By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
It was a carnival like and a display of culture and tradition as Isan Ekiti Unity day was held at the Onisan palace with the sum of 250 million naira launched for the construction of an ultra modern civic centre in the town.
The Onisan of Isan Ekiti Oba (Dr) Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon Adetila Ilufemiloye1 who visibly was elated at the large turnout of prominent personalities within and outside the town thanked the people of the town for their continuous support while encouraging the people to live in peace and contribute to the development of the town.
Specifically, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, appreciated Governor Oyebanji and all the sons and daughters of the town for their invincible passion to peace and unity of the community,
Oba Adejuwon applauded the governor for donating a transformer to the town for improved electricity generation .
Oba Adejuwon, appealed to his subjects to rededicate themselves to unity and peace that can bolster the existing partnership with the government to ramp up the development being witnessed in the kingdom.
“Governor Biodun Oyebanji also donated a building and utility vehicle to our Command School. He also donated fund for us to be able to fence our palace. So, we are solidly behind his second term bid, so that he can complete his good and positively impactful projects”, the monarch said.
The National President of Isan Ekiti Progressive Union Chief Idowu Joseph told reporters that the occasion is held yearly to foster peace and unity within the town and also to bring together the sons and daughters of Isan to enjoy the culture and tradition of the town.
High Chief Oyewumi Balogun the Onirefin of Isan Ekiti thanked God for the lives of the residents of Isan Ekiti, he also thanked former Governor Kayode Fayemi his wife for their numerous contributions to the development of the town.
He was of the opinion that the Ultra modern civic centre will complement the other development projects such as the establishment of Ekiti State Polytechnic Isan, Command school amongst others.
Representing the Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye the deputy governor of Ekiti state extends the goodwill of Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji who was unavoidably absent. Oyebanji extend the governors message to the people of Isan Ekiti while assuring them of the Government’s support at all times.
Oyebanji said his love for community development spurred the even distribution of projects he spearheaded across the three Senatorial districts to ensure that no town suffer unwarranted neglect. For his development strategies to spiral and garner expected traction and acceptability, Oyebanji appealed to the communities to promote the concept of self -development, by aggressively pursuing projects that could complement government’s efforts
“These also reflected in the quantum of intra and inter-town road infrastructures, opening of access rural roads to boost agriculture, establishment of cluster farming in Ipao and Emure axis, engagements with towns to help build their potentials in arts and culture, and many others”, the governor stated
Underscoring the kernel of peace to sustainable development , the governor posited that Isan Ekiti has no alternative to peace and unity, being the host community to public institutions of interest across the country.
“Don’t forget that your town is a host to a fledging Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan Ekiti and The Nigerian Army College. Under this context, we expect that the town must unite to promote and maintain the peace you have always enjoyed, so that more dividends of democracy can be extended to your doorsteps under the current government”.
Saluting the town for sustaining the ceremony to promote self development concept being encouraged by his administration, Oyebanji, said he had demonstrated uncommon passion for the growth of Arts, Culture and Tourism, as thematic areas of policy thrust of his administration.
Oyebanji reiterated support for the occasion of this nature geared towards celebrating the unity and cultural richness of their people, as well as mapping out strategies for development, describing this as veritable avenue to support the government in its peace- building initiatives
In her speech, Erelu Bisi Fayemi did not mince words at the occasion when she declared the gathering to a political rally of sort as she drums support for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s second term.
” I don’t want people to listen to any side talks or distraction or to think we are having any unresolved issues with the Governor. The many calculations are wrong, either 4+2, 4+1or plus 3 or 6 but we know 4+4 is 8 for Biodun Oyebanji” she concluded.
The statement made by Erelu Bisi Fayemi caused a lot of mixed feelings at the gathering as dignitaries and party faithful’s present expressed shock at the statement.
Apparently reacting to his wife’s speech Dr. John Kayode Fayemi disagreed with his wife’s position and public pronouncement on the issue as he declared he did not come to Isan to campaign for anybody neither was he interested in the 4+4 agenda.
Dr. Fayemi however lauded Governor Oyebanji for the many laudable projects he has executed across the state stating that only a blind fellow will say otherwise as the Governor has touched almost all the areas of Ekiti state when it comes to development.
“The Governor is doing well, anyone saying otherwise is either blind and needs help to see clearly. I didn’t come here today for vote seeking, neither am I here for any 4+4 politics, but I want to say that at when the time is right in about two years time God will do that which is right ”
“Mi o wa loni nitori 4+4 mi o de le so nkankan nipa e sugbon ti asiko ba to Olohun a se eyi ti o wu, he concluded in yoruba.
The event was however made colourful when the winner of the Miss Isan 2024 was presented to Erelu with a befitting prize for her while different dance groups, numerous Associations, different tribes who appeared in their attires to grace the occasion most especially the
Several dignitaries who also graced the Isan Day 2024 include; former Governor John Kayode Fayemi and his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi,Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye the deputy governor of Ekiti state House of Reps member Hon. Akin Rotimi, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, Yeye Oge of Isan Ekiti Omowumi Ogungbayibi,and Hon. Sunday Adunmo.
Other noticable attraction was that Sons sons and daughters of Isan thonged the palace grounds in their numbers to celebrate the annual festival, while majority of them wore aso ebi to the occasion to show that they were in unity.
Traditional rulers also joined the Isan Monarch to celebrate the Unity day are Olojudo of Ido Captain Ilori Faboro, Oba leo of Erinmope Barrister Babatunde Jemileyin, Onise of Odo Oro Oba Micheal Ademola, Oba Alafon of Ilafon, Oba Peter Falade Oloja of Oloje Ekiti.
Others are Attah of Ayede, Oba of Ilemeso and Regents of Ilemeso and Imojo Ekiti.
The launching was anchored by the chief of staff to the lagos state governor Hon. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde and other dignitaries who contributed towards the 250 million naira ultra modern civic centre which Governor fayemi assured residents of Isan that the civic center will be hopefully completed before the next Isan day.
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