By Tope Obembe
Irewolede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) was filled with joy on Monday, 5th January 2026, as the council ushered in the New Year with praises and thanksgiving to God Almighty for His grace, mercy, and preservation of lives, as well as the good health granted to witness a blessed year.
The thanksgiving programme, which took place at the Council Mini Hall, Secretariat, was attended by political office holders and staff members of the council. The gathering was organized to appreciate God for His blessings, protection, and faithfulness throughout the previous year.
The sermon was delivered by the Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Divine Revelation Parish, Ayegunle Ekiti, Pastor Ayodeji Emmanuel. He expressed gratitude to the council for the opportunity to minister and titled his sermon “The Day of Joy.” The Bible reading was taken from the book of Matthew 25:21–30.
Pastor Emmanuel urged political office holders and council staff to continue supporting the Executive Chairman with unity, love, and obedience in order to achieve greater success in 2026. He also highlighted several significant “days” mentioned in the Scriptures, including the Day of Love, Life, Salvation, and Judgement. He encouraged all present to embrace godly living and amend their ways to become beneficiaries of God’s joy, salvation, peace, love, strength, and the power of the Holy Spirit in the new year.
In her remarks, the Executive Chairman of Irewolede LCDA, Hon. (Mrs.) Dupe Bakare, thanked God for the privilege of witnessing the New Year in sound health. She also expressed gratitude to God for the absence of sudden death among council staff throughout the previous year.
Hon. Bakare commended the staff for their unwavering support and commitment to the administration of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. She encouraged them to sustain this support as the state approaches another election cycle.
She further implored staff members to intensify their efforts in the new year toward promoting peace and facilitating more developmental projects across the six communities that make up Irewolede LCDA.
Earlier, the Director of Administration, Mr. Oladele Olutoyin, praised the Executive Chairman for prioritizing staff welfare. He noted that she has consistently ensured prompt support for staff participation in seminars, workshops, and training programmes, with all required payments made without delay.
Mr. Olutoyin described Hon. Dupe Bakare as a worthy representative of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji at the grassroots level, emphasizing her commitment to the growth and development of Irewolede LCDA.
Also speaking, the Head of the Local Council Development Area, Mr. Babatunde Vincent, commended the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Governor Abayomi Oyebanji, for enhancing relative peace and developmental projects across the state. He encouraged all staff members to be more dedicated to their duties in the new year in order to achieve greater and more remarkable accomplishments in Irewolede LCDA.