By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has charged stakeholders and the publics of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti to support the 40-year old institution at having one of its old students, lecturer and former Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as the governor of the state in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Speaking in his capacity as Life Patron of the EKSU Alumni Association at the 40 Years Anniversary Dinner and Award, in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Oba Ogunwusi said considering Oyebanji’s pedigree and contributions to the growth of the institution and the state in general, he was convinced that the APC standard bearer remains a good choice.
The Ooni, who was represented at the event by Alara Odaye of Ara Land, Ife, Oba Adebisi Segun Layade, congratulated all the stakeholders of the University, especially the Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun, for their efforts towards maintaining good reputation in academic and moral standards for the university.
Speaking further, Oba Ogunwusi described the emergence of Oyebanji in the political scene as God’s design to perfect the good work he had started in EKSU and called on the entire university community and the alumni association to see Oyebanji’s candidacy as their project and work tirelessly to see him crowned as Ekiti State Governor, come October 2022.
The monarch also invited Oyebanji to the podium for royal blessing and prayed for his success at the June 18 poll.
Oyebanji who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate graduated from the university in 1987 and later took up lecturing job there before his foray into politics. He was until recently a member of the University Council
Earlier at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanipekun, who spoke glowingly about Governor Kayode Fayemi’s erudition and commitment to the institution, also called on all members of the alumni association and the university community, to bury their political differences and adopt Oyebanji, a former student of the institution, as their sole candidate in the forth coming guber election.
Prof. Olanipekun said, “First, let me commend the visitor to the University, our hard working Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi for his commitment to making EKSU become the best it can be in Nigeria. Governor Fayemi is not only investing in the University, he’s daily following our progress and suggesting various ways to lift the school. Having said this, I want to call on us all, those who want the best and further development in the school to bury our various political differences and adopt one of us, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as our own sole candidate in the June 18 gubernatorial election.
With Oyebanji as Governor of Ekiti State, I believe and I’m convinced that the future is bright for our school because he is a committed alumnus of the institution.”
At the event, Oyebanji, together with Prof. Bamitale Omole, Chairman Governing Council of the University; and the two Deputy Vice Chancellors- Prof. Patrick Tedela and Prof. Adewale Olajide, were honoured with the Distinguished Service Award of the alumni association.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Oyebanji commended the Engr. Dipo Bamisaye-led alumni association for the efforts being made daily to attract development to EKSU and appreciated the association for considering him worthy of the award.