A legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN and former Gov. Niyi Adebayo and Ayodele Fayose are among the 48 distinguished personalities to be honoured by Ekiti Government for their contributions to the creation, growth and development of the state.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu, who disclosed this at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, said that the award, tagged: “Oni Uyi Awards 2021,” would hold on October 30.
Jinandu said that some top-rated traditional rulers like Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, Alaaye of Efon-Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare and Obanla of Ijesa-Isu, Oba Gabriel Adeniyi are also billed for the honour.
He added that two former Military Administrators of the state, Col. Inua Bawa (rtd.) and Commodore Atanda Yusuf (rtd.), would also benefit from the awards which, he said, had no political undertone.
According to him, the distinguished personalities are counted worthy for the recognition and honours based on their contributions to the development of the state in all its facets.
He said that the ceremony, designed to recognize and honour the ‘architects and builders’ of Ekiti, is backed by law and also part of the activities marking the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Jinandu said honouring Fayose and Oni, who are PDP chieftains, showed that the awards were devoid of any political undertone.
“It is history that is bringing us together, not politics.
“Former Gov. Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni are of PDP, but they have contributed their respective quotas toward the growth and development of our state.
“When it comes to issue of development, Gov. Kayode Fayemi is not political. The interest of Ekiti is paramount to him,” he said.
The commissioner listed the categories of honours to include: Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (EEA), Member of Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (MEEA) and Member of Ekiti Meritorious Service (MEMS).
Others, according to him, are Distinguished Friends of Ekiti, Member of Distinguished Friends of Ekiti (DFE) and Ekiti Reputable Entrepreneurship (ERE).
“The award conferment is in compliance with Ekiti State Honours Law, 2020, assented to by Gov. Fayemi, to recognize and reward distinguished and hardworking individuals in the state,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other distinguished Ekiti indigenes to be honoured include: Chairman, Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, Chief Deji Fasuan, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Biodun Oyebanji, Secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide, and the late Mrs. Bola Omojola. (NAN)
