AS his practice since he took over the mantle of leadership of the state three years ago, Ekiti State governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, recently marked the anniversary of his administration with a series of activities, including the inauguration of projects across the state.
For four days, electricity projects, roads, bridges, empowerment programmes, among others, were inaugurated in places like Ado, Ijero, Okemesi, Ikun, Ilawe, Ise, Emure and others.
Many of the projects were not only novel, some were actually initiated by the same Fayose nearly a decade ago when he was first elected into office. In this regard were the dualisation of the Ado-Ikere Road and the Ikun Bridge on Ero River in Moba Local Government Area. Fayose was the one who initiated the dualisation of all roads leading to Ado-Ekiti during his first term. He then dualised the Ado-Iyin Road, Ado-Ifaki Road, Ado-Ilawe Road and so on. For the Ado- Ikere Road, the governor promised, when he was elected for another term in 2014, that he would take the project deep down to the town centre. He not only did that, he added an icing on the cake by the addition of a water fountain, the first of its kind in the state, and the beautification of the environment.
A man known for keeping his promises, in January this year, Fayose had gone to Ori Apata/ Nata area of Adebayo in Ado-Ekiti and promised the people that he would construct a befitting road to link them with the town, this, he did. The road laid with asphalt and complemented with drainage was also inaugurated. A renowned theatre practitioner, Chief Jimoh Aliu, whose house is located in the area, spoke the minds of other residents by describing the governor as reliable, dependable and a keeper of promises. The chairman of the Landlords Association, Elder Babafemi Paul, said the residents, in appreciation of the governor’s gesture, had got all necessary approvals to name the road, Ayodele Fayose Drive.
The Okemesi-Osun Boundary Road that had been abandoned since 1971, was reconstructed and a mammoth crowd was on hand to welcome their performing governor to the inauguration. This is just as an elated Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adebayo, led thousands of his subjects to witness the inauguration of the dualised Ijero Township Road. All the road projects inaugurated not only have drainages to give then longer lifespan, but also fitted with streetlights.
Despite the cash crunch and the economic recession in the county, many people keep wondering why Fayose is investing on infrastructure and what keeps him going. He provided the answers on the first day of the anniversary celebration while inaugurating Irasa Electrification Project, Ikun Bridge and Okemesi-Osun State Boundary Road, among others.
“These projects are promises made and kept. It is our belief that a solid infrastructural base would help accelerate economic development of our state. The Ikun Road was started by me during my first term and where I stopped is where I have come to meet it. The bridge is the link between many towns in this axis,”. the governor said.
The ceremonies were not limited to inauguration of projects, but included various empowerment programmes. For instance, the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, went round hospitals in the state where she settled the medical bills of indigent patients. She also met widows during which she gave out cash and other items to empower them and enhance their businesses. In similar manner, Governor Fayose held a special session with physically challenged persons at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
He not only gave jobs to 51 persons, including a lawyer, Mr Gboyega Afolabi, who is observing his mandatory one-year National Youth Service Scheme at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Afolabi is visually-impaired. The governor also directed that 100 more physically challenged persons be added to the state’s social security scheme. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are paid N5000 monthly stipend.
Afolabi, who was given teaching job at EKSU, had glowing words for the governor.
The governor also donated one million naira to the people to assess their health conditions and that any case needing special attention should be brought to his notice. He donated wheel chairs to those who needed them, and asked that a specialist opthalmologist be brought to check their eyesight and promised free eye glasses for them.
During the special jumat service organised at the Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque, people who had thought that the governor would only send his aides who are Muslims to attend the service, were surprised to see him there.
“I have nothing against Muslims; they are our brothers and sisters. If a Muslim is my deputy for instance, I would not be the one interfacing with you all the time, the person would do that. I just want us to continue to pray for God’s guidance. He will surely see us through,” he said.
He also responded to the request by the Chief Imam, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, on the ongoing projects by assuring that they would all be completed before he leaves office next year. Among them are the new Governor’s Office, new Ojaba Market, High Court Complex, the flyover among others.
The governor not only used the celebration for inauguration of projects, he also addressed some burning communal issues such as the supremacy battle between the Olukere and Ogoga in Ikere-Ekiti. He promised to take a holistic look at the matter and arrive at a decision that would further boost smooth and peaceful coexistence in the town.
Fayose’s colleague in Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, who witnessed the inauguration of the Ikere projects, said Fayose should be emulated by others, as he has done well despite serious financial challenges.
The rousing reception accorded Fayose and his team everywhere they went and the joy in the faces of people, are pointers to one fact, they love their governor and are pleased with his performance.
Though his state may rank low in term of revenue accruals, Fayose has so far shown that prudence and determination could help a leader achieve in spite of all odds.
- Wahab writes from Ado-Ekiti.
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