Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has described the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) as a “government” who has contributed immensely to the development of the state.

The governor who said Babalola has proved that he is a forest that can make a force against a popular adage said he wished that the state could have three persons like him.

Oyebanji spoke yesterday during the commissioning of ABUAD MultiSystem Hospital Annex, Odo-Ado, Igirigiri Road, Ado Ekiti, he performed alongside Babalola.

The governor said, “They say health is wealth, what Baba has done here today and in the state, is not for him. He never forgets home, Odo-Ado, Igirigiri, Ado Ekiti, and the state and Nigeria at large.

“Whenever I see him, what usually come to mind is that, before Ekiti was created, he knew that state will come. Even before Ekiti State was created, he is the highest tax payer in the old Ondo State. And since the creation of Ekiti State, baba still remain the highest tax payer in the state and the largest employer of labour after the state government.

“So, baba on his own is government and whenever I am with him, he is always working. For what is doing for the people of Ekiti and Nigeria, I know God does not have a choice than to keep him alive because a lot of destinies is tied to him. I as governor, after the federal government, it is baba Afe Babalola that I see. I want you all to thank and appreciate him on my behalf.”

The governor who said he heard about the sorry state of the road leading to the hospital said the advert for the construction of the road has been placed and will awarded by April.

Afe Babalola in his address commended Oyebanji giant stride said it pained him that the Oyebanji had not come as governor of Ekiti State before now.

He said, “We know what we did to bring the stateship to Ekiti. What we want for Ekiti is to be a state that will be better than any other state in the country and will be setting pace for others as our university is doing.”

The Chief Executive Officer, ShalomGrace Global Ventures Limited, Mr Joel Afolabi Olaoluwa who was one of those honoured by the hospital at the event said it was result of his punctual and promptness in the delivery of quality products being supplied to the hospital.

Olaoluwa said, “Our organisation has been delivering good and quality medical equipment and consumables to the hospital. So, I think we deserve this award because I see it as a global recognition for our organisation. Seeing Governor Oyebanji, the ABUAD founder Aare Afe Babalola and other dignity on seat is a great honour for me.

“In ABUAD Multi-system hospital and ABUAD International School reviewing, we have their supplier of medical equipment and industrial machineries.

“We are presently working on a multi milliion naira recycling machine project for them at the ABUAD Industrial Park which will be unveiled very soon.”

He, however, lamented high tax being paid on the imported goods, rise in the value of US dollars against Naira and lack of support from the banks because of economic meltdown.

The business man called on government to support private businesses and small scale industry and strengthen medical industry to grow for everyone to have good health.

Afe Babalola who blamed the slow pace of development of the state on its past governors said” There no faith in them, go and tell them.and that is why our challenges persist, and the reason why Igirigiri road is in the state of disrepair.

“It was when I was a local government councillor in 60s, it was then we had development in Ekiti local government and we thought those coming later as governor will follow the steps taken by us and what we documented but the never follow it. But this man called Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is exception and doing great.

“The ABUAD Multi-system hospital I built some few years which we have replicated here was described as the best in this part of the country by experts.

“Road leading to the Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital is equally in the bad state and I do rehabilitate it but it was because we don’t have honest people in government.. Those in government receive salaries and collect pension at the same time, this is strange to me.”