The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has thrown her weight behind a planned youth-driven 10,000-man rally aimed at promoting voter participation and encouraging eligible residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of forthcoming elections.
Dr Oyebanji gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti while receiving members of the 10,000 Man March Team during a courtesy visit to her office.
Describing the proposed rally as timely and critical to democratic participation, the First Lady stressed that credible elections can only be achieved when citizens actively exercise their civic rights and responsibilities.
She charged the group to intensify public sensitisation on voter education, urging them to adopt an issue-based approach in their engagements. According to her, such efforts should also highlight key interventions of government at both the state and federal levels, particularly in areas such as road infrastructure, healthcare delivery and other social development projects that have positively impacted communities across Ekiti State.
Dr Oyebanji further assured the team of her full support for the initiative and commended the organisers for mobilising young people towards constructive civic engagement and democratic awareness.
Earlier, a representative of the convener, Hon. Sunday Asefon, alongside the team lead, Mr Kasali Oluwafemi, explained that the visit was to formally present souvenirs for the march to the First Lady and to brief her on preparations for the rally scheduled for Friday.
Mr Oluwafemi noted that the rally, which would be led by youths, is part of a broader campaign to encourage residents to obtain or retrieve their PVCs, while also promoting voter education across the state.
The group also praised Dr Oyebanji for her commitment to humanitarian service and her sustained support for widows, orphans and other vulnerable groups through various empowerment programmes.
