Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has explained why his administration is naming newly constructed legacy projects after former governors of the state.
Oyebanji spoke on Friday while inaugurating the ultramodern Kayode Fayemi Lodge at the Government House Complex, Ado-Ekiti.
The facility was named after former Governor Kayode Fayemi, who unveiled the plaque and commissioned the project alongside his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.
Oyebanji said the decision was to honour former governors for their service to Ekiti, noting that none of them named projects after themselves while in office.
He recalled that Fayemi once rejected a proposal to name a government building after himself and instead named it after the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Today we are saying that our own prophet is valued by his people,” Oyebanji said. “What we are doing today is just to say thank you for your service to Ekiti State, for your service to Nigeria, and for your service to the world.”
The governor said a project named after former Governor Ayodele Fayose would be commissioned on Monday, while another would be named after former Governor Segun Oni.
Oyebanji said the projects were also part of his administration’s economic agenda and Ekiti’s 30-year development plan.
“This is not a mere building; it is part of the infrastructure to drive shared prosperity,” he said, adding that his second term would focus on attracting investors and supporting businesses.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting development projects in Ekiti and urged residents to support him in the next election.
Fayemi described the lodge as “a magnificent edifice” and thanked Oyebanji for extending the gesture to other former governors.
He said honouring Ekiti’s past leaders should inspire younger generations to serve the state and leave lasting legacies.
The event was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, lawmakers and other dignitaries.
