Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has donated food items and cash gifts to the School of the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti, to mark her 68th birthday, saying she was following the footsteps of her boss, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who always dedicates his birthdays to the less privileged.
Mrs Afuye made the donation at the special school located at Oke-Osun in her hometown, Ikere-Ekiti. She urged well-meaning members of the public to show concern for special persons such as the blind, deaf and physically challenged.
According to a statement by the Director of Press, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Tope Ariyo, items donated include bags of rice, vegetable oil, packs of table water, bags of salt and cash gifts, among others.
The Deputy Governor said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the living conditions of the beneficiaries whom she described as God’s special people.
“I am a product of God’s grace. Whatever we are giving to these God’s special breed is out of the magnanimity of God to us. When you have a good leader, you can hardly miss your way. We have a compassionate Governor who is driven by the love of his people. So, in his footsteps, it is better to spend this day with you instead of throwing a lavish party,” she said.
She described Governor Oyebanji as a passionate leader worthy of emulation, noting that he has been piloting the affairs of the state with uncommon passion since assumption of office.
Mrs Afuye said the state government has continued to show strong dedication to the welfare of persons with disabilities by upgrading facilities in all special schools and ensuring the wellbeing of students, assuring that government would not rest on its oars.
She used the occasion to sensitise the school community to troop out en masse during the December 12, 2026 local government poll and the general elections slated for January 2027, to reciprocate Governor Oyebanji’s good gestures.
“Ekiti State has one of the best policies for the less privileged and people with disabilities in Nigeria. The best way to reciprocate this is to troop out during elections and vote for our party. We deliberate on your wellbeing always,” she said.
She added that the welfare of the vulnerable remains dear to Governor Oyebanji and his wife, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji, recalling that the First Lady recently distributed educational materials and scholarships to indigent children under her Back-to-School Initiative.
Speaking on her birthday, Mrs Afuye thanked God for sparing her life and for the opportunity to serve Ekiti at the highest level, which she said has deepened her understanding of the challenges facing the poor and vulnerable.
“I am here this morning to rejoice with you. When Governor Oyebanji came on board, he instructed us to be celebrating with you on our birthdays instead of throwing parties. I have been doing that since we came and I am again here this year doing same. I will spend the rest of my life serving God and humanity,” she stated.
On expectations for the second term, she said: “They should expect more work and more meaningful progress, stability and better economic prosperity for our people.”
In her response, the Principal of the school, Mrs Kikelomo Okeya, commended the Deputy Governor for her love, generosity and spirit of inclusivity, describing the Oyebanji administration’s inclusive governance as a model worthy of emulation by other states.
Also speaking on behalf of the students, Miss Miracle Emmanuel prayed for the Deputy Governor and thanked her for making life more meaningful for special students.
