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Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor 

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor The Cross River State Police Command has released the photograph of a woman found dead in a Calabar hotel room earlier this month, appealing to the public to help identify her as the search for the male guest who lodged with her continues nearly two weeks after her body was discovered with apparent marks of violence on her face and neck.The woman was found dead in Room 2 of a hotel along Clifford Street in Calabar South Local Government Area after she reportedly checked into the facility with an unidentified man whose whereabouts remain unknown. In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the Command said it was releasing the deceased's photograph "to anyone who recognises her or may have information concerning her identity, family or associates to contact the Police with credible information." The Command said preliminary investigation had established that "the deceased lodged at the hotel alongside a male guest whose whereabouts remain under investigation," adding that "efforts are ongoing to locate him and establish the circumstances surrounding the deceased's death."The development is an update to the Command's September 8 report on the incident. According to the police, on September 7, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., an unidentified male guest reportedly lodged in Room 2 of the hotel with a female companion whose identity was yet to be established. The male guest was allegedly not properly documented at the point of admission, a failure that has complicated the investigation and left investigators without a name, an address or any verified identification for the man they now seek. In the early hours of September 8, the receptionist reportedly observed that the door to Room 2 was open and, believing that the occupants had checked out, entered the room to switch off the ceiling fan. Upon switching on the light, he reportedly discovered the female guest lying unresponsive on the bed. Investigators who visited the scene observed apparent marks of violence on her face and neck and documented the scene accordingly. The body was subsequently evacuated to the General Hospital, Calabar, where she was confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuary pending further investigation and any necessary medical or forensic examination.Some tablets were also recovered from the deceased's handbag and secured as exhibits, though the police have not established any connection between the tablets and the cause of death at this stage. The receptionist on duty at the time of the incident remains in police custody and is assisting investigators with information concerning the admission of the guests and events preceding the discovery of the deceased. The Command, however, stressed that his detention "should not be construed as a determination of guilt," adding that any further action would be based on available evidence and in accordance with the law.The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed that the investigation be conducted "professionally and objectively" to establish the identity of the deceased, determine the circumstances surrounding her death, locate the male guest and establish the roles, if any, of persons connected to the incident. The Command appealed to anyone who recognises the woman or has information that could help locate the male guest to contact the Police Control Room on 0706 797 7330 or 0905 827 3057, or visit the nearest police station. The police said further updates would be communicated as the investigation progresses.The case has exposed a troubling pattern in Nigeria's hospitality sector, where lax documentation practices at hotels often leave investigators with little to work with when crimes occur. The fact that the male guest was not properly documented at check-in has become a central obstacle in the manhunt, forcing the police to rely on public assistance to identify both the victim and the suspect. The Command urged residents to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information, warning that such conduct could prejudice the investigation or infringe on the rights of persons connected with the case.The discovery of the woman's body with marks of violence on her face and neck has heightened concerns about the safety of women in hospitality establishments across the state. Women's rights advocates have repeatedly called for stricter regulations governing hotel operations, including mandatory identification requirements for all guests and enhanced security protocols. The incident has also renewed questions about the effectiveness of police investigations into violent crimes against women, particularly when the victim's identity is unknown and the primary suspect has fled. The release of the woman's photograph represents an unusual step for the Cross River State Police Command, which typically withholds such images during active investigations. The decision to publicise her image reflects the urgency of identifying her and the absence of any other viable leads. Without a name, the investigation lacks a critical anchor. Without an identity, the police cannot trace her movements, establish her relationships, or determine who might have had a motive to harm her.For the family of the deceased, if they are yet to be found, the photograph may be the only path to closure. For the police, it is a desperate bid for information in a case that has otherwise stalled. And for the public, it is a stark reminder that violence against women remains a persistent and often invisible crisis in Nigeria, one that frequently leaves victims nameless, their stories untold, and their killers unpunished. The Commissioner of Police has assured that anyone found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law. But until the male guest is found and the woman is identified, that assurance remains a promise waiting to be fulfilled. The police have asked anyone with information to come forward. The question now is whether anyone will.📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor The Federal Government has announced plans to mobilise 4,000 social media influencers to showcase its infrastructure projects and communicate the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, a move the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described as a necessary escalation in what he called a social media war.Umahi disclosed the initiative on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students following the students’ inspection of federal road projects across Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states. The minister said the network would help the government communicate directly with Nigerians, particularly young people, about projects being executed across the country. “We have to fight this social media war. So, we have to launch 4,000 social media influencers to tell our stories, and I want you to advise me on how to do it,” Umahi said. “You know I am proud of what the President is doing in infrastructure. I’m proud of all the gains we have made in various sectors of the economy, so we have to tell our stories. If you don’t say ‘I am’, nobody will tell you who you are.”The announcement has sparked immediate debate across Nigeria’s political and media landscape. Critics have described the plan as a government-funded propaganda machine designed to drown out legitimate criticism and manufacture consent ahead of an election year. Supporters argue that the government has a right, and indeed a duty, to communicate its achievements to the public, particularly in an environment where opposition voices dominate social media. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, but social media commentators have already begun questioning the timing, the cost and the criteria for selecting influencers. The minister did not disclose how much the initiative would cost, how the influencers would be recruited, whether they would be paid or when the programme would commence.Umahi’s remarks came at a sensitive moment in Nigeria’s political calendar. With the 2027 general elections less than eighteen months away, political parties and their supporters have intensified their online activities, and the government has faced mounting criticism over the state of the economy, insecurity and the rising cost of living. The minister’s framing of the initiative as a response to a “social media war” suggests that the administration believes it is losing the online battle for public opinion. “Tell me any way in this country, any region that is not a construction site,” Umahi said. “And so, we have enough to campaign for the President. We have enough.”The immediate context for the announcement was the presentation of findings by NANS leaders who had completed the Northwest leg of their Nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour. The students inspected major roads including the Kano-Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, the Kano Northern Bypass, the Kano-Maiduguri Road, the Kano-Katsina Road, the Kaduna-Kano Road, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, the Zaria-Funtua-Sokoto Road, the Sokoto-Badagry Road and the Illela-Dukamaje Road. NANS President Comrade Babatunde Akinteye said the tour was designed to physically inspect the projects, assess their condition and progress firsthand, and examine their importance to Nigerian students, particularly roads serving as major access routes to campuses and student communities.The students’ report was largely positive. NANS commended the quality, durability and pace of construction on the projects visited, singling out the use of durable pavement technology, improved drainage systems, road expansion and the integration of safety infrastructure such as solar-powered street lighting. The association also recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College in Kaduna along the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route to improve students’ safety. Umahi responded by directing his officials to take note of the recommendation and promising that the bridge would be constructed. He also said the ministry would increasingly consider direct access to tertiary institutions in future road projects and cited ongoing pedestrian bridge projects at the University of Abuja and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as examples.On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi said the main pavement of the first 105 kilometres would be completed by November. He described the pace of work as unprecedented and noted that construction was still ongoing on bridges along Sections One and Two of the project. But he also expressed deep frustration over vandalism along the highway, particularly around the Apapa axis. “I wept when I saw the level of destruction under the bridge in Apapa axis. People even pass through the piers, with trailers high over them, to get from one point to another. This mind-boggling damage, this is unacceptable,” he said. He warned that the destruction of infrastructure, including the cutting of metals and damage to block works, could undermine the benefits of major government investments and stressed that public infrastructure represents the country’s future.The minister’s disclosure of the influencer plan has also drawn scrutiny because of his own history with social media criticism. In August, Umahi filed a defamation suit against blogger Linda Ikeji and two others at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, seeking N3 billion in damages over what he described as false and defamatory publications. The lawsuit underscored the tension between the government’s desire to shape the online narrative and its sensitivity to criticism. Critics have pointed to the defamation suit as evidence that the administration is more interested in suppressing unfavourable coverage than in engaging with legitimate public concerns. Supporters counter that the government has every right to defend itself against misinformation.The broader question raised by the 4,000-influencer plan is whether government-funded content creators can ever be credible messengers. Influencers derive their authority from perceived independence and authenticity. Once they are seen as paid agents of the state, their ability to persuade audiences may be undermined. Yet the government appears to be betting that the sheer volume of content it can generate through a coordinated network will shift public perception, particularly among young Nigerians who consume most of their information through social media. Whether that bet pays off will depend on how the initiative is executed, how transparent the government is about its mechanics, and whether the influencers themselves are willing to risk their credibility by becoming spokespeople for a political administration.For now, the announcement has achieved one thing: it has placed the government’s infrastructure record at the centre of public conversation, even as critics question the cost and intent of the plan. The students who inspected the roads have delivered their verdict. The government now wants 4,000 more voices to amplify it.📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has welcomed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to slash the Monetary Policy Rate by 350 basis points to 23 per cent, but warned that the cut will mean little for struggling factories unless banks actually pass it on through cheaper loans.In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, described the reduction as a positive development and a gradual shift away from the tight monetary conditions that have squeezed manufacturers for more than two years. He said lower interest rates would strengthen the ability of manufacturers to finance inventories, raw materials, production cycles, equipment purchases and business expansion. But he was blunt about the gap between policy announcements and real-world lending. Even at 23 per cent, he warned, prime lending rates would still hover between 27 and 30 per cent. “No manufacturer anywhere in the world can be competitive borrowing at 30 per cent,” he said.The CBN’s decision came on Tuesday at the end of its 307th Monetary Policy Committee meeting, where Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced the largest single rate cut in nearly two decades. The MPR was reduced from 26.5 per cent to 23 per cent, and the asymmetric corridor around the benchmark rate was narrowed from +50 and -450 basis points to +50 and -300 basis points. The MPC said its decision reflected easing inflationary pressure and concerns that market interest rates had diverged from the policy rate, blunting the effectiveness of monetary policy. Nigeria’s headline inflation slowed to 15.39 per cent in August from 15.43 per cent in July, the lowest reading in years and a dramatic retreat from the 23.14 per cent recorded in August 2025.Yet for manufacturers, the celebration was tempered by a hard reality. The CBN’s Cash Reserve Ratio remains at 45 per cent for deposit money banks and 16 per cent for merchant banks, a policy designed to mop up excess liquidity but which also locks away a significant share of bank deposits that could otherwise fund productive lending. Ajayi-Kadir said the high CRR meant a substantial proportion of deposits remained unavailable to businesses, and warned that the benefits of the MPR reduction may not be fully realised if credit expansion to the real sector remains constrained. MAN called for a progressive review of the CRR when macroeconomic conditions permit, and urged the CBN to expand access to concessionary single-digit financing for manufacturers.The association’s concerns are backed by hard data. According to a MAN report released in July, manufacturers’ cost of borrowing as of May 2026 averaged 27.45 per cent in prime lending rates and 35.65 per cent in maximum lending rates across major commercial banks. Some manufacturers have faced rates as high as 60 per cent, according to CBN data published earlier this year. For pharmaceutical companies and other capital-intensive manufacturers, loans at 33 per cent make break-even almost impossible. The consequence has been a steady decline in bank credit to the manufacturing sector, which fell by N1.92 trillion from N8.53 trillion in December 2024 to N6.61 trillion in December 2025. Manufacturers have warned that unless credit becomes cheaper and more accessible, production will continue to stagnate, jobs will be lost, and the much-touted industrialisation agenda will remain a slogan.The manufacturing sector has shown flickers of recovery. The Manufacturers’ CEOs Confidence Index rose to 52.1 points in the second quarter of 2026 from 48.7 in the first quarter, its highest level in more than two years. The index measures the pulse of the sector, and a reading above 50 indicates positive sentiment. But even that recovery has been fragile, clouded by high borrowing costs, erratic power supply, foreign exchange volatility and infrastructure deficits. Manufacturers have consistently argued that no economy can industrialise when businesses borrow at rates that exceed their profit margins. At 23 per cent MPR, the policy rate is still higher than the inflation rate of 15.39 per cent, meaning borrowers face a real interest rate of nearly eight percentage points, a punishing burden for any enterprise.The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise echoed MAN’s call, urging banks to progressively reduce lending rates on new and existing facilities. Its chief executive, Muda Yusuf, said the rate cut could reduce the cost of capital, improve business cash flows and stimulate investment, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, construction and logistics. But he too cautioned that the impact would depend on effective transmission, and that sustained moderation in interest rates would lower the Federal Government’s domestic borrowing costs and ease its debt-service burden. He warned that the rate cut could affect interest-rate differentials and the attractiveness of naira assets, potentially creating portfolio-flow and exchange-rate risks, and urged the CBN to remain vigilant and deploy open-market operations when necessary to manage volatility.MAN’s message to the CBN and the banks is straightforward. The rate cut is welcome, but it is only a beginning. The association wants stronger coordination between monetary and fiscal authorities to complement easing with measures addressing structural constraints such as electricity, logistics, infrastructure and insecurity. It wants expanded access to single-digit concessionary financing for manufacturers, a progressive review of the CRR, and a commitment from banks that the 350-basis-point reduction translates into real reductions in the rates businesses pay. Ajayi-Kadir said future MPC decisions should be guided by their impact on the manufacturing and productive sectors, with the broader objective of increasing productivity, investment, industrialisation and employment.For Nigerian manufacturers, Tuesday’s rate cut is a reason to hope but not yet a reason to celebrate. The CBN has signalled that it is willing to ease, and the inflation trajectory suggests there is room to ease further. But the gap between a 23 per cent policy rate and a 30 per cent commercial lending rate is not a technical detail. It is the difference between a factory that can expand and hire, and one that shuts its gates. Until that gap closes, MAN’s welcome will remain conditional, and Nigeria’s industrial ambitions will remain out of reach.📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has rejected allegations that he manipulated the 2023 presidential election in the South-South in favour of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that no evidence was ever tendered at the tribunal to support claims that the Labour Party won Rivers State, and challenging supporters of Peter Obi to produce the official result sheet that proves their assertion.Wike, who spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects, described the claim as a baseless narrative propagated primarily on social media. His clarification followed widespread criticism that erupted after his appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, where he disclosed that the G5 group of governors deliberately allowed Obi to win in parts of the South-South to weaken the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Critics, public commentators and opposition figures interpreted the remarks as a public confession of voter manipulation, prompting the minister to draw a sharp distinction between political strategy and electoral fraud.At the heart of Wike’s defence is a straightforward argument about the limits of individual influence. “People who don’t understand, how can they say I rigged the election? How would I have done it? So, I just took the result sheets, wrote it, and gave it to INEC?” he asked. He emphasised that social media projections often fail to reflect reality across Nigeria’s vast voting infrastructure, noting that observing results from a few hundred polling units and rushing to conclusions does not determine election outcomes. “I’ve always said social media does not win elections. You have about 176,000 polling units, and probably you have seen 300 polling units, and then you rush to the conclusion that so-and-so has won,” he said. “Election outcomes are not predicted this way.” He also pointed to the fact that opposition parties failed to substantiate rigging claims in court. “You remember that when they went to the tribunal, did anybody tender any result from Rivers to say, ‘look, this is the result, we won’?” he asked.Detailing the G5’s strategy, Wike explained that the group identified Atiku as its primary threat because the South-South was traditionally a PDP stronghold. “We felt that Atiku was more of a factor in that election than Obi. So our strategy was that, make sure that you vote for Obi to win in order to deny Atiku the votes,” he said. “South-South was purely a PDP state and so if we had voted for PDP all through, then Atiku would have won. That was a threat.” He revealed that the strategy was applied in Edo and Cross River, but Rivers State was excluded. “It was only Rivers that said, ‘No, we have a problem here in Rivers. Obi will not win here because if he wins, he sends a signal somewhere, people may not understand it.’ And we stopped it,” Wike said. He downplayed Obi’s broader national appeal, arguing that the Labour Party candidate was a threat only on social media. “Assuming Obi won Rivers, add it for him. Would he have won the election?” he asked. He attributed Obi’s 2023 performance to the controversy over the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, a factor he said no longer exists.The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from opposition figures and political commentators. A chieftain of the Labour Party, Yunusa Tanko, said Wike’s admission confirmed what the party had always known about the 2023 election. “This is a confirmation of what we have been saying. The G5 governors colluded with the APC to deny the Labour Party victory,” he said. “But what Wike fails to understand is that Nigerians have moved on. The 2027 election will be different.” A spokesperson for the Atiku campaign described Wike’s remarks as an admission of anti-party activity that should attract disciplinary action from the PDP. Wike has also faced criticism from within his own party. A former National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, described the minister’s statements as reckless and capable of damaging the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.The dispute is not merely a matter of political rhetoric. It touches on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and the credibility of the institutions that oversee it. According to figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission, Tinubu polled 231,591 votes in Rivers State, while Obi scored 175,071 and Atiku came third with 88,468. Tinubu won 14 of the state’s 23 local government areas, Obi won five, and Atiku won four. The figures were based on results collated from all 23 LGAs. Obi’s supporters have, however, continued to dispute the result, citing individual polling unit results and alleging irregularities during the collation process. An analysis by Premium Times of results uploaded to INEC’s Results Viewing Portal found a major discrepancy in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where INEC’s declared figures showed Tinubu winning with 80,239 votes against Obi’s 3,829, while the tally from polling unit results showed a different outcome.The political landscape has shifted significantly since the 2023 election. Atiku has since joined the African Democratic Congress, while Obi has aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, setting the stage for a three-way contest in 2027. Wike has openly campaigned for Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the President deserves a second term. He has dismissed suggestions that the G5’s strategy could be replicated in 2027, insisting that the conditions that favoured Obi in 2023 no longer exist. “What people need now, Obi does not have it and he would never have it. So for 2027, leave it for Tinubu. Come back in 2031,” he said. He also disclosed that a fresh political strategy had been put in place ahead of the 2027 general elections, though he declined to reveal its details. “We have our strategy in this election, and whether you like it or not, it’s not for us to let the cat out of the bag,” he said.As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, Wike’s remarks have reignited debates about the integrity of the 2023 polls and the role of political strategy in shaping electoral outcomes. The minister’s insistence that the G5’s actions were strategic rather than criminal has done little to quiet critics, who argue that openly admitting to manipulating voter choices, whether through political strategy or otherwise, undermines public confidence in the democratic process. For Wike, the matter is settled: the G5 had a strategy, it worked, and the results speak for themselves. For his critics, the questions remain unanswered, and the 2027 election will be the ultimate test of whether Nigerian voters are swayed by political calculations or the ballot.📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has pledged that projects to be executed during his second term will be deliberately targeted at boosting commerce, enhancing productivity and stimulating sustainable business growth, with a view to deepening value addition and positioning the state’s economy on a higher trajectory. The governor, who will be inaugurated for a second term on October 16, also said Ekiti would intensify mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the aim of increasing his votes in the state. Oyebanji spoke on Wednesday in Ifaki Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area, during a town hall meeting with stakeholders from Ekiti North Senatorial District as part of consultations for the 2027 budget.The governor reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance, saying the consultative approach adopted by his administration would be strengthened during his second term to deepen public participation and promote unity across the state. He said government investments would be channelled into critical sectors, including healthcare, electricity, road infrastructure and water supply, to improve living standards and drive economic productivity. "In our second term, whatever we are going to do must add value, because resources are limited. There must be value addition. We must catalyse productivity and ensure our people are productive. It is only when there is value that artisans like welders and auto mechanics can thrive and become prosperous," Oyebanji said.On participatory governance, the governor said, "Governance is about the people. We are what we are today because of you. You gave us your mandate, and we must continue to seek your counsel in delivering good governance". He also commended traditional rulers for their support, particularly in intelligence gathering, which he said had contributed to improved security in the state, and urged residents to remain vigilant.The governor’s pledge aligns with the economic philosophy he has articulated since his re-election. In August 2026, during a visit to the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Oyebanji said his second-term agenda would prioritise attracting investors to the state and supporting small businesses. He reaffirmed his commitment to creating an enabling environment and ecosystem that would drive investment, support productivity and ensure that Ekiti hosts major businesses. "The second term of this administration will be devoted to supporting businesses, to ensure that we create an atmosphere that drives productivity," he said. The Ewi of Ado Ekiti and a former governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, both urged the governor to prioritise the establishment of industries during his second term, with Fayemi noting that the project aligns with the state’s 30-year development plan, particularly the next phase of his administration focused on creating an enabling environment for investment, supporting businesses and stimulating productivity.The town hall meeting in Ifaki Ekiti is part of a broader consultative framework that has become a hallmark of the Oyebanji administration. The governor has consistently taken budget consultations directly to communities across the state’s three senatorial districts rather than limiting them to the capital, Ado Ekiti. Quarterly zonal engagements and local government consultations now precede every budget cycle, a practice that has been described as a shift from politics-as-usual to rules-based, data-driven governance. The Ekiti State Government has also mandated local government chairmen to hold citizens’ engagement sessions before preparing their budgets, ensuring that initiatives and projects that speak to the needs of the people are included and executed. For the 2026 budget, the governor took consultations to Otun Ekiti and Ijero Ekiti, where communities from the five local government areas of Ekiti North and the ten LGAs of Ekiti North and Ekiti Central presented their requests.On the 2027 presidential election, Oyebanji was unequivocal about the need for greater mobilisation. "We must show appreciation. It will not be enough to repeat previous figures. We must do more in the next election," he said. He commended Tinubu for federal appointments and infrastructure interventions in Ekiti, saying collaboration between the state and the Federal Government had facilitated the award of major road projects, including the Ado-Ijan-Ilumoba-Ikole and Ado-Aramoko-Ita-Ore roads. He assured residents that other critical roads would receive attention subsequently.Stakeholders at the meeting did not shy away from presenting their priorities for the 2027 budget. Traditional rulers and community representatives from Ekiti North Senatorial District commended Oyebanji for ongoing development projects and highlighted roads, electricity, water, healthcare and security as their priority areas. The Alaaye of Oke Ayedun, Oba Femi Aribisala, who spoke on behalf of Ikole Local Government Area, appealed to the government to accelerate interventions in roads, water and electricity. The Obaleo of Erinmope, Oba Sunday Aniyi; the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; and the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, who spoke on behalf of Moba, Ido/Osi and Oye local government areas respectively, called for greater attention to roads, electricity, security and water supply to improve residents’ welfare.The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; the Secretary to the State Government, Habibat Adubiaro; the Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo; the Head of Service, Folakemi Olomojobi; and members of the State Executive Council, alongside traditional rulers and community leaders from across the senatorial district.The governor’s emphasis on value addition and productivity reflects a broader economic vision that has been developing over his first term. Ekiti has consistently framed its work around a shared prosperity agenda and a six-pillar development architecture that includes youth development and job creation, human capital development, and agriculture and rural development. The governor has promised aggressive investments in education, health, human capital development and agriculture during his second tenure, saying that once those sectors are covered, the state will see greater economic transformation. He has also vowed to continue implementing the state’s 30-year development plan, a long-term framework that provides continuity beyond individual administrations.The 2027 budget process has already begun, with the state government directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies to align their budget proposals with the administration’s development priorities. The governor’s insistence that every project must add value is a recognition that resources are limited and that the state cannot afford to spread itself thin across initiatives that do not deliver tangible economic returns. By tying his second-term projects directly to commerce, productivity and sustainable business growth, Oyebanji is signalling that his administration’s legacy will be measured not by the number of projects commissioned, but by their impact on the livelihoods of ordinary Ekiti residents. Whether that message translates into the kind of economic transformation the governor envisions will depend on the discipline of implementation, the quality of the 2027 budget, and the willingness of the state’s bureaucracy to align its spending with the priorities articulated by the people themselves.📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews