EKITI COUNCIL OF ELDERS MET WITH GOV. FAYEMI. DETAIL OF MEETING…

ADDRESS OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT, PROF J. O. OLUWASANMI, AT THE MEETING WITH H.E. DR JOHN KAYODE FAYEMI ON 6TH. March, 2020.

Your Excellency,
We are grateful to Your Excellency for finding time in spite of your very busy schedule within and outside the state to meet with us today.

Knowing the difficult circumstances under which you are governing the state in the face of paucity of fund, extensive infrastructural decay, huge overheads and the level of prevailing poverty among the populace, we wish to commend your untiring efforts within the space of one year in office. We are gladdened to note your laudable achievements in the followings areas:

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 Outlawing abandonment of projects started by past administrations and commencement of work on some long-abandoned projects;

 Fixing of roads that were in utter disrepair;

 Sincere concern for the welfare of vulnerable groups including the aged;

 Workers’ welfare in terms of prompt payment of wages, promotions and other incentives;

 Sensitivity to security issues and the involvement of traditional institutions;

 Immortalization of Ekiti heroes by naming state schools, edifices and monuments after them;
and
 Projecting Ekiti core values of ‘Omoluabi’ and intellectualism within and outside the state

Permit us, Your Excellency, to recall that, on the other hand, we have had cause to call the attention of your administration to the need for urgent action in areas such as:

 Early completion of Oja-Oba Market in Ado – Ekiti;

 Early consideration of the payment of the arrears of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities inherited by your administration;

 Extension of roads to new neighbourhoods in our fast-growing urban and rural communities and aiding communal efforts in this regard;

 Influx of foreign Okada riders in the state, a situation creating a serious security risk in the state;
and
 Intervention in the lingering unstable power supply in the State.

Your Excellency is already familiar with this Council. As at now, we have 164 members out of whom seven are above 90years and thirty one are above 80 years.

The Council consists of members of diverse backgrounds, thereby bringing together many shades of opinions and perspectives on important issues.

The main focus of the Council is the well-being of all Ekitis within and outside the state. We have been actively involved in advocacies for peaceful cohabitation of natives and non-indigenes alike.

We have also been helping to create awareness on government policies and available opportunities to better the lives of the populace. Moreover, we have been involved in direct interventions on some critical issues.

It will interest Your Excellency to know that in June 2019, the Council set up a Committee to carry out investigation on land usages by non-indigenes in the state.
This was as a result of observable friction on land matters between immigrants and natives at both urban and rural levels during our sensitization tour of the local governments early that year.
The report of the Committee is being considered by Council and it will soon be forwarded to Your Excellency for information on land usages generally.

The need for a resort centre for the aged came up in November 2017 when the Council hosted over 100 aged persons from all over the state in an interactive session in the state capital (Ado Ekiti).
The objective of the resort centre includes:
 Provision of recreational outlets for retirees and those of advanced years generally;

 Preservation of our fast-dying culture, artefacts, including indigenous technologies, food, games and dressing etc.;

 Stimulating interest of individuals, families and communities in the sustenance of Ekiti cultural values by buying the project, through direct contributions and patronage of the ‘Hall of Fame’.

 A legacy project to sustain and perpetuate the Council

The Council is highly impressed with Your Excellency’s acceptance of the concept and prompt commitment of the Government through allocation of land. The request had been submitted to the state government three years before the coming of your administration.
Notably, your pro-activeness in coming up with architectural drawings and building designs is heart-warming.
The Council moved in and cleared the site as soon as it was allocated.
We are glad for the opportunity which our technical team had to compare the Council’s concept, site and building drawings with those of government’s consultant.
We are optimistic that both concepts will be aligned to meet our objectives.

The Council is aware of the need to protect the properties and people of Ekiti which you are trying to achieve through the Amotekun project. This has our full support.
The Obas should be involved in identifying suitable people and support groups like genuine traditionalists.

We hope Your Excellency has not forgotten the issues of annual grants and regular interface with our Council as discussed at our last meeting.

It is our belief that this meeting will engender an accelerated process for the execution of the resort centre project. Meanwhile,
we would always put on record, the passion you have for the elderly people.

May you also grow old in good health.

We assure you of our support for the progress and development of our dear state at all times.

Thank you and God bless.

HE Gov. Fayemi’s response
Appreciative of the vibrancy & dedication of the Council.

1. Ojo Oba Market @_Ado to be completed June
2. On access roads to new neighbourhoods; Builders are advised to follow due process by obtaining approval for buildings. Govt will continue to work on roads extension & to support communal efforts

3.On electrity; Govt is constructing 2 Sub stations @ Omuo & Ijesa Isu respectively. Also, It is considering establishing a power generating plants

1. On Land usages by non indigenous; the Gov .urges for Traditional/Community initiatives to instill sanity. He is also awaiting Ekiti Council of Elders report of its investigations.
2. On the Resort Center for the Elderly; Govt has taken steps & the project will be completed by the end of this year.
3. On influx of .non natives Okada riders into Ekiti; Govt is well aware & on top of the situation.
4. On payment of salaries pensions & gratuities areas inherited from the previous administrations; Gov. called for understanding as the financial situations of the country is precarious due to the prevailing global trend. Govt will however continue to strive to meet its obligations to Ekiti people.
5. Government will continue to place issues affecting the vulnerable groups on priority.

Attendance.

1. Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi – President
2. Chf. Deji Fasuan – Vice
3. Elder Niyi Ajibuliu Gen. Sec
4. Dr Bayo Orire – PRO
5. Hon. Bayo Idowu medal Advisee
6. Elder P. Osatoyinbo
   7 Elder Segun Omolayo
7. Rev .J.O. Odu
8. ACH. Bola Akomede
9. Elder. Leye Fagbemi
10. Elder Omodara Adetunji QC