Oyebanji felicitate with former Ekiti State Governor on 60th birthday thanksgiving

By Adedoja Adesoji

February 9, 2025

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has praised the current Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his outstanding leadership and dedication to introducing new innovations and driving the development of the state.

Fayemi expressed this appreciation while attending his 60th birthday thanksgiving Mass at St. Martins’ Catholic Church in Isan-Ekiti at an event reported by our reporter.

“I am a product of grace and I have so many reasons to be thankful to God at sixty.

“I also want to thank our Governor for making me proud. It could have been otherwise. Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace, and that is why, in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect,” Fayemi said.

Fayemi also commended Oyebanji for his inclusive leadership approach, which he believes has contributed to the stability, progress, and growth of the state.

He mentioned that Oyebanji has continued the vision of the state’s founding fathers, ensuring that governance remains unaffected by political divisions.

“Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. When he was doing his birthday, I spent the entire day with him and Governor Fayose too would have been here without hesitation if he was around. That is Ekiti, the vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide, we might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to, that is the Ekiti party, Ekiti Progressive Party and our Governor is carrying on with that”.

In his words, Governor Oyebanji expressed gratitude to Fayemi for his support and endorsement, praising him as a visionary leader whose impact on the state is unmatched.

The Governor emphasized that the people of Ekiti are incredibly proud of the former Governor’s accomplishments and will forever be grateful for his transformative leadership.

“The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me. Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people, thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world, and I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us. We are proud of you, Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements, it has been sixty years of progressive impact”, Governor Oyebanji said.

In his speech, titled “Awareness of God’s Goodness,” the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, described the former Governor as a remarkable individual whose life has been a true reflection of service to both God and humanity.

The event was graced by numerous dignitaries, including the first civilian Governor of the state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former Governor Segun Oni, and the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro.