Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has hailed the inauguration of Ms. Joyce Banda as the President of Malawi as a
triumph for constitutionalism and evidence of growth of democracy in Africa.
Banda was the vice president of Malawi until Saturday when she succeeded President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died of heart attack.
Although the late president had allegedly insisted the woman could not be president, preferring his younger brother to succeed him, the First Lady said that the emergence of Banda was an attestation to the supremacy of God.
Erelu Fayemi said these during the Easter mass at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday, in a message to the
people of the state. She said the inauguration of 61-year-old Banda was a reward for her resilience, consistence and commitment to the cause of the people of her country.
Although loved by her people, she said that Banda was ostracized at a point by the hawks and sexists in Mutharika’s administration following her insistence that due process and rule of law must prevail.
She said, “My joy knows no bound when she mounted the podium and was inaugurated as president, because of my knowledge of all the sexism-induced impediments put on her way.
“The late president had insisted that his younger brother must succeed him in office. But, Banda had protested on the grounds that her
experience stood her in good stead to become the next president.
“She is an older friend of mine who was committed to the cause of her people. The African Women’s Development Fund, which I co-funded in Ghana, had to rally support for her during the trying period.
“To celebrate her strides as a pride to African women, the AWDF organized an award in her honour in Ghana. We encouraged her not to
relent and thank God her resilience has paid off today.”
While congratulating the new president, the governor’s wife urged her to perform to the best of her ability by ensuring that the country
attained greater heights during her administration.
Erelu Fayemi described Easter as a time of deep reflection for christians to remember why Jesus Christ died for their sins and the
need to continue to live a sinless life.
She urged the rich people in the society to spare a thought for the less-privileged in the society at all times.
Thanking the people of the state for their support for the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration, Erelu Fayemi urged them to continue to live together in peace, love and unity.
She assured the people that the governor would fulfill all his electioneering promises to the people of the state.
In his sermon, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, said Jesus came to the world and suffer so that
humanity could enjoy life in abundance. Bishop Ajakaye stressed the need for christians to rededicate their lives to God, adding that the resurrection of Christ was the celebration of life and light.
The cleric charged government officials to work in unity so as to achieve the best for the people they are leading.
Last modified: April 8, 2012
