By Ayodele Abere
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly has appreciated the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi iii for his support for both the State and federal government.
The distinguished Senator, while expressing his appreciation to the monarch, said everyone of the lawmakers representing Ekiti at the National Assembly knows that no amount of money can buy the kind of supports they have been enjoying from the royal father.
Bamidele who said he was glad to be part of the occasion this year in spite of the fact that he with his colleagues at the Senate are on National assignment in America which he said was why the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio couldn’t come to attend personally. He told the gathering that he has no excuse not to have attended as he explained that the traditional ruler with his chiefs purposely came to Abuja to invite them all.
Stressing that part of the agreement he had with the royal father during the electioneering campaign was that he would always be concerned and involved in Udiroko festival as requested by the monarch, and that in keeping to that, he made it point of duty to come all the way from America where he’s having National assignment to attend the event.
Appreciating the monarch for honouring the Senate President, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, ably represented by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau and two other members of the Senate, the Senate Leader said it means so much to them in the Senate.
In his word, “You have done this for us as an institution, not just as an individual. We are grateful for that. By the special grace of God, both the Deputy Senate President and I will deliver your message and will reciprocate with developmental projects in Ado kingdom”.
Adding that himself as the Senate Leader and the Deputy Senate President would ask the Senate President to be very clear as to what project he’s bringing to Ado-Ekiti in the 2025 budget allocation.
As their own contribution towards the festival and developmental projects in Ado-Ekiti, the Senators Godswill Akpabio, Jibrin Barau, Opeyemi Bamidele, Olamilekan Yayi and Hon. Sola Fatoba, representing Ekiti Central Federal constituency 1, all contributed the sum of one hundred and ten million naira.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, while delivering the message of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the Senate President himself would have loved to grace the occasion because of his good relationship with Governor Oyebanji, the Senate Leader and the monarch, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, if not for the important official assignment he went for in America.
Barau explained that Akpabio would have come to appreciate and tell the people of the State how he cherishes Opeyemi Bamidele, produced by Ekiti people and for electing him as one of the Senators in Nigeria who is able to lead the Senate, as well as showing his appreciation for the prayers he has been getting from the royal father saying he prays for them all the time.
“He is someone who prays for us, he is someone who cares for us and who also admire us because he’s one of the foremost traditional rulers in the country. He commands our respect. When I get to Abuja, I will draw the attention of others that it’s always good to observe Udiroko festival because it’s what everyone will cherish. We are going to do everything within our power to attract federal project to be executed in Ekiti”. The Senate President pledged.
In his remarks, the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji having congratulated the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, regretted that most governors couldn’t attend as it falls to Wednesday when most states hold their exco meeting.
However, he expressed optimism that next year’s own will be far better as he thanked all the sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti for thier support for the monarch.
The Governor also stated that he would hold the Senate President to his word that, in next year budget, a very good project would come to the city of Ado-Ekiti.
He therefore urged all the well to do individuals in the town to use the occasion to assist the needy around them.
Addressing the gathering, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe described Udiroko festival l as a platform that provides ample opportunities for Ado-Ekiti indigenes and takes pride in the history, culture, and traditions of its people. He used the opportunity to appeal to Ekiti residents to endure the effects of the current economic hardship giving assurance that the challenges will soon be alleviated by the policies of President Bola Tinubu.
“I want to appeal to all and sundry to sacrificially endure the current pains associated with the bold critical economic initiatives of President Tinubu. The pains shall soon be decimated and eclipsed by requisite policy attention of the government at all strata of the governance process”. Said the monarch.
Highlights of the occasion well attended by dignitaries from all walks of life were cultural displays and homages to the monarch by various groups in Ado-Ekiti.