The Ekiti Council of Elders has inducted seven young professionals as pioneer affiliate members in what the body described as a strategic move to strengthen patriotism, modernise its operations and deepen developmental engagement across the state.
Speaking during the induction ceremony held in Ado Ekiti, the President of the Council, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between the older generation and younger professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainable development in Ekiti.
Oluwasanmi said patriotism and selfless service remained critical to societal growth, urging well-meaning Ekiti indigenes at home and in the diaspora to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the state.
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“The place of patriotism and selfless service in the betterment of society and advancement of humanity cannot be over-emphasised,” he said, while encouraging the newly inducted affiliates to support initiatives that would strengthen governance, institutional development and social progress in Ekiti.
The council, which is exclusively made up of Ekiti indigenes aged 60 and above, has over the years positioned itself as a moral and advisory body, intervening in governance, community disputes and critical issues affecting the state.
The newly inducted affiliate members include the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; development expert, Margaret Fagboyo; Chief Executive Officer of Agbeyewa Farms, Seyi Aiyeleso; construction engineer, Oladipupo Bamisaye; entrepreneur, Lawrence Olagoke Egunjobi; legal practitioner, Mrs Oluwasola Rachel Abe; and broadcaster, Oluwakayode Jegede.
The council explained that the affiliate membership model was introduced to widen the scope of its activities and inject fresh perspectives into its operations. The initiative, according to the leadership of the organisation, is expected to improve efficiency and help the council align with contemporary realities.
Oluwasanmi said the affiliate members were selected based on their professional accomplishments and contributions to society, adding that they were expected to serve as a bridge between the elders and younger generations of Ekiti people.
He charged them to contribute ideas capable of improving the council’s interventions in governance and policy discussions while also strengthening ties between the council and Ekiti indigenes living abroad.
“The affiliate members are also expected to recommend possible interventions in the affairs of government for improved performance and carry out activities that will promote the vision and mission of the Council,” he stated.
In a lecture titled, “A Call to Special Service,” the Pro-Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Prof. Oladipupo Aina, described the initiative as a major step toward repositioning Ekiti for sustainable growth.
Aina said the council had evolved into a stabilising institution in Ekiti by shaping conversations around governance, conflict resolution and social values.
According to him, the affiliate structure presents the elders as custodians of wisdom while younger professionals provide the innovation, execution capacity and global exposure needed to transform Ekiti into a stronger economic and intellectual hub.
He urged professionals and Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora to embrace the platform and actively contribute to the state’s development agenda.
“The message is clear — this is not a call to observe, but to build,” Aina said, stressing that the affiliates must support enterprise growth, innovation, education, mentorship and evidence-based policy formulation.
Responding on behalf of the inductees, entrepreneur Lawrence Egunjobi thanked the council for what he described as a rare privilege and pledged the commitment of the affiliate members to the vision and programmes of the organisation.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Vice Chancellor of BOUESTI, Prof. Andrew Omojola; former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa; Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Babatola Ayodele; and former Vice Chancellor of Venite University, Prof. Rev. Father James Olaogun.
The induction comes at a time of heightened political and developmental conversations in Ekiti ahead of the 2026 governorship election, with stakeholders increasingly calling for stronger collaboration between institutions, professionals and community leaders to sustain the state’s development momentum.
