Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose; his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwambo; his wife, Adama, and House of Representatives Rural Development Committee Chairman Ladi Adebutu are to be honoured with chieftaincy titles at this year’s Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, addressed reporters at his palace ahead of this year’s Udiroko Festival, which marks the beginning of a New Year in the Ado-Ekiti traditional calendar.
Oba Adejugbe said the honourees will get the chieftaincy titles on August 25 for their contributions to the development of the city, their states and the nation.
The monarch said Ado-Ekiti community planned to honour Fayose for executing various landmark projects in the city, including the flyover and the new Erekesan Market.
He hailed the governor for dualising township roads in Ado-Ekiti and eight other local government areas across the state, despite the prevailing economic recession in the country.
Oba Adejugbe said: “The people of Ado-Ekiti Kingdom resolved that we should honour the governor (Fayose) but the governor requested that we honour two of his friends – Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo and House of Representatives member from Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu. They will be conferred with their titles on August 25 here at the palace.
“Governor Fayose is doing wonderfully well for Ekiti residents, despite the fact that Nigeria is going through a recession. Among the capital projects in Ado-Ekiti is the flyover under construction; the Oja Oba is now at appreciable stage. We will inaugurate the new palace hall on August 25.”
The monarch noted that the new ultramodern hall at his palace was built by the Fayose administration, adding that it would be inaugurated tomorrow.
He added that renowned culture icon, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, will deliver a public lecture.
According to him, a book, written by notable historian, Prof. Isola Olomola, will be launched, while eminent lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), will be the chief launcher.
The Udiroko Festival, Oba Adejugbe said, will also witness a health talk and Ewi Cup football competition.
The monarch said the festival offers opportunity for Ado-Ekiti indigenes to pay homage to their monarch, thank God for witnessing another year and decide on communal projects to be executed in the New Year.
He urged the residents, especially youths, to embrace agriculture to ensure food security, reduce poverty and unemployment.
Oba Adejugbe said: “White-collar jobs are no longer available.
“We have to go back to the farm because when oil was discovered, that was when our problem started in Nigeria. In the old Western Region, the proceeds from cocoa were used to build the Cocoa House (in Ibadan, Oyo State capital).
“We had farm settlements in the olden days. I want to appeal to youths to embrace agriculture. It will be in their interest to go back to the farm and they will not regret doing so.”