Residents jubilate as top government official opens phone charging centre in Ekiti (Video)

The residents of Emure Ekiti of Ekiti State erupted in jubilation as Bayo Ajayi, the chairman of the state’s board of environmental protection agency, opened a new phone charging center to address the community’s pressing need for reliable power access.

In a video making round on social media, Ajasi said the facility, which comes as a temporary relief amid the state’s power challenges, offers free charging services to the community.

It’s my pleasure to be here with you today at the BAO Agenda Emure Chapter. What we are launching is a charging point center, and the reason is simple: Emure has been without electricity for some time now, and we’ve learned that many people are struggling to charge their mobile devices. While the state government is working to restore power, we’re providing this facility as a temporary solution until the issue is resolved.”

He emphasised that residents will not pay a dime to use the service, stating that the initiative is meant to support the government’s efforts and stand in solidarity with the people.

“I believe in the politics of identification—connecting with people at every level, especially the grassroots,” he added.

During the launching ceremony, some members of the community expressed their appreciation through songs of praise for the government official. The crowd could be heard chanting commendations, with many residents openly thanking him for the timely intervention.

The charging centre was opened alongside local games like Ayo Olopon (a traditional Nigerian board game, particularly popular among the Yoruba people), Draft and others.

Meanwhile, the development has generated mixed reactions from Netizens, with some hailing it as a timely intervention while others question its long-term impact.

@emanuelpeters16, an X user said; “What is wrong with this gesture? Making it easy for people to charge their phones is now a bad thing?

“People with zero capacity to help other people in any way sit on social media to criticize other people for doing something positive with their money. The smallest gesture goes a long way. You people need to get off your arrogant, empty and shallow high horses.”

@DAjimarley reacted; “I don’t know what is wrong in that initiative maybe most of you in comment section lack the acumen to read and understand because get it right “member of Ekiti state board of environmental protection agency” opens a phone charging point can cause all this criticize instead of you to appreciate that imagine early this year a sitting Governor celebrate ordinary bus stop as achievement not local government chairman i mean Governor, let appreciate that it’s not easy.”

@Vin_Rouge_King commented; “Is this truly Ekiti? I mean the same much talked about clan of most educated people in the entire South-Weet Nigeria? Chai! Nkan nbe 🙆🏽‍♂️ Eman ti wo ilu ke !”

@XFrontLines said; “This is a campaign office, not a project. Are you being serious? What’s your home village? When did you last visit? Goats prevent driving in your village. In King Solomon’s voice, “shonpona lo ma gbe e, Shonpona” 🤣🤣

Oluwafemi Samuel Ajape on Facebook wrote; “This is very good development. Before you know the international communities will be coming to Emure to charge their phones. This will make investors to troop inn. Congratulations Emure.”

Omolale Ayodeji said; “The charging point will attract foreign investors 😃”