A businessman and governorship hopeful in Ekiti State, Otunba Emmanuel Fayose, has stated that for Ekiti State, the government must move towards innovation and look towards a new direction.
This is coming just as Otunba Fayose lauded past governors of the state for the development strides that have so far been recorded since the creation of the state in 1996.
Otunba Fayose in a statement issued to newsmen by his media office on Saturday in Ado Ekiti, said the call becomes pertinent in the light to reposition the state for growth, self reliance and digital economy.
Appraising the development of the state so far, Otunba Fayose, while lamenting that the state appears to be slipping down the abyss under the current government, warned that innovation and new direction remains the best way to reposition Ekiti State.
He said, “Having appraised the state of affairs in our dear Ekiti State, I have come to the conclusion that we will need to move to a new direction of doing things, an innovation for wealth creation for our people and a new way we run our affair.
“When you look at the world today, development is being driven by innovations in technology, crafts, IT and the likes, and Ekiti State cannot be the exception to the norm.”
The governorship hopeful averred that such innovation, when deployed must be people-centric by ensuring an all-round human capital development of Ekiti sons and daughters.
He added, “Our schools must be upgraded and made up-to-date with quality teaching personnel who would in turn utilize modern teaching and instructional materials to impact knowledge in a very conducive ambience.
⁵”Modern tablet with all accredited courses and and approved syllabus must be provided for pupils in both primary and secondary school students.”
He further added that apart from reworking the state’s formal education systems and processes, there is also the need for the encouragement of non-formal and vocational training and education, insisting that these are the only way “we can make Ekiti independent and self sufficient.”
He enthused, “All over the world today, emphasis of governments have been in vocational training and practical learning of students not the theoretical approach being applied.
“The Federal Government is now proposing a new tax bill, what are you doing to meet our obligations in the state, can we truly say we are ready? So we must change direction and embrace innovation.
“As we look into the future and new directions, we must exploit our vast agriculture advantage to create wealth and employment. The problem of insecurity, poverty, inflation and food insufficiency would be permanently eradicated with improvement and innovations in agricultural production in the state.
“Ekiti State cannot in anyway be an exception to this if indeed, the focus of government is growth, development and progress of the people.”
Otunba Fayose lauded past governors of the state for their unwavering committed and accomplishments in the development strides that have so far been recorded since.
“I am placing it on record that past governors of the state have made their individual efforts in the developmental journey of Ekiti.
“They have done their best and Ekiti State will forever remain grateful to them all. So it’s time for a new direction, innovation and wealth creation.”
