As Ekiti State marks its 30th anniversary of creation, a former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and former Acting Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, has appealed to those at the helm of affairs to govern with the heart of a father.
Odeyemi, who is now the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, made the call in an exclusive interview to commemorate Ekiti at 30.
He urged whoever is at the saddle of leadership and governance in the state to see himself as a father to all, irrespective of political party affiliation or religious belief.
According to him, the creation of Ekiti State 30 years ago remains one of the best things to happen to the Ekiti people, as it has brought government and development closer to the people.
“Before the creation of Ekiti State, our people had to travel all the way to Akure, the Ondo State capital, before they could get anything done. Today, the story has changed,” Odeyemi said.
The former Acting Governor commended successive administrations in the state, noting that every governor that has led the state since creation has contributed his quota to its development.
Odeyemi expressed delight at the level of transformation witnessed across the state in the last 30 years.
“Today, Ekiti towns and communities have witnessed tremendous transformation. New roads are being constructed while the existing ones are being reconstructed,” he said.
He added that the state now boasts of more tertiary institutions, both private and public, while many private businesses are springing up across the state, driving economic growth.
The PDP Chairman thanked the founding fathers of Ekiti State, including the traditional rulers, whose dogged struggle and sacrifices led to the creation of the state.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our founding fathers, including our revered traditional rulers, who fought for the creation of Ekiti. Their dream was for a developed and prosperous Ekiti, and we are gradually getting there,” he concluded.
“Previous governors have done their bit. Collectively, they have moved Ekiti forward,” he stated.
Recalling his own short but impactful tenure as Acting Governor, Odeyemi noted that his administration successfully stabilized the state’s political landscape and maintained administrative calm following the Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the previous governorship election.
He listed some of his achievements to include facilitating the establishment and operational take-off of key federal agencies in Ekiti, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) offices in the state.
On Workers’ Welfare, his administration disbursed approximately N250 million towards clearing outstanding pensions and gratuities, alongside adjustments to civil servant salaries to boost morale.