EkIti State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye has donated foods and cash gifts .to the School of the Blind, lkere to mark her 68th birthday saying she was following the footsteps of her boss ,the Governor of the state,Mr Abiodun Oyebanji who always commits his birthdays to the less-privileged in the society .
Mrs Afuye who made the donation at the Special School at Oke Osun in her hometown ,lkere Ekiti encouraged the affluent members of the public to always show concerns for the special people such as the blind, the deaf and the lame who are natural dependants.
According to a statement from the Director of Press ,Office of the Deputy Governor ,Mr Tope Ariyo, items donated by the Deputy Governor includes bags of rice,, vegetable oil ,packs of table water ,bags of salt and cash gifts among others
.She expressed hope that the gesture would alleviate the living conditions of the recipients whom she described as God”s special people.
She described the state governor as a passionate leader worthy of emulation noting he had been been shouldering the affairs of governance in the state with such passion that was never witnessed since the creation of the state.
” I am a product of God’s grace . Whatever we are giving to these God”s special breed is out of the magnanimity of God to us. When you have a good leader , you can hardly miss your way. We have a compassionate governor who is driven by the love of his people. So, in his footsteps, it is better to spend this day with you instead of throwing a lavish party ‘, she affirmed .
She explained that the state government had continually shown strong dedication to the welfare of the disables in the state by upgrading facilities at all the Special Schools and ensuring the welfare of the students assuring that government would not rest on it’s oars in this regard.
The Ekiti’s number two citizen explored the opportunity to sensitise the school community to troop out en masses during the December 12, 2026 local government poll and the general elections coming up in January, 2027, to reciprocate what Governor Oyebanji was doing to make lives comfortable for the less privileged.
“Ekiti State has one of the best policies for the less privileged and people with disabilities in Nigeria. Please, the best way to reciprocate this is to troop out during elections and vote for our party. We deliberate on your wellbeing always. We are for you and we will continue to work hard for you to fulfil your dreams in life”.
On how committed Governor Oyebanji was to their welfare, Mrs Afuye told the children and other PWDs that the governor shall upscale his welfarist programmes for them in the next four years through policies that can empower them economically and protect their rights.
“The welfare of the vulnerable is dear to Governor Oyebanji and his Wife, Prof Olayemi Oyebanji. Less than a couple of weeks ago, the First Lady distributed educational materials to some children to help their education through back to school initiative. She also gave them scholarship to further their education.
“These were children known to be from poor backgrounds or without parents. This government will continue to serve you. Governor Oyebanji is for all categories of citizens. That is why this government is considered as being inclusive, because it takes care of all interests “.
On her 68th birthday, Mrs Afuye appreciated God for sparing her life and gave her the opportunity to serve Ekiti citizens at higher level of governance, saying this has given her the opportunity to understand the challenges bedeviling the poor and vulnerable population.
“I am here this morning to rejoice with you. When Governor Oyebanji came on board, he instructed us to be celebrating with you on our birthdays instead of throwing parties. I have been doing that since we came and I am again here this year doing same.
“I will spend the rest of my life serving God and humanity. We are here to thank God and not to render history. I got to this position through the grace of God. We thank Governor Oyebanji for what he has been doing in the lives of my family.
“I have received the favour and grace of God and I will never take this for granted. This is the more reason why I am here today to celebrate with these special students. They are special in the sense that they were created by God and we have to show them love in the spirit of inclusivity that this administration perfectly believes in”.
On what the citizens should expect in the second term, Mrs Afuye said: “They should expect more work and more meaningful progress, stability and better economic prosperity for our people. That is what we are here for”.
Saluting the Deputy Governor’s for displaying love, generosity and spirit of inclusivity, the school’s Principal, Mrs Kikelomo.Okeya, applauded the gesture and the state government for prioritising the wellbeing of PWDs.
Mrs Okeya stated that the inclusivity being championed by the government remains a template that must be emulated by other states.
Lauding the donation, the students, who spoke through Miss Miracle Emmanuel, prayed for Mrs Afuye for taking action geared towards making lives meaningful and comfortable for the special student.