From Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
ikole-ekiti, headquarters of Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State was agog recently when its chairman, Mr. Adeyanju Adeyeye, commissioned projects in some communities.
The projects included the Police Station, Ìjèsà Isu; the reconstructed Oja Oba Market, Ikole; solar power in all the 24 palaces in the council; electricity on Oloojebu Road, Ilode quarters, Akeredolu Lane, Oke Ayedun and rehabilitated township and rural roads.
Others are rain culvert and grading of Egbeda Street, Isaba; rehabilitated Isaba-Ikoyi Ike Road; erosion control project at Eleyowo Market, Ikole-Ekiti; cleared verges of major motorways in Osin-Ayebode Road, Ìjèsà-Isu-Òde Road and Iluomoba-Ìjèsà-Isu-Ikole Road.
On hand to formally open Oja Oba Market, with functional toilets, was the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola. He described Adeyeye as “a true student of Fayose School of Politics. Fayose is a prudent manager of resources, that’s why we have witnessed so much development in Ekiti State.
“That is why anyone following Fayose would know what to do. When you are a follower and a true disciple of Fayose, you will be focused and have a sense of direction as we have witnessed in the performance of Adeyanju Adeyeye.”
Adeyeye revealed that his administration also embarked on “total empowerment programme of 20 artisans across the 12 wards in the local government, such as hairdressers, barbers, tailors among others. These people will be provided with full equipment required for their trades, while the rents for their shops are also paid for by the council.
”Monthly presentation of cash support to over 100 people in different categories across the local government ranging from N5,000 to N50,000 to support their businesses, ease their pain and help cushion the current economic hardship being experienced in the country.”
He said the reconstruction of the Oja Oba Market was “conceived as part of our efforts to improve the economic base of our people, to make the market a conducive place for both our market women and to give the environment a facelift.”
He thanked Fayose for the opportunity given to youths in the state: “He has the interest of youth at heart and that’s why he has given people like us to serve in his administration, or am I not a youth? “Despite the recession, Governor Fayose has been carrying out his plan forthr state because he has a blueprint of what he plans to do for the people of Ikole LG and the state.”
He called for the support of the traditional rulers and the entire people of the state for the administration of Fayose, and assured them that the people of Ikole would gain bountifully from the “exemplary leadership of Governor Fayose.”
The 54 stalls and lock-up shops at the market would improve the economic base of the people and would be complemented by the reactivated local government piggery and a 10-acre yam farm at Igbona Ile.
The beneficiaries of the empowerment items, including sewing machines and sundry appliances; clippers, hairdressing equipment, mobile telephones and numerous other equipment were effusive in their thanks to their council chairman. Rains did not prevent them from the conviviality.