Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has restated the commitment of his administration to more developmental projects and transformation of Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Fayemi, who spoke during the celebration of this year’s Udiroko Festival, said the new Ado-Iyin dual carriageway was one of the legacy projects of his administration to indigenes and residents of the city.
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Fayemi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi, promised that work would soon commence on the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki road to give respite to users of the major highway.
The festival was held in a low-key in line with the COVID-19 regulations and was attended by guests including the Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Prof. Muhammad Abdulazeez.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, used the occasion of the festival to pray for peace, prosperity and development of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State and Nigeria and an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Udiroko, which is the New Year in the Ado Ekiti traditional calendar, also saw the Ewi receiving homage from the traditional chiefs, the queens, princes, princesses, traditional groups and market women among others.
Oba Adejugbe, in his speech, urged the politicians and their supporters to ensure that peace reigned in the state before, during and after the June 18, 2022 governorship election.
The monarch urged parents to keep their children on check to prevent them from being used to foment trouble in the election.
While congratulating all Ado Ekiti indigenes, the governor commended the king for the development of the kingdom and working for the peace of the state.
The governor debunked rumour that he tried to stop the festival, saying his administration only wanted an assurance that COVID-19 protocols would be complied with to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the state.
He commended the people for adhering to COVID-19 protocols, urging them to cooperate with his administration to defeat the third wave of the disease.
Speaking on the essence of Udiroko, Oba Adejugbe stated that the festival offered the people of Ado Ekiti to celebrate their cultural heritage and tradition, which had endured for centuries.
