Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has called on Nigerians to intensify their prayers for the country, saying that the nation is at a point where it needs “spiritual rejuvenation”.
The governor made this call in Akure, Ondo State Capital on Sunday when he paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Mimiko, and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, who lost his son in last Thursday’s plane crash which claimed the lives of 13 people.
The governor stated that prayers were necessary for the nation to do the “right thing” and avoid the various tragedies that have befallen the country, while also taking definite institutional measures that could help avoid some ‘avoidable” tragedies.
Fayemi, who described the incident as a “monumental tragedy of indescribable proportion” said his Ondo State counterpart had gone beyond the usual call of duty to properly manage the situation but urged well meaning members of the public to support the governor and the people of the state with prayers for the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He added that his visit was not just to condole with the governor, but to demonstrate that Ekiti State, as sister state to Ondo, shares in the pain and grief.
Fayemi said: “I am here primarily to commiserate with my brother and the good people of Ondo State. You know the feeler link between Ondo and Ekiti, and don’t forget the late Dr Agagu was our former deputy governor at some point in the old Ondo State which Ekiti was a part. To add to the tragedy was the unfortunate issue of the plane crash and the loss of lives was just a monumental tragedy of indescribable proportion to us but we are not God.”
“The governor has gone beyond the call of duty to manage this situation very well and all we can do is support him and the people of Ondo State with our prayers, supplications to God because our country really needs spiritual rejuvenation at this point in time in order for us to do the right thing, even in the aviation sector so that these tragedies, especially where they are avoidable, can be avoided by taking definite institutional measures that will stand us in good stead,” Fayemi added.
Condoling with Falae at his residence, Fayemi described the late Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Deji Falae, as a rare gem who did not just live a great life but one which was full of service to the people of Ondo State.
He added that the late Falae could have chosen not to lead the state’s delegation to give a befitting burial to the late Agagu but his passion for service and his readiness to impact the lives of everyone around him propelled him to toe the line of duty.
The governor, however, prayed God to grant sweet repose to the souls of the departed ones.
Fayemi was received at the Ondo State Government House by Mimiko, his wife, Olukemi and some other state officials while he was also received by Falae, his wife, Rachael and some well-wishers who had come to mourn with the former SGF.
Earlier on Saturday in Lagos, Fayemi had paid similar condolence visit to the widow of the late Deji Falae, Ese, at their Dolphin Estate residence.
He also visited Agagu’s son, Feyi Agagu, at the hospital.
