Oyebanji: Why we’re honouring ex-governors with legacy projects

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has offered explanations on why his administration decided to immortalise former governors of the State by naming newly constructed legacy projects after them.

He spoke on Friday during the inauguration of the ultramodern Kayode Fayemi Lodge at the Government House Complex, Ado-Ekiti.

The project was named after his immediate predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Governor Oyebanji said none of the former governors who had served before him named any project after themselves while in office, hence the decision of his administration to honour them with some legacy projects.

The commissioning was witnessed by Fayemi, who unveiled the plaque and cut the tape of the new edifice alongside his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. 

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; Chairman, Ekiti State Traditional Rulers Council/Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adu Adejimi Alagbado; and State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sola Elesin, were also present.

Oyebanji explained that the Kayode Fayemi Lodge was the first of the newly constructed legacy projects to be named after the former governors as a mark of honour and recognition for their selfless service to the State, adding that the one named after former Governor Ayodele Fayose would be commissioned on Monday while another one to be named after former Governor Segun Oni is due for commissioning at a later date.

The Ekiti State Governor used the opportunity of the ceremony to provide an insight into the economic agenda of his second term, stressing that the infrastructures and facilities being put in place would help attract big-time investors to the State.

He said: “Today we are saying that our own prophet is valued by his people, what we are doing today is just to say thank you for your service to Ekiti State, for your service to Nigeria, and for your service to the world.”

Recalling his time as Secretary to the State Government during the second term of Dr. Fayemi administration, Oyebanji disclosed that the former governor rejected a proposal to name a government edifice after himself and instead named it after the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. 

Fayemi, according to Oyebanji, insisted then that it was the duty of future administrations to determine whether he was deserving of the honour of naming a monument after him or not.

He explained that the new project aligns with Ekiti State’s 30-Year Development Plan, stating that the second term agenda of his administration will prioritise crowding the state with investors and supporting small businesses.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to creating an enabling environment and ecosystem that will drive investment, support productivity, and ensure that Ekiti State plays host to big businesses.

He said: “This is not a mere building.

“It is part of the infrastructure to drive shared prosperity.

“The second term of this administration will be devoted to supporting businesses, to ensure that we create an atmosphere that drives productivity, because it is only when an economy is productive that wealth can be created.”

Highlighting ongoing investments, Governor Oyebanji listed roads, airport, electricity, and water as building blocks of industrialisation, adding that investors consistently ask questions about safe and decent accommodation for long stays in the State. 

He lamented that on many occasions the state have had guests that had to arrive Ekiti State and go back the same day because of lack of decent accommodation.

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for federal support that has enabled projects across the state.

He said the resources the President had made available are part of why his government was able to do all those things that made Ekiti residents vote for him.

Calling for reciprocity, the governor urged Ekiti State people to mobilise massively for the President in the next election and set a new target of 600,000 votes for him.

He said: “I believe we are going to get 600,000 this time because those who contested against the ruling party in the last election have now declared support for the President.

He described the coming election as “one state, one party, one candidate”.

Oyebanji who described Dr Fayemi as a boss, leader, benefactor, teacher, and a man of honour, said the inauguration of the Kayode Fayemi Lodge was a gesture to say thank you for the selfless service rendered by the former governor across two terms he served and to prove that he (Fayemi) is a “prophet that is valued at home”.

Apparently elated by the honour, former Governor Fayemi, who described the lodge as “a magnificent edifice”, thanked his successor for his thoughtfulness in not only conceiving the project and seeing it to a logical conclusion, but also extending same gesture to other former governors who had served the state meritoriously.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖