Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said his administration has opened honours register in the state containing names of individuals that have contributed immensely to the creation and development of the state.
This he said is in line with the provision of the law establishing the Ekiti State Honours Award, adding that the register would be kept in the office of the Secretary to the State Government for record purposes and for posterity.
Fayemi disclosed this at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, during the maiden edition of the Ekiti Honours (Oni Uyi) Awards as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state and the third year anniversary of his second term administration.
The event which turned out an evening of glitz, accolades and reminisces, saw the two former Military Administrators of the state, the late Lt. Col. Inua Bawa and Navy Captain Atanda Yusuf as well as three former Civilian governors – Chief Niyi Adebayo, Mr Ayodele Fayose and Engr Segun Oni receiving the state’s highest honours – Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (EEA) Award for their roles as ‘Builders’ of the State.
Former Military Governor of the old Western Region, the late General Adeyinka Adebayo, legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III and Chairman of the Ekiti State Creation Committee, Chief Deji Fasuan were also awarded the Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (EEA) awards for their roles as ‘Architects’ of Ekiti State.
Other recipients of the awards in different categories include legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), former Minister of Education, Prof Tunde Adeniran; former Minister of Information, Chief Ayo Ogunlade, former Minister for Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, second Republic Minister of Science and Technology, late Dr Bode Olowoporoku, Secretary of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr Kunle Olajide and incumbent Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, who served as Secretary to the Ekiti State creation Committee then as a young man in his mid-twenties among other imminent sons and daughters of the state.
Fayemi: “It is no longer news that our mantra for this second term is to restore those values which make us unique as Ekiti people. In pursuance of this, we have decided to resuscitate the awards. To this end, the Ekiti State Honours Roll Law, No 41 of 2020 has been enacted to give legal backing to the awards and to institutionalize it perpetually for subsequent administrations.
“Those to be honoured today include those at the forefront of the vanguard for Ekiti State creation. We have diligently researched into our archives in a painstaking move to identify these heroes and heroines whose labour and efforts resulted in the creation of Ekiti State. Our decision to honour them today is our show of gratitude to these valiant men and women.
“This is the maiden edition of “Oni Uyi” Award. The central philosophy undergirding our administration is the restoration of Ekiti Values. This is why a few days ago, we launched the Ekiti Values Education Curriculum and Textbooks. Today, we are implementing the provisions of the Ekiti State Honour (Oni Uyi) Awards Law, 2020 as we honour the architects and builders of Ekiti State and demonstrate that it pays to live honourably and serve the common good,” the Governor added.
A major highlight of the event was a panel discussion on the creation of the state with the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe; Chief Fasuan and Oyebanji as panellists.
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Fayemi institutionalises Ekiti honours award, promises to preserve state’s values
