…Hails Fayemi, Oyebanji on Ekiti Airport Project
In what can be described as a handshake across the Niger, the immediate past two-term Kebbi State Governor, Col. Samaila Yombe (retd), has cemented his friendship with the immediate past Ekiti State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu.
The duo met for the first time while on a flight from Abuja to Akure in December 2020 and had since been in contact exchanging ideas on issues of the polity, good governance, politics, national development peer review, among others.
But Rt. Hon. Jamiu was surprised when the former Kebbi Deputy Governor called to inform him that he was on his way to Ekiti to pay him a visit as promised during their chance meeting on the Abuja-Akure flight nearly four years ago.
Rt. Hon. Jamiu, the Deputy Speaker in the 6th Ekiti Assembly (2019-2023) who still represents Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 2 in the 7th Ekiti Assembly (2023-2027) was surprised by the humility of the Kebbi’s former number two man whom he described as “an elder brother.”
Col. Samaila Yombe, a pilot by profession, a war veteran and a manufacturer of improvised armoured vehicles is also a PhD holder. He served as Deputy Governor under the administration of the immediate past Kebbi Governor, who is currently Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu from 2015 to 2023.
Rt. Hon. Jamiu said: “Despite his accomplishments and the fact that he is an elderly person, he calls me ‘my friend.’
I thought he was joking when he called me and said, ‘I am on my way to Ado- Ekiti to visit my friend’ as promised when we met on a flight from Abuja to Akure in December 2020”.
“He was then a sitting Deputy Governor while I was also a sitting Deputy Speaker. His humility speaks volumes.
In the evening, I was joined by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Hon. Tope Longe and Hon. Tony Adaramodu General Managers of Ayoba FM, Mr. Adewale Ojo and BSES, Mr. Olu Popoola, Mr. Seun Ojuolape, High Chief Eleishe, Alaba Ezekiel, and other friends to host the former Deputy governor to an informal reception.”
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye thanked the Deputy Governor for visiting Rt. Hon. Jamiu explained to him that the state is progressing under Gov. Oyebanji because of the cordial and progressive relationship between the House and the Governor.
On his response at the informal reception, the ex Deputy Governor thanked Rt. Hon. Jamiu and all present for the wonderful reception at a very short notice. He expressed his delight that with the calibre of people at the reception noting that the interaction has renewed hope for Ekiti and Nigeria.
Earlier in the day, the former Kebbi Deputy Governor requested to visit Ado Ekiti International Cargo Airport, where he expressed satisfaction with what he saw on ground.
Col. Yombe described the airport as world class and attributed the success of the airport to the beauty of continuity.
He applauded former Governor Kayode Fayemi for starting the airport project and appreciated Governor Biodun Oyebanji for continuing the project, which will soon become fully operational.
The ex-Deputy Governor also commended Governor Oyebanji for the ongoing construction of the overhead bridge and the Ring Road project, which he said would change the face of the state capital positively.