The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has commended his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi , for her untiring struggle for gender equality, women empowerment and protection of child rights and social justice across the globe.
The governor gave the commendation during the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Eye Ajiseye of Ado-Ekiti on his wife by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, in Ado-Ekiti, on Saturday.
He said he was not surprised at the accolades, recognitions and awards that the commitment of Erelu Bisi Fayemi to these idealshad attracted to her at home and abroad in the past two decades.
Fayemi said, “This chieftaincy title and those before it are in recognition of all the commitment my wife has put into the struggle for gender equality and protection of child rights social justice globally and in Ekiti State.
“It is always very humbling for one’s efforts to be recognized and what that tells us is that the reward for recognition is even to do more in the interest of our people, because leadership issacrifice and service to the people.
“I’ve been extraordinarily blessed in Ado-EKiti where I spent my formative years and conferring a chieftaincy title on my wifein Ado-Ekiti is double celebration. The duty we owe our people is to continue to serve them with all the fibre in our being.”
The governor used the occasion to restate his commitment to the completion of the pavilion at the palace façade, which he said was part of his promises to Ado-Ekiti indigenes during his last village meeting with the people.
In his speech, the Ewi said that the chieftaincy title was conferred on the governor’s wife following her pedigree as a distinguished woman of substance in Africa and a global icon of women and child rights and of equal opportunities for all.
Oba Adejugbe said, “In Ado-Ekiti cosmology titles are not just bestowed, offered or awarded for the highest bidder and even not for any pecuniary consideration.
“Apart from having a worthy pedigree, a title holder in Ado-Ekiti must be a visible philanthropist, whose activities arediscernible without propaganda. He or she must be an activist, whose social justice and community development activism are well spread.
“Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi has proved beyond all manner of doubts that a woman can be a devoted wife, a pillar of support for her husband, an activist for women and child development and an author of no mean integrity.”
The monarch said that the governor’s wife had shown that the aura of office or the nobility of birth were not enough to affect the humility and ordinariness of a humble woman.
He urged the Ajiseye to see the title as a morale booster for her unquantifiable progressive activities within and outside the state.
In her acceptance speech, the governor’s wife said that she felt deeply humbled and honoured, given her conviction that the kingdom of Ado-Ekiti was not in the habit of giving awards arbitrarily.
She restated her belief in the value of Yoruba cultural norms and value systems, which she said help to build character and provide roadmap that guides the Yoruba nation to becomingresponsible and productive citizens.
Erelu Fayemi said, “Our rich cultural heritage are things we should be proud of, such as our royal institutions, language, cuisine, music, songs, festivals, clothing and so on. I believe that we should work hard at preserving our cultural values.
“We also have a complex code of conduct, which determines our relationships with our parents, elders, spouses, friend and community at large.
“However, I believe that we also need to collectively lay to rest those things that are no longer valuable and which serve to deprive men, women and children of their fundamental human rights.”
As a high chief in many places in Ekiti, she promised to continue to be a good ambassador for the promotion of Yoruba culture, adding that her passion for promoting the rights of women and children remains her life’s work, regardless of the position she finds herself.
At the ceremony were the state Deputy Governor, Prof. ModupeAdelabu; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. AdewaleOmirin; Head of Service, Mr. Olubunmi Famosaya; Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu; and other top government functionaries and their spouses.
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