- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
It was indeed a uniquely significant outing on Tuesday 14th of November 2023, both in date and in the good memories of Okemesi sons and daughters who will savour the excitement over the donation of a new Ambulance for the use of the management of Okemesi General Hospital to provide medical services for the benefits of mankind.
This is coming barely four months after he was contacted to render assistance to the General Hospital on the numerous needs of the only General Hospital in the entire Okemesi/Ido-Ile Local Council Development Area.
The event witnessed a large turn out of the people from all walks of life in the LCDA including members and the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly plus other invited dignitaries from other parts of the country and outside adding glitz and colour to the carnival like grand occasion that started early in the morning.
Speaking during the official presentation of the well equiped medical ambulance, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye congratulated the Owa-Ooye of Okemesiland, Oba Adedeji, the Owa-Ooye-In-Council and the entire Okemesi/Ido-Ile communities as a whole for the good developments that are rolling in one after the other.
Rt. Hon. Aribasoye who disclosed that, Hon. Jonhson Oyekola Bode-Adeoye has to make personal sacrifice to make the new Ambulance and other medical equipments for the hospital a reality. “When he told me he want to donate a new fully-equiped medical ambulance to this hospital, I ask him where did you get the money? Because we are less than six months in office as lawmakers, but i am pretty surprised when he told of the sacrifice he made in order to make life more bearable for his constituents”.
Mr Speaker further charged the indigenes of the community at home and in diaspora to emulate this gesture by putting their community first in everything they do having it in ming that they will one day return back home.
As expected, the royal father in the community and former Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, JP, CON who led other High Chiefs including the Owa-Ooye-in-Council to rejoice with one of their sons on the presentation of the fully-equiped medical ambulance to the Hospital, appreciated God for the developments in the town.
In his opening address, Oba Adedeji expressed gratitude to God for what He has been doing in terms of development since his ascension to the throne of his fore fathers years ago which he described as; a time of dedicated service and achievements.
He said; “I wish to use this opportunity once again to congratulate all Okemesi indigenes home and diaspora, all progressive minded and lovers of Okemesi-Ekiti and wish all of us happy celebration. If we have to count our blessings one by one, for over the years on the throne, we have cause to thank God in all ramifications for the positive impacts, both physical and spiritual”.
The monarch urged other political officeholders and all well-meaning people of the community home and abroad to take a cue from the donor, Hon. Johnson Oyekola Bode-Adeoye and remember that east or west, home is the best!
Speaking in similar vein, the National President, Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union, Engr. Nathaniel Olaoye stated that the event present the community a great opportunity to reflect that no place like home, adding that the town has been destined to be a great town in all sectors of human development describing the town as “divinely ordained and profoundly indisputable”.
Engr. Olaoye enjoined all the good people of the community to contribute their quota towards the development of the town.
The colourful occasion was wrapped up with the cutting of tape and official presentation of the Ambulance to the representatives of the Ekiti State Hospital Management Board (HMB), from Ado-Ekiti and local Management Board led by Alhaji Lawal Misamiu.
Commenting on the development, the immediate past Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda SAN, hinted that the donation of the hospital equipment indicates the passion the lawmaker has for his constituency.
According to him, “The donation indeed shows those who really love and have the genuine sympathy, love and interest of the people at heart. The donation of such magnitude has never been done certainly in recent time. For a single person to put forward millions of Naira to procure hospital equipments like this, it says a lot about the passion that he has for his constituency who raised and send him to represent them at the State Assembly”, Fapohunda said.
Hon. Bode-Adeoye who could not hold back his joy while appreciating his people, returned all gratitude to God who made it possible for him to fulfill his promise.
He said that, though it was not easy to achieve, but with God, determination and supports of people through prayers and advise, he was able to make it happen as promised during the electioneering campaigns.
He thanked the people of the community for their love and understanding and pledged his readiness to do more.
JOBA promised to continue contributing his quota by putting smiles on the people’s face through more developmental projects that add values.
The immediate past national president and current vice president of FOIU; Alhaji Bayo Ajijola and Otunba Kayode Olagunju, Comrade Chief Segun Onaade who is a serving Commissioner at the Local Government Service Commission were also at the event which was equally attended by Hon. JOBA’s counterparts from the State Assembly namely; Hon. Jacob Awoniyi (MOBA), Hon. Kareem Agunbiade (Ekiti West I), Hon. Tolulope Ige (Ekiti South West II), Hon. Lydia Iyabo Fakunle-Okiemien (Ilejemeje).
Others includes; Hon. Tunde Idowu (Ikere I), Hon. Tunde Oke (Ikere II), Hon. Idowu Odebunmi (Oye II), Hon. Ademola Ojo (Ijero), and Hon Lateef Oluwole Akanle (Ekiti East II). The former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly; Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu who is the current representative of Irepodun/Ifelodun II and the present Chairman Assembly Service Commission Hon. Kayode Fasakin also graced the occasion.
Mr Speaker in company of the LCDA Chairman; Hon. Owolabi Ajibade, Hon. JOBA and Mr Olawale Fapohunda SAN, later led all guests to the site of the newly established Hillside University of Science and Technology (HUSTO) on Ikoro/Ijero road, Okemesi-Ekiti to attend the University’s inaguaration by officials of National Universities Commission (NUC) from Abuja.
