* Council honours Fajuyi, Afe Babalola, Fasuan, Egunjobi, Olanipekun
By John Odunjo
“In these present days, where people with ill-gotten wealth are worshipped, it is desirable and timely to honour and celebrate distinguished personalities who excel in their various human endeavours, in which case, some crooks in our society will know that there is dignity in been upright and living a virtuous life”.
For members of Ekiti Council of Elders, a way of restoring the societal values which have been eroded over time is appreciating and honouring those who serve as models in all positive endeavours.
The elders are persuaded that “today, Ekiti people along with those with who we share enduring cultural affinities are confronted by the challenges of urgent renewal and regeneration of the values and virtues which previously signified our rich and joint heritage”.
They said that among the values and virtues are “faith, civility and rugged tenacity: also discipline, respect for duly constituted authority and a keen attraction to the legitimate enjoyment of life”.
These, the Council’s Hall Of Fame Committee, headed by Bishop Joseph Odu, said informed commencement and institutionalization of “the celebration of selected men and women from a rich pool of modern cultural icons into the exalted pantheon of Ekiti Elders Hall of Fame”.
The icons selected and inducted into the Hall of Fame for the maiden edition are the late former military Governor of Western Region (War Hero, Nigerian martyr and epitome of loyalty), Lt Col. Adekunle Fajuyi; and Founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (Philanthropist), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).
Also inducted were elderstatesman (outstanding champion of Ekiti State creation), Chief Deji Fasuan; renowned educationist (pioneer female educationist), Prof. Olufunke Egunjobi; and legal luminary (community development champion and philanthropist), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
Members of the council, splendidly dressed, attended in their numbers, the august event, which also witnessed the launch of book entitled “The Remarkable Stories of Inductees’ and as well musical albums containing special panegyrics for the inductees.
The Chairman, Ekiti Council of Elders, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, in his address, said the historic ceremony “showcases what it is to be a hero alive and in death”.
Oluwasanmi described the inductees as “Omoluabi personified. They are role models and worthy of emulation to our people in Ekiti and outside both young and old.
“In these present days, where people with ill-gotten wealth are worshipped, it is desirable and timely to honour and celebrate distinguished personalities who excel in their various human endeavours, be it in the military, education, law, business and even religion, in which case, some crooks in our society will know that there is dignity in been upright and living a virtuous life,” the council chairman said.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, lauded the Ekiti Council of Elders for induction of iconic personalities into its Hall of Fame initiative, describing it as a bold move to restore the lost societal values.
Oyebanji, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, hailed the selection of inductees, describing it as noble as “it recognizes and celebrates resilience, diligence, professionalism and appreciation of the values of hard work, integrity, selflessness and service to humanity.
“This honour today showcases our heroes and the heroin as exemplary leaders and inspiration for pursuing ambitions and lifestyles premised on the path of integrity and good character which our forefathers in Ekiti were known for.
“Our forebears bequeathed to us a rich history of honour and dignity. Then, the honour and wealth earned were respected and wealth from dubious sources were disdained and ridiculed. Sadly, these values are being eroded in contemporary times and get rich syndrome permeates our society,” Oyebanji said.
Legal luminary, Chief Olanipekun, speaking on behalf of the inductees, charged the older generation not to relent in guiding the younger ones and as well continue to support Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
Olanipekun, who was represented by the General Manager of New Cruse 92.7 FM, Ikere Ekiti, acknowledged that “Ekiti has human and capital resources in abundance. I appeal to indigenes and residents to avoid using these gifts as tools of balkanization, division and disunity in the state”.
The eldest son of Adekunle Fajuyi, Mr Donald Fajuyi, told E-VENTS TORCH in a chat, that the honour by the elders was thoughtful of the elders and gratifying to the family.
Fajuyi said, “The family is grateful for this. In fact, I am so happy, I am so proud that after all these years, we are talking of about 60 years, that Fajuyi is still being remembered and honoured.
“At this rate, he will still be remembered up to a hundred years in view of his core values and legacies of love, honesty, integrity, loyalty, hard work,” Donald Fajuyi said.
