President-General, Efon Alaaye Development League, Dr. Thomas Fagbemiro has tasked the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ekiti State Government to establish a higher institution in the community to stimulate the economy and bring more development, noting that Education is the industry of the State.
Fagbemiro made this known in his speech on the Efon Alaaye day held on Saturday, 24th of August, 2023.
President General said in his speech over establishment of higher institution that the Efon Alaaye people wil support and contribute for provision of facilities and well being of such project whenever pronounced and established, thereby urging the private individuals, Missions and Organisations to help in this regard.
According to President General, Efon Alaaye Development League, he said, “I wish to appeal to the Federal and the Ekiti State Government to kindly consider siting, in due course, a higher institution in our community to stimulate the economy and bring more development to the community.
“We also appeal to private individuals, Missions and Organisations for help in this regard. Efon people are always ready to support noble causes by making contributions and sacrifices for provision of facilities and we will contribute for such project whenever pronounced and established”.
Efon-Alaaye has enough resources and facilities to host any public or private Tertiary Institutions of education. We would not relent but continue to struggle until we achieve the desired success in this regard.”
The Efon-Alaaye day was full of activities and recognition through the honours and awards giving some personalities among which include the Efon Alaaye Royal Fellowship (RFE) Awards to Dr Sunday Adegeye Adeniyi, KSA, MON (King Sunny Ade), Distinguished Senator Dr. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele CON, Leader of the National Assembly and the respected Senator from the Ekiti Central Senatorial District as well as His Excellency, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the fifth Executive Governor of Ekiti State.
Also speaking at the event, The Kabiyesi, His Royal Majesty, Oba. Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, Obalufon Alayemore, the Alaaye of Efon Alaaye Kingdom said that the Alaaye-in-Council will not fail to recognize and accord necessary honours to those who have truly distinguished themselves in their chosen vocations.
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He used the opportunity to congratulates those who have been honoured in the past and those selected to receive Honour and Award at the Efon Day 2023 Celebrations.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Aladejare said he wants to challenge and encourage the innovators, patriots, those being honoured at this occasion and also the current leaders of Efon Alaaye Kingdom at all levels of administration and governments, as well as the future leaders of community to take a queue from the event of today by striving earnestly in achieving excellence in all they do, until it is their turn to be recognized.
However, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the Efon-Alaaye day, Barrister Panaf Olajide Olakanmi narrated the ordeal that led to Efon-Alaaye day festival, 24th of August yearly celebration.
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“Indeed August 24 was the date in 1983 when people resident in the community were miraculously saved from the sporadic shooting of an invading detachment of soldiers and fully armed mobile policemen, who answering to certain order launched an attack on Efon-Alaaye, shooting indiscriminately for over two hours around our peaceful community.
“But it was remarkable that as the invaders on a crush-Efon-mission was about entering our city situated on the hills like the biblical Jerusalem, an unforeseen eclipse took over as the sky suddenly became overcast and darkness enveloped the town such that no lives was lost aftermath of the heavy and sporadic bombardment of shooting to houses and objects in sight.
“Apparently in appreciation to God for the miracles of that great day in 1983, some leaders of this anciently anointed community puts heads together and thought of setting aside the August 24 date every year to celebrate the covenanted salvation; this was how the first Efon-Alaaye Day came about in 1984”, the Chairman Planning Committee, said.
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The Occasion was greatly honoured by the distinguished presence of our amiable Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Leader of the 10th Senate of the National Assembly, Dr. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Honourable Commissioners, House of Assembly members, Chairmen of Local Government Councils, past President Generals of the League and many other respected leaders and invited Guests.