Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has announced plans to immortalise more distinguished Ekiti leaders, including the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), former Nigerian Bar Association President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and the late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, through legacy projects across the state.

Oyebanji made the announcement on Monday during the commissioning of the Ayodele Fayose Lodge, a new building within the Government House complex in Ado Ekiti named after former Governor Ayodele Fayose.

The governor said the decision formed part of his administration’s commitment to recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Ekiti State.

“What we are doing today is to appreciate you for your service to our state, to let you know that we appreciate you, to let you know that we will continue to build on the blocks of courage and development which you laid. I am grateful to God that we are not saying this at your funeral; I am grateful to God that you are here to commission this project that has been named after you,” Oyebanji said.

He disclosed that former Governor Segun Oni would be the next beneficiary of the state’s legacy project initiative.

“And like I said on Friday when we unveiled Governor Kayode Fayemi Lodge, the next lodge will be named after Governor Segun Oni. After we are done with our former governors, we will name some legacy projects after illustrious sons of Ekiti and those to be honoured include Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Wole Olanipekun and the late General Sani Abacha who created Ekiti State.”

The governor stressed that the late General Abacha deserved recognition for creating Ekiti State on October 1, 1996.

“Before the end of our second tenure, we will find a befitting legacy project that will be named after General Sani Abacha because, for us in Ekiti, this state wouldn’t have been without him creating it,” he added.

Oyebanji also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Fayose as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), describing the appointment as another demonstration of the President’s commitment to Ekiti State.

He said Tinubu had shown unprecedented support for the state through increased federal allocations, execution of critical infrastructure projects and the appointment of several Ekiti indigenes into key federal positions.

According to the governor, no Nigerian president has supported Ekiti as much as Tinubu has since the state’s creation nearly three decades ago.

Fresh from his re-election victory, Oyebanji urged Ekiti residents to reward the President’s support by delivering more than twice the 319,224 votes he secured during the last governorship election for Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

Commending Fayose’s contributions to the state, Oyebanji said the former governor had honoured several eminent Ekiti personalities during his tenure but never named any public project after himself.

He recalled that Fayose immortalised late former Deputy Governor Funmi Olayinka, former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye, former Western Region Minister Chief Oduola Osuntokun and Nigeria’s first female university graduate, Lady Deborah Jibowu.

He said naming the lodge after Fayose was a token of appreciation for his service and sacrifices to Ekiti.

Responding, Fayose thanked Oyebanji for fostering unity across political divides and showing respect to all former governors regardless of political affiliation.

“I have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji despite not being a member of the APC,” Fayose said.

The former governor, who attended the event alongside the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2022 governorship candidate, Chief Bisi Kolawole, and other PDP leaders, said Oyebanji had written “a positive history” through his inclusive leadership style.

He praised the governor for promoting peace and reconciliation in the state.

“Oyebanji has shown wisdom and exemplary statesmanship with his leadership style and inclusive programmes and policies unlike what the state experienced when prominent politicians across parties, including former governors, were at daggers drawn with the attendant tension and acrimony,” Fayose said.

He added that Oyebanji’s success was largely due to the support he enjoys from former governors and political leaders across party lines.

Fayose advised the governor to expand his “stomach infrastructure” programme to improve the welfare of ordinary residents while also ensuring better welfare packages for former governors.

The former governor also pledged to use his position as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency to extend electricity to more rural communities in Ekiti and across Nigeria.

“I will ensure that many rural communities in Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria in general are illuminated,” he said, while also reaffirming his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; former PDP governorship candidate, Chief Bisi Kolawole; and the Anglican Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Olusola Ajayi, commended Oyebanji’s statesmanship and described the honour bestowed on Fayose as well deserved. (Arise News)

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