Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti
The ancient town of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital was literately shut down on Sunday as the Ekiti State Governor; Dr. Kayode Fayemi marked his 55 birthday anniversary in grandstyle.
Dignitaries including politicians, captain of Industries, academics, religious and traditional leaders as well as top government functionaries were present at the colorful ceremony.
Among the dignitaries were State governors: Dr Okeize Ikpeazu (Abia), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Jide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), and Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State; Godwin Obaseki (Edo).
Also in attendance were former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Bawa Bwari and Vice President Kings College , London, Prof Funmi Olonisakin who chaired the panel discussion.
Others include Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Hon. (Barr.) Wumi Ogunlola, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Hon. Yemi Adaramodu, Hon. (Barr.) Ibrahim Olarewaju, Hon. (Barr.) Peter Owolabi and Hon. Olusola Fatoba.
Yoruba leaders include Prof Banji Akintoye and Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Fasanmi as well as former deputy governors- Prof Modupe Adelabu; Abiodun Aluko were also in attendance.
Others are the Archbishop of Ondo Anglican Diocese, Bishop Christopher Omotunde, Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaiye, and traditional leaders in the State led by their chairman, Oba Ajibade Alabi.
In his sermon during the Thanksgiving mass held at Jibowu Hall, Government House, the Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Revd Emmanuel Badejo called on political leaders in the country to put the people above party and personal interests in order to create a prosperous nation.
Badejo, who stated that God is calling on leaders to put people above party because the people come first, warned that those who fail to do so would “become liabilities and be thrown into the dustbin of history”.
The clergyman also urged Nigerians to roll up their sleeves to support leaders who want to create a better society.
He noted that the country was “wounded by injustice” and called on leaders to become lights to displace the darkness surrounding the nation.
“We must roll up our sleeves to support leaders and those who want to create a better society. The light of honesty is disappearing; the light is not going round enough. God is calling on leaders to put people above party, to put people above personal interests because the people come first and they are God’s greatest legacy. Those who fail to do so will become liabilities and thrown into the dustbin of history”, he said.
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While congratulating Fayemi on his 55th birthday, Bishop Badejo hailed the governor for spearheading various people-oriented programmes in the different capacities he had served the people.
The clergyman particularly commended the governor and other Southwest governors for coming up with the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly called Amotekun, saying that the governors have “demonstrated a superior understanding of what it means to prioritise the sanctity of human life”.
In a prophetic manner, the Catholic Bishop said Ekiti might be a small State but it had all it takes to lead Nigeria in the near future.
He prayed God to give Fayemi “good collaborators and trustworthy allies” as he continues to serve the people selflessly.
In his remarks, Governor Fayemi reiterated his promise to dedicate the rest of his life to the service of God and humanity, stressing that “a life without service to God and humanity is not a life worth living.”
The Governor who was full of gratitude to God, his wife, his family members and his allies, admonished his well-wishers to keep faith in God by trusting Him (God) to use those chosen to occupy leadership positions to tackle their challenges.
Fayemi while addressing the congregation thanked God for sparing his life, saying a child the parents had a forlorn hope about his survival has grown to the extent of reaching 55.
“I give God all the glory for giving me uncommon favour. It is uncommon because my parents never knew I could survive infancy.
“They had lost two children in quick succession and that was why they named me Folorunso, meaning that let us just leave him in the hands of God.
“My parents just thought they should just wait and see the outcome and today I am celebrating 55, I give God all the glory”, he said.
Fayemi added that he decided to celebrate the birthday at this time just to give glory to God taking cognizance of his background and how he grew up.
“I am particularly happy for today, because I have passed through a lot and if I should continue to narrate all those ordeals today, nobody will leave this place.
“I only implore you my admirers to join me in thanking God for his mercies that I considered as an uncommon and divine favour”, the governor added.
Responding to challenges in life, Fayemi, said challenges are opportunities to make a difference in the lives of human beings, adding that he would continue to focus on the work of God in improving the situations of his society and the country.
“All of the challenges will not go away overnight but you should believe that God is the one that can always use those of us that have been given grace to lead, to be of service to all his children, we have no choice than to continue to commit ourselves to the Service of God.
“I have been a beneficiary of God’s generosity, because for me challenges are opportunities to make a difference in the lives of human beings, so if you allowed me, let us just focus on the work of God to improve the conditions of our society and Country.
Other highlights of the birthday celebration which was attended by the crème la de crème from different parts of the country included a panel discussion and public presentation of a book that interrogated his first term in office.
In his goodwill message, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal described Fayemi as “a governor who is not partisan and has proven himself to be pan-Nigeria and had a relationship with everyone regardless of political affiliation”.
Tambuwal added that Fayemi is doing incredibly well as a very accommodating and patriotic Nigerian leader.
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