By John Odunjo
Ekiti State Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, will turn 56 on Thursday, December 21.
But the governor has told his friends, family members, well-wishers and the general public not to organise any birthday party, gift or newspaper advertisement for the occasion.
He said that instead, anyone willing to celebrate with him should convert the resources for such to cash or material donations to the less privileged children in the State.
Specifically, Oyebanji requested that gifts and cash be sent to the three Government Special Schools in the three senatorial district of the state vis: Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti; Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti; and Government Special School for the Mentally and Physically Challenged, Ido-Ekiti, as well as the State Relief and Rehabilitation Centre for the Mentally Challenged in Ado-Ekiti.
The governor, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said financial and material gifts sent to these schools by his friends and well-wishers would be of greater value and a better appreciated birthday celebration for him.
The bank details of the special schools are listed below:
Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti
Union Bank- 0003625836
2. Government Special School for the Physically and Mental Challenged, Ido- Ekiti
Union Bank – 0003574525
3. Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere Ekiti
Union Bank – 0003628428
4. State Relief and Rehabiitation Centre for the Mentally Challenged
c/o Ekiti State Office of Disability Affairs
Keystone Bank – 1009135289
Oyebanji said that “Nigeria is at a point where citizens should make deliberate efforts at reaching out to the less privileged in the society.
The governor said he was happy at the number of family members, friends and associates that presented gifts to the three special schools during his birthday last year, and the attendant joy the gestures brought to the faces of the students.
Governor Oyebanji said he became happier when he got reports on how each of the schools utilised the financial and material gifts they got from him and his friends to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of the students and to upgrade some facilities within the schools.
The governor said he would be happy if his friends and well wishers would grant his wishes this year again, by joining him in putting smiles on the faces of the students with disabilities instead of any gift or party they might have in mind.
