- Describes Oyebanji as the best governor Ekiti has produced
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Legal icon and proprietor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has said that lack of truthful people in government is responsible for Nigeria’s woes .
He also said all the governors who have ruled Ekiti State in the past are responsible for the poor condition the state has found itself.
Babalola made the remarks at the commissioning of ABUAD Multi-System Hospital Annex, on Monday, in Ado-Ekiti capital of Ekiti State, where he described Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the best governor to have been produced in the state, wishing Oyebanji had governed the state before now.
The legal giant said, ” I am pained that Oyebanji didn’t become the governor of Ekiti earlier because we know what we did to create Ekiti. What we want is to make Ekiti a state that is better than any other state, where Ekiti will always set the pace but unfortunately all those who have governed the state before now caused the problems we are in today, I said it, go and tell them . They are the reason why the Igirigiri road and others are in deplorable state.
” When I was a local government councillor, we didn’t collect salaries, that was when there was development in Ekiti local government but we thought when our governors start to emerge, they will follow our footsteps and do those things on record but they didn’t, but this current governor, Biodun Oyebanji is really trying.
” Those in government are collecting salaries and pensions. They begged me twice to accept ministerial position but I rejected it. When I accepted to become the Pro- Chancellor of the University of Lagos that was when I saw the secrets of government, I didn’t receive a dime there.
” I have written letters, sent text messages, made phone calls to ministers of works in Abuja many times to repair the federal poly road along Ado-Ijan, they either tell me it has been included in the budget or it will be included in the budget, God will save us from their hands.
” In 1960, One naira was exchanged for one pound but today one pound is exchanged for two thousand naira, this is where we have found ourselves.
“When I wanted to establish my university in Ibadan, Governor Segun Oni, a good person that he is came to beg me that I should come and establish it in Ado-Ekiti and I replied him and asked how can I establish a university in Ado-Ekiti where there is no road, no railway, no airport and so on? He answered and said don’t be annoyed sir. The next thing ,he travelled to see President Goodluck Jonathan and he told him that Chief Afe Babalola wants to establish a university in Ibadan but said if there is an airport in Ado-Ekiti he will establish it here., Do you know what President Jonathan did? He immediately said that he will construct an airport in Ado-Ekiti and Iruwa. He allocated some money to them to begin the project here but unfortunately the Governor that was on board that time said he didn’t want an airport, that is the difference between previous governors and the current governor.
“Governor Biodun Oyebanji is always with me to discuss the airport and we have been working on it and by the grace of God before the year runs out we will have an airport.”
In his remarks, the state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, hailed Afe Babalola’s huge contributions to the state, noting that the elder statesman right from the old Ondo State remains the highest tax payer and the highest employer of labour in the state after the state government.
The governor said, “They say health is wealth , what baba has done here today and in the state, is not for him. He never forgets home, Odo-Ado, Igirigiri, Ado Ekiti and the state and Nigeria at large.
“Whenever I see him, what usually comes to mind is that, before Ekiti was created, he knew that state will come. Even before Ekiti State was created, he is the highest tax payer in the old Ondo State. And since the creation of Ekiti State, baba still remains the highest tax payer in the state and the largest employer of labour after the state government.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof Smaranda Olarinde said “ABUAD Multi- System Hospital was built to be the unmatched leader in healthcare provision, by improving quality healthcare and reducing its cost for patients in the Ado-Ekiti communities and Nigerians at large.
“ABUAD Multi-System Hospital was commissioned on 20th October, 2017 and commenced full operations on 21st March, 2018 and currently the Multi-System Hospital has several branches all across Ado-Ekiti.
” Today’s commissioning and opening of this new branch at Igirigiri marks another groundbreaking pivotal contribution to bringing healthcare delivery closer to the people from our Founder’s childhood background some 95 years ago.
” Just like all the outreach branches, this hospital is populated with the most modern and sophisticated medical equipment and best medical care providers.”