…As Nathaniel Bassey, Yinka Alaseyori, BJ Sax, others join Governor at praise session 

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has attributed his administration’s achievements over the past four years and the peaceful conduct of the June 20 re-election exercise to the grace of God.

Oyebanji spoke on Friday during an eight-hour praise and worship programme organised as part of activities marking the commencement of his second term in office.

The event, tagged “8 Hour Sacrifice of Praise”, attracted prominent gospel artistes, including Nathaniel Bassey, BJ Sax, Yinka Alaseyori and the National Praise Team of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Other performers included Biola Ojuawo, Deborah Ajayi, Bola Discovery, Tolu Sax, the Gratitude Tribe and several church choirs.

The programme was attended by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; the governor’s wife, Olayemi Oyebanji; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; members of the state legislature and State Executive Council; and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Emmanuel Emefienim.

Addressing worshippers, government officials, political leaders and other residents, Oyebanji said the programme was organised to express gratitude to God for what he described as divine intervention in his political journey and the affairs of the state.

He explained that he had requested eight hours of praise and worship during the planning of his second-term inauguration activities, with four hours dedicated to the achievements of his first term and another four hours for the incoming administration.

“I actually don’t have much to say today other than to explain the reason I chose to have this eight hour of praise worship to God. When they were crafting the programme for the inauguration, I told my wife that the only thing I wanted and that is extremely important is an eight hours of quality praise and worship to God. Four hours for the last four years and another four hours for the next four years,” he said.

The governor said his emergence as governor had exceeded his own expectations, adding that he believed his achievements and political journey were the result of God’s grace.

“For those of you who know my story, you will know that it can only be God. I am not more than this, it is God that has made it like this. How I became the governor, you know the story. I never wanted to be governor, I was not aspiring for it, I was the poorest among the contestants but God trusted me for it and I found myself at the seat, and in the last four years God has shown Himself mighty and the least I can do is to continuously give thanks to Him,” he added.

Oyebanji also recalled the uncertainties surrounding his party’s primary and the main election, saying he emerged as the party’s consensus candidate before winning the governorship election.

He described the peaceful nature of the election and his margin of victory as further reasons to express gratitude.

The governor expressed optimism that his second term would deliver greater results, saying he remained committed to praising God for what he described as His continued presence in the affairs of Ekiti State.

In his goodwill message, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele commended Oyebanji for his leadership and commitment to the people, expressing confidence that the administration would record greater achievements during its second term.

Bamidele described the praise programme as a reflection of the governor’s gratitude to God and urged him to remain focused as he began another four years in office.

He said the governor should build on the achievements of his first term and work towards exceeding public expectations.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Emmanuel Emefienim, predicted a more prosperous future for Ekiti State, saying the administration’s decision to begin its second term with an expression of gratitude was spiritually significant.

Emefienim said the gathering represented not only thanksgiving but also a declaration of faith whose significance could extend to future generations.

He added that the programme had set the stage for a new chapter in the state’s history.

“You have sent grace ahead of the second term. The best way to fight in the spiritual realm is to praise God even before the fight begins. I believe that the next four years, by the grace of God, will be better than the first four,” he said.