Fayemi explains awards for Fayose, Oni, Adebayo, others
Ayodele Adesanmi, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has clarified that the impending state awards to be conferred on former governors Ayodele Fayose, Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and 45 others, including a legal Icon, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has no political undertone.
Justifying that the 48 awardees were picked on merit, Fayemi said the illustrious Ekiti indigenes were deemed fit for their contributions to the state’s development in all facets.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu, revealed this on Wednesday at a press conference heralding the maiden edition of a state honour tagged ‘Oni Uyi Awards 2021’, slated for October 30.
Fayemi said two former military administrators of the state, Colonel Inua Bawa and Commodore Atanda Yusuf, would benefit from the honours designed by his government to recognise those he categorised as ‘architects and builders’ of Ekiti.
Fayemi said honouring Fayose and Oni, who are PDP chieftain showed the awards were bereft of political undertone, saying: “Ii is history that is bringing us together, not politics.
“Governors Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni are of the PDP, but they have contributed their quotas. When it comes to the issue of development, Governor Fayemi is not political. The interest of Ekiti is supreme and paramount to him”.
The governor stated that the categories of honours would include: Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (EEA), Member of Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (MEEA), Member of Ekiti Meritorious Service (MEMS) Distinguished Friends of Ekiti, Member of Distinguished Friends of Ekiti (DFE) and Ekiti Reputable Entrepreneurship (ERE).
The commissioner added that the awards conferment was in compliance with the Ekiti State Honours Law, 2020, assented to by Governor Fayemi to recognise and reward distinguished and hardworking individuals who had excelled in their respective careers and supported the development of the state.
