By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Erelu Kemi Elebute Halle, the first Female Governorship candidate in Ekiti in the 2022 election, is a year older today. Tracing the trajectory of her humanitarian service, she has touched many lives and communities in the state and across Nigeria since her foray into politics in 2022. To many, she remains an enigma with midas touch.
Likewise, a highly compassionate, charming , amiable wife of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti state, Dr. John kayode Fayemi, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, also added a year to her golden age. Bisi Fayemi, in and out of office, had ever remained virtuous, beautiful, loving, benevolent, generous, inspiring, empathetic, affectionate, merciful and super human in many respects.
By all standards of measurements, Bisi Fayemi is a ‘Mother General’, who has been ministering love, care, kindness, and great compassion known for putting smile on faces of the masses
Her hands of genuine love and care to Ekiti people devoid of political colouration makes her stand out amongst the First Ladies in the state.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi’s unmatching generosity was extended to the daughter of this writer, Precious Sodeinde, a highly endowed youngster, with enviable talent as an award winning saxophonist.
She Suddenly went blind one fateful day and was diagnosed with ‘brain tumour’. According to the medical report from the Afe Babalola (ABUAD) Multi-purpose hospital Ado-Ekiti, Precious had ” Brain Tumor”, which spread violently with intention to destroy her eyes; brain and entire life!
To nip the situation in the bud, Precious’ parents swung into action. They spent all they had and all they could gather out of desperation to safe their child from that precarious incidence. They sold their property. When all efforts failed, they cried out for help and the heavens brought Erelu Bisi Fayemi, former First Lady of Ekiti State their way.
But when this golden hearted woman heard of it, she sponsored Precious’ urgent eye surgery at the ABUAD Hospital, and UCH, Ibadan, to the tune of over 6 million Naira and the efforts paid off: Precious could see partially , ‘with one eye’!
Doctors at the ABUAD office referred her to the University College Teaching Hospital (UCH) lbadan where the girl still visits till today for continuous medication as she gradually recuperates from this ravaging visual impairment.
To Sodeinde’s family and so many other families whom Erelu Bisi Fayemi has touched, she remained their God sent, whom they will forever appreciate and continue to pray for to enjoy divine long life, good health and continuous divine blessings.
Similarly, Erelu Kemi Elebute Halle’s many good deeds and philanthropic gestures were not made public for reasons best known to her. But as an inquisitive reporter who knows his onions, it is my job to unveil these and publicise as much as I could in a bid to let the world know the kind of person she is.
Erelu Kemi Elebute Halle is a philanthropist of note. She is a promise keeper, kindhearted, amazingly caring, responsible, humble, courageous, affectionately committed to the needy’s plights as well as vulnerable. She is highly down to earth and respectful.
Periscoping her exploits in humanitarian services, her generosity knows no bounds. She is politician whose positive impact on lives of many Ekiti sons and daughters has been so great and enduring. She was born into the family of High Chief Adeniran Elebute, the Apelua of Irutu in Oke-Ayedun Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti state.
She started her education career at St. Anthony Primary School, Ilasha Ekiti and proceeded to Comprehensive High School, Ijesha-Isu Ekiti. She went further to the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti where she had both ND and HND in Civil Engineering and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger state for her Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Civil Engineering.
During her mandatory one year Youth Service with PW Nigeria Limited; a Construction Company in Adamawa State, she won the State’s Best Corps Member of the year 2009 Award.
Engr. Kemi Elebute-Halle is a Student Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Member of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Engr. Kemi Elebute-Halle political experience entails; Deputy National Chairman South Nigeria, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Director General Presidential Campaign Council, ADP, First Female Governorship Candidate, Ekiti State Nigeria, and currently a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
She holds An Outstanding Leadership Award by the Nigerian National Volunteer Service/Diaspora Affairs, Golden Leadership Excellence Award presented by Yoruba Study Group as Distinguished Akoni Obinrin O’dua of the Year, 104.1 Fm Ado- Ekiti Award of Recognition, The Ekiti Pillar of Development Award, Nelson Mandela Leadership Award Series for Excellence and Integrity, Award of Excellence for Impressive Contribution to Economic Empowerment of Women and Vulnerable Children, Award Of Excellence: Opomulero Group; A Socio-Political Group of South West Nigeria, Ekiti State – Recognition of Leadership Qualities and Philanthropic Services to Humanity, Award of Excellence: Erijiyan Improvement Union, Erijiyan Ekiti – Outstanding Woman of the Year, Award of Honour: NYSC State Honour Award, Yola, Adamawa State – Best Corps Member of the Year.
Out of her burning passion for the welfare of the Less-Privileged, Single Parents, Students, Widows, Orphans, Prisoners, Youths and Elderly in the society, and in her bid to actualize this passion, she founded the Dominion Mother Foundation which she’s presently the Life Matron and has also co-founded many NGOs.
Being a reputable and astute Engineer, Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle has travelled widely and visited almost all the states of the federation and not less than twenty countries around the world.
Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle is happily married to an Israeli born Engineer, Otunba Haim Halle and their marriage is blessed with lovely children.
Her hubbies includes: Reading, Music, Adventure, Meeting new people to share innovative ideas.
Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle believes in Human and Capital Development as the catalyst to achieve Ekiti and a Nigeria of our dream. In her private capacity, She has employed and trained numerous indigents across the country and has over the years supported, morally and financially many others in their various careers.
“I wish these two beautiful amazons, powerful philanthropists, kindhearted, angelic and God sent women happy birthdays, sound health, long life and prosy. I pray God to prosper you in all spheres of life. You have been beacons of hope and joy to this generation,your kind deeds are wholeheartedly appreciated and it’s my utmost prayers that God reward you bountifully. Congratulations mas”!