Religious leaders in Ekiti State have advised the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, to appoint people with proven competence and character who would hold political positions in trust for the people and not opportunists that only aspire to positions for personal aggrandisement.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ekiti State chapter, Dr Emmanuel Aribasoye and his Muslim counterpart, the Chief Imam, Ekiti State University, Prof Musa Abdu-Raheem; gave the advice at the interfaith thanksgiving service organized to mark Governor Oyebanji’s resumption in office.
The event which took took place at the Government House grounds, Ado- EKiti, had in attendance, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisola Afuye; Wife of the Governor, Dr Yemi Oyebanji; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye; former deputy Governor, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko; the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Barr Bamidele Agbede; Members of the State House of Assembly; former members of the State Executive Council; party members and top government functionaries.
Others at the event included; Archdeacon Ekiti Anglican Communion, Ven Deji Alabi; Bishop Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Rev Felix Ajakaye; President League of Imams and Alfas South West, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere; Alhaji Abdul Salaam Babatunde ADS Missioner, Ekiti and others.
Speaking in separate sermons at the service, Dr Aribasoye who spoke on “Leadership is burden bearing”, drew his sermon from the book of Numbers 11vs 16, advised the Governor to appoint transformational leaders that are not self-seeking but burden bearers that are connected to the grassroots.
Rev Aribasoye said: “Appoint people who love God and the people, appoint those who are innovative, and who believe in the “Project Ekiti”; appoint those who have something to bring to the table not those who want to share from the table, appoint real advisors and not sad visors.”
Also in his sermon, renowned Islamic Scholar, Prof Abdu-Raheem, who spoke on “Leadership is a Trust”, urged the Governor to uphold the principle of justice and fairness in his administration with the understanding that all position of authority belongs to God.
Like Aribasoye, Prof Abduu-Raheem urged the Governor to give priority to those with character and positive attitude to development when choosing his cabinet members. “The job is a tough one, but choosing people with character and demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the people would make the job easier for you.
In his short remarks, Governor Oyebanji, said he prepared to lead by example and be guided in appointing the right people into political offices. He said key requirements of prospective appointees would include among others, commitment, compassion, fear of God, character and acceptability by the people.
The Governor, who pleaded with political leaders and members of the State House of Assembly to show understanding and buy into his policies and programmes, said for the State to move forward, people must be ready to bear the pains and sacrifices it requires.
“I how I wish going forward, in appointing people to offices, we would look at people who have compassion, fear God, character, people that are burden bearers indeed and are acceptable to the people. But when we get to that point we usually forget about what we have heard. I have made a pledge to Ekiti people, I am going to be guided by these things.
“we can get Ekiti to be a pride of State in Nigeria but it cannot come easily and I am going to lead by example, I am going to lead from the front and you will. I plead with members of House of Assembly to show understanding, because I need their support and their buy-in in whatever I do because I am going to need their support in moving forward. He said.
