L-R: An official of the centre; with Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi; Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Director of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Ayodele Ibikunle, during the presentation of a bus to the Children Correctional Centre, Ado-Ekiti, on behalf of Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, on Friday presented an 18-seater bus to the state’s Children Correctional Centre to redeem the pledge made by the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a year ago.
The governor made the pledge to the centre, located in Bamgboye area of Ado-Ekiti, during his visit to mark his birthday with the inmates, last year.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi was received at the home by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi; and Director of Social Welfare in the ministry, Mr. Ayodele Ibikunle.
Presenting the bus to the home, Erelu Bisi Fayemi said it would ease the logistics challenges confronting the management of the home and also boost the morale of inmates.
She said, “I bring warm greetings from His Excellency, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was here exactly one year ago and promised that he was going to purchase a bus for use at this Correctional Centre.
“Thank God that this particular promise is being redeemed today. There are many competing demands on Mr. Governor’s table and I can assure you that they are all receiving attention. When he makes promises, he fulfils.”
Warning against stigmatization of the children, the First Lady said residents around the area should not see them as outcasts, but as victims of difficult circumstances beyond their control.
She prayed that God would turn the fortunes of the inmates around in the foreseeable future to become responsible citizens holding influential positions.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi admonished the management and those residing within the vicinity of the centre to keep close tabs on the children to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
She also urged workers at the centre to redouble their efforts in order to assist the children to get back on their feet and be reintegrated into the larger society.
She said, “I pray that among you today, we are looking at governors, we are looking at doctors and lawyers. You’ll be perpetual sources of joy in your families.
“Let me appeal to workers here to take adequate care of these children, especially during this period when a lot of evil things are happening in our society. Do not allow anything to happen to them, because government will hold you responsible.
“These children must not leave this place unescorted; they must not be left here unattended and you should not allow visitors in this premises.”
Residents of Bamgboye seized the opportunity of the governor’s wife’s visit to draw attention of the government to the deplorable condition of the road leading to the area.
Expressing total support of the more than 8000 residents of the community to the re-election bid of Dr Kayode Fayemi, they appealed to the First Lady to table their letter of request before the governor.
The governor’s wife thanked the residents for their solidarity visit, promising to present their letter to the governor for needed action.
She solicited their continued support for the administration, especially the second term bid of the governor, whom he said was attending to the demands of various communities and settlements across the state.
Last modified: February 6, 2014
