The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, on Saturday empowered scores of unemployed relations with cash gifts, charging Nigerians to cherish building of strong family values that can help transform the nation into a virile socio economic entity.
Mrs Afuye predicated the pervasive cases of societal decay and moral decadence in the country on poor family value being experienced across the strata of the society, thereby reflecting some negativities that are quaking the country’s foundation.
Mrs Afuye spoke in Ikere Ekiti, on Saturday, during the Adegboye Royal Dynasty Day 2025, a celebration of the life and time of the late family’s patriarch, Pa Noah Afeni Adegboye, a prince from Akaiyejo Ruling House.
Pa Adegboye, an Ikere Ekiti based successful businessman during his time, with track record of strong community leadership, was the direct father of the Deputy Governor.
Addressing the family members, Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, tasked the parents to as pillars of family, helped the country, by strengthening the cord of relationship to sustain moral rebranding and attitudinal change.
She showered scores of unemployed family members, students, artisans, apprentices and traders with cash gifts to advance their trades and education, in line with the Human Capital Development of Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.
The Ekiti’s number two citizen, who described Pa Adegboye as a strong community leader and committed family man, who believed in the virtues of love, integrity and honour, saying these must be sustained in the larger interest of all members and in veneration of the memory of the late patriarch.
Mrs Afuye expressed pride being a direct daughter of Pa Adegboye, saying his father was renowned and respected for his hardwork, frankness, honour and integrity during his lifetime in such a way that added value to the Akaiyejo Royal Dynasty and Ikere Ekiti at large.
The Deputy Governor warned that the country can only rise to stardom and accomplish its greatness, if it returns to era where honour and integrity are rated over and above material acquisition
“Family must be united, honourable and morally upright, because it is the smallest part of the society and the foundation. Once the foundation is weak, the structure can collapse anytime.
“Let us be united in this family, we need love. Let us support each other and our leaders at the government and community levels and as well contribute to the growth of Ikere Ekiti and the state at large.
“Pa Adegboye lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation. He worked hard, served his family and town and became a respected community leader. We must sustain his glowing legacy by working together in unity and love”.
In her speech, the Chairperson of Adegboye Royal Dynasty, Princess Adekemi Adu, said the family had contributed immensely to the development of Ikere community, with representatives spread across the country and at global space, saying this made it expedient for the family to continually protect its image.
Princess Adu appealed to the family members who have reached the voting age to solidly back the second term bid of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the June 20, 2026 governorship election, with hope that Mrs Afuye will be re-nominated for the joint ticket .
She emphasized the need for the family to unite and sustain the value of honour and integrity built by their patriarch, branding this as the best way to immortalize the life of their late father.
“This is not a campaign but a subtle reminder that we must give a bloc votes to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Mrs Monisade Afuye in the June 20, 2026 election to demonstrate that we value what we they are doing to transform the lives of our people”.
One of the children, Prince Gbadebo Adegboye, said the family has been lucky to have produced a king, the immediate past Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye and the incumbent Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, saying these were suffice for the family to value unity, love and morality.
In her exhortation to the attendees, a woman of God, Evangelist Iwalola Olowolafe, who quoted copiously from the holy book, described honour and integrity as the best legacy one can bequeathe to their children, which she said made the late Pa Adegboye outstanding among men of his time.
Evangelist Olowolafe added that there were many great children within Adegboye’s family on the strength of the strong character, Godliness of their father and unity that reigns supreme, urging them to sustain the virtues to keep the respect they had earned over time.
The programme featured traditional dance by Oloris, prayers for the family, Ikere Ekiti and Ekiti State at large and ended with dancing and wining among members and those who attended the event.
High profile politicians and community leaders at the event included: Chairman, Ikere West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rufus Olorunfemi, Chairman, Kajola LCDA, Hon Ojo Adebayo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Mobilisation and Women Empowerment, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, an All Progressives Congress, Hon. Ibukun Igbekele, an APC chieftain in Ikere Council, Engr Bimbo Ogundipe, among others.