From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, have promised to give special attention to Ekiti State in the 2025 budget to ensure more developmental projects in the state.
The Senators hailed the Governor of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, for his leadership style, describing the Governor as one of the committed patriots, who deserves to be supported by federal lawmakers for the state to develop better.
According to them, the decision to attract more federal projects to the state will help to complement the giant strides being made by Governor Oyebanji in the implementation of his six-point policy thrust targeted at raising the bar of development in the state.
The Senators made the promise in Ado- Ekiti, capital of the state during the 2024 edition of the annual Udiroko Festival which took place at the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.
Akpabio, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, hailed the contributions of Oba Adejugbe to nation building, describing him as one of the foremost traditional rulers in the country and the Udiroko festival as a wonderful tourism virtue.
“We are assuring you that the Senators will work hard to give Ekiti favourable attention in terms of project allotments in the 2025 budgetary provision. The mission is to support Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is today one of the respected leaders of this country because he maintains cordial relationships with all the people.
“The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, is one of the foremost traditional rulers in Nigeria. With what I have seen here today, Udiroko festival is a wonderful event. It is a wonderful tourism virtue. We will draw the attentions of other prominent Nigerians to this festival”.
The Senate President who expressed delight in Senator Bamidele’s roles in the National Assembly, commended the electorate in Ekiti Central Senatorial District for electing him, saying: “We are proud of him, because he is doing well at the National level. We are going to do everything possible to join him in attracting federal projects to Ekiti State through favourable budgetary allocations.”
In his remarks, the Senate Leader, promised the people of the state that he will continue to make meaningful contributions at the National Assembly and join other patriots to project the image of the state.
Senator Bamidele representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District,
described Udiroko as a huge cultural carnival, promising to join the state government in expanding the scope of the cultural fiesta and make it a veritable source of tourism in the State.
At the well-attended event, Senator.Bamidele announced the donation of N110 million, by himself, Senator Akpabio, Senator Barau, and the
Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, to support the development of Ado-Ekiti capital city.
“I am happy with the development I am seeing today. Udiroko has become a household name in Ekiti. We have Odun Oba in Ikere-Ekiti and Ita Ijero festival in Ijero-Ekiti. Kabiyesi, you have been blazing the trail, God will help you to succeed.
“I don’t joke with the promotion of Ekiti’s cultural heritage. I appreciate your support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With all of us working together, Nigeria and Ekiti shall be great.
“Those of us who are your representatives in Abuja won’t disappoint you. We value your support and we won’t take it for granted. I will personally ask the Senate President and other committed Senators to tell me the projects they will sponsor and bring to Ekiti in the 2025 budget”.
On his part, Governor Oyebanji congratulated Oba Adejugbe for the success of this year’s Udiroko festival, urging the people to see the festival as a reminder of the ensuring cultural legacy of Ekiti people and the importance of coming together to build a brighter future for the state.
Oba Adejugbe thanked the Senators for gracing the occasion and for their untiring efforts at building the nation and upholding the unity of the country. He also appreciated them for the donation noting that it will be well utilised for the development of Ado- Ekiti.