trending:Awolowo would have been in APC if he were alive – Fayemi

Minister of Mines/Steel, Kayode Fayemi [Photo: ekitistate.gov.ng]


The Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would restore the legacies of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in Ekiti.

He spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the 109th posthumous birthday of Awolowo organised by the Ekiti chapter of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

Mr. Fayemi, the immediate past governor of the state, said his administration had delivered on the four cardinal programmes of the late sage.

He identified these as free education, free healthcare for children, pregnant women and the old and physically challenged as well as job creation and rural development.

Mr. Fayemi vowed that the legacies would be restored back in the state if the APC emerges victorious in the July 14 governorship election in the state.

” If we remember, for the past 11 years, we have been celebrating Awolowo’s birthday since 2017

” What is most important is that those of us behind who God has given the opportunity to lead must pay our dues and help our people in Yoruba land.

“Awolowo has done a great deal and that is why we are celebrating him since he died in 1987. He is still being celebrated in Ikenne today like we are doing in Ekiti.

“A prominent Yoruba leader, Pa Fasanmi, once told me that Awolowo wished he had been born in Ekiti because then, his largest followers were from Ekiti and he knew everyone in the state.

“If he was alive today, he would have been in APC as his political party. This is because this party was founded on Awo’s political ideals. We are Awolowo’s descendants in Ekiti




“We know Awolowo for what we call four cardinal points.

“From the days of the Action Group and Unity Party, these are free education, free healthcare for children, pregnant, old and disabled, job creation and rural development.

“If you remember, all these points were what we ensued when we were in power in Ekiti, sadly they are no more in the state.

“In conclusion, don’t let us lose hope, all these ideals of Awo, we will ensure we do all we could to return them to Ekiti.

“I appreciate the ARG for celebrating the late sage, Awolowo. In truth, all of us who are of Yoruba race, it is high time we took up our role as leaders. We are the leaders of the black race,” he said.

Also extolling the virtues of the late Awolowo, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said: “We are celebrating what Awolowo stood for which is the advancement of the Yoruba and African race. Ours is pureness of heart.

“Awolowo has played his part, it remains for us to play ours.

“We cannot all forget the immense contribution of Awolowo, especially among the Yoruba race.

“Afenifere song was composed by Awolowo. The song says that we the Yoruba are the light of the black race, may God not allow us to draw ourselves backwards. lyricsiq.com