…As Fayemi commissions edifice named after him
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has explained the decision by his administration to name newly constructed legacy projects after former governors of the state.
Oyebanji spoke on Friday during the inauguration of the ultramodern Kayode Fayemi Lodge at the Government House Complex in Ado-Ekiti, which was named after his immediate predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
The governor said the decision was taken to honour former governors for their contributions to the development of Ekiti State, noting that none of his predecessors had named government projects after themselves while in office.
According to him, the Kayode Fayemi Lodge is the first of the newly constructed legacy projects to be named after a former governor.
He disclosed that a project named after former Governor Ayodele Fayose would be commissioned on Monday, while another facility to be named after former Governor Segun Oni would be inaugurated at a later date.
Oyebanji said the gesture was intended to recognise the sacrifices and contributions of former leaders to the development of the state.
“Today we are saying that our own prophet is valued by his people. What we are doing today is just to say thank you for your service to Ekiti State, for your service to Nigeria, and for your service to the world,” he said.
Recalling his time as Secretary to the State Government during Fayemi’s second term, Oyebanji said the former governor had rejected a proposal to name a government building after himself.
Instead, Fayemi reportedly directed that the facility be named after the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Oyebanji said Fayemi had insisted at the time that it should be left to future administrations to determine whether he deserved to have a monument named after him.
Fayemi was present at Friday’s commissioning and unveiled the plaque before cutting the tape to formally open the new facility. He was accompanied by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, alongside other dignitaries.
Speaking on his administration’s second-term economic agenda, Oyebanji said Ekiti would focus on attracting major investors and supporting small businesses.
He said the newly constructed infrastructure formed part of the state’s 30-year development plan and would contribute to creating an environment capable of supporting productivity and wealth creation.
“This is not a mere building, it is part of the infrastructure to drive shared prosperity. The second term of this administration will be devoted to supporting businesses, to ensure that we create an atmosphere that drives productivity, because it is only when an economy is productive that wealth can be created,” the governor said.
Oyebanji identified roads, the airport, electricity and water supply as critical infrastructure required to support industrialisation and attract investors.
He also lamented the lack of adequate accommodation facilities in the state, saying some visitors and prospective investors had been forced to leave Ekiti on the same day because of the shortage of decent accommodation.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting projects across Ekiti State, saying federal resources had contributed to the achievements recorded by his administration.
He subsequently urged residents of the state to support Tinubu in the next election, setting a target of 600,000 votes for the President.
“I believe we are going to get 600,000 this time, because those who contested against the ruling party in the last election have now declared support for the President,” he said, describing the forthcoming election as “one state, one party, one candidate”.
Fayemi, who described the new lodge as “a magnificent edifice”, thanked Oyebanji for the honour and for extending similar recognition to other former governors.
The former governor recalled that during his administration, the new Government House was named after the late Major General Adeyinka Adebayo, former military governor of the old Western State, while the Ministry of Finance Complex was named after renowned economist Prof Sam Aluko.
He added that public schools constructed during his second term were named after notable Ekiti indigenes, including Chief Deji Fasuan, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof David Oke and Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye, as well as British cleric and educationist Rev Harding.
Fayemi said honouring past leaders and distinguished Ekiti citizens should inspire younger generations to serve the state and leave meaningful legacies.
He also commended the continuity of governance in Ekiti, saying the state had increasingly moved towards completing projects initiated by previous administrations rather than abandoning them.
The event was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, market leaders and other dignitaries.
