The Ekiti State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate reinstatement of former staff of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti — now Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology — who were dismissed between 1999 and 2001.
The decision followed an investigation by the House Committee on Education, Science, and Technology after a petition from the affected staff.
In a statement signed by Olasunkanmi Ekundayo, director of information services at the Assembly, the sacked workers were listed as: Ogundele Taiwo, Odunayo Ebenezer Ojo, Onyekwume Donatus, Adeyemi A.O, Olasunkanmi Lawrence, Amodu Bayo, Agbeyo Olugbenga, Ajayi G.O, Omiyale E.T, Ofurum C.C, Arokodare J.B, and Fadairo Leye.
Speaker of the Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, cited a resolution passed by the second Assembly on May 22, 2007, which had earlier nullified the dismissal. He reaffirmed the resolution and directed the reinstatement of the workers, including the payment of their salaries and entitlements for the 1999–2000 period.
In cases where the affected staff have died, Aribasoye ordered that payments be made to their next of kin.
Skills programme, public commendation
Also at plenary, Aribasoye urged lawmakers to support the state government’s upcoming technical and skills acquisition programme by facilitating the participation of unemployed youths in their constituencies.
The House also received a letter of commendation from Raphael Omotoso, a resident of Okeruku Ward in Ikere-Ekiti. He praised the Assembly’s efforts in maintaining stability, legislative diligence, and constructive engagement with the executive arm.
Youth parliament deputy speaker mourned
Meanwhile, the Assembly has mourned the death of Damilola Agbaje, deputy speaker of the Ekiti Youth Parliament, who died recently in Lagos.
Hon. Idowu Odebunmi, chair of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, described Agbaje’s death as a “colossal loss” to the state and her constituency.
Aribasoye described her as a brilliant first-class graduate of law, saying she left a mark in youth advocacy and civic participation. Agbaje had emerged as third-place winner in an essay competition organised under the administration of former governor Kayode Fayemi.
Two bills — the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (Fourth Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Ekiti State Electoral (First Amendment) Bill 2025 — also passed first reading during the session.