This year’s carnival by the Ekiti Kete Association, EKA, was held in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, FCT. OLUGBENGA SALAMI was there for Friday Magazine.
The occasion was unique with a moderate crowd. Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, brimmed with people from all walks of life last weekend (Saturday, November 30) for the fourth anniversary of Ekiti Kete Association, EKA.
Different colours of T-shirts and face caps with the logo of EKA adorned the venue, LEA on Gwagwalada Road in the fastest growing commercial town of the FCT. Others wore beautiful Ankara and Lace fabrics with shoes and head gears/caps to match.
It was an Ekiti event to the core. Pounded yam with highly tested soup filled with bush meat, beef, turkey and fish were served the guests. There was also a variety of other dishes and drinks as well to choose from.
People came from far and wide, especially Ekiti natives to felicitate with their kinsmen. Arriving in their exotic cars, they exchanged pleasantries and took photographs before moving to their seats. The arena was beautifully decorated while chairs were stylishly set around the tables. An upcoming highlife/gospel musician, Elijah Orimolade was on the stage. The Master of Ceremony, MC, Yomi Fayose never allowed any dull moment as he was continuously charging the atmosphere with ‘sweet talks’ and demonstrations that sent many guests into rib-cracking laughter amidst long applause.
The event started proper with the swearing in of the new executives led by Comrade Adaramewa Fatai Adegboyega as the president. Others are Mrs. Fasuyi Elizabeth, vice president; Mr Famoyegun Oye, secretary; Mrs. Jimoh Oluwafunke, assistant secretary; Mrs. Oluwatosin Folake, treasurer; Mrs. Fasuba Bisi, financial secretary; Mr Ojo Mayowa, provost; Prince Bamisebi Ojo, public relations officer; Mrs Oye Bimbo, social secretary I and Mr Akanbade Taiwo who is the social secretary II.
It was sweet home coming for Mrs. Osibote who performed the swearing-in ceremony and later prayed for the new executives as well as Ekiti people in general. Mrs. Osibote, an indigene of Ise-Ekiti but married to an Ijebu man in Ogun State, relieved the good memories of unity and cooperation among the Ekiti people, and pleaded with them to remain united wherever they found themselves.
In his message, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Michael Opeyemi Bamidele expressed satisfaction about the way and manner Ekiti indigenes in Abuja organised themselves “not only to assist themselves but also take care of each other’s welfare, celebrate with each other and form a network which make them get in touch with another for growth and development.”
Bamidele, popularly known as MOB, who represents Irepodun/Ifelodun federal constituency of Ekiti State, said: “Sincerely speaking, I am very proud of Ekiti State. I am very proud of Ekiti people. I feel at the top of the world as I realized that I have a sense of belonging with my people.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, my message to all the Ekiti State Association in Abuja is that Ekiti State has a brighter future. We are unique people. God has blessed us with knowledge, wisdom and sense of direction to develop ourselves and our fatherland,” he added
Bamidele therefore urged all Ekiti State associations to use the same spirit in coordinating themselves in Abuja to go and develop their state. “The destiny of Ekiti State by the grace of God is in the hands of Ekiti people, hence they have to hold it properly and handle it wisely,” he advised.
The lawmaker, who was represented by the general secretary of Ekiti Elites Club in Abuja and a pioneer member of National Assembly Association of Ekiti Indigenes, Mr Abiodun Sunday Oluwadare, however, promised to continue to support EKA and every other well organised group of Ekiti people.
Another high point of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts to the outgoing executives led by the former president, Alhaja Mariat Abeke Akorede. The presentation was done on behalf of the EKA by the representative of Hon. Bamidele and supported by the newly elected president, Comrade Adaramewa.
Alhaja Akorede stood tall among the outgoing executives and the entire members of EKA. This was not far from her achievements as the association president for four years. Bamidele’s representative was delighted about the love, unity, respect and discipline instilled among the Ekiti people in Kuje by the outgoing president.
In a chat with our correspondent, Alhaja Akorede said her achievements in office were made possible by the support and cooperation of the entire members.
“I thank my members for their support for us. I am particularly happy with the way our people are united and go about their jobs diligently. I am not really surprised because we don’t expect anything less. Ekiti people are known to be diligent and hardworking with their nonsense attitude,” she said.
Speaking further on her achievements, she said the association now has canopies, chairs and tables of its own, which are also being used to generate revenue. Besides, Alhaja Akorede said they produced almanacs and stickers for similar income generation to help the growth of the association and also assist members in time of needs.-
But for inadequate funds, she lamented that EKA would have built a hostel and a shopping malls at Ado-Ekiti and Oye-Ekiti respectively to further boost the activities of the association.
The outgoing president therefore advised her successor to endeavour to take the association to the next level. She particularly urged him to exhibit the characters of firmness, fairness, transparency, tolerance and team work in order to achieve his goals in office.
When asked to comment on his election, the new president said: “I am grateful to God and our people for making me the president of Ekiti Kete Association in Kuje. By the grace of God, I will not disappoint them. But most importantly, I and the new entire new executives need their prayers, support and advice at all times to succeed.”
Comrade Adaramewa promised to build on the legacies of his predecessor and founding president of EKA, Alhaja Akorede. He also disclosed plan to mobilise more Ekiti indigenes into the association and ensure that welfare of members is improved under his leadership.