Ekiti Council of Elders has inaugurated a nine-member Board of Trustees to oversee an annual lecture series in memory of Chief Joel Babatola, who was one of the ardent lieutenants of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The president of the council, Prof Joseph Oluwasanmi described Chief Babatola as one of the heroes who brought about radical transformation of the Western region into the mainstream of modern civilisation.
According to the president, Babatola was an exemplar whose modesty, patriotism and honesty, should be given a place in history to imbue on this generation and the generations to come and spur them to live worthy lives of commitment to humanity.
In his remarks, the chairman of Oyo State Chapter of Yoruba Council of Elders, Prof. Bolanle Tanimowo, said Ekiti has once again proven itself to be a knowledge-based state with quality ideas and the veritable tools to drive such ideas, saying immortalising a personality like Pa Babatola was well thought out
On his part, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, a special guest at the occasion, said he was happy that Chief Babatola was being immortalised in such an esteemed annual lecture series. The monarch also expressed appreciation to the elders, recalling that the joint Council of the elders and the traditional rulers had severally collaborated on issues critical to the advancement of peace and progress of the Ekiti State.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by the Commissioner of Special Duties, Adeniyi Dolamu, said the governor was in tandem with every activity of the elders, thanking them for their unrelenting useful pieces of advice and their tireless services to the state.
Among the prominent Ekiti indigenes who made the nine-man board of Trustees are Mr Femi Adewumi, retired Head of Service in Ekiti State; Oba Adebayo Awoseyila, Alamo of Ilamo Ekiti and Olori Abosede Adejugbe Aladesanmi, Eyesorun of Ado Ekiti. Others are Chief Ronke Okusanya, Prof. Sunday Tunde Akindele, Mr. Lawrence Olagoke Egunjobi, Sam Gbenga Agbetuyi and Dr. Ope Babatola, who is a son of the late hero.