As Ekiti State enters its 30th anniversary month, Princess Adesola Monica Fajuyi-Olajuyigbe, daughter of the late military hero and first Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, Lt.-Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, has felicitated the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and other prominent traditional rulers in the state.
It is 30 years today since the late General Sanni Abacha created Ekiti State out of the old Ondo State, and series of activities have been lined up to commemorate the anniversary, including the Ekiti @30 Youth Essay Competition themed ‘Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years.’
In a goodwill message, Princess Fajuyi-Olajuyigbe, who is President, Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ekiti Central Senatorial District in next year’s general elections, described the anniversary as a moment of pride, reflection and renewed hope for all Ekiti sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora.
She greeted the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III; Obalufon Alaayemore of Efon Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare; Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye; Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru; Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi; Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; and other revered traditional rulers across the five local government areas of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.
According to her, the traditional institution has remained the bedrock of peace, unity and cultural preservation in Ekiti since its creation and deserves commendation as the state enters its fourth decade.
‘On behalf of the family of the late Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, the Ado-Ekiti-born hero who paid the supreme price for unity, loyalty and honour, I heartily rejoice with our highly revered royal fathers – the Ewi, Obalufon Alaayemore, Oluyin, Onigede, Alara, Ajero and all our Obas – as our dear state enters her 30th anniversary month,’ she said.
‘Our fathers on the throne have kept Ekiti together. They have been custodians of our values of integrity, hard work, respect and courage which my late father lived and died for. At 30, Ekiti has every reason to thank God and to look forward to greater glory.’
Princess Fajuyi-Olajuyigbe noted that her father’s sacrifice in Ibadan on July 29, 1966, alongside then Head of State, Maj. Gen. Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, was rooted in the Ekiti virtue of not abandoning a guest even in the face of death, adding that such virtue must continue to guide the state’s development.
She called on all Ekiti indigenes to use the anniversary month to promote peace, unity and support for the government’s development agenda, stressing that the dreams of the founding fathers can only be achieved in an atmosphere of love and collective responsibility.
She prayed for long life, sound health and wisdom for all traditional rulers in the state and for sustained peace and prosperity in the Land of Honour and Integrity.