Inauguration: Fayemi pledges to review abandoned projects in Ekiti

The newly-sworn in Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, says he will promote and ensure sustainable development and review the commercial advantage of abandoned projects in the state with a view to reviving them.
Fayemi made the pledge on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti shortly after taking oath of office for the second time as Governor of the state.
He was sworn-in as the sixth governor of the Fountain of Knowledge by the Chief Judge of Ekiti, Ayodeji Daramola.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, administered the Oath of Office on Fayemi on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti.
Fayemi, a former Minister of Mines and Steel,  was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 197, 459 votes against his closest opponent, Prof. Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 178,121 votes.
He will serve for only four years having been governor of the state between 2010 and 2014 under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.
Also present were the Governors of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufa’i; Oyo, Abiola Ajumobi; Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Fayemi, born on February 9, 1965, and a native of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area, had held the office of the state Governor between 2010 and 2014.
Until his re-election at the July Ekiti State governorship election, he was Minister of Solid Minerals Development, from where he resigned to contest the election.
He secured 197,459 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Olusola Eleka, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 178,121 votes at the election.
Fayemi won the election in 12 of the 16 local government areas in the state, while Eleka won in four local government areas.
The results of the election marked a remarkable rebound for Fayemi, who as the then incumbent governor, was roundly defeated four years ago by immediate-past Gov. Ayodele Fayose.
Fayemi in his second inaugural speech thanked the people of Ekiti for giving him the mandate to govern again, saying, “let us do this again, let us build Ekiti again“.
He said his inauguration marked the beginning of an era of great achievements and development, and an administration that would also speak out the truth and lay it before the people.
He, however, maintained that his coming back to office was not a revenge mission, but to heal and ensure true development in the state in the interest of the people.
The governor said that his administration would take full responsibility of the challenges ahead, stressing that he would not rest until every challenge facing the state including non payment of workers’ salaries was addressed.
He further said that his administration would promote and ensure sustainable development and make the state a safe haven for both foreign and local investors.
“This is the day that the Lord has made and we will reclaim our lands from those that have held us captive, “ he said.
Fayemi had lectured in Africa, Europe, America and Asia. He had also served as an adviser on transitional justice, regional integration, constitutionalism, security sector reform and civil-military relations issues to various governments.
He had written on governance and democratisation, civil-military relations and security sector issues in Africa.
Among his recent books are: Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism: The Role of Regional Institutions in Constitutional Development in Africa (CDD 2003) and Security Sector Governance in Africa.
Thousands of residents of Ekiti and members of APC thronged the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion to witness the swearing-in.
The deputy governor, Adebisi Egbeyemi, took oath of office at exactly noon, while Fayemi took his at 12:20 p.m., amid ovations from the  crowd.
The 14,000-seater pavilion was already filled to capacity as early as 8 a.m. by residents and party loyalists from the 16 local government areas of the state.
The early morning rain, which many regarded as a sign of good omen for the new government, did not stop people from attending the inauguration, as many were seen trekking long distances to get to the venue.
The Chairman of the Tricycle Association of Nigeria, Ekiti chapter, Mr Akinola Talabi-Ifa, had earlier declared that passengers going for the inauguration would be conveyed free of charge throughout the state as part of the union’s contribution to success of the exercise.
Most markets, shops and public offices were shut as traders and workers all moved to the pavilion to witness the ceremony.
Aside from those inside the Pavilion, several others stayed outside as they could not gain entry to the pavilion.
In carnival-like manner, men and women in different attires bearing the inscription and portrait of the new governor, sang his praises while dancing and drumming.
Security in and around the venue was tight as men of the Nigerian Army, police, Customs, Civil Defence and many other security personel searched persons going into the venue at virtually all gates.