From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Tuesday upgraded the newly Ekiti State University of Education Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti and named it after the late Governor of the old Ondo State, Evang Bamidele Olumilua.
Consequently, the new institution is now to be known as Bamidele Olumilua University of Education , Science and Technology, (BOUEST).
The lawmaker from Ikole Constituency, II Steven Aribasoye moved a motion for the renaming, at a special sitting presided over by the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye
The bill for the renaming of the University of Education after Olumilua was equally sponsored by Aribasoye, and supported by most members via a voice vote.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had on Friday, October 17th, 2020, signed into law the bill backing the upgrading of the College of Education Ikere- Ekiti to the University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti as part of activities making the second anniversary of his administration.
The College of Education Ikere- Ekiti (formerly Ondo State College of Education) was established by an Edict on December 5, 1977.
The Governor explained that the signing into law of the legislation that backed the upgrading of the College to University, was in realization of his administration commitment to promote knowledge economy in the State, assuring that his administration would continue to demonstrate commitment to the promotion of knowledge in the State.
According to him, the bill, which was passed independently by Members of the House of Assembly, as part of their constitutional responsibilities was done in the best interest of the people of the State.
Also on Tuesday, the Ekiti state 2021 Appropriation Bill of the sum of One Hundred and Nine Bilion, Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty- Two Naira, Sixty-One Kobo (N109,666,376,722:61) entered second reading at the floor of house.
Lawmakers took turn to comment on the budget and acknowledged that the bill was meant to uplift the state and lift people out of poverty.
They identified millions of Naira earmarked for the youth in the budget, infrastructural development, road construction and the capturing of minimum wage for the year 2021 appropriation bill
They however called for an improved internally generated revenue to finance the budget to enable it perform optimally.
The bill was later committed to the house committee on finance and appropriation.
Other business at the plenary included the first reading by the clerk Mr Tola Esan, A Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment of the Ekiti State Honours Roll and other Related Matters as well the Ekiti state Sports Development Fund Bill, 2020.