Attract development to Ekiti, Afe Babalola tells elected national lawmakers

Respected elder statesman, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has told the newly elected Senators and Members, House of Representatives from Ekiti State to use their new status to attract development to the state.

Babalola spoke in Ado Ekiti on Sunday when the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, led the three Senators -elect and six House of Representatives members- elect to the founder of Afe Babalola University.

He called on all influential Ekiti indigenes at home and in diaspora to start paying their taxes and development levies to the state in the drive to ensure aggressive development.

The legal icon, who is reputed as the highest tax payer in Ekiti State, appealed to all Ekiti people irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands with the incumbent Governor Oyebanji to drive aggressive development of the state.

He added that that he was convinced that Ekiti would progress rapidly under Oyebanji.

Babalola also called on local government administrators to embark on aggressive food production by investing massively in agricultural implements and inputs to make the state the food basket of the nation.

Babalola said the exemplary leadership of Oyebanji had started yielding some positive changes in the state, urging him to ensure their sustainability.

He said, “Whatever you want to achieve in life starts from leadership at all levels, the fact that we are able to bring you together here shows a new leadership order and that Governor Oyebanji is an exemplary leader and he will continue to be successful.”

In his remarks, Oyebanji noted that Babalola was passionate about Ekiti project. The Governor said he led the newly elected lawmakers to the nonagenarian in order to share his vision for Ekiti, as well as give them assignments on Ekiti project.

“As Secretary of Ekiti creation, I have an idea of Baba’s vision for Ekiti State and I know that as we are today we can only realize that vision when we partner. I was telling them about your gesture towards the Airport, they did not believe it, that the Airport would have been completed if we allow you to do what you wanted to do.

“I brought them here today to listen to you and to also thank you for what you are doing to humanity and to Ekiti State. If it were in the olden days, you would have been made a god but in your lifetime sir, we will continue to reverence you and make you proud.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator-elect Cyril Fasuyi reiterated their commitments to Ekiti project and promised to work closely with Governor Oyebanji to attract more development to the state.

Other Legislators elect at the meeting were Senator-elect Yemi Adaramodu and the House of Representatives members-elect –  Niyi Ojuawo, Femi Bamisile, Abiodun Omoleye, Akinlayo Kolawole, Sola Fatoba and Akin Rotimi.

Also at the meeting were the wife of the ABUAD founder, Chief Modupe Babalola.