My parents thought I won't live long - Fayemi says as he turns 55

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said on Sunday that his survival at infancy was uncommon favour as his parents never knew he would survive.

Fayemi, who said his parents named him Folorunso, meaning ‘left in God’s care’ because they were not sure he would survive the childhood stage, expressed gratitude to God for his 55th birthday.

The governor spoke at the Government House during a special thanksgiving service and reception to mark his 55th birthday celebration.

Fayemi said,

“I give God all the glory for giving me uncommon favour. It is uncommon because my parents never knew I could survive infancy. They had lost two children in quick succession and that was why they named me Folorunso. My parents just thought they should just wait and see the outcome and today I am celebrating 55, I give God all the glory”.

The governor, who said the essence of the birthday celebration was to give glory to God, said,

“I have been a beneficiary of God’s generosity.

“For me, challenges are opportunities to make a difference in the lives of human beings, so if you allow me, let us just focus on the work of God to improve the conditions of our society and Country.

He said,

“All of the challenges will not go away overnight, but you should believe that God is the one that can always use those of us that have been given grace to lead, to be of service to all his children, we have no choice than to continue to commit ourselves to the Service of God”.

The Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Revd Emmanuel Badejo, called on political leaders in the country to put the people above party and personal interests in order to create a prosperous nation.

Badejo, who stated that God was calling on leaders to put people above party because the people came first, warned that those who failed to do so would “become liabilities and be thrown into the dustbin of history”.

He said,

“We must roll up our sleeves to support leaders and those who want to create a better society. The light of honesty is disappearing; the light is not going round enough”.

The Catholic Bishop, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, said Ekiti might be a small state, but it had all it takes to lead Nigeria in the near future.

He prayed to God to give Fayemi “good collaborators and trustworthy allies” as he continued to serve the people selflessly.

In his goodwill message, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal described Fayemi as “a governor who is not partisan and has proven himself to be pan-Nigeria and had a relationship with everyone regardless of political affiliation”.

Tambuwal said that Fayemi was doing incredibly well as a very accommodating and patriotic Nigerian leader.

Among the dignitaries were State governors: Dr Okeize Ikpeazu (Abia), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Jide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), and Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State; Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

Also in attendance were former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Bawa Bwari and Vice President Kings College, London, Prof Funmi Olonisakin who chaired the panel discussion.

Yoruba leaders include Prof Banji Akintoye and Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, as well as former deputy governors- Prof Modupe Adelabu; Abiodun Aluko, were also in attendance.

Others are the Archbishop of Ondo Anglican Diocese, Bishop Christopher Omotunde, Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaiye, and traditional leaders in the State led by their chairman, Oba Ajibade Alabi.