Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has announced plans to immortalise prominent Ekiti personalities, including the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), former Nigerian Bar Association President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and the late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, through legacy projects across the state.
The governor made the announcement on Monday during the commissioning of the newly completed Ayodele Fayose Lodge at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, named in honour of former Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Oyebanji said the initiative was aimed at recognising individuals who had made significant contributions to the growth and development of Ekiti State.
He disclosed that former Governor Segun Oni would be the next recipient of the state’s legacy project initiative before extending the honour to other distinguished Ekiti indigenes.
According to the governor, the late General Sani Abacha deserves recognition for creating Ekiti State on October 1, 1996, adding that a befitting public project would be named after him before the end of his administration’s second term.
Oyebanji also commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Fayose as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), describing the appointment as another demonstration of the President’s support for Ekiti State.
He said Tinubu had contributed significantly to the state’s development through increased federal allocations, key infrastructure projects and the appointment of several Ekiti indigenes into strategic federal positions.
Fresh from his re-election victory, the governor urged residents to reciprocate the President’s support by delivering more than twice the 319,224 votes he secured during the last governorship election for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Praising Fayose’s contributions, Oyebanji noted that the former governor honoured several notable Ekiti personalities during his tenure but never named any public project after himself.
He recalled that Fayose immortalised the late former Deputy Governor Funmi Olayinka, former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye, former Western Region Minister Chief Oduola Osuntokun, and Nigeria’s first female university graduate, Lady Deborah Jibowu.
Responding, Fayose thanked Oyebanji for promoting unity across political parties and showing respect to former governors regardless of political affiliation.
The former governor reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Fayose described Oyebanji’s leadership as inclusive and statesmanlike, saying the governor had fostered peace and reconciliation in Ekiti after years of political division.
He also advised the governor to strengthen his “stomach infrastructure” programme to improve the welfare of residents and former governors.
As Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency, Fayose pledged to expand electricity access to rural communities in Ekiti and across Nigeria, while reiterating his support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Traditional rulers, political leaders and religious figures present at the event commended Oyebanji’s leadership and described the honour bestowed on Fayose as well deserved.