Dr. Adegboyega Bamisile, Executive Director of Finance for the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) and Ekiti State’s representative on the board, has pledged to spearhead development initiatives in the state, declaring: “I will use this office to bring tangible progress to our people.”
His commitment came during an audience with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, on Monday — hours after BORBDA’s new management, including Dr. Bamisile, faced sharp criticism from Governor Biodun Oyebanji over the authority’s “lack of meaningful contribution” to Ekiti.
Addressing the palace gathering, Dr. Bamisile outlined his priorities:
Resuscitating BORBDA’s Ekiti Office: “We will reactivate our operations here to serve the state directly.”
Fighting Inflation: “Our interventions will crash food prices and boost socio-economic conditions.”
Alignment with State and Federal Agendas: “We stand with Governor Oyebanji’s food security vision and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope mandate.”
The Ewi endorsed this mission, charging Dr. Bamisile and BORBDA’s leadership to execute projects “without bias or favour.”
Dr. Bamisile’s pledge unfolded against Governor Oyebanji’s public rebuke of BORBDA earlier that day. The governor had accused the authority of “unfair neglect,” revealing Ekiti had “crafted development plans without BORBDA” after failed collaboration attempts — particularly in agriculture.
While not directly responding to the governor, Dr. Bamisile’s palace remarks signaled a course correction. His promises align with BORBDA MD Dr. Adekanmbi’s newly unveiled blueprint for Ekiti, including flood control in Ilupeju/Efon-Alaaye and dam management at Apariko-Aisegba.
As Ekiti’s sole representative on BORBDA’s executive team, Dr. Bamisile holds pivotal influence. The authority oversees projects across Edo, Delta North, Ondo, and Ekiti — with his finance portfolio critical to funding allocations. His appointment is seen as strategic under President Tinubu’s “renewed hope” agenda.
