lauds Afe Babalola contribution of $1.6m, N356m

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, said on Wednesday that the State government expended N49.77 billion on the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.

Speaking at the inauguration of the inaugural commercial flight into the Ekiti Airport by the United Nigeria Airlines, Oyebanji said that from May 2019 to October 2022, when the trial flight landed under the administration of Governor Fayemi, the State had expended about N14 billion on the project.

The governor said that, as indicated in the speech of Dr Fayemi, there was still a lot to be put in place for the airport to be fully ready for operation. “From 28th October 2022, after we took over the government, we have committed in excess of about N34 billion to continue the outstanding works on the airport.”

Oyebanji said that the Founder, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, made direct donation of the navigational aids (CVOR/DME) and control tower equipment worth a total of $1.6 million to the airport.

“In addition, Aare Afe Babalola has also built the 100-car capacity car park, opposite the terminal building, at the cost of N356 million.

“On behalf of the good people of Ekiti State, I wish to use this opportunity to once again appreciate and thank Aare Afe Babalola for his selflessness, generosity and unflinching fatherly support to the airport project and Ekiti State in general.”

He noted that the making of the airport is a collective legacy of at least three governors before him, including Engineer Segun Oni, who first conceived the idea, Governor Ayo Fayose, who acquired and initially cleared the site, and Dr Kayode Fayemi, who, despite all odds, braved the wind of challenges to commence the building of this airport six years ago.

“Today’s event is therefore an applause to our collective determination.”

In his address, the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his resilience to ensure the full operation of the airport.

He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the State, emphasising that he remains fully prepared to continue offering support in every humanly possible way.

Babalola, represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, said the State is also in dire need of a railway station that would start from Osogbo to Ado-Ekiti and further to Onitsha in Eastern Nigeria.

This, according to him, would provide a faster, safe and more affordable means of transporting goods and residents in a modern economy.

The United Nigeria Airlines, which touched down at the airport, brought the three former governors, including Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Dr Fayemi, and members of the National Assembly from Ekiti State, as well as other stakeholders, including the representative of the Minister of Aviation.