Fayemi Lauds Late Olumilua for Enlisting Ondo as Oil State

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has lauded late former Governor of the old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, for his efforts to enlist Ondo as an oil producing state, during his time as governor.

Fayemi said the outstanding political will and courageous action taken by Olumilua as the governor of the old Ondo State between 1992 and 1993 led to revenue breakthrough engendering infrastructural face-lifting for the neighbouring state today.

The governor stated this during a commendation service held for Olumilua in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, yesterday.

The elder statesman, Olumilua, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti, died on June 4, 2020, at the age of 80.

The old Ondo State comprised the present Ondo and Ekiti States before the latter was carved out by the military regime of General Sanni Abacha in 1996.

In his tribute at the service held at the palatial Adetiloye Hall in Ado Ekiti, Fayemi said: “One important legacy of the administration of Evangelist Olumilua as a governor was the eventual enlistment of old Ondo State as an oil producing state.

“He worked relentlessly to actualise this. He also facilitated the establishment of the Oil Minerals Producing and Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1992.

“He had a star-studded team, and in fact, his then Attorney General, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN), practically drafted the bill that established the commission. He worked hard to get the commission, which has now been replaced by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), established.”