By Bolanle Lawal
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday donated a total sum of ₦21 million and assorted food items to three state special schools and two centres for children with disabilities to commemorate his 58th birthday.
The presentation was made on behalf of the Governor by his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, at a brief ceremony held at the Oshuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, and attended by some pupils and staff of the beneficiary institutions.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola; members of the State Executive Council, as well as principals of the special schools.
Announcing the donations, Dr Oyebanji disclosed that the State Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti; the State Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti; and the Special School for Children with Physical and Intellectual Disabilities, Ido-Ekiti, received ₦5 million each, in addition to assorted food items and drinks.
She added that the State Relief and Rehabilitation Centre, Ado-Ekiti, also received ₦5 million, while the State Therapy Centre for Children with Disabilities was given ₦1 million.
Dr Oyebanji noted that the Governor has, in the last three years, consistently marked his birthdays with cash and gift donations to special schools and centres, while discouraging friends and well-wishers from organising birthday parties or presenting gifts in his honour. Instead, he has always encouraged that such resources be channelled as donations to the schools, in addition to his personal contributions.
In her brief remarks, the First Lady urged well-meaning Nigerians to cultivate the habit of supporting the less privileged in society to improve their quality of life.
She also commended stakeholders for their support of the Oyebanji administration, noting that such cooperation has enabled the Governor to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Ekiti State.
Dr Oyebanji further applauded the harmonious working relationship among the three arms of government, which she said has continued to drive visible development and progress across critical sectors of the state’s economy.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, praised Governor Oyebanji for his visionary and compassionate leadership, as well as his special interest in the welfare of children with disabilities.
The event featured songs, dances and prayers by the excited pupils of the special schools and centres, who described Governor Oyebanji as their father and number one champion.
