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AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF
EKITI STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. KAYODE FAYEMI
AT THE PRESENTATION OF STAFF OF OFFICE TO
HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OBA ADEWUMI AJIBADE
FASIKU, THE ELEKOLE OF IKOLE-EKITI ON
SATURDAY. 3RD SEPTEMBER, 2011
PROTOCOL
I feel honoured to be here today at this epoch making event.
This occasion marks the glorious conclusion of series of
activities lined up for the coronation of the new Elekole of
Ikole-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku.
I am particularly happy because the selection process that
produced the new Kabiyesi was devoid of the bitter contest
arising from manipulations and unethical practices which
often attend similar exercises in other communities. I am
inclined to deduce, therefore, that the emergence of the new
Elekole is a product of a popular choice of the people to give
Egbeoba Kingdom an eminently qualified personality to
further strengthen the much edified throne of Elekole. I salute
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this evidence of maturity of all Ikole people both
at home and in the Diaspora for this civilized process that
makes all of us proud. This has clearly shown the whole world
that indeed Ekiti is not only the Land of Honour in name, but
also in deed. I therefore heartily congratulate the Ikole
Community, the Kingmakers, Ikole Local Government
authority and other stakeholders for a job well done.
I still feel the pains of the transition of His Royal Majesty, Oba
Adetula Adeleye at the dawn of this administration in October,
2010. Late Oba Adeleye would be remembered for his
astuteness, godly disposition and crusade for social justice.
He left his name in the sands of time, added value to
traditional institution and strategically put Ikole in the world
map of reckoning. It is no exaggeration to note that Ikole was
favoured for a monarch of such standing to pass through her
kingdom.
The shoes that Oba Adetunla Adeleye left no doubt are big
enough. I am however happy that the legs of the new Elekole
are equally big to march on in giant strides. I deliberately
took time to study the personality of the new Elekole and
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discovered admirably that our Oba has the
pedigree and the right antecedent to move Ikole and indeed
Ekiti State to a greater height. Nonetheless, I wish to charge
our Kabiyesi to justify the confidence reposed in him by the
people of this Community and Ekiti State Government in
ensuring the maintenance and improvement of the high
integrity enjoyed by the exalted throne.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I like to use the
opportunity provided by this occasion to assure the good
people of Ekiti State that this Administration is irreversibly
committed to its 8 Point Agenda to transform our fatherland
in all aspects of life. Our approach to governance is people
oriented whereby people would have value for their lives in a
conducive environment to conduct legitimate businesses. I
wish to reiterate the fact that all hands should be on deck to
ensure that Ekiti State exploit her full potentials.
Let me touch on an issue that I know virtually everyone
present here would want me to talk about – the location of
the Federal University allocated to Ekiti State. While this is not
the place to discuss the details, I am happy to inform this
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august gathering that reason and mutual
understanding has prevailed and the outcome is a Federal
University located in both Ikole and Oye. This may not be the
most desirable outcome for some of us here, but I believe it
represents a ‘win – win’ solution that is uniquely Ekiti. It is
however important for me to stress the need for
understanding amongst our people on the siting of any public
project. Such projects should not be seen as a community
property but rather, as our commonwealth. In all
circumstances however, this government would continue to
ensure fairness, equity and spread in the distribution of
projects.
Let me also seize this opportunity to express my appreciation
to the President of the Federal Republic for his measured
approach and listening ears on this very sensitive matter in
spite of several attempts to distort the position of the Ekiti
State Government. In the course of the next week, I will
invite representatives of the two communities to discuss the
fundamentals of the resolution with them and the agreed next
steps.
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I want to remind you, Kabiyesi, that as the
father of a Cosmopolitan Community, you are the symbol of
the people’s custom and tradition as well as the hub around
which the socio-economic life of this Community revolves. I
wish to advise, therefore, that all forms of pettiness,
sectionalism, partiality, discrimination and favouritism be
eschewed in your day-to-day administration. With the benefit
of the advantage of your background, you would note that
your achievements will depend largely on the quality of
cooperation and goodwill of the generality of the people. In
this connection, I will continue to request for your relentless
efforts at sustaining peace and security of lives and properties
in your domain for the good of all.
Kabiyesi, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is now my
honour to present the Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty,
Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku as the Elekole of Ikole,
Aladesekole I. I sincerely pray that the Almighty God will
grant you good health, long life and wisdom in the onerous
challenges of the throne. May your reign usher in peace,
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progress and development to the Ikole
Ekiti, Egbeoba Kingdom and entire humanity.
Thank you and God bless.
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