No gifts, adverts, surprise parties on my birthday – Gov Oyebanji to friends, associates

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has warned friends, family members, well-wishers and the general public not to organise any birthday party, gift or newspaper advertisement in commemoration of his 56th birthday on Thursday, December 21st.

He asked that instead of advertisements, gifts or social gatherings, anyone willing to celebrate him should make cash or material donations to the less privileged children in the state.

The Governor requested that gifts and cash be sent to the three Government Special Schools in the three senatorial districts of the state vis: Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti; Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti; and Government Special School for the Mentally and Physically Challenged, Ido-Ekiti, as well as the State Relief and Rehabilitation Centre for the Mentally Challenged in Ado-Ekiti.

A statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, advised that financial and material gifts be sent to the schools by his friends and well-wishers.

He said that would be of greater value and a better appreciated birthday celebration for him, adding that the country is at a point where citizens should make deliberate efforts at reaching out to the less privileged in society.

The Governor said he was happy at the number of family members, friends and associates who presented gifts to the three special schools during his birthday last year, and the attendant joy the gestures brought to the faces of the students.

Governor Oyebanji said he became happier when he got reports on how each of the schools utilised the financial and material gifts they got from him and his friends to enhance the welfare and well-being of the students and to upgrade some facilities within the schools.

The Governor said he would be happy if his friends and well-wishers would grant his wishes this year again, by joining him in putting smiles on the faces of the students with disabilities instead of any gift or party they might have in mind.

The Ikogosi-Ekiti-born Oyebanji, a former University lecturer turned politician, will be 56 years old on December 21, 2023