As part of his ongoing discussions before taking office in October, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the incoming governor of Ekiti State, paid visits to three more notable Ekiti natives on Friday in Lagos.
Among those he met with were Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights attorney, and Mr. Dele Adesina, a former National Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (SAN).
Oyebanji said the visit was a continuation of his earlier pledge to join forces with ardent Ekiti leaders and carry them along as he steers the state’s affairs. He met the three legal heavyweights at their respective offices.
“I began this session with a trip to the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, and then I went to see Chief Deji Fasuan, an elder statesman. Adeniyi Adebayo and Ayodele Fayose, two former governors, were among those I met, and we had good conversations. I’ve decided to go see three of the legal pioneers in Ekiti today who are doing us proud. I have to admit that they all brightened my day with their excellent counsel and readiness to assist Ekiti State whenever necessary.
“This is vital since every stakeholder’s contribution to nation building can boost growth and good governance,”
Oyebanji’s election as governor-elect is not accidental, according to Chief Wole Olanipekun, who was speaking during a visit to his office in Ikoyi, Lagos. This is because Oyebanji participated in the struggle that resulted in the creation of Ekiti State and has 11 years of experience running the State’s government.
“I’m happy with my brother, the governor-elect. He is a unique gift to our beloved state, so I’m not shocked that God, in his infinite wisdom, chose to elevate him to the position of governor. I first saw him many years ago, when he joined the traditional leaders and leaders of Ekiti who were leading the fight to establish Ekiti State at a very young age. Later, when Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the State’s first executive governor, appointed him to his position, I got to know him. After our first talk, I knew right away that he would succeed. It didn’t take me an hour.
He is extremely intelligent, brilliant, humble, and sincere. Abiodun is the only person I know who can beat that record today and possesses those special qualities, and I’ve worked in numerous positions in Ekiti for 11 years. I’m glad he’s here, and I’ve promised to be there for him whenever he needs me.
For his part, Adesina asserted that Oyebanji made the best choice possible by consulting Ekiti leaders at this preliminary stage.
“Consultation is the first piece of advise I would have offered to our Governor-Elect. He ought to make it a point to gather Ekiti’s elites and discuss potential contributions with them. The time when the government could achieve sustainable development on its own is long gone. There are many Ekiti people in the world who are not easily intimidated and who might make valuable contributions to the development of our state. They must be encouraged to donate whatever they can by our future governor.
“The trick is that when an idea originates from a specific group of people, they won’t let it die. I want to implore Mr. Oyebanji to increase funding for technical institutions in order for young people in Ekiti to gain information that will enable them to start small enterprises in order to involve our youth. The Ekiti youths, who have abruptly turned into the antithesis of what we knew growing up, need to be reoriented, according to Adesina.
Mr. Femi Falana, a fiery lawyer at the GRA in Ikeja, welcomed Oyebanji with open arms and challenged him to carve out a unique position for himself through efficient and practical government that would lead to the value restoration and economic prosperity of the Ekiti people.
In addition, continuous consultation with stakeholders and leaders will be a key component of his administration’s public engagement policy, according to Oyebanji, who stated that the ongoing dialogue with Ekiti stakeholders and leaders would continue till his inauguration.
