Ekiti Airport: Oyebanji writes Afe Babalola on commencement of flight operation

• Lauds ABUAD founder for providing funds for navigational equipment, others
• It’s a good beginning for Ekiti, says legal icon
• No birthday celebration for me, gov tells friends, associates
• Says donations should be sent to PWD schools

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has written the founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola (SAN), to notify him of the commencement of flight operations at Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport and to appreciate him for his financial support for the actualisation of the project.

The letter, titled: “Letter of Appreciation” and dated December 18, 2024, was personally delivered, yesterday, to the legal icon at the ABUAD campus by the governor.

The letter reads in part: “On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I am delighted to formally express our heartfelt appreciation for the assistance you provided to the Ekiti State Government during the construction of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.

“Your financial contribution for the purchase of navigational aids, control tower communications equipment and the construction of the car park were invaluable to the accomplishment, and we are immensely grateful for your willingness to help.”

However, in his response to the letter, Babalola said that it was a good beginning, noting that “if things had been like these three years ago, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I thank Your Excellency for your commitment to this airport project. I thank you for all you have been doing and still doing.”

IN another development, Oyebanji has urged friends, associates and the public not to organise any birthday party or newspaper advertisement in commemoration of his 57th birthday billed for December 21, 2024.

The governor said that instead of advert placements, gifts or social gatherings, anyone willing to celebrate with him should make cash or material donations to the less-privileged children in the state.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, Oyebanji said financial and material gifts should be sent to Government Special Schools in the state.

The schools are: Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti; Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti; and Government Special School for the Mentally and Physically Challenged, Ido-Ekiti, as well as the State Relief and Rehabilitation Centre for the Mentally Challenged in Ado-Ekiti and would be appreciated, adding that deliberate efforts should be made at reaching out to the less privileged in the society at any given opportunity.