By Victor Ogunje
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has clarified that the impending state awards to be conferred on former Governors Ayodele Fayose, Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and 45 others, including a legal Icon, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has no political undertone.
Justifying that the 48 awardees were picked on merit, Fayemi said the illustrious Ekiti indigenes were deemed fit for their contributions to the state’s development in all facets.
Fayemi, who spoke through the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu, revealed this on Wednesday at a press conference heralding the maiden edition of a state honour tagged ‘Oni Uyi Awards 2021’, slated for October 30.
Fayemi said two former state’s military administrators, Col. Inua Bawa and Commodore Atanda Yusuf, will benefit from the new honours, designed by his government to recognise those he categorised as ‘Architects and Builders’ of Ekiti.
The governor said honouring Fayose and Oni, who are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain shows the awards are bereft of political undertone, adding that: “It is history that is bringing us together, not politics.
“Governors Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni are of PDP, but they have contributed their quotas. When it comes to the issue of development, Governor Fayemi is not political. The interest of Ekiti is supreme and paramount to him.”
The governor stated that the categories of honours they will be garlanded with include: Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (EEA), Member of Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (MEEA), Member of Ekiti Meritorious Service (MEMS) Distinguished Friends of Ekiti, Member of Distinguished Friends of Ekiti (DFE) and Ekiti Reputable Entrepreneurship (ERE).
He added that the awards conferment is in compliance with the Ekiti State Honours Law, 2020, assented to by Fayemi, to recognise and reward distinguished and hardworking individuals, who have excelled in their respective careers and supporting the development of the state.
Other distinguished Ekiti indigenes to be honoured are: the Chairman, Committee for the creation of Ekiti State, Chief Deji Fasuan; the current Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji; Secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr Kunle Olajide; and the late Mrs Bola Omojola.
Also to be garlanded with awards are top-rated traditional rulers like the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Joseph Adewole; Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare; and the Obanla of Ijesa Isu, Oba Gabriel Adeniyi.
