L-R: Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Senator representing Lagos West, Chief Ganiyu Solomon, at the City People magazine's 1st Political Excellence Awards, where the First Lady and Governor Kayode Fayemi, bagged awards for exemplary commitment to Women Empowerment and as Best Governor in Grassroots Development respectively, in Lagos.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, have continued to receive accolades from far and near for their transformational agenda, which has helped to reposition and rebrand the state.
The governor and his wife were among the recipients of the City People’s magazine first Political Excellence Awards, in honour of political leaders “who are making the difference in the lives of the people.”
The award ceremony, which had the trappings of a grand event, took place at the prestigious Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Sunday.
The presence of the governor’s wife added colour to the event, while the governor was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu.
They were supported by female members of the state executive council, female legislators in the state House of Assembly, wives of top government functionaries, members of the Forum of Spouses of Ekiti State Officials, Women in Politics, among others.
Star actresses, Moji Olaiya and Foluke Daramola, who are cultural ambassadors of Ekiti State, were among other dignitaries that turned up at the event in solidarity with the state’s first couple.
According to the organizers, the award was borne out of the need to create a platform through which exceptional individuals and stakeholders in politics could be recognized and honoured.
Governor Fayemi was honoured as the Best Performing Governor in Rural Development, while Erelu Bisi Fayemi received an award for her “outstanding performance in empowering Ekiti women” through her initiative, the Ekiti Development Foundation.
While dedicating her award to Ekiti people, particularly women, the governor’s wife promised to rededicate herself to the cause of Ekiti development.
The First Lady promised not to relent in her efforts at enhancing the fortunes of Ekiti women through empowerment and legislations, while she pledged to continue to support her husband to make life better for the citizens.
She thanked the City People for recognizing her efforts and that of her husband, particularly at a time she said Ekiti people needed continuity of the transformational agenda of the Fayemi-led administration.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi said, “I thank City People for deeming it fit to recognise my humble efforts at empowering the women of Ekiti state.
“I need to intensify my efforts, particularly at this time when Ekiti people need continuity; at a time when transformation of Ekiti State that started more than three years ago needs to continue.”
Receiving the award on behalf of Governor Kayode Fayemi, Prof. Modupe Adelabu said her boss had already put Ekiti on the world map through his developmental strides espoused in the administration’s eight-point agenda.
She said it was apparent that the governor’s rebranding of the education sector, physical infrastructure and human capital development were not unnoticed.
This, according to her, explained the various awards the governor had received since coming on board.
Adelabu added that the present administration has comfortably put food on the table of the poor and the aged as well as empowered the youths through several safety nets.
She said, “On behalf of the governor and the good people of Ekiti State, I thank the City People for recognizing the patriotic efforts of my governor towards making life better for our people.”
Among other awardees were the Governors of Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, and Bayelsa States; Senators Oluremi Tinubu and Ganiyu Solomon; All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and Cardinal James Odunmbaku.
Last modified: February 24, 2014