Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has advocated for a bring-back of history into the teaching curriculum of the nation, advising that "without the past we can't make out the future."
The governor made the remarks yesterday during this year's edition of the annual Udiroko festival celebrated amidst pomp in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital at the new amphitheatre in the palace of Ado-Ekiti monarch, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi Adejugbe.
Ado-Ekiti was shut down as many of the indigenes, their visitors, friends and associates thronged the palace amphitheatre, where a robust cultural display showcased the rich cultural heritage of Ekiti people.
Lauding governor Fayose for supporting the festival and bringing it to a higher level, Oba Adejugbe said: " Indeed very grateful to the Government of Ekiti State led by Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, a pragmatic , committed beacon of Excellence and a hardworking Governor for the massive road construction work being undertaken in Ado metroplolis such as Onala/Tinuola Road, De-Head (Bawa Estate)-AdetiloyeeRoad, Awedelee -Secreatiat Road dualization, Adunni Olayinka Women Development Centre, Oja-Oba Erekesan ultra-modern market under construction, and the Fly-over under construction, just to mention a few, all within 18 months of assumption of office.
"The on-going fly over bridge project deserves commendation. The government equally, extends its developmental programmes to other parts of the state in road construction and provision of health facilities is highly commendable. It is my fervent prayer that Almighty God will give His Excellency the enablement to complete all the laudable projects he has embarked upon for the over all development of Ekiti State
" I'm using this medium to sincerely thank the Governor for the completion of this Royal Gallery (amphitheatre) of Ewi's palace. The community was getting fed up with the finances of the projects when he wonderfully came to our rescue. Ado-Ekiti Shall ever remain grateful to you.
" Like an Oliver twist, I'm begging the Governor to help complete the Oba Adejugbe Hospital for urgent and effective healthcare delivery."
Reacting to the cancellation of history as a subject in the nation's teaching curriculum, Fayose, who was flanked by Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo of Borno State and Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike, represented by the Secretary to Rivers State Government, Mr. Kenneth Ubani, said: " That's strange, I'm hearing that for the first time. That must be strange because without the past we can't make out the future. History must be told for people to learn out of it and to make a sense out of it. I believe in history and I believe in our culture, he said.
Speaking further about the huge success of the festival and his contribution, the governor said:
"When you do good, you get good, and when you do bad, you get back. You reap what you sow. I have been in office in less than two years. The Amphitheatre is here which I built, the fly over brigde and Oja Oba are on-going. The Onala, Awedele dual carriageway Roads and others are already here. So, I want to tell you that I'm happy.
"Another thing that is of note is that since I assumed office there has not been any politically motivated killings or harrassment and I want to say it again, there would never be. Also, the peace in our state has been more enhanced.
"Again, the bar has been raised, the Udiroko festival every year has been growing under my watch. It may be difficult for any other governor to continue this tempo. Udiroko is not an offering to any god, but one of the coming together of all our people to celebrate our cultural heritages with many other monarchs that are interested.
"I would have loved to have Ekiti Airport and I'm still nursing that ambition and waiting for the slightest oppurtunity. Ekiti airport will facilitate development for our state . It doesn't matter what any body is saying. Many years after, they would come to appreciate what we are doing. So far so good , in spite of the paucity of resources in our covers, we are not doing badly.
"Udiroko has become a national festival already. Look at the mamoth crowd here. Ekiti has never witnessed this huge crowd in the history of the festival. I will continue to support everything that would enhance this culture, especially Udiroko under my watch. I wish all Ekiti people in and outside the nation well and enjoin them to let us leave in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. In an atmosphere of peace we will have a better Ekiti State''.
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