By Folusho Ajibulu

It was double celebration for Ekiti State Saturday, as the nation turned 51. It was also the 15th anniversary of the creation of the Ekiti State, which was created October 1, 1996.

In a broadcast to the people of the state, Governor Kayode Fayemi said, “I salute the Ekitis on the joy of today which goes down in history as a remembrance of a day of liberation as we now put our fate in our hands and determine the place of our future.”

Fayemi recalled: “October first is not only a milestone for Nigeria as a country, it is much more so for Ekiti which is also today celebrating her 15th anniversary of creation. The attainment of self-government within the federation of Nigeria by the Ekiti people did not come cheaply.

“Traditional rulers, intelligentsia, community and religious leaders both at home and abroad among others were at the forefront of the Vanguard for the realisation of the age long dream. Today, we are celebrating the victory of the war, fought not on the battle field.”

Recalling also the significance of the 125th anniversary of the end of Kiriji War (September 23, 1886) “when armistic was reached after the inter cine war between Ekiti and Ibadan,”he said, “In recalling the end of that historic war, we celebrate the values of resistance against oppression, unity and courage of conviction, valour, honour and a rich history of a determined people.”

The governor spoke of a message of hope and assurance of a better tomorrow.

“Without being immodest, this government has consciously studied our common problems and came up with a practicable road map to the overall development of the state as espoused in our eight-point transformational agenda,”Fayemi added.