Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, revealed that his administration would collaborate with elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, towards achieving his vision for the state.
Oyebanji, who spoke when he led three Senators -elect and six House of Representatives members- to the renowned lawyer in ABUAD, said he led the newly elected lawmakers to the nonagenarian to share his vision for Ekiti as well as give them assignments on Ekiti project.
He added that his government would partner with ABUAD by sharing its vision of industrialization, saying, ” if the institution could achieve this remarkable feat in the thirteen years of its existence, then sharing the vision with it would be a plus for the state.”
According to him, “As Secretary of Ekiti creation, I have an idea of Baba’s vision for Ekiti state and I know that as we are today, we can only realize that vision when we partner together. I was telling them about your gesture towards the Airport, they did not believe, that the Airport would have been completed if we allow you to do what you wanted to do.
“I brought them here today to listen to you and thank you for what you are doing to humanity and Ekiti state. If it were in the olden days, you would have been made a god, but in your lifetime, sir, we will continue to reverence you and make you proud.”
Speaking, Babalola charged the newly elected Senators and Members House of Representatives from Ekiti state to use their new status to attract development to the state, using necessary connections and lobbying processes.
The legal icon, who is reputed as the highest taxpayer in Ekiti State, appealed to all Ekiti people, irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands with the incumbent Governor Oyebanji to drive aggressive development of the state, noting that he was convinced Ekiti would progress rapidly under Oyebanji whom he described as a progressive leader.
Babalola used the opportunity to call on local Government administrators to embark on aggressive food production by investing massively in agricultural implements and inputs to make the state the nation’s food basket.
He highlighted his development strides in the state to include law, education, health, youth development, industry, agriculture, and lots more, adding that ABUAD Multi-Systems Hospital is on the verge of taking healthcare delivery close to the people by establishing ABUAD Health Centres in remote areas of the state to help the people with critical health challenges who may not be able to visit the main hospital.
“Whatever you want to achieve in life starts from leadership at all levels, the fact that we are able to bring you together here shows a new leadership order and that Governor Oyebanji is an exemplary leader and he will continue to be successful,” ABUAD founder said.
Speaking on behalf of the legislators, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator-elect Cyril Fasuyi(Ekiti North) reiterated their commitments to the Ekiti project. They promised to work closely with Governor Oyebanji to attract more development to the state.
The Legislators, who extolled the virtue of Aare Babalola as having so much to tap from his wealth of experience, called on him to help invest more towards the state’s development.
Other Legislators elected at the meeting included Senator-elect Yemi Adaramodu(Ekiti South) and the House of Representatives members-elect were Niyi Ojuawo(Ekiti South 1), Femi Bamisile(Ekiti South 2) Abiodun Omoleye(Ekiti Central two) Akinlayo Kolawole(Ekiti North 1) Sola Fatoba(Ekiti Central 1) and Akin Rotimi(Ekiti North 2).