Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti
Wild jubilation on Tuesday greeted the announcement of the nomination of former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Across the state and particularly in the capital, Ado-Ekiti, residents and All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters went on jubilation that went with drumming and dancing as Senate President, Bukola Saraki, mentioned Fayemi on the list of nominees sent for confirmation by the President.
The APC in Ekiti State, religious and community leaders and eminent personalities described the ministerial nomination as a reward for the hard work and vision Fayemi did while serving as governor. They therefore urge him to continue to pursue his vision of human development as he takes on appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Congratulating Fayemi, Ekiti APC Chairman, Olajide Awe, asked the former governor to strengthen the template for modern governance anchored on human development he established in the state to contribute his quota to national development.
Also, Catholic Bishop Felix Femi Ajakaye asked Fayemi to use his God-given gifts and talents to “concretely and meaningfully” make positive impact in service to the nation.
He enjoined the former governor “to continue to serve God in humanity with humility and to keep using your God-given talents for the common good”.
In his words, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Fayemi’s home town, Oba Sunday Ajiboye, said the brilliance and vision he demonstrated as governor of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014 posted landmark impacts unprecedented in the state’s development.
The monarch enjoined him to demonstrate the same passion at the national level for Nigeria’s development.
“This is a new beginning of greater heights in your life, which we believe you will exploit to advance the course of representative governance anchored on human development, which you championed over the years in your journey to political governance,” the monarch said.
For former Central Bank Director, Samuel Bandele Falegan, Fayemi’s nomination presented “the second time within five years that my joy is full to the brim”.
The elder statesman said he was convinced that Fayemi’s nomination was a reward by God for dedication to selfless service to humanity and loyalty to his party, even as he said that the legacy projects by the former governor had sold him beyond Ekiti State frontiers.
He urged him to take his brilliant ideas to the federal level to enable Nigerians enjoy the development ideas he espoused in Ekiti State.
The Alare of Are-Ekiti, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, described Fayemi as “a politician of no mean stature, a complete gentleman, a child of destiny” and asked him to maintain the attributes in the service of the nation, while Olupole of Ipole-Ekiti, Oba Ezekiel Babatola Oladele JP, said “God never closes a window without opening a door and God does not take anything from us without giving another.”
President, Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, Ekiti State Branch, Alhaji Yakubu Sanni, said Fayemi’s legacy projects in Ekiti State would for many years remain unparalleled, praising him for promotion of Islam through approval of Hijab for female students, including appointing Muslims into top positions of government.
He asked him to continue his fairness to other Nigerians in the discharge of his official duties.
Members of the Association of Traders and Market Leaders of Nigeria said they were happy for Fayemi’s nomination as a proud son of Ekiti State who “has never put us to shame”.
In his words, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, said Fayemi’s nomination was an attestation to his record of excellence as a governor of Ekiti State.
He said as “we await Senate confirmation of nominees, Fayemi will be a great asset in the cabinet of President Buhari”.
