By Editor
A grand reception was held on Saturday in honour of the former Governor of Ekiti State Dr Kayode Fayemi C.O.N, by the Ekiti Council of Elders celebrating his 60th birthday amidst pomp and merry making.
Joined in the memorable event was the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities Prof Bolaji Aluko who recently clocked 70.
The elderly citizens in addition, officially welcomed the two distinguished celebrants to the coveted Elders Council.
The Ekiti Elders Resort venue of the event was a classic show in decency, decorum and orderliness embedded in the wisdom of age as displayed by the organizers of the grand event as all participants conducted themselves with dignity throughout the program.
The elders in their number took time to show their hearts of gratitude to former Governor Fayemi for being the brain behind the building of the Elders Resort Center during his time as the State Governor.
The Chairman of the Elders Council Prof Oluwasanmi in a keynote address, acknowledged that though, the former Governor celebrated his diamond anniversary earlier in the year but the Council deemed it fit to set a day aside to felicitate with him
“We are well aware that you celebrated this landmark birthday earlier this year, but we are exceedingly delighted to spend time with you today in consumate felicitation” he said.
Continuing, the nonanegerian elderly citizen appreciated Fayemi for what he described as ‘his various acts of generosity towards Ekiti Elders council’.
His words; “We are happy to recall and note your various acts of generosity towards us including-demonstrated affection to elders that prompted us to admit you as a Fellow of the Council.
“Your enthusiastic facilitation of the construction and provision of the Elders Resort through the Sustainable Development Goals Agency in Abuja and your generous furnishing of the Madam Dorcas Aina Fayemi Hall which is the flagship edifice of our Resort as well as the monthly grant for the Council which you initiated”
He mentioned some of Fayemi’s legacy projects such as the knowledge- economy, social Investment as well as industrial and infrastructural development.
“We intend that going forward, our interactions shall deepen even as you have now joined the group of veritable elders in our society” he added.
Earlier, Elder Leye Fagbemi who explained the composition or age grades of the 200-member Council as comprising 15 people of 90 years and above, 16 who are aged between 80 and 90 years while the largest group totalling 165 comprising those between 60 and 79 years olds.
Chief Niyi Ajibulu, the General Secretary of the Council in a short remark, applauded the former Governor for his wefarist programs while in office to the women, children and the vulnerable in the state describing them as unprecedented.
He then introduced three special guests who he singled out for their immeasurable contributions to the construction of the Resort Center at a record four months.
They included Mrs Margaret Fagboyo, Architect Tope Ogunleye and Hon. Ayo Adegbite.
In a response, Prof Aluko expressed delight for the honour accorded him by the Council noting that his mother was also inducted into the Council before she died.
He said; “I clocked 70 recently and today is an extension of that party. I’m very happy to be here. I thank you for the gift, I thank you for the prayers. I’m happy for all the people that are here. I’m also very happy that I’m joined in this celebration with Dr John Kayode Fayemi a friend and a brother.
“There are three numbers in the Bible that I always admire; 969, age of Methuselah, 40, when the Israelites were in the wilderness and 3 scores plus 10. I also believe that if someone attains the age of three scores and ten, that is one marking of God’s bless and I accept that mercy from God, thank you all”
Dr Fayemi in his acceptance speech thanked members of the Elders Council for the great honour especially accepting him to be a member of the council.
He traced the history of the Elders Resort Center to a vist to his office by both Chief Olatunji and Asiwaju Deji Fasuan tabled the request before him towards the tail end of his first term in office but the election of that year put paid to the discussion until he came back in 2018 when the matter was reopened.
Continuing, the former Governor explained that when the matter resurfaced during his second term in office, he assured the elders that he would look into it and consult widely with members of his cabinet who supported the idea while appreciating God that the process was completed and commissioned before he left office.
Governor Fayemi, who identified old age as period of loneliness and incapacity for everyone who desires to live long however, noted that he was motivated by similar trend in developed countries where elderly citizens were housed in special homes equipped with modern amenities for their comfort.
In a related development, Fayemi commended the incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji for building on the foundation he had laid by prompt payment of monthly grant for the Elders Council.
Giving the situation report on the planned Wellness Center for the facility, Fayemi who expressed delight about the ongoing development in the center with the recruitment of medical personnel however, pledged to do the needful in the area of equipping the Center with necessary medical equipment stressing the importance of early detection of age related ailments.
Chief Deji Fasuan who spoke next, spoke glowingly about Fayemi’s years as governor of the state for pioneering the airport project which according to him, is 3 kilometers to his own town while singling out Erelu Bisi Fayemi as the major pillar behind the successful administration of the ex governor.
Present at the historic gathering include; Prof Oluwasanmi, Prof. Longe, Chief Niyi Ajibulu, Sir SL Egunjobi, Sir Jomo Olofinlade and the Onimesi.
Others are Chief Olojide Awe, 11 members of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olori Monisola Adeniran, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Bishop Odu (who gave the opening prayer) amongst others.
Chief Mrs Monisade Oloro, sister to the former Governor gave the vote of thanks
