Ekiti Executive Council Members Hold Valedictory Session, To Remain In Office Till Last Day

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday, presided over the valedictory session of the state Executive Council, with clarification that members will remain in office till last day, which is October 15.

The session, which was attended by members of the Council as well as members who served between 2010 and 2014, took place at the state executive council chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado- Ekiti. Some former members also participated virtually via Zoom.

Governor Fayemi thanked all past and current members of the Council for their sacrifices, patriotism, diligence and committment to the development of the state.

He said Ekiti State made appreciable improvement in all aspects of development, through the collective contributions of members of the Council.

“Let me thank all of us, this is a historic day and we must start by thanking God Almighty for making this day possible.

“We’ve worked hard for the success of our state, for the development and growth of our people over the past few years and all of us have contributed immensely in the various capacities we have served Ekiti and I am glad that everybody was able to honour the invitation extended by the cabinet secretariat to this valedictory Executive Council meeting.

“ I thank all of you, yes, the Governor takes all the credits and also takes all the blames, but the reality is that there is nothing we were able to do in government that I have done alone. You have all contributed your quota to the development of our dear state.

“This certainly is not the Ekiti we met when we came in October 2010. Things have improved, the GDP per capital in our state has gone up to about $3Billion, population has also gone up.

“We see some evidence of significant progress on maternal mortality, child mortality, school enrolment, school performance record and on a whole range of indices that clearly depict that we have made significant progress.

“I must thank you for your service, your sacrifice to Ekiti State and to our people, some of them may not be recognized now but in future they will be recognized.

“We also have to thank Ekiti people for giving us the opportunity to serve and for also rendering the services to the best of our ability.

“Resources are not always unlimited and as a matter of fact we have to struggle over the years to maintain all of what we have done. Be that as it may, we’ve delivered on our own task, posterity would judge us one way or the other.” He said.

EXCO members spoke glowingly about their experiences as members of the highest decision making body in the state and saluted Fayemi’s visionary and exemplary leadership.

The Governor later adjourned the council meeting sine die after a motion to that effect was moved, thus marking the end of the weekly meetings of the state executive council for the tenure which ends on October 15th.

Ekiti State Governor-elect, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who was the immediate past Secretary to the State Government and Cabinet Secretary, was in attendance at the valedictory session.

He also lauded the visionary leadership of Governor Fayemi as well as his commitment to the development of the State, declaring that ” I will follow in JKF footstep.”

Former Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu, who led members of the 2010- 2014 EXCO to the meeting, also praised Governor Fayemi for the giant strides recorded in the last four years, which she said dwarfed the achievements of the JKF first administration.

Meanwhile, while Wednesday’s valedictory session marked the end of executive Council meetings for the administration, which winds down on October 15th, commissioners and cabinet members would continue with government activities till the very last day of the administration.