…Charges Assembly members to make impact on constituents
Morolake Oluwatosin
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has canvassed a robust collaboration between the legislative and the executive arms of government for sustainable development of the state.
Dr. Oyebanji who made the call when she received members of the State House of Assembly who paid her a courtesy visit also charged the legislators to strive to make impact on their constituents they represent and connect well with the grassroots to complement the efforts of the state government to make life easier for the people.
She also advocated the support of the state legislators were led on the visit by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, for his pet project, Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) noting that over 25,000 widows have been registered for the scheme.
The First Lady used the opportunity of the forum to congratulate the returning and new members of the Seventh Assembly on their victory at the last general election and their subsequent inauguration as members and election of principal officers which all went peacefully.
Canvassing support for her husband, Governor Biodun Oyebanji who heads the executive arm of government, the First Lady said the legislature remains a critical stakeholder in the realization of the Shared Prosperity vision of the Governor as encapsulated in his six pillars agenda for Ekiti development.
She enjoined the Assembly members to be always close to their various constituencies and assist the people living there during this period of economic challenges, especially the less privileged.
Dr. Oyebanji said the task to take Ekiti to greater heights belongs to everyone in the state noting that the Seventh Assembly is well placed to make history by supporting the executive in pursuing the same goals for the betterment of the people.
She said: “My office is always ready to collaborate with you and for Ekiti to move forward, we must all collaborate together. The executive and legislature must work together in the interest of our people and the sustainable development of our state.
“Ekiti development should be our driving force, Ekiti must move forward and I want to plead with you to always support Mr. Governor because we are all pursuing the same goal for the betterment of our people. The Governor is your brother and you are free to access him at any given time.
“I crave your support to assist the Governor to achieve the six-point agenda for Shared Prosperity. We will always continue to pray for you and you shall all finish well.”
In his earlier remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye said the legislators had all resolved to give Governor Oyebanji unflinching support for him to translate his vision for the growth and development of the state into reality.
While stressing that all members of the Assembly represent their constituencies, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye said what is paramount to them as legislators is Ekiti development which they are ready to partner the Governor to achieve.
He said the purpose of the courtesy visit was to show solidarity with the First Lady and to assure her of the readiness of the Assembly to partner her (Dr. Oyebanji) and the Governor to ensure realization of policies aimed at making life better for the Ekiti populace.
The Speaker said: “What is paramount to us is Ekiti development, all of us of represent all constituencies in the state and we want you to always involve us in your programmes so that they can have impact on the people we represent.
“The same respect given to us should be extended to our spouses. All we are saying is that our spouses should be given necessary support, recognition, respect and opportunities to participate in government programmes.”
The Speaker noted that the Assembly members are ready at the risk of being called a “rubber-stamp Assembly” to ensure the delivery of investment, good governance, peace, security and development for the benefit of the people they represent.