Udiroko 2022 Festival: Fayemi Assures Ekiti Residents Of Continuity In Governance.

By Falayi Olanrewaju 

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has assured the residents of Ekiti State of the continuity of his government by the Governor Elect, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji to continue Governance from where he would be stopping on the completion of his term in office. 

Advertisement

Fayemi made the statement while speaking during the 2022 Udiroko Festival event held at the Palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Rufus Adejugbe.

According to Governor Fayemi, he said, “he is happy that all the Sons and Daughters of Ado Ekiti are on ground for the celebration of this year’s Udiroko Festival being witnessed by him as he is winding down his 8 years administration as Governor of the State”. 

While congratulating the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on the occasion of this year’s annual Udiroko festival after two years of unable to have the Festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to congratulate our revered Ewi of Ado-Ekiti for this year’s elaborate celebration of Udiroko festival since 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are happy to be part of it this year which is significant because it will be the last I will be celebrating as a state Governor”.

Advertisement

He thanked the Kabiyesi, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti for his love and prayers that sustained his administration as Governor in Ekiti State. 

“Ado Ekiti has expanded and grown and we are all happy about it. I am also happy that the Airport being built in Ado Ekiti will soon be completed and ready for use”. 

I urged those who have not seen many of the projects we embarked upon to go and look at it most especially the Ado Ekiti Central Market close to the Palace of Ewi of Ado. He stressed that, once we can point to many of our projects done in Ado Ekiti while in office, I think that should be enough to qualify me as an authentic son of Ado Ekiti.

Advertisement

Fayemi assures that the people of Ado Ekiti will continue to see the result of continuity of goods things in Ado Ekiti and will see an extension of the dual carriage way from Iyin Ekiti to Aramoko by the government coming to succeed us in office. We will not disappoint Ado Ekiti people and we will not disappoint the Ekiti people as a whole

Speaking, the former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu praised the traditional ruler for his contributions to the development of the state capital, stating that he was happy to be part of the Udiroko festival celebrations.

Also, Professor Sunday Akindele who is the Elemo of Ado Ekiti and the Central Chairman for the Udiroko Planning Committee stressed that Udiroko is a foundation of Ado Ekiti’s existence.

Advertisement

He posited that for the Nation to overcome the myriads of challenges confronting it, there is a need for government to collaborate with traditional institutions across the Country.

Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe while addressing the mammoth crowd of Ado Ekiti Indigenes at the 2022 Udiroko Festival, which marks the first day in Ado Ekiti traditional calendar celebrated annually pledged that it will continue to give the State a pride of place in the history, culture and tradition of the people. 

Ewi revealed “that the celebration of Udiroko Festival will be a tripod for the collective existence of Ado Ekiti people. It will also help provides the ample opportunity to all Ado Sons and Daughters both at home and in the Diaspora to come together to appreciate God and pray for continuous peace and progress in the coming year”.

Advertisement

“As a pride of our cultural togetherness as a people and, a by-product of the AJASE EWI, “the EWI Supernatural Power of conquest” inherited from the House of Oduduwa. The Udiroko’s yearly celebration is always accompanied with feasting, dancing and merry making throughout the length and breadth of Ado Kingdom and its environs”. 

Continuing, “Ewi of Ado Ekiti maintained that through the Udiroko Festival, the people of Ado Ekiti will continue to constantly celebrate there ancient past and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ado people in ways that gives credence to the past and situates the present for a productive future”.

He however appreciated Governor Kayode Fayemi for successfully helping to midwife the affairs of the State throughout the period of his 8 years administration winding down in October 2022.

Advertisement