From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has explained that his administration embarked on the construction of the new Ado-Iyin dual carriageway to boost economic activities and open up more communities along the route.
The Governor assured that the road project would be extended to Aramoko and Itawure on completion of the first phase to make life easier for road users and connect the towns faster than it used to be.
Governor Fayemi who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, made the remarks on Tuesday when he received the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye and his chiefs who came to appreciate the government for the peaceful selection and enthronement of the new monarch for the town.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, the Oluyin who was accompanied by his wife, Olori Oluwatoyin Ajakaye, also used the forum to solicit for more projects and patronage for the community to accelerate its development.
The Governor, who assured that requests tabled by the community for more amenities would be looked into, noted that Iyin was lucky to be a beneficiary of the new road as it would only take five minutes from the town to reach the state capital on completion of the project.
While congratulating the traditional ruler on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, Fayemi urged him not to deviate from the truth and allow fairness, equity and justice to be his guiding principles in running the affairs of the town.
He promised that his administration would always ensure that the process of nomination, selection and enthronement of Obas on the state follow due process, free, fair and credible to ensure that peace reigns in the communities after new kings might have been installed.
‘The process that led to the emergence of Kabiyesi as the Oluyin was transparent, free and fair. I had to ask the kingmakers to indicate the candidates they voted for following petitions written to me with six kingmakers voting for one candidate, three for another candidate and the last three for another candidate.
‘The kingmakers exercised the power given to them and nobody influenced them and everybody knew how the voting went. This manner of fairness and transparency made the town to be enjoying peace now after the whole process.
‘Kabiyesi, you are a product of the truth, don’t deviate from that truth that brought you to this position in the exercise of the power conferred on you,’ he said.
Speaking earlier the Oluyin, Oba Ajakaye, hailed the Fayemi administration for its diligence, thoroughness, and adherence to due process and best practices in the process that led to his emergence as monarch in a keenly contested race.
Oba Ajakaye expressed gratitude to the government for the ongoing Ado-Iyin dual carriageway which, according to him, is changing the face of his domain and rubbing off positively as the closest to the State capital.
While pledging the loyalty of the people of his domain to the Fayemi administration Oba Ajakaye said the town is more united after his emergence because the process was acceptable to the indigenes.
‘We also want to assure you that Iyin is peaceful, we remain indivisible as all quarters of the town are represented here and we are here to pledge our loyalty to this government,’ he said.
Some of the requests tabled by the Oluyin on behalf of his community included the establishment of a new secondary school to serve new developing areas and deployment of more medical personnel and equipment to the town’s General Hospital.
