Ekiti monarch hails Oyebanji over road, health projects

A former Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, has lauded Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for contributions to the development of the community.

Alabi also hailed eminent indigenes, including some political office holders from the community, for their inputs, which had brought about infrastructural growth in Ilawe Ekiti.

He listed the eminent indigenes to include Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN; Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi; Ekiti South West Local Government Chairman, Richard Apolola; All Progressives Congress chieftain, Makinde Araoye; Special Adviser to the Governor, Yemisi Ayokunle; and Yemi Alatise.

A statement by the Media Adviser to the monarch, Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, made available in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, stated that the traditional ruler spoke in his palace during the New Year prayer organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria in the community.

Alabi, however, accused a politician, who he said had not represented the community well and did not contribute tangibly to the development of the town, saying, “The community will never again allow anyone without political wherewithal or sagacity to represent the town in any political office, including the House of Assembly.

“I give special credit to Governor Oyebanji for the construction of the Ilawe – Ikere Road, rehabilitation of Ilawe – Erijiyan Road, Ilawe – Igede Road and as well Ilawe – Igbaraodo Road”.

Alabi also praised the governor for “overhauling and providing the state-of-the-art equipment to the General Hospital, Ilawe Ekiti”.

The monarch, who praised Adaramodu for the construction of the modern Oba Afuntade Market, provision of buses to Alawe-in-Council and facilitating government jobs to several jobless indigenes last year, also reeled out the contributions of other political office holders such as Ayokunle, Araoye, Apolola and Alatise, among others.

Alabi also appreciated some indigenes of the town, including Falana and Ogunbiyi, “who are not politicians, but contributed to the community’s development in 2025 for their immeasurable contributions”.

The monarch used the occasion to pray for God’s guidance, protection and progress for indigenes of the town in the New Year.

culled from punch