By Ayodele Abere
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State on Labour Matters, Mr. Kayode Fatomiluyi, has appreciated Journalists in Ekiti for their cooperation with the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.
Fatomiluyi who described Oyebanji as Godsent to the people of Ekiti State expressed the appreciation during his familarisation visit to the NUJ Secretariat on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
The SSA who opined that it’s strange to see a governor that would be loved by all the elders in the state, opinion leaders, religious leaders and traditional rulers noted that BAO is such a wonderful man that Ekiti is having this time around.
“We attest to the fact that Oyebanji possesses a high sense of humility. He is compassionate, modest and ingenious in his approach to issues and that’s why we are having it very good. I have visited more than nine unions and the message on their lips has been kudos, kudos”.
However, the governor’s aide said that doesn’t mean that the unions are not having challenges. “We have listened to their challenges and their demands would be presented to the Governor”. He assured.
The former Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council in the state,who stated that his door is wide open, promised that his own SSA won’t be the type that will sitting in the office, saying he’s ready to move to any union whenever they need him. Adding that he is not interested in the internal affairs of any union but peace and tranquility of the state.
In his reaction, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists in the State, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi who described Fatomiluyi’s appointment as well deserved, congratulated him and prayed God to give him the needed wisdom to deliver on the task before him.
According to Babatuyi, “You’re very lucky to have come at this time because you are working with a governor that has a listening ear. You have a very good product at your hand that doesn’t require much packaging which is the governor. Oyebanji is a sellable product.
“Even, we in the media haven’t had it so good like this in the past. Since the creation of Ekiti State and since I have known NUJ, he’s the first Governor that has stepped his feet into NUJ office. No Governor had ever come to us. It’s only during the electioneering campaign period that you see the politicians running after us.
“Immediately they get what they want, they seem to forget us. But Oyebanji’s case is very different. He is an opposite of the reality in Nigeria where you get a product of low quality at higher price”. Said the NUJ Chairman.
Stressing further, Comrade Babatuyi said as far as Ekiti State is concerned that, Gov. Oyebanji is one of the most publicised governors in Nigeria saying he has been enjoying this with just a little amount of money because of his goodwill. Unlike other States Governors that are investing heavily in the media.
He therefore appealed to the Governor through the SSA not to take the love that Ekiti journalists have for him for granted and that he should make himself accessible to them.
The SSA assured the leadership of the Council that the message would be well delivered to the Governor.
