Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that the knowledge economy, which is one of the five pillars of his administration’s developmental agenda, is geared towards turning ‘brain drain’ in the state to ‘brain gain’.

He disclosed this while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the 9th annual Law Week of the Ado-Ekiti Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He said that digital and knowledge economy, if properly harnessed, are vehicles for accelerating the development of the state; adding that both are central to governance.

The Governor noted that Ekiti State is blessed with human resources which have become pillars of different international organisations all over the world. He stated that the proposed Knowledge Zone in the state would attract majority of Ekiti indigenes who are making waves in their chosen professions back to the state.

This, according to him, will not only assist the upcoming generation to have models to look up to but would also attract investments which would improve the state’s economy.

While stating that the present government in the State has sent some lawyers overseas for more trainings, the governor said his administration has high regard for the principles of rule of law, hence the decision to continuously train its legal officers so as to deepen their knowledge of the rule of law and administration of justice in the state.

Also speaking at the event, the grand patron of the Association and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (BUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, had expressed satisfaction that the state now has a learned governor who is progressive-minded.

Babalola who saluted Governor Fayemi’s patriotic activities, said he had always thought he was the only person who truly puts Ekiti first. But, I can say: “Governor Fayemi’s patriotism is unparalleled”.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr Samuel Falade, had said that the association procured a number of mobile phone tablets which contain resources on the legal profession for distribution to members.

Falade said the gesture is also a way of keying into the knowledge economy agenda of the Fayemi-led administration by ensuring that all lawyers in the state can access to law materials electronically.

•Photo shows, L-R; renowned scholar, Prof. Banji Akintoye; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ado Ekiti Branch, Samuel Falade; Secretary NBA Ado Ekiti, Temidayo Akeredolu; during the 9th Annual Law Week celebration and distribution of tabs to lawyers in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.