Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed his profound appreciation to Nigerians in general and Ekiti citizens in particular, as well as the Silverbird Group for the Man of the Year Award presented to him at a colourful ceremony in Lagos on Sunday.
The Governor sincerely thanked the President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the enabling environment, through his economic policies and programmes, that has ceded more funds to the states, through which his administration has been able to scale up socio-economic and infrastructure development of Ekiti State that formed the basis for the nomination and eventual emergence as the Silverbird Man of the Year.
While thanking the Almighty God for the honour, Governor Oyebanji also dedicated the Silverbird Man of the Year Award to President Tinubu, in appreciation of the President’s love and support for Ekiti State and for his administration.
Governor Oyebanji also expressed profound thanks to all former Governors of the state- Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Engr Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi, for their presence and solidarity at the event, and for their individual and collective support for his government since inception. He also appreciated the presence of the flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2022 Governorship election, Hon Bisi Kolawole at the event and for his support for the administration.
The Governor sincerely thanked the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and members of the Ekiti State caucus of the National Assembly, comprising all the three senators and six House of Representatives members, for their collaboration with the administration. He equally thanked former Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu; the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Adeoye Aribasoye and all members of the House as well as members of the state executive council.
“This is the new Ekiti, where love and brotherliness are emphasized without consideration for political or religious differences, and I am particularly thankful to all our former Governors and leaders for their statesmanship and immense support for our administration, the Governor stated.
Governor Oyebanji also expressed his gratitude to all revered leaders and elders of the state including the Founder and Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN); former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); President Architect Registration of Nigeria (ARCON), Arc Dipo Ajayi; former National Secretary, NBA, Chief Dele Adesina (SAN); Senator Femi Ojudu; Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi.
The Governor also thanked all royal fathers in the state Council of Traditional Rulers led by the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, HRM Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro. The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Alagbado and the Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, HRM Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole as well as the Eyesorun of Ado Ekiti, Olori Abosede Adejugbe, who stood in for the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, HRM Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.
His appreciation also goes to all his friends in the corpotate world, including the Managing Director, Premium Trust Bank, Mr Emmanuel Emefienim; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr Oluropo Dada; Mr Kola Alabi, Mr Tope Alabi, Mr Tope Adebayo, Mr Gilbert Igweeka; Prof Deji Agboola, Mr Wale Fapounda (SAN) and Engr Oseni Aderemi, among others.
Governor Oyebanji also appreciated other awardees including the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi; Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Mbah; as well as winners in other categories of the award.
He equally thanked the National and state leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), all leaders of trade unions, associations and groups, including market leaders, artisan, drivers union, okada unions, artisans, elders and the youths for their massive support for the administration, without which the administration could not do much.
The Governor also extended profound appreciation to his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji for her encouragement, and for keeping the home front.
He said the award has conferred on him an added responsibility and greater level of determination to continue to work for a more remarkable improvement in the standard of living of the people of the state, emphasizing their welfare, wellbeing, safety and prosperity.
