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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.