History has been made in the Ekiti State House of Assembly with a special ceremony organized to honour past clerks, deputy clerks and executive secretaries that worked at the assembly.
The send off ceremony which is first of it’s kind in the history of the state legislature was initiated by the current speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye with the support of other members of the 7th assembly.
Addressing the gathering attended by the past officials and their relatives, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye explained that he was depressed when he traced history to discover that a majority of those who left the Ekiti house of assembly in the various capacities indicated were wrongfully and unceremoniously disengaged.
According to him, his inner spirit was disturbed as he felt within him that the hearts of those who left with bitterness would naturally not pray for the assembly adding that if honour is not bestowed on them, it might remain a trend that people will keep serving the assembly without being celebrated.
Rt. Hon. Aribasoye pointed out that some of those who were humiliated or eased out of office while serving in the Ekiti assembly were mere victims of political heat of the moment stressing that the unpleasant treatment meted out to them was regrettable.
“some of you were victims of the mucky waters of politics. I cannot measure or gauge the level of bitterness in your hearts when you were leaving this house of assembly which you struggled to build and sustain. Definitely each time you remembered Ekiti state house of assembly, your hearts speak bitterness. But I know after today, the story would be different.” Aribasoye stated.
The speaker who presented various gifts to the retirees noted that they deserved more than whatever gift was offered them stressing that the whole idea was more of a mind healing process.
“what we are doing today came out of inspiration, there is need to celebrate those who have worked in the legislative service, it is not the gift that matters but just to show that we recognise your contributions. This is basically to also ensure a proper healing process.” Aribasoye pointed out.
The Speaker implored the retired officers to endeavor to relate more with the state assembly to enable the establishment tap from their wealth of experience.
It was quite an emotional moment at the celebration as one of the former officers had earlier shared with the speaker his bitter experience of how he was exited from the house on Christmas day.
Those retirees honoured included former clerks
Justice Adesodun Emmanuel, Chief Olu Ekundayo, Rev.Akintunde Famoyegun and Bar. Ojo Fasiku.
other were Messrs Luke Oluwafemi, Remi Ayeni, Fola Afolalu, Oladele Adeyanju, Olufemi Ogundipe and Olugbenga Ipinlaye who served as Deputy Clerks and Executive Secretaries respectively.
One of the Former Clerks, Rev Akintunde Famoyegun who spoke for other honorees expressed utmost joy at the remarkable gesture, applauding the Speaker Rt Hon. Aribasoye, the Seventh Assembly lawmakers and the current Clerk of the House for the historic footprint.
