The Ekiti Council of Elders has said that the place of patriotism and selfless service in the betterment of society and advancement of humanity cannot be over-emphasised.
The President of the Council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, urged well-meaning sons and daughters of Ekiti State “to be prepared to play their roles in their individual and collective capacities to continue to support and promote the spirit of patriotism and selfless service to our society to make it a better place and preserving same for posterity.”
According to a statement by the Council’s Secretary, Niyi Ajibulu and Public Relations Officer, Dr Adebayo Orire, in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Oluwasanmi spoke during the induction of seven young citizens as Affiliate members of the council.
Ajibulu and Orire described the Affiliate members’ initiative of bringing in young persons for service as “a novel concept with a view to modernise and widen the horizon of the Elders’ Council’s activities for greater efficiencies and effectiveness”.
The pioneer affiliate members inducted on the occasion are the Speaker of Ekiti State House of
Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, a development expert, Margaret Fagboyo and the Chief Executive
Officer of Agbeyewa Farms, Seyi Aiyeleso.
Others are a construction engineer, Oladipupo Bamisaye; an entrepreneur, Lawrence Olagoke Egunjobi; legal practitioner, Mrs Oluwasola Rachel Abe and broadcaster, Oluwakayode Jegede.
The Council, which is exclusive to Ekiti indigenes of 60 years and above, has been playing the role
of father, advising, admonishing and correcting as deemed fit at critical times in the affairs of Ekiti.
The Council’s President, who said that the affiliate members were selected “as a result of their noteworthy contributions to the Council and their remarkable achievements in their respective endeavours”, said that the offer would further engender the spirit of patriotism and selfless service in the younger ones.
He said, “The Council considers the affiliates very fit and worthy within its scope of giving back and striving for a better society.”
Oluwasanmi urged the affiliate members to be guided by their obligations, including “coming up with suggestions that will assist the elders to improve on their service deliverables by injecting contemporary best practices into council initiatives and as well establishing a strong link between the Council and Ekiti in diaspora for the overall benefit of the state and its people.
“The affiliate members are also expected to recommend possible
interventions in the affairs of government for improved performance and as well carry out activities that will promote the vision and mission of the Elders’ Council,” he said.
In his lecture on the occasion, titled, “A call to special service”, the Pro-Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Prof. Oladipupo Aina, appealed to professionals,
leaders and the Ekiti in diaspora to join the Affiliate platform of the Council as active partners in the state’s transformation.
Aina said that the initiative “presents the Council as a fountain of wisdom and stability, while positioning Affiliates as the drivers of modernisation – bringing innovation, global perspective and execution capacity to translate Ekiti’s intellectual strengths into economic growth and institutional impact”.
He charged the affiliate members, “The message is clear – this is not a call to observe, but to build – to
convert knowledge into results, align vision with action and to transform Ekiti from a reservoir of excellence into a hub of productive, inclusive and sustainable development.
“Affiliates must therefore rise as transformation agents. They must strengthen innovation ecosystems, support enterprise development, contribute to education and mentorship and shape policy through insight and evidence.”
The Pro-Chancellor hailed the Ekiti Council of Elders, which it said had evolved into a moral compass, for its strategic roles, including “functioning as a quiet but effective stabilising force, shaping policy conversations, mediating in conflicts and preserving the values that bind the people together”.
Egunjobi, who responded on behalf of the affiliates, expressed their appreciation for the Council’s uncommon gesture as he pledged their unflinching support to the aspiration and programmes of the
organization.
Among dignitaries at the induction were the Vice Chancellor, BOUESTI, Prof. Andrew Omojola; his predecessor, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa; the VC, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Babatola Ayodele; and former VC, Venite University, Iloro Ekiti, Prof. Rev. Father James Olaogun.
The Ekiti Council of Elders, which is committed to the development of Ekiti as reflected in its programmes, projects and activities, comprises elders who are a bank of brains and assets in all fields of endeavour interested in and willing to give back to their communities and state both their experiences and substances as long as God grants them the favour.
The Ekiti Council of Elders has continued to champion developmental initiatives in the state through advocacy, mentorship and community engagement, leveraging the experiences and expertise of its members across different professional fields.
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