Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has urged successful Ekiti entrepreneurs to establish their presence in the State, saying the government cannot do it alone.
Fayemi stated this on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new ultra modern Victoria Manhattan hostel built by an indigene of Oye Ekiti, Mr Goke Egunjobi, for students of Federal University, Oye Ekiti.
The inauguration was attended by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Fasina Abayomi; the Director General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Prof Bolaji Aluko; Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, Special Adviser on Development Partnerships and SDG; Mrs Margret Fagboyo, Former Commissioner for Education; Mr Jide Egunjobi and parents of the proprietor, Pa and Madam Egunjobi and representatives of FUOYE Students’ Union.
Commending the proprietor of the project for situating the edifice in Ekiti, the Governor said it would complement government’s effort in tackling infrastructural challenges in the area.
He said the building, which is equipped with state of the art facilities would contribute in no small measure to providing conducive accommodation for students of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti (FUOYE).
“I am glad that I am here, particularly that our brother did not choose to build this in Lagos where he resides. He would have probably made more money, if this is sited along Akoka, UNILAG student area, he would have made more money but he chose to come here to also establish his own presence back home.
“If all of us who are successful outside Ekiti, put back into the community, because the government can not do it alone, we would have totally transformed our state even beyond the level it is now.
“That is what this sort of institution does for the development of the community. That is why every Ekiti community wants an establishment of government because they know the multiplier effect of such establishment.
“Which is why having a state of the art hostel to be patronized by students in an affordable environment like this, Manhattan hall, is something we must celebrate,” he said.
Earlier, Bishop Ajakaye, who was also the Chairman of the occasion, encouraged youths to think positively and be optimistic in every situation. He said, like God they should be a builder who sees opportunity in every challenge rather than seeing challenges in every opportunity.
Also in his welcome address , the proprietor of the Victoria Mahatma Hall, Mr Goke Egunjobi who called for more presence of private sector in the State, said his intention of building the edifice in Ekiti was bore out of his desire to support government’s effort in providing educational infrastructure for students.
He explained that the hostel would provide the same comfort that students should enjoy back home, adding that such comfort would boost the academic performance of the students.
Mr Egunjobi challenged private sector and entrepreneurs to complement Government efforts in creating small and medium scale industry in the State.