Contrary to the recent claims by eldest son of late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, July 29, 1966 military coup martyr, Mr. Donald Femi Fajuyi that the Ekiti State government refused to render support to the family during just-concluded week-long 50th anniversary celebration of the martyrdom of the late heroic soldier and first military Governor of Western Nigeria, some family members have said that the state government under Governor Ayodele Fayose indeed supported them. Mr. Fajuyi (Jnr) had told newsmen in a recent interview celebrating the golden jubilee of the demise of both late Fajuyi and ex-Military Head of State, Maj-Gen Aguiyi Ironsi that Ekiti government refused to support the family when a team of the family representatives approached her for support prior to the celebration.
But four representatives of the Fajuyi family in Ekiti, Mrs. Lanre Fajuyi, Mrs. Desola Olajuyigbe (nee Fajuyi), Dr. Tope Olajuyigbe son-in-law) and Mrs. Abigail Abike Boboye (nee Fajuyi), told newsmen yesterday in Ado-Ekiti that Governor Fayose indeed supported the family morally and financially.
The Fajuyi family representatives, who spoke to newsmen in Osuntokun hall of the Ekiti State government office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, while paying an appreciation visit to governor Fayose, revealed that the governor indeed sent delegations led by the Deputy-Governor, Dr. Olusola Kolapo Eleka who fully participated in all the events in the week-long remembrance. Speaking for the family, Mrs. Lanre Fajuyi said: “The governor was represented by his deputy, Kolapo Olusola at the Fajuyi park where the 50th remembrance kicked off.
In Lagos, we had the lunch of Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust. The main aim of the lunch of the Trust Fund is to help source fund for the education of the children of our fallen heroes and the wounded and soldiers.
“Governor Fayose was also represented on Friday, July 29 in Ibadan at the ‘Yoruba Think’ programme at the International conference centre and even today (Sunday, July 31) at the thanskgiving programme to round up the one week remembrance in honour of lieutenant Adekunle Fajuyi.” “ We actually received full support of the state government through representations in all the events and monetary support to us and to ensure we had a successful programme and also through contributing to Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust Fund. “ We are here to appreciate the governor for his support and I can tell you that we were fully supported by the state government.
Our eldest son must have said what was quoted in the papers before the event. “ The lunch of Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust was to support the widows and children of our fallen soilders who lost their lives in battle and also insurgency while fighting to protect Nigeria.
We are working together with the National Army officers Wives Association, NAOWA and the military to ensure that some of these children who are very needy and the widows can be supported and help them in their predicament. “ We have been approaching state governments and several world organizations to help in that regard. We know the Nigerian Army also have plans for them, but in our own little way we can help assist to alleviate their sufferings, “ she said.
END
Be the first to comment