L-R: Elderly citizen/Social Security beneficiary, Pa Dauda Olawunmi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Feyemi; his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during the 49th Anniversary celebration of the Governor, Ifaki-Ekiti.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Sunday marked his 49th birthday with some elderly citizens in three local government areas of the State, restating the commitment of his administration to giving succour to the vulnerable members of the society.
The Governor who spent the entire Sunday afternoon with the elderly citizens, including a 103 years old woman, had some interaction with them and members of their households, cut his birthday cake with them and presented them with some gift items including mattresses, fan, refrigerator, food items, clothes and beverages.
The Governor’s birthday celebration with the elderly citizens took him to the homes of 83 years old Pa Ezekiel Ogunjobi in Ilumoba-Ekiti; 79 years old Pa Ajayi Dauda Olawunmi in Ifaki-Ekiti; 98 years old Madam Salami Agetu, at Aba Igbira, Ado-Ekiti and 103 years old Madam Aliatu Animashaun in Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti.
The elderly citizens, who together with their household members sang birthday songs and prayed for the Governor, lauded the Fayemi administration’s social security benefit scheme, which they claimed had brought better life for the elderly citizens in the state.
Governor Fayemi who said that his administration would continue to explore means to make life more meaningful for both the young and the old in the state, added that he sees the opportunity that God has given him as Governor of the state as an avenue to help others and make positive impact in their lives.
Fayemi stated that helping the vulnerable members of the society is a major thrust in the agenda of his party- the All Progressives Congress (APC). He added that his visit to the elderly citizens has afforded him the opportunity to know their well being, adding that he is happy to see that they are faring well.
Fayemi who was accompanied by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, his Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, some members of the state executive council and the state assembly, added that the celebration has also afforded him the chance to thank God for the peace that reigns in the State since he became governor.
“It is not much of a ceremony as far as remembering my birthday is concerned but I felt that it is difficult as the governor of the state to ignore the people who want to celebrate with me. It gives me the opportunity to thank God for his grace and favour in my life, and to thank Him for the peace that has been ever so consistent since I became governor in the state but it also offered me the opportunity to spend the day with those elderly beneficiaries of the social security scheme. That’s why I have chosen to go to three local government areas to visit some of these elderly citizens in their various homes.
“We thank God they are in good health even though they are advanced in age, they are still desirous of living a good life and we owe it a duty as a party of the people, as social democrats to lift up the vulnerable and the weak in our society because the opportunity that God has given us is precisely for us to help others to lift others up, to be the salt and the light in the lives of other people”, he said.
Earlier, Fayemi had attended a thanksgiving service at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado- Ekiti, where the presiding priest, Revd Father Clement Ogunlusi, had stressed the importance of good works, stating that everyone has been given power to do good works.
Ogunlusi who added that God has sent all human beings to become salt and light in the world, added that God has by providence made Fayemi governor of the state and should not forget his mission to the poor.
The cleric urged Fayemi not to see himself as accomplished until the completion of the mission.
Governor Fayemi read the lesson for the thanksgiving service taken from the book of Isaiah 58 verse 7-10.
Commenting on the celebrant, the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, said her husband is a perfect gift from God-. “He is a perfect husband, wonderful father and a great leader and I thank God for what he is doing in his life. May prayer is that the dreams he has for Ekiti will come true”, she said.
Last modified: February 10, 2014
