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“I’m in government to serve and not to be served”, Governor says.
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, has advised Governor Kayode Fayemi to appoint the right people to help him better the lives of the electorates.
Ajakaye advised the Governor against appointing people that would be more powerful than himself (Fayemi) into positions of responsibilities.
The Bishop said Fayemi’s second coming to power offered him an uncommon opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people of the State.
The cleric gave this admonition yesterday, at a Thanksgiving Mass held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Old Garage, Ado-Ekiti as part of activities marking Fayemi’s inauguration.
The service was attended by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the Deputy Governor, Chief(Mrs) Margaret Egbeyemi, House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon Adeniran Alagbada, the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, the Chairman, Council of Obas, Oba Ademolaju, Oloye, Ewi of Ado- Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, other Ekiti traditional rulers and senior clerics.
In attendance were also former old Ondo State Governor, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Ekiti Deputy Governors, Chief Abiodun Aluko and Prof. Modupe Adelabu, former Senate Minority Whip, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora Nigeria’s Ambassador to Hungary, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, Ekiti Senatorial candidates, Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele.
Fayemi, at the service, took the first reading from the book of Isaiah Chapter 60 Verses 1-6. The service featured songs, prayer for Ekiti State, prayer for Nigeria, thanksgiving and Holy Communion.
The governor promised to carry the people along in all policies of his administration and also pledged to make a difference in their lives.
Fayemi, in his speech, also said his administration will not discriminate in serving all Ekiti people saying, I’m in government to serve and not to be served.”
Bishop Ajakaye, in his homily, urged Fayemi to put an end to government sponsorship of people for holy pilgrimages which he said are being used by some individuals for their selfish ends.
He also commended the Governor for abolishing the education levy imposed by the immediate past administration on pupils of both private and public schools in the state.
The Bishop said Ekiti Catholic Diocese challenged the imposition of the levy in the interest of the people even though the State High Court struck out the case on technical grounds.
He disclosed that the Court of Appeal, to which the church filed an appeal had returned the case to the lower court for reassignment to another judge for fresh hearing.
Bishop Ajakaye said despite the fact that Fayemi had announced the cancelation of the levy, the church would still follow the case to a logical conclusion because “a Pharaoh may rise in the future who may not know Joseph.”
Describing Fayemi and his deputy, Egbeyemi as a “united team and co-travellers in the journey of restoration,” Ajakaye said they need patriotic, committed and trustworthy people who would assist them to lift Ekiti higher.
Ajakaye said: “Your Excellency, appoint the right people in right places. If I am not appointable, don’t appoint me even though as a priest, I am not looking for any appointment”.
“Don’t appoint somebody that will be more powerful than you are; don’t appoint people that will be dropping your name that ‘the governor has said this, Erelu has said this, Egbeyemi has said this, Aunty Margaret has said this.”
“Don’t appoint such people to positions of authority, because at the end of our sojourn on this earth, everybody will give account of himself to God.
The Bishop also added, “This is your second missionary journey, it is not a vengeance mission, vengeance belongs to God. The journey of restoration is not a journey of vengeance, so appoint the right persons to position because we will hold you accountable”
Responding, the Governor said he desired to come back to power to make a difference in the lives of the people, promising to give his best in the exercising the mandate given to him. He also promised to listen to the people and carry them along in every step he takes, affirming to diligently serve all Ekitis irrespective of gender, political and religious affiliations.
He said: “There are huge expectations across the length and breadth of Ekiti State, some people believe that our challenges will disappear immediately”.
“Everything will bear fruit at the appropriate time, the only reason we ventured into this is to make a difference in the lives of our people; to serve and not to be served”
“Power of the people is greater than the people in power. We shall listen to counsel, if there is anything you think is not appropriate to do, bring it to our notice, we shall serve you”. He said.
“From our royal fathers, to the lowliest, we are determined to make a difference in the lives of our people without preference to any religion or any other difference.”
“If we make any mistake, in the course of serving you, forgive us; we have a job to do. This is a collective rescue mission, this is a mission to reclaim our land and restore our lost glory.”
