By John Ajayi
Not too long ago, Ekiti State celebrated 25 years of its creation by the then army junta of late Normal Sani Abacha. Coincidentally, the celebration which continues to generate pleasure and euphoria amongst the residents of the state seems to be a foretaste of the massive celebration within the work for the third yr anniversary of the administration of Dr John Olukayode Fayemi.
As standard, this epochal occasion has drawn unwarranted flaks from some vital components and stakeholders within the state. Certainly these criticisms should not sudden, particularly in a democratic society and extra importantly, given the completely different political leanings and ideological configuration of those personalities and stakeholders.
Apart from the truth that the structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ensures everybody the suitable and freedom of speech, it’s an incontrovertible fact of life that there’ll at all times be divergent views amongst the residents of the state however its homogenous nature.
Not solely that, the state which boasts of the best inhabitants of extremely educated individuals with a historic document of famend PhD holders and seasoned legal professionals, professionals and achieved technocrats, the difficulty of governance and management contestation can not however turn into a matter for vital overview and analysis. That is additionally coming towards the backdrop of the truth that Ekiti indigenes are usually perceived to be fastidious in nature. Right here, no negativism is meant in regards to the good-natured individuals of Ekiti State to which yours actually belongs in flesh and in blood!
Nonetheless rolling out the drums and popping champagne in celebration of 25 years of the creation of the state by the present Govt Governor, Dr John Olukayode Fayemi administration can’t be mentioned to be a mere jamboree nor a misplaced precedence. Ordinarily, age 25 has come to be recognised universally as a landmark epoch within the life of people, establishments, organisations, states or nations. Usually thought to be Silver Jubilee or quadricentennial anniversary, the 25th anniversary of any residing being, be it state or human is unarguably a watershed.
Nevertheless, in evaluating and assessing the state of progress and improvement of Ekiti State on this close to three many years of existence, it will likely be grossly unfair to imagine or outrightly write off the state as a failure. Whereas the state might not have totally lived as much as the expectations of its founding fathers, it doesn’t essentially presuppose that the state has not achieved something since its creation.
Significantly disappointing, if not utterly unfair, on the a part of successive administrations of the state is the castigation of the state as a ‘Toddler at 25. Reviewing the state of affairs of Ekiti State within the final 25 years, elder statesman and founding father of Afe Babalola College (ABUAD) Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola had mentioned that Ekiti State had nothing to have a good time. The extremely revered lawyer and one of many founding fathers of Ekiti had in a extensively revealed press assertion titled ‘Ekiti State A toddler @ 25’ castigated the State as landlocked, airport locked, trade locked, and energy locked, including that every one these developments adversely have an effect on financial improvement within the state.
Whereas the elder statesman reserves the suitable to specific his views and frustrations in regards to the state he contributed to mid-wife, the target actuality on the bottom so far as developments are involved, be it political, financial social or no matter doesn’t in any manner warrant or justify these assertions and lamentations. That is significantly so as a result of successive administrations within the state have all contributed their very own quotas to the expansion and improvement of the state.
Since its creation, October 1, 1996, the state has been administered by each army and civilian directors every with its personal distinctive fashion and method to governance. Like an natural being, Ekiti State is clearly nonetheless a piece in progress. For a truth, the founding fathers of the state might have had a utopian notion of the developments to anticipate inside a selected timeframe, the precise actuality about governance might not and can’t be mentioned to be the identical with the imaginations and expectations of the founding fathers.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t any shortcomings on previous and current political leaders and directors of the state. Certainly, this can’t be mentioned to be an uncommon improvement as it’s a phenomenon in underdeveloped, creating and developed nations. For individuals who might not know, the current administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi has completed considerably effectively in positioning the state effectively above its friends in terms of improvement in all elements and ramifications. Feelers emanating from the state revealed that the JKF administrations which is able to quickly kick-start actions marking the third yr of his second time period tenure weren’t planning any jamboree apart from initiatives commissioning and new initiatives unveiling.
Like all people, Dr Kayode Fayemi might have his shortcomings, it’s indeniable that he stays a blessing and a present to the state not solely as the present Chief Govt Officer of the State but in addition an excellent ambassador of Ekiti State as a serious political actor on each nationwide and international political area. His tenure as far as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Discussion board (NGF) bears eloquent testimony to his mental sagacity and political wizardry. For JKF, the previous United States Supreme Courtroom Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes appeared proper and justifiable in his well-known and immortal quote when he mentioned: “there are individuals who make issues occur, and there are individuals who watch what’s taking place and there are individuals who haven’t the slightest thought what’s taking place”.
Thus far, an goal overview of previous administrations in Ekiti will readily verify the truth that Dr John Olukayode Fayemi is a frontrunner who makes issues occur and certainly has nice concepts of what’s taking place and should occur. Since he took the mantle of management within the State, he has made strategic pondering the cornerstone of governance and coverage path. As a consummate politician with a progressive hue, JKF’s method to governance has been anchored on the higher good for the higher variety of his individuals.
The views of statesmen like Chief Deji Fasuan, former Governor Segun Oni, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Biodun Oyebanji, and others, have been in sync with the place earlier canvassed by Governor Fayemi that Ekiti has not failed in any manner within the pursuit of its improvement agenda.
Actually, within the final three years, Fayemi’s authorities has attracted over $100 million in investments to the state. Beneath this current economic system, that is no imply feat and couldn’t have been thought to be a failure by any customary.
It may be appreciated that solely the apolitical, who periscopes points with unbiased spectacle might recognise and flaunt this enigmatic scorecard.
One truth should be mirrored right here; in 1996, Ado Ekiti metropolis as referred to as then, was like a glorified village with out the fashionable contact. At this time, all the main dualization of the highway in Ado Ekiti completed cumulatively by the administrations of Governors Fayemi, Segun Oni and Ayodele Fayose like Basiri-Ijigbo-Ajilosun, Ijigbo-Ilawe highway, Publish Workplace-Irona and Ado-Ifaki, couldn’t have been undertaken, if the state had not been created. Akure, the Ondo State capital, might have been taken as the event fulcrum, the place issues could be anchored and concentrated.
The brand new Governor’s Workplaces at Oke Bareke, the Secretariat on the new Iyin Highway, Commerce Honest Advanced, Ekiti Parapo Pavilion and different authorities buildings in Ado Ekiti metropolis, are clear proof of modernity and gradual face-lifting of the city.
Let me additionally state that earlier than 1996, Ekiti had no useful state-owned trade. The ROMACO granite firm at Igbemo, Ikun Dairy farm at Ikun, Ire Burnt Brick at Ire Ekiti and Orin Farm settlement at Orin Ekiti, have been all moribund. However with shrewd and dexterous administration by Fayemi, the derelict corporations are bouncing again to reckoning.
For Ikun Dairy farm to be revamped, the federal government, in partnership with Promasidor Nigeria Restricted, spent a sum of $5 million to import cows and bought different machines. At an optimum manufacturing stage, the corporate will produce 10,000 litres of milk every day. This can go a good distance in producing employments and fortify the State’s income profile.
Deploying his nexus with the worldwide group, Governor Fayemi had partnered with non-public corporations to handle the ROMACO and Ikun Dairy Farm for efficient administration and they’re progressively being revamped.
One of many catalysts of fine governance is a useful and strong native authorities construction. When the third tier of presidency is nearer, it makes improvement spiral and beneficial properties traction.
Earlier than 1996, Ekiti had six native governments of Ero, Ekiti East, Ekiti South, Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ijero. However the tally had elevated to 16 statutorily recognised councils, with 19 Native Council Growth Authorities established to midwife and propel improvement pedal on the grassroots.
In 2011, the federal government of President Goodluck Jonathan established 12 new Universities throughout the nation, with Ekiti being a beneficiary by the approval given for the institution of the Federal College, Oye Ekiti within the state. The idea behind this was to make sure balancing so that every state might have a federal College.
It’s an unassailable proven fact that Ekiti couldn’t have benefited from this lofty gesture whether it is nonetheless subsumed below Ondo, this was as a result of the Federal College, Akure had been in existence for many years. In a number of months’ time, work would additionally start on the accredited Federal Medical College in Iyin Ekiti after receiving presidential assent.
As parlous and feeble as Ekiti appears to be within the space of economic system, the state will get a median of N3.5 billion from the federation account month-to-month. These monies are expended on training, well being, agriculture, human capital improvement and different pivotal sectors. Wouldn’t it have been attainable for Ondo to earmark a staggering sum of N3.5 billion on initiatives in Ekiti axis month-to-month if Ekiti nonetheless retains the six native governments which we had then? This additionally signifies one other space of profit that must be taken into cognisance.
This got here to the fore due to the truth that Ekiti gave Governor Fayemi the veritable gubernatorial platform to show his mettle and price. Let the sceptics rummage the historical past books; no Ekiti man had ever been touted for such a coveted seat.
Added to that was the truth that Governor Fayemi is the Chairman, Nigeria’s Governors Discussion board, superintending over the affairs of the 36 Governors throughout celebration traces and divides. These are data that lend credence to the truth that Ekiti has gained reckoning not solely as of essentially the most educated but in addition as a politically refined and acutely aware set of individuals.
John Ajayi is a public affairs commentator and a Lagos primarily based journalist
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