By Ademola Adeleke
The Ekiti State Government is set to honor distinguished sons and daughters of the state and two former military administrators for their contributions in ensuring the sound footing of the State since it’s creation.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the event, the commissioner for Regional Development and Special Duties, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu, said the maiden edition of the Programme was part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Fayemi administration.
He said “I wish to start this conference by quoting the words of His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State. “It is a thing of pride for us to look back at our humble beginnings 25 years ago and to see how far we have come across the various sectors of human development. We have every reason to thank God for his goodness to us as people. It is for this reason that the Ekiti Honours Roll (ONI-UYI) Award this year, which will take place on October, 30, 2021 will be dedicated to celebrating the heroes and heroines of the State creation movement who have paid more than enough price for us to have this beautiful state of ours”.
Mr Jinadu said that the Ekiti State Honors Roll Law 2020, that instituted Oni Uyi awards, was assented to by Governor Fayemi and this makes Ekiti state to be the only state in the 36 states of the federation to have such law next to Federal government whose honors roll was a Creation of the Act of Parliament of 1963.
“The objective of the ONI-UYI Award which is to be conferred on deserving members of the society annually shall have, as its main objectives, the following:- to recognize and reward distinguished and hard-working individuals who have excelled in their respective chosen careers or callings; to recognise and reward those who have in one way or another supported the development of Ekiti State; and to engender more patriotism and uphold the core values of Ekiti State”, the commissioner added.
Jinadu listed the categories of the ONI-UYI Award to include Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (EEA), Member of Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (MEEA), Member of Ekiti Meritorious Service (MEMS), Distinguished friends of Ekiti (DFE), Member of Distinguished Friends of Ekiti. (MDFE), Ekiti Reputable Entrepreneurship (ERE).
The commissioner added that the Awards would be conferred on distinguished Ekiti indigenes who the Governor refers to as “ARCHITECTS” and “BUILDERS” of Ekiti State to its present enviable status.
These architects include but not limited to;HRM Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejuyigbe Aladesanmi IlI, JP, CON. Ewi of Ado EkitiHRM Oba Adebayo Adewole, CFR, JP, Ajero of Ijero EkitiHRM Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, Phd, CON. JP, Alaaye of Efon AlaayeHRM Oba Gabriel Oso Adeniyi, Obanla of Ijesa Isu, Ekiti.Aare Afe Babalola (SAN, OFR, NON) Foremost Elder stateman and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-EkitiAsiwaju Oladeji FasuanHon. Abiodun OyebanjiDr. Kunle OlajideLate Mrs Bola OmojolaAnd many more of such amazing architects.
“The baton of developing Ekiti State at its creation was passed on to the “BUTLDERS” by the “ARCHITECTS”These builders are:HE, Late Col. Mohammed Inua Bawa -Oct. 1996-May 1998HE, Captain Atanda YusufHE, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayoow. HE, Dr. Peter FayoseV. HE, Asiwaju Olusegun Adebayo Oni Along, the line, there were acting Governors, who also played their parts in the development strides of the state.
The investiture ceremony by Mr. Governor will hold as follows;DATE: Saturday 30th October, 2021VENUE: Bishop Adetiloye Hall, Fountain Hotel, Iyin Road, Ado EkitiTIME: 2.00PM
