FAYEMI MARKS BIRTHDAY WITH THE ELDERLY *Wife Tasks Stakeholders on Discrimination Against Correctional Centre Inmates

Unlike others who use their birthdays as a means to amass wealth and show off, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, recently marked his 49th birthday with elderly citizens in three local government areas of the state, restating the commitment of his administration to give succour to the vulnerable members of the society.

The governor, who spent the day with the elderly, including a 103-year-old woman, interacted with them and members of their households, cut his birthday cake with them and presented them with gifts, including mattresses, fans, refrigerators, foodstuffs, clothes and beverages.

The governor's birthday celebration with the elderly took him to the homes of 83-years-old Pa Ezekiel Ogunjobi in Ilumoba-Ekiti; 79-year-old  Pa Ajayi Dauda Olawunmi in Ifaki-Ekiti; 98-year-old Madam Salami Agetu in Aba Igbira, Ado-Ekiti and 103-year-old Madam Aliatu Animashaun at Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti.

The elderly, who together with their household members sang birthday songs and prayed for the governor, lauded the Fayemi administration's social security benefit scheme, which they said had improved the lives of the elderly.

Governor Fayemi, who said his administration would explore means to make life more meaningful for the young and the old, added that he saw the opportunity God gave him as the governor of the state as an avenue to help others and make positive impact in their lives.

He said helping the vulnerable members of the society is a major item in the agenda of his party- the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him, his visit to the elderly has afforded him the opportunity to know them intimately “and I am happy to see that they are faring well”.

Fayemi, was accompanied by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, members of the state executive council and the state assembly.  He noted the celebration has also afforded him the opportunity to thank God for the peace which has reigned in the state since he became governor.

"It is not much of a ceremony as far as remembering my birthday is concerned, but I feel it is difficult as the governor to ignore the people who want to celebrate with me. It gives me the opportunity to thank God for his grace and favour in my life, and to thank Him for the peace that has been ever so consistent since I became governor. It also afforded me the opportunity to spend the day with the elderly beneficiaries of the social security scheme. This is why I have chosen to go to three local governments to visit some of these elderly citizens in their homes.

“We thank God they are in good health, Although they are advanced in age, they are still desirous of living a good life and we owe it a duty as a party of the people, as social democrats to lift up the vulnerable and the weak in our society because the opportunity God has given us is precisely for us to help others, to lift others up, to be the salt and the light in the lives of other people", he said.

Fayemi had earlier attended a thanksgiving service at St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Ado- Ekiti, where the presiding priest, Revd Father Clement Ogunlusi, stressed the importance of good work saying everyone had been given power to do good work.

Ogunlusi, said God sent all human beings to become salt and light in the world, added that He had by providence made Fayemi governor of the state and he should not forget his mission to the poor.The cleric urged Fayemi not to see himself as accomplished until the completion of the mission.

Governor Fayemi read the lesson for the thanksgiving service taken from Isaiah 58 verse 7-10.

Commenting on the celebrant, the governor's wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, said her husband is a perfect gift from God-. “He is a perfect husband, a wonderful father and a great leader. I thank God for what He is doing in his life. My prayer is that the dreams he has for Ekiti will come to fruition”, she said.

Also, recently, Erelu Bisi Fayemi advised the indigenes not to write off the future of the inmates of the state Correctional Centre, Ado-Ekiti. She gave the advice while presenting an 18-seater bus to the centre on behalf of the government.

The governor's wife, who noted that the inmates had the prospect of becoming successful, prayed that God would remove all obstacles along their path of progress. ''I pray that among you today, we are looking at doctors and lawyers and that you'll be sources of joy in your families', She said.

Mrs. Fayemi explained that the provision of the bus was a follow-up on the governor's promise to boost efficiency and aid movement of the inmates.

She urged the officials of the centre to take exceptional care' of the children at the centre, stressing the need to support the inmates who she noted might not have been the way they are under different circumstances.

Reiterating the commitment of the Fayemi administration to the general well-being of the inmates, Erelu Fayemi said the state government would hold the officials responsible for their welfare.