The Ekiti People United Congress (EPUC), a newly-formed group of artisans, scholars and professionals, says it is set to commence public awareness campaigns to advocate promotion of values and integrity of the people of the state.
The group held its inaugural meeting, on Friday, with participants from labour, students, artisans and other professionals from different LGAs of the state in Lagos.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the group said it is part of its responsibility to enlighten, mobilise and motivate citizens in all the 142 towns and villages in Ekiti to promote integrity and dignity of man.
The group said it is targeting about 250,000 members before the end of the year, adding that the deterioration of values contributes to “corruption, ineptitude, mismanagement which breeds poverty and crime in low and high places”.
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The group said Ekiti was regarded the bedrock of Yoruba principles of courage and moral virtues in the past, adding that the attribute has now diminished.
“We are here to make history. We are committed to a new Ekiti with the slogan: Lift Ekiti Beyond the Sky. The focal point is the people and the agenda is to build a new mind-set, a new orientation that honours hardwork, dignity of labour, integrity and trust,” the statement reads.
The group noted that the recent report by Subnational Audit Efficacy ranked Ekiti top in transparency, accountability and good governance, saying that the rating indicates that the state may be leading in every aspect of economic development.
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“What creates wealth and prosperity of the people is not money or resources but the integrity and values shared by majority of the people and those who manage public institutions and the available resources,” the group said.
“EPUC will have selfless representatives in all the 177 wards across the state who will be saddled with the responsibility of constructive engagement with the people, public enlighten ment campaign and mass reorientation through available social, cultural and faith-based platforms for a greater Ekiti for the benefit of mankind and to the glory of God.
“Our target is to have 250,000 members and volunteers before the end of the year who are committed to promoting the greatest values in private and public lives of our people. This is the only way good governance can triumph with democracy deepened and people’s inclusion in their own social, political and economic affairs guaranteed.
“Ekiti in the past had produced political actors that in the first place should never hold public offices but emerged to control the destiny of the people due to a new sociology that places material gains beyond the dignity of man.”
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The group assured that it is not connected to any political party and would ensure the people are guided on good practices.
“We recognise the enormity of the work at hand. We are prepared and determined to change the atmosphere in a revolutionary manner that will enable the people to set the best minimum standard of excellence in every sphere if life in Ekiti state,” the group added.
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