Fayemi, Ooni Urge Nigerians to Embrace Peace, Harmony

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi yesterday identified peace and harmony as the greatest catalysts for development, urging Nigerians to embrace one another and fight for the unity and stability of the country.

The leaders added that no locality could develop while being embroiled in crisis, noting that peace and unity are required to uplift the country’s to the pedestal of development that could benefit all citizens.  

They made the remarks in Ilawe Ekiti yesterday during the 10th Coronation anniversary of the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti and the Chairman of Ekiti State Traditional Council, Oba Ajibade Alabi. 

At the coronation, the town inaugurated the establishment of N500 million Banana Processing Industry in Ilawe Ekiti to tap the comparative advantage the Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area has in the production of banana and plantain.”

Addressing the gathering, Fayemi described Alabi as an erudite scholar, who combined royalty with intellectualism, which according to him, reflected in the ways he superintended over the Ekiti State Traditional Council as Chairman and Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti.

The governor posited that the banana industry initiated by the community will help in processing agricultural products in the state to a finished product and boost the economy at the local level.

“I must thank Kabiyesi who in his enterprising wisdom and intellect deemed it fit to set up this industry to boost industrial development in Ekiti State. 

“Let me assure you that I will provide an enabling environment for the industry to be sited and thrive here. If there is any Certificate of Occupancy to be signed, I will do it. If there is any reason for our enterprise agency to give support in terms of Microcredit to this industry, we will do that in the interest of development. 

“But nothing can be achieved without peace. We must work hard in unison with Kabiyesi to ensure that we achieve peace that will bring development to our doorsteps.”

Also, harping on peace and unity in the country, the Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi, said these are needed to bring development and stability to the system.

Commending Alabi for ushering in development in all facets in the last one decade in Ilawe Ekiti, Ogunwusi said the strides of the monarch to bring industrial development to the town showed his commitment to make Ilawe Ekiti a model.

Ogunwusi said: “The youth, elders, women and all groups in this town should come together and work for the progress of  this town, Ekiti and Nigeria. 

“We are really proud of Ekiti people because of their love for scholarship and development. I am particularly happy with  Alawe for  combining  royalty with intellectualism. All these are reflecting on the growth and development you are witnessing today”.

On the occasion attended by illustrious sons and daughters across the globe, Alabi appealed to Fayemi to quickly attend to the perennial flooding ravaging the town.

He also applauded Fayemi and Ogunwusi for working hard with other colleagues to ensure peace, stability and unity in the Yoruba race.

He said: “I want to remind you about the catastrophic effect of flooding of the town about two years ago. I want to appeal to the governor that Ilawe needs the support of the government on channelisation in order to forestall future occurrences.

“We want the government to give us a fire brigade station now that gas stations are springing up here and there in the town. This will help in arresting any fire outbreak promptly. This is crucial because the nearest fire station is 16 km away in Ado Ekiti.”

The Chairman of the anniversary, Capt. Kunle Olayiwola appreciated the king for his giant strides in developing the town, applauding Fayemi for appointing the monarch as the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Ekiti state, in June 2019.