FROM Governor Kayode Fayemi came revelations Sunday about how the late Dr. Olusola Saraki contributed to the creation of Ekiti State some 16 years ago.

Fayemi, who paid a condolence visit to the deceased's son, Senator Bukola Saraki at the weekend in Ilorin, alongside his colleague from Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, said the late politician played "some silent role" during the agitation for the creation of Ekiti.

He reminisced on how Saraki used his influence on the then Nigerian maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, to concede to the creation of Ekiti State, "even when we were not the most qualified for the creation among those looking for states of their own."

Besides, the governor disclosed how the late politician, whose 40th Day Fidau was held yesterday, used to be concerned with the growth of development in the state, especially the level of care shown to improve the welfare of Ekiti people.

For Fayemi, he might not have been a governor today if there had not been an Ekiti State. He said the late Saraki should not be described only as a political pivot of Kwara or northern extraction, but that of the entire nation.

"He was a medical doctor who treated men beyond the level of traditional medicine," he noted. "His life was that well lived to give services to the people. It would therefore be a disservice to him to be reduced to Kwara leader or even a leader in the northern part of the country."

Aregbesola described the late Saraki as a leader to all those who believe in rendering services to the people, adding that, "his people were truly a big factor to him."

In response, Bukola thanked the governors for their visit despite the bad state of some sections of the nation's roads, saying: "Your presence has shown that we are good neighbours who give supports to ourselves.

"Your presence here gives us comfort. It is a lesson that to build Nigeria of our dream, we must look beyond sentiments but brotherhood."