From
Wole Balogun, Ado Ekiti
RECENTLY, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State
commissioned some landmark projects in spite of the obvious paucity of
funds in the state’s treasury.
Ado-Ekiti, the capital of the state, was agog for the commissioning,
which was also more elaborate with the presence of seven serving
governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of 11 of them that
were invited.
Many at the inauguration observed that Governor Fayose’s choice of
the projects against the background of the lean purse of the government
was an indication of his prudent management of the state’s resources as
well as sound knowledge of the basic needs of his people.
Investigation also revealed that the administration’s developmental
projects, comprising road networks, water and agricultural projects as
well as stomach infrastructure among others, cut across the nooks and
crannies of the state, reaching the grassroots and pleasing the masses.
The governor’s desire to continue to open up the state’s capital,
Ado-Ekiti, for more buoyant economic and social development activities
apparently informed the overhauling of De-Head (Bawa Estate) -Adetiloye
Road- which has now addressed the plight of motorists who hitherto had
to painfully endure the Ado-Ekiti township traffic gridlock, and the
opening up of Olorunsogo and Olorunda areas of the capital city for more
robust economic activities. It has also added immense value to the
landed property in these communities.
Conceived by Governor Fayose in November 2014, the project is now completed and has been in use for several months now.
According to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youths and
Sports Development, Hon. Lanre Ogunsuyi, Adetiloye Road, which is 6.2
kilometers cost N782,021,436 to overhaul.
In March 2015, traders at the popular Erekesan Market, otherwise
called King’s Market and adjudged to be the next major means of
livelihood for Ekiti people after the civil service commission and
facilitated by the Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi Adejugbe, were
temporarily relocated to Awedele community in the state capital.
Governor Fayose discovered that a heavy traffic had been attracted to
the area courtesy of the hitherto single lane which could not contain
the robust commercial activities of the traders.
He then chose to dualize the Awedele-Secretariat road to resolve the issue.
The governor did not stop at dualizing the road, he also illuminated
it not only to rid the area of evil men but also beautify the area and
equally enable traders transact business late into the night. The road
gulped N488,199, 974.59k and its illumination cost N11,106,315.00k.
It’s obvious that Governor Fayose’s desire to satisfy the yearnings
of his people informed his choice of completing in a grand way, the Ewi
palace gallery, a cultural edifice conceived initially by Oba Adejugbe,
the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti.
Fayose took over the project shortly before the prestigious Udiroko Cultural Festival in 2015.
Governor Fayose had promised Ekiti people during the last Udiroko
Festival that he would ensure the completion of a more elaborate and
befitting palace gallery before the next edition of the festival and
fulfilling the promise, the gallery, which has a sitting capacity of
2,300 guests and costs N212,131, 216,50k has now been completed and has
since been serving the cultural needs of Ekiti people. Describing the
significance of the palace gallery, Honourable Ogunsuyi said “the
project has added beauty to the palace of the monarch, making it stand
out among other palaces in Yoruba land. The good people of Ado-Ekiti can
now meet on the gallery on issues of mutual interests.”
Also to show the world that his administration has always cared for
women, evidence of which abound in his choice of a woman, Dr (Mrs.)
Modupe Alade, as Secretary to his government, appointing a Special
Assistant, Mrs Tessy Funmilayo Oguns to cater for the needs of women,
widows and children among others, and allowing his wife, Mrs. Feyisetan
Fayose to continue to cater for the needs of women, the girl-child and
the less-privileged in the state, Governor Fayose built the Funmilayo
Olayinka Women’s Centre for Ekiti women in memory of the late Mrs
Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, former deputy governor of Ekiti State. The
building comprises training halls, offices for the wives of the governor
and deputy governor, as well as other agencies of the state government.
The late Olayinka had been elected on the platform of a rival
political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and for naming the
centre after her, many in Ekiti have described Fayose as a mature
politician/leader who is tolerant and selfless.
While delivering his speech on behalf of the state government at the
commissioning of the centre, Hon. Ogunsuyi said “the Funmilayo Olayinka
Women’s Centre built in the heart of Ado-Ekiti is evidence that Dr.
Fayose is the governor of all regardless of political affiliations.
Before the project was initiated, the site was named Heroes Park by the
immediate past administration of ex-governor Kayode Fayemi, now
Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development and it was the late
Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka’s final resting place. The place was abandoned
and overgrown by weeds, thereby becoming an eyesore.
However, Governor Fayose thought it wise to honour the former deputy
governor by proposing a befitting structure which would be named after
her.Though, the state was confronted by paucity of funds to actualize
the project, Governor Fayose approached a number of corporate
organizations in the state and today, the building is erected at no cost
to the state.
“In naming the star project after the late deputy governor elected on
the platform of a rival political party, his Excellency , Dr. Ayodele
Fayose has continued to portray a rare quality of political tolerance,
Christ-like spirit of forgiveness and uncommon conviction in the Ekiti
project. All the projects and appointments effected so far by this
administration are devoid of vengeful politics that now characterize the
landscape.”
As part of activities slated for the commissioning, a thanksgiving
ceremony was organized by Governor Fayose in honour of Taraba State
Governor, Darius Ishaku on his victory at the tribunal. The lower
tribunal and Appeal Court had nullified Ishaku’s election saying he was
not validly elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Recalling how Fayose stood solidly behind him during his travails
before his victory, Governor Ishaku said Fayose’s spiritual counseling
made him strong.
“After losing at the Appeal Court, I was in Jerusalem with Governor
Fayose and at a time I became downcast and I told him that I was
prepared to go back to my state. But he advised me to wait longer and
put all my supplications before God and that I did.
“I then promised that if I should win at the Supreme Court, I would
host my thanksgiving at Ado Ekiti and that’s what I’m doing today. He
told me that God will make way for me and his advice actually subdued my
worries and today I am celebrating.
“That’s why I am committed to wiping away tears of my people in
Taraba State. As I speak with you, many communities in Taraba had not
witnessed development since its creation.
I was startled when my wife told me she went to a very remote
community in the state and a woman of over 100 years old said she had
not seen a car in her life ”, he said
In the same vein, his counterparts from Akwa Ibom and Abia states,
Emmanuel Udom and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, respectively, revealed that Fayose
had been a pillar of support to their administrations.
Fayose, who attributed his contributions to God’s guidance and
powers, urged Peoples Democratic Party governors to continue to serve
the people and always seek the face of God in all their dealings.
The governor added that virtually all his predictions about some
happenings in the country had come to pass, saying this is an indication
of the grace of God in his life.
“Having triumphed over the forces of darkness, I want you to
rededicate yourself to the service of God. You must see God as your
pillar and be ready to render selfless service to the people”, he said.
Governors of the PDP that attended the event with the PDP Chairman,
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, included Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State,
David Umahi (Ebonyi State), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), Nyesom Wike
(Rivers State) and Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe State).
