The youths in Ekiti State, under the auspices of ‘Ekiti Youths Home Based’ (EYHB), have called on the state government to celebrate the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, by declaring a day in his honour.
In a statement on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, and made available to newsmen by its convener, Ademola Adedayo, the group said the call had become necessary in view of Babalola’s “unmatched contributions to the growth and development of the state.”
A former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, had last week canvassed for ‘Afe Babalola Day,’ stating that Babalola’s extraordinary life and contributions to education, law, and various sectors made a compelling case for Ado Ekiti, nay Ekiti State, to declare a day to celebrate him.
According to the EYHB statement, Babalola deserved to be honoured with such a special day, considering the good name and reputation he had continually brought to Ekiti in years past.
Apart from playing prominent roles in the creation of the state in 1996, Babalola had over the years remained the highest taxpayer in the state, the largest single farmer, and also the largest employer of labour after the state government.
The group said, “We are proud to note that Afe Babalola has dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity and has been a trailblazer in promoting education and empowering the youths in vocations and agriculture through his yearly award of millions of Naira to the best farmers in each of the local governments of Ekiti, and has brought global honour and recognition to Ekiti, Nigeria, and humanity.”
The statement added that Babalola had also succeeded in helping the government reduce the high rate of unemployment in the state and country through his many investments.
Babalola particularly drew the world’s attention to the name of Ekiti through the establishment of his world-class Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), his 400-bed ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, as well as his 132-Number Industrial Park, all of which are situated in Ekiti and have employed a huge number of job-seeking graduates and non-graduates alike.
Besides, the statement noted that Babalola is a leading Nigerian philanthropist whose benevolent activities to individuals, corporate bodies, associations, and institutions are legendary and unrivalled.
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