A member of the House of Assembly in Ekiti State, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has commended Governor Kayode Fayemi for eschewing partisanship in the conferment of distinguished State Awards on some eminent personalities of Ekiti origin.
Aribasoye, who represents Ikole Constituency 2, stated that bestowing awards on strong opposition figures like former Governors Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni of the People’s Democratic Party further amplified Fayemi’s exemptional qualifications for the presidency of the nation.
The All Progressives Congress spoke in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, in a statement he personally issued, commending Governor Fayemi for garlanding prominent Ekiti indigenes with ‘Architect and Builder Awards’ tagged ‘Oni Uyi’.
Of particular reference, the lawmaker opined that awards conferment on opposition figures, under an environment where partisanship has taken the centre stage, depicted Governor Fayemi of being matured enough to handle the nation’s volatile ethno-religious and political diversity.
Aribasoye added that the kind of President the country needs in 2023 is someone that is competent, sound in health and mind, who has distinguishable quality that can rise above pedestrian thinking and viewing of national issue from the narrow prism of politics, ethnicity and religion.
The lawmaker also praised the governor for deeming it worthy to honour those who had worked hard, sacrificed their times, finances and energy for the creation and development of Ekiti State, saying such personalities worth celebrating regardless of political leanings.
“Like the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Reverend Felix Ajakaye, rightly said recently in Ado-Ekiti in his lecture on ‘Ekiti Politics and Challenge of leadership’ at an annual award and lecture organised by NUJ, Correspondents’ Chapel, the next President must not only be sound in mind, health and be competent, he must be detribalistic. He must be a unifying factor, rather than divisive.
“The state awards tagged ‘ONI UYI’ conferred on eminent personalities who are architects and builders of Ekiti by Governor Fayemi yesterday had again launched Ekiti to that cadre of loftiness and respect among the comity of nations. It was one policy that was targeted at protecting and preserving Ekiti’s pristine values of integrity, honesty and diligence.
“We knew and acknowledged the roles played by former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and two military administrators that laid the foundation for the smooth take off of democratic institutions in our dear state.
“Contributions of personalities like Chief Deji Fasuan, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and host of others should be made to remain indelible. We have to show honour and respect them for posterity to consign them to the positive side of history and Governor Fayemi had done just that.
“This honours would spur and imbue them with the spirit of patriotism and send a powerful signal that there is reward mechanism and that working for humanity pays and highly dignifying.
“That is why Governor Fayemi worth being elevated. He worth being elected as a President in a country like Nigeria that is in dire need of a leader that would put development above partisan or ethnic interest and if the nation is desirous of one, Governor Fayemi remains the best in this regard,” he stated.
Aribasoye also said the N100.7 billion “Budget of Legacy and Consolidation” presented by Governor Fayemi before the assembly for passage would fight the scourges of unemployment, poverty and promote entrepreneurial skills in the state.
The Lawmaker stated that the N60.7 billion allotted to recurrent expenditure shows Governor Fayemi’s commitment to promote payment of salary, pension, gratuities and promote human capital development in Ekiti.