By Our Correspondent
Abiodun Oyebamiji, who was elected governor of Ekiti State on June 18, formally takes over from his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi, whose tenure officially ends today.
As part of activities signalling the end of his second term tenure, the immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, attended a modest pull-out ceremony at the Government House which drew the curtains on his administration.
Before then, he had attended the official inauguration of the state’s Agro-Allied Passenger International Airport in Ado Ekiti. This occurred shortly after the first aeroplane landed at the facility.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who performed the inauguration of the airport, was among the personalities on board the aeroplane, which flew from Abuja to make the historic landing in Ekiti.
The development has enabled Ekiti to become the owner of a functional airport, which is expected to boost the export of agricultural produce, service educational and health institutions and abundant tourism potential in the state.
The first aeroplane, ATR 42 Nigerian Air Force plane, piloted by Flight Lieutenant E.A. Balogun, landed at the airport’s runway at exactly 10.20 am amidst cheers and excitement by eminent guests, government officials and members of the public, who came to witness the historic occasion.
Fayemi expressed satisfaction that the project eventually saw the light of day 10 years after its conception during his first administration in 2012.
A fulfilled Fayemi in his speech said: “My job is done, Ekiti Kete,” which drew thunderous applause from the crowd that massed on the tarmac to be part of the auspicious occasion.
Fayemi also used the occasion to give an assurance to the people of the state that the federal roads which are in dilapidated condition would be given attention to bring relief to their users and complement the newly inaugurated airport project.
The governor said he, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, have been “making strong representations to the Federal Government to facilitate urgent intervention on federal roads in the state that are in the present state of disrepair”
Shortly after the plane landed and taxied to the tarmac, the excited crowd of residents and guests drew out their phones to take pictures of the moving aircraft and enthusiastically welcomed the Aviation Minister and officials of agencies under his ministry, who disembarked from the aircraft.
In his welcome address, Mr Zhang Zichen, the Chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which handled the project, praised Fayemi for the vision, which he said would change the face of the state economy.
Zichen explained that the airport was not just a project but, “the engine of the economy of the state” and said it would open up Ekiti to more development and investment to the benefit of the state and business community.
The CCECC boss, who also described the airport as a “landmark project”, said it was among notable projects completed by its corporation. He also hailed the Aviation Minister for being part of history and making the airport a reality.
Fayemi said the inauguration of the airport was in fulfilment of his promise to continue to work for the people of the state
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