From News Editor
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, on Wednesday celebrated her 53rd birthday with physically-challenged students at the special schools in the state which a call to the privileged ones not to forget the less privileged.
Dr. Oyebanji was at the Ekiti State Government Special School for the Physically Challenged, Ido Ekiti; Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro Ekiti and Special School for the Blind, Ikere Ekiti and State Reiief and Rehabilitation Centre for the Mentally Challenged in Ado Ekiti to celebrate with the students and inmates there.
The First Lady who distributed gifts including food items, provisions, drinks and cash gift said she was fulfilled celebrating her birthday at the places she visited noting that such segment of the society must be identified with to give them hope of a better future.
She said her gesture was also in tandem with the directive of her husband, Governor Biodun Oyebanji that state officials and other privileged citizens should celebrate their birthdays at the special schools to give the children a sense of belonging.
According to her, the Governor doesn’t believe in throwing parties to mark birthdays but is always concerned with the improvement of the welfare of the students in special schools and the less privileged
Dr. Oyebanji said her husband believes that celebrating with the less privileged in the state is better than doing so in places like the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada to have an impact on the local people whose lives must be positively touched.
She said: “If I want to celebrate my birthday, I should be in London, New York, Canada and other places abroad but BAO (Governor Biodun Oyebanji) will not allow that. He believes that the money to be spent in those places should be spent at home for the benefit of our people.
“As we came here, these children are happy. Let us always remember children in our special schools and the less privileged in our rehabilitation centers during our celebration days.
“I am here to celebrate my birthday with you, this is a birthday heaven will recognize, I will go back to my closet a happy person for reaching out to these children, I pray for this children, they shall all fulfill purpose.
“This is a government that cares for you, continue to pray for the governor to have more resources to move Ekiti forward. He has been touching the special schools in the state.”
The First Lady explained that the care for the students of special schools occupies a special place in the heart of Governor Oyebanji which led to his decision to appoint a Special Adviser on charge of special schools.
She promised to visit the special schools from time to time to identify with the students and give them succour apart from her birthday.
The First Lady prayed for the physically challenged students and the inmates of the rehabilitation center and she also received gifts from the students.
It was a commendation galore for the First Lady by the appreciative students, teachers and caregivers in the government institutions visited.
They prayed for long life, sound health and more success for the First Lady and her husband in years ahead.
The First Lady was joined during her celebration at the special centres by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro; Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju; wife of the Speaker, Mrs. Adenike Aribasoye; some members of the State Executive Council, wives of the House of Assembly members, All Progressives Congress (APC) women wing, among others.
