Ex-member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, has been garlanded with distinguished award of excellence by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Progress FM, 100.5.
Conferring the award on Engineer Faparusi, on Saturday, the General Manager of the media outfit, Dr. Adebola Agbaje, described the former commissioner as a resourceful individual, whose political and business exploits had benefitted the state and the broadcasting station.
Speaking at the occasion, Faparusi lauded the broadcasting station for its immeasurable contributions to the state through effective and objective news reporting, sensitisation and mobilisation of the rural dwellers to be alive to their responsibilities and support for the government.
Faparusi saluted Governor Oyebanji for promoting press freedom that had enhanced good performance from journalists operating in the state.
“We are happy that we have a governor who has been supporting all the media houses operating in our dear state. governor Oyebanji doesn’t believe in gagging the press and this has enhanced press freedom.
“The collaboration between the government and the media has helped in peace building, stability and oneness among our residents. We appreciate this.
“Progress FM has not done badly in the last 23 years. We are proud of your support and achievements . Keep these up”, he said.
Speaking on the dingdongs of insecurity in neighbouring states, Faparusi assured the citizens that Governor Oyebanji, had mapped out strategy to ensure the safety of all residents, saying there was no reason for the people to live in panic.
The politician cum businessman,stated that the recurrent cases of killings in Kwara and the bedlam being witnessed in Kogi, were suffice to alert the state to take precautionary measures about the state’s internal security.
The former Federal lawmaker stated that the governor as a politically savvy individual and leader who places utmost prime on the welfare and safety of the populace values the sanctity of human lives and had emplaced every mechanism to ward off criminals from Ekiti.
“The governor is not resting. All necessary steps were being taken to strengthen internal security by Governor Oyebanji’s administration. All Ekiti border posts with Kwara, Osun, Kogi and Ondo States had been fortified by combined forces of military, police and other state actors. If you drive along those corridors, you will notice this.
“We have got enough warnings to be proactive and I can boastfully say that this government is not resting. Our people should go about their businesses without fear”.
Bemoaning the recurrent incidence of voter apathy in Ekiti’s electoral trajectory, Faparusi added that the APC is rising to the occasion and mobilising the people with its membership digital registration that was intended to buoy its support base.
“I think voter apathy often leads to production of bad leadership. The ongoing APC e- registration is also part of the avenues to create awareness about civic participations of citizens in the electoral system.
“I think the ruling APC has upped the game in this aspect and I think there will be changes in the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State and the 2027 general polls.
“A situation whereby over 80 million will be on INEC register as voters and during the presidential election, only 20 million will participate cumulatively is not good for the system. There is a need for improvement and I think all stakeholders must join the ruling party to bring a radical change in our quests to participate in elections”.
Faparusi commended Progress FM for its illustrious contributions to the peace, stability and oneness among Ekiti citizens in terms of information management and solid support for the government’s policies and programmes.
Speaking further, Dr Agbaje said the station considered Faparusi worthy of the award owing to his selfless service to the people and his solid backing for the station during its trying period.
She said Faparusi remains a role model to the youth and upcoming politicians because of his philanthropic instinct and firm belief in the welfare in the populace over and above self aggrandisement.
The GM congratulated Faparusi on the award and wish him well in his present and future endeavours .
She commended Governor Oyebanji’s administration for supplying 24 hours electricity to the station by connecting it to the IPP grid bankrolled by the state government, describing this as a gesture that has boosted its operation and enhance productivity.
Other distinguished awardees were: the Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, an iconic legal practitioner, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN), Technical Advisor to Ekiti State Governor on Power, Engr Philips Atere, a corporate organisation, Omiye Microfinance Bank, Ilupeju Ekiti and the Chief Executive Officer of a multinational company, Cavista Holdings Limited.
A Professor of Political Science at The Ekiti State University, Martins Akindele Adetoye, who spoke elaborately on the theme: “Political Apathy, Ethno-religious Crisis and Security Threats in Nigeria: Media As a tool for Stability”, warned politicians and elites against deploying Nigeria’s religious and ethnic fault lines to exploit the populace and stoke violence in the polity.