facilities, service delivery had improved remarkably, and the burden of operational costs, especially on diesel and fuel consumption, had been drastically reduced.
He also emphasized the strategic benefits of the IPP to Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, which he said will translate to better learning environments and uninterrupted academic activities.
Stressing that the provision of transformers and energy infrastructure in rural and semi-urban communities was already yielding results in terms of enhanced security and the growth of the night-time economy, he remarked that businesses now operate longer into the night in previously underserved communities, boosting commerce and generating livelihood opportunities for local entrepreneurs and artisans.
Oluwasanmi further stated that the awards were a recognition of the governor’s ability to integrate innovative solutions into governance, particularly through energy reform, youth empowerment, and infrastructure expansion, noting that the good policies and consistent service delivery of the present administration are not only transforming the lives of residents but also repositioning Ekiti as a model of sustainable development in the South-West.
Expressing optimism that the latest awards would further encourage the Governor to intensify efforts in delivering on his mandate and exceeding the expectations of the people of the state, Oluwasanmi affirmed his continued support for Governor Oyebanji’s administration, urging other well-meaning Ekiti indigenes to rally behind the Governor in ensuring the success of the state’s development blueprint.
Other recipients of the Energy Times 2025 awards included the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; immediate past Group CEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari; and Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Mr. Olufemi Soneye.
The Ode-Ekiti born philanthropist and politician thanked both Energy Times and Vanguard Newspapers for rising above the trends of the temptations of the contemporary fox and adversarial journalism, recognising transformational leadership and rising profile of Governor Oyebanji as one of Nigeria’s most progressive state executives.
He also congratulated the people of Ekiti State, noting that the awards were ultimately a reflection of their collective will, support, and aspirations, which the Governor had consistently championed through people-oriented governance.