Ekiti Council of Elders has inaugurated a nine-member Board of Trustees to oversee an annual lecture series in memory of Chief Joel Ehinafe Babatola, who was one of the ardent lieutenants of the late sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.
The president of the council, Prof Joseph Oluwasanmi described Chief Babatola as one of the heroes, who brought about the radical transformation of the Western Region into the mainstream of modern civilization.
According to the president, Babatola was an exemplar whose modesty, patriotism and honesty should be given a place in history to imbue on this generation and the generations to come and spur them to live worthy lives of commitment to humanity.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Oyo State Chapter of Yoruba Council of Elders, Prof. Bolanle Tanimowo said that Ekiti has once again proven itself to be a knowledge-based state with quality ideas and the veritable tools to drive such ideas, saying immortalising a personality like Pa Joel Babatola was well thought out
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On his part, His Imperial Majesty, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, a special guest at the occasion said he was happy that Chief Babatola is being immortalised in such an esteemed annual lecture series. The monarch also expressed appreciation to the elders, recalling that the joint Council of the elders and the traditional rulers had severally collaborated on issues critical to the advancement of peace and progress of the Ekiti State.
In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by the Commissioner ofSpecial Duties, Adeniyi Dolamu, said that the governor was in tandem with every activity of the elders, thanking them for their unrelenting useful pieces of advice and their tireless services to the state.
Amongst the prominent Ekiti indigenes who made the nine-man board of Trustees are: Mr Femi Adewumi a retired Head of Service in Ekiti State, Oba Adebayo Awoseyila, the Alamo of Ilamo Ekiti, OloriAbosede Adejugbe Aladesanmi, the Eyesorun of Ado Ekiti. Others are Chief Ronke Okusanya, Prof. Sunday Tunde Akindele, Mr. Lawrence Olagoke Egunjobi, comrade Sam Gbenga Agbetuyi and Dr. Ope Babatola who is a son of the late hero.