By Funso Alarape
December 20, 2023.
As the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji clocks 56 on Thursday, December 21, 2023, the governor has told friends, government ministries, departments, agencies, and numerous well-wishers not to place congratulatory advertisements on the radio, television, and newspapers to felicitate him or bring gifts or organize a birthday party to commemorate his birthday.
The Governor advised anyone willing to present him with gifts to channel such gifts to the less privileged children in the State.
He specifically requested that the gifts be sent to the three Government Special Schools in the three senatorial districts of the state which are the 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.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Governor Oyebanji said financial and material gifts sent to these schools by his friends and well-wishers would be of greater value and a better appreciated birthday celebration for him, adding that the country is at a point where citizens should make deliberate efforts at reaching out to the less privileged in the society.
The Governor said he was happy at the number of family members, friends, and associates who presented gifts to the three special schools during his birthday last year, and the attendant joy the gestures brought to the faces of the students.
Governor Oyebanji said he became happier when he got reports on how each of the schools utilized the financial and material gifts they got from him and his friends to enhance the welfare and well-being of the students and to upgrade some facilities within the schools.
The Governor said he would be happy if his friends and well-wishers would grant his wishes this year again, by joining him in putting smiles on the faces of the students with disabilities instead of any gift or party they might have in mind.
The statement lists the account details of the schools as follows:
1. Government Special School for the Deaf
Ikoro-Ekiti
Union Bank- 0003625836
2. Government Special School for the Physically and Mental Challenged.
Ido- Ekiti
Union Bank – 0003574525
3. Government Special School for the Blind
Ikere Ekiti
Union Bank – 0003628428
4. State Relief and Rehabilitation Centre for the Mentally Challenged
c/o Ekiti State Office of Disability Affairs
Keystone Bank
1009135289