The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has advised the citizens not to allow politics to stoke unwarranted cleavages and rift among them, urging that they should stand united to collectively pursue and achieve the development of the state in all spheres of the economy.
Oyebanji urged political players to perceive politics as instrument of unity, development and progress, rather than a weapon of destruction and enmity.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the charge in Ikere Ekiti, on Saturday, during the 2024 edition of the Annual Odun Oba Festival, held at the palace of Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado.
Oyebanji, who showered encomiums on the monarch for championing uncommon and radical development in the town since his enthronement, urged the royal father to work relentlessly to ensure that the indigenes remain bonded in love, regardless of political affiliations.
Oyebanji assured the town that his administration would continually provide water-forced security and rev up the pedal of project delivery, by fasttracking speedy completion of the Ikere-Igbara Odo and Ikere-Ilawe roads to further expose the town to modernity and business opportunities.
On the persistent case of power outage being experienced in a section of the town, Oyebanji revealed that efforts are on top gear for the supply of transformer to restore electricity in the affected area to bolster business activities and improve local economy.
“Approval has been given for the procurement of the transformer to restore electricity to the affected area. We are supplying new one and not refurbished one. Just be patient with us. This government is ready to make Ikere a beacon of development and progress.
“The development of all the towns in Ekiti is very paramount to us as a government. We have started the progress and no community will be neglected in our development plans”.
On the significance of the Odun Oba Festival, Oyebanji stated that it was primarily organised by the community to reinforce the unity among the people and celebrate the town’s rich cultural endowment.
In his submission, the highly elated Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, commended Governor Oyebanji, for partnering the community to tackle perpetrators of recurrent bank robbery and marauding Fulani herders allegedly attacking farmers and subjecting the town to food shortage.
The monarch further applauded the governor on the construction of of Ikere-Igbara Odo, Ikere-Ise and Ikere-Ilawe roads and other highbrow projects in Ikere Ekiti, thereby exposing the community to better economic activities.
Revealing communal efforts being made to complement the government to combat insecurity, Oba Adu stated that the community was currently working on a Security Trust Fund that would be used to build a magnificent building that will be used for by the police as Area Command to ease policing work
Specifically, the monarch saluted the elites, honourary chieftaincy titles, private investors and all the indigenes of the town for their commitments to Ikere development, saying their partnerships have ushered in unquantifiable dividends to the citizens.
Harping on the imperative of all the indigenes standing united to strengthen the cord of unity among them, Oba Alagbado stressed that the annual Odun Oba, was specifically conceived to celebrate the town’s rich cultural heritage and to further unite the town.
“Let me specifically thank Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his Deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye for their love for Ikere Ekiti. Their contributions have been reflecting in the development being witnessed across the town and in the success of this festival.
“But a lot more needed to be done. Let us be more committed, because there is no other town we can call ours. I know some people wanted to destroy the image of our town, but we must be patient with them. Don’t let us fight anybody, we have to protect our heritage”.
In their responses, the duo of the Chairmen of Ikere Local Government, Hon.Olu Adamolekun and his counterpart in Ikere West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rufus Olorunfemi, described the festival as opportunity to celebrate and showcase the adorning cultural heritage of the town.
The council bosses, who warned against political bickerings and division, solicited the efforts of all the citizens for the community to be launched to a higher pedestal and become epicentre of progress.
Other high profile dignitaries at the event were: Former Deputy Governor Abiodun Aluko, Vice Chancellor, University of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Victor Adeniyi, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, traditional rulers, politicians, members of Ikere Development Forum, youth groups, among others.