The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appealed to all Ekiti citizens to coalesce efforts with him in the task of building a state that will be economically viable, socially mobile and politically recognised among the comity of states in Nigeria.
Oyebanji posited that his government was incurably ready to relate with every citizen, regardless of class, political belief and religious inclination, as long as the interest of the state and its development are taking the centre stage.
The Governor spoke on Friday, during a 60th Birthday Empowerment programme, organised by a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Wunmi Ogunlola, for the people of Ijero Local Government Area.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, commended the former House of Assembly lawmaker, for deeming it fit to empower her people to cushion the effect of astronomic increase in the prices of commodities in the nation.
Despite the crunchy economic situation, the governor assured Nigerian citizens that the day of abundance is imminent in view of the pragmatic reforms being initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rejuvenate the economy.
“You can all attest to the fact that Hon Wunmi Ogunlola had at various times proven to be a good representative of the people. This she demonstrated during her time in the Ekiti State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011, where she worked tirelessly to give Ijero constituency the best of representation.
“The same feat was achieved when she was a member of the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023 representing Ijero/Efon/Ekiti West Federal Constituency.
“I want to place on record that the empowerment programme of today will go into the annals of history as one of the best ever organised by a single individual in the state”.
On the economic situation of the country, Governor Oyebanji said: “The day of joy is imminent. With the gradual pick up of our economy, because of the actions being taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am sure that our days of abundance are on the way”.
Giving the breakdown of the beneficiaries, the celebrant, Hon. Ogunlola, said a total of 800 students will benefit from textbooks, 200 from cash gifts and 200 from other materials like motorcycles, tricycles, fridges, sowing machines, grinding machines, wheel chairs, and others.
Ogunlola, who is a Commissioner in the Board of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), said she would continue to form a strong synergy with Governor Oyebanji to mitigate poverty and unemployment in the land through personal philanthropic gestures.
Mrs Ogunlola added that she will stride hard to offer hope for the less fortunate, whether she is position of authority or not, saying impacting positively in the lives of the masses remains the hallmark of effective leadership .
She stated that the birthday empowerment programme was intended to promote education, being the best antidote against poverty, and promote the economic survival of those at the grassroots.
“What I did today was devoid of politics. I didn’t pick the beneficiaries based on their political beliefs, I did it with a passion to promote education of our children, and raise the standards of economic survival of our people”.
