Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday pledged to ensure freedom of the press and said his administration would not muzzle or intimidate media professionals in the state.
The governor noted that the role of free media in the development of the nation's democracy is unquantifiable, adding that journalists have been instrumental to his administration over the past twenty-three months in its agenda of shared prosperity for the state.
Oyebanji spoke in Ado-Ekiti, during the annual public lecture organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists Correspondents Chapel in Ekiti State.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said his administration, since its inception in 2022, has invested in key sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, human capital development, agriculture and industrialization.
He said an enabling environment has been provided for private investors to operate and contribute to the development of the state, saying this necessitated the arrival of Cavista Holdings into the agricultural and hospitality sectors.
He said: “We will continue to promote the principle of inclusion that has been the hallmark of our administration since 2022. We have been committed to our six-point agenda which has enabled us to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.
“We are trying to make Ekiti an investment destination and that is why we are calling on private individuals and organizations to partner with the state government to achieve economic prosperity in the state.
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“We will continue to promote freedom of expression in Ekiti and let me tell you that since the beginning of this administration we have not recorded any case of muzzling or intimidation of the media; We believe in the role of the media in our society and democracy.
“The Correspondent Chapel has been supporting our administration and I can say it everywhere. “We know the value they are adding to us and we will continue to support the media so they can perform their roles in Ekiti.”
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For his part, the chairman of the event and senator representing Ekiti Central, Opeyemi Bamidele, congratulated the journalists for their support and noted that he will continue to support the media in the interest of the society.
Bamidele, Senate Leader of Nigeria's 10th National Assembly, was represented at the event by his top legislative aide, Gbenga Banji.
He urged the people to maintain confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu “in his efforts to realize his agenda of renewed hope for the country.”
In his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of Cavista Holdings Limited, John Olajide, said his organization has committed enormous resources to the agriculture and hospitality sectors to achieve sustainable growth and development.
According to him, the investments should have positive impacts in the communities where the company operates and throughout the state. That is why we have chosen Ekiti as a key location for our agribusiness and hospitality projects.
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He said: “Our investments in Agbeyewa Farm and Glocient Hospitality, owners of the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Conference Centre, are designed to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and showcase the beauty and potential of Ekiti.