The people of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, recently rolled out the drums to celebrate the ascension of an illustrious son, Otunba Adebisi Adegboyega Egbeyemi, to the coveted position of Deputy Governor.
They came from within and outside the state to rejoice with Egbeyemi, whom they acknowledged contributed positively to their lives for many decades before Providence lifted him to the office of the state’s Deputy Governor.
Many of the well-wishers had one reason or the other for leaving their tight schedules in order to honour Egbeyemi with their presence at the thanksgiving and civic reception to celebrate his assumption of office.
To some, the deputy governor deserved to be honoured for his selflessness in handling legal cases for them free when they had no money to pay the professional fees.
Others, who were his students in his earlier career as a physical and health education teacher said Egbeyemi helped in moulding their career path which had seen them become somebody in life.
Another group of Egbeyemi’s beneficiaries attested to the fact that he assisted them to get employment as a political office holder in the course of his long political career.
Egbeyemi was member of the Old Ondo State House of Assembly in 1983 and also served as Chairman, Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area between 1991 and 1993.
He later won election as a member of the House of Representatives but the result was cancelled by the former Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, which denied him the opportunity to represent his constituency.
Egbeyemi served as Commissioner for Education in the administration of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo from 1999 to 2002, member, Governing Council, National Teachers’ Institute, from 2001 to 2002 and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State, between 2002 and 2003.
He also served as member representing Ekiti State on the Board of Odu’a Investment Limited, among other positions of responsibility which he used to positively touch the lives of the people he came in contact with.
Throng of well-wishers trooped en masse to Egbeyemi’s residence in Government Reservation Area (GRA) where old and young, high and low felicitated with the politician whom they noted was reaping from the benevolence extended to many in the pursuit of his careers as a teacher, lawyer, businessman and politician.
Clad in resplendent commemorative Ankara fabrics, they thronged the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel (Anglican Communion), Okesa, Ado-Ekiti, where a special thanksgiving service was held in his honour.
A special civic reception was also held in honour of Egbeyemi at the Great Eagle Event Centre, Ikere Road, Ajebamidele.
In the run-up to the July 14 governorship election, Egbeyemi emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, among many other candidates considered for the position.
His choice was arrived at by the then governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in onsonance with party elders, who considered his loyalty, contributions to the party and development of the state, among others.
Egbeyemi’s tentacles spread from legal profession, to politics, Christendom and community development as he is a traditional chief in his hometown, Ado-Ekiti.
All these indices worked in his favour to emerge as the running mate on the joint APC ticket with Fayemi which was elected at the July 14 polls.
The service was attended by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi; wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Margaret Egbeyemi; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada; his wife, Mrs. Kike; former deputy governor, Prof. Dupe Adelabu; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe and other traditional rulers.
Fayemi, who did not appear at the church service, having been engaged elsewhere, showed up at the venue of the reception.
At the thanksgiving service, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde, congratulated Egbeyemi on his election alongside his boss, Fayemi, to pilot the affairs of the state.
The cleric warned the APC administration not to disappoint the teeming masses looking up to it for good governance.
The Bishop, who described himself as “a father of all politicians” because all members of his church are in all political parties, said it behoves on him to speak the truth when the need arises.
Omotunde said God has given Governor Fayemi another chance to make the difference in the lives of Ekiti people and must not fail to do that because “the expectations are very high.”
While likening Fayemi to the biblical Nehemiah, Omotunde said President Muhammadu Buhari had so much trust in the governor (Fayemi) by releasing him from the federal cabinet to repair Ekiti allegedly damaged by bad governance.
Omotunde said now that Fayemi’s party, APC, is in power at the federal level unlike what obtained during his first tenure; the Federal Government must grant all the requests of the governor to repair Ekiti and assist the state financially for its people to be relieved.
“Your party (APC) is in power now, let them know that I said, it’s a government of another chance and God will try you again and see whether you will be faithful or not. It is left for you to prove yourself.
Omotunde, who counselled Fayemi to pay critical attention to the deplorable state of roads, insecurity especially kidnapping and need to prioritise the people’s welfare, expressed confidence in Fayemi’s ability to deliver the dividends of good governance to the people of Ekiti State.
The Bishop further urged Fayemi to prevent the state from being taken over by herdsmen and ensure security of lives and property.
He advised the governor to be vigilant against sycophants lobbying to occupy political positions. “Look for people that will be faithful to you. Be ready to take to correction and don’t scare good people away from you. Be careful of people that will always say good things about you but will not see anything bad,” he said.
