Ekiti Eleven, a Socio-Political group established for implementation, growth and development is set to champion a new phase of progress in the state.
The history behind the name ‘E-ELEVEN’ symbolizes the pioneer members of the group who were then 11 members. This also symbolises the best team of intellectuals, technocrats and professionals found in Ekiti State. Though the membership size has grown rapidly since inception, it is a forum of stakeholder-elites in the state.
The criteria for selecting qualified persons for membership include, Professionalism per excellence, Character and Social Influence. The thoughtful process has enabled the group produce two Governors (Former Governor, Segun Oni and the present Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi) who have excellent records regarding governance in Ekiti State.
The institutional arrangement of the group includes; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi is the Matron of E-Eleven; the Chairman, Chief Kola Akosile who is the present President of Ekiti State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EKICCMA); Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Yeye Yetunde Fosudo member National Institute of Management and National Institute of Public Relations, a Technocrat and Business Tycoon; General Secretary is Mr. Oska Seyi Ayeleso a renowned technocrat in Ekiti as well and other executive members who orchestrates the vision and objectives of the organisation. E-Eleven has a conscious policy of youth engagement and gender-sensitiveness so the vision doesn’t go into extinction.
The secretarial arm of the organization has been steadfast in sustaining the objectives of E-Eleven and the socio-cultural values of Ekiti State. The Secretary also ensures the bond between the executive members and trustees remain strong the caliber of personalities who are of high positions and standards.
The feats of E-Eleven have become a toast of many socio-political groups in the South West region of Nigeria as other states look to duplicate the agenda and system of the group for similar goals.
This organisation deemed it fit to induct members who will only drive the economy, using their offices/professions to buttress leadership, capacity building and Entrepreneurial growth, promote education and advance the socio-political engagement of the people of the state.
Each member is mandated to drive the developmental agenda of their various constituencies, extending the values of the association across board.
One of the major strides of this association is the staging of a Business Summit that took place recently, themed: ‘Harnessing Agro-Business and Expo Opportunities in Ekiti State. The event sensitized the business community on opportunities in Ekiti especially through in the private sector arm of the state’s economy. Experts in various industries were carefully selected as facilitators to ensure a robust outing.
The historical Summit held at Ikogosi Warm Spring and Resorts, projecting to drive entrepreneurship in the state, birthed an innovative agenda which the group called; Western Nigeria Export Development Corporation. This will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development of the western part of the country, with Ekiti State championing the cause. The initiative, according to the Chairman, Chief Kola Akosile will be a huge support to the government’s programme on job creation and entrepreneurship development. With the envisioning of a Cargo Airport, he affirmed that the idea will position the state as a potential partner for foreign investors in Agriculture and other viable sector of the state’s economy.
The group also inducted 47 new members who will enrich the objectives of E-Eleven by contributing ideas of their own expertise. One of the newly inducted members, the Director General, Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), Otunba Kayode Fasae confirmed the quality of eggheads in the association, saying that it consists of members who engineer the economy of the state including the sitting Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
