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Tag: Biodun Oyebanji

  • Oyebanji: Cultivating Ekiti’s future through agricultural revolution

    Oyebanji: Cultivating Ekiti’s future through agricultural revolution

    • By Folorunso S. Aluko

    On a day when most Nigerians were commemorating the nation’s independence with parades, speeches, and celebrations, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State (affectionately known as BAO), chose a different path—one rooted in the fertile soils of his state. As others waved flags, BAO was leading his team through muddy tracks, visiting farms, and ensuring the implementation of his visionary agricultural policies. It was an unorthodox way to celebrate Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, but it was a powerful statement of where Ekiti State is headed under his leadership.

    BAO’s recent tour of Ekiti’s agricultural clusters has captivated many, not just for the symbolism of a governor getting his hands dirty but for what it signifies: a long-term commitment to transforming the state’s economy through agriculture. For several days, Governor Oyebanji has been visiting farm settlements across the state, observing first-hand the progress of his administration’s agricultural policies. This isn’t just about agriculture—it’s about Ekiti’s future, and it is a future deeply intertwined with a shared prosperity agenda designed to elevate the state’s fortunes.

    At the heart of BAO’s efforts is an inclusive 30-year agricultural plan that aims to transform Ekiti’s farming sector by 2050. This long-term vision is designed not merely for the next election cycle but for the next generation. Oyebanji has made it clear that this blueprint is about building a sustainable economy, creating jobs, and ensuring food security for the people of Ekiti State.

    Over the Independence Day weekend, Governor Oyebanji and his team visited various farming clusters across the state. On Saturday, they toured Okeako (with its four clusters), Iyemero (another four clusters), and Gede (seven clusters). On Independence Day itself, the governor led visits to Ikere (four clusters), Emure/Eporo (five clusters), Aramoko (four clusters), and Ado (two clusters). Each location is unique, with different crops cultivated and different farming techniques employed.

    In Emure, vast fields of maize and cassava dominate the landscape, providing both sustenance and employment for the local population. The Ikere cluster is dedicated to yam and melon farming, while Aramoko has become a hub for horticultural farming, with fruits and vegetables taking centre stage.

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    But this was no ordinary tour. When the governor arrived in Aramoko, torrential rains had turned the roads to mud, causing vehicles to get stuck. Security personnel advised the governor to turn back, but BAO, ever the determined leader, refused. “If the farmers endure this every day, I should too,” he reportedly said, hopping on a motorcycle and navigating the treacherous path for 35 minutes until he reached the farmstead. The farmers were overjoyed to see their governor, mud-streaked and smiling, standing with them in solidarity. It was a powerful moment—a leader showing that he is not above the people but with them, in their struggles and in their triumphs.

    Governor Oyebanji’s agricultural plan isn’t just about boosting crop production; it’s about creating opportunities, especially for the youth. Under his leadership, Ekiti’s agricultural sector is being transformed into a viable and attractive career path for young people. As part of this transformation, more farm roads are being constructed, with bridges to improve access to remote farmlands. Dormitories are being built to provide comfortable accommodation for the youth working on these farms. Security measures are being strengthened to ensure the safety of farmworkers, and vehicles and motorcycles will be provided to ease transportation challenges.

    This is the kind of comprehensive agricultural development that will not only feed Ekiti State but will also create jobs, stimulate local economies, and foster a sense of pride among the people. For too long, farming has been seen as an arduous and unprofitable endeavour, but under BAO’s leadership, it is becoming a central pillar of Ekiti’s economic future.

    While Governor Oyebanji’s focus on agriculture has captured the attention of many, it is only one part of a broader strategy to develop Ekiti State. Since taking office, BAO has worked tirelessly to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Roads are being constructed and rehabilitated, not just to connect cities but to link rural communities and farms to urban centres. Healthcare services are being improved, with investments in hospitals and rural health programs to ensure that no community is left behind. Education is receiving attention too, with vocational training programs designed to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in a modern economy.

    BAO’s approach is holistic, addressing not just the immediate needs of the state but laying the foundation for a prosperous and self-sufficient future. His policies are designed to empower communities, create sustainable economic growth, and ensure that every Ekiti citizen has access to the opportunities they deserve.

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s vision for agricultural transformation and economic growth is clear, and the results are beginning to show. However, no leader can succeed alone. It is up to the people of Ekiti State to rally behind this vision and support the government’s efforts.

    This is not just about politics—it’s about the future of Ekiti State. The decisions we make today will determine the state’s trajectory for generations to come. With BAO at the helm, we are on the right path, but it requires the collective effort of all Ekiti people to ensure that this progress continues.

    Even those who may not agree with every decision of the government must acknowledge the importance of the work being done. The agricultural revolution underway in Ekiti is real, and it has the potential to change the lives of thousands of families. It is creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and making Ekiti a leader in food production. This is a future worth fighting for, and it requires the support of every citizen.

    Governor Oyebanji is not just a politician—he is a statesman, a leader with a clear vision for the future of Ekiti State. His dedication to agriculture, his willingness to get his hands dirty, and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people are all testaments to his transformative leadership. BAO’s agricultural policies are laying the foundation for a prosperous future, one where Ekiti is self-sufficient, economically vibrant, and a model for other states to follow. But this vision cannot be realized without the collective support of the people.

    Now is the time for all Ekiti citizens to come together and support this progressive government. Whether you are a farmer, a student, a business owner, or a civil servant, you have a role to play in building the Ekiti of tomorrow. Let us unite behind Governor Oyebanji’s vision and work together to ensure that Ekiti’s future is one of prosperity, progress, and shared success.

    The journey may be long, but with BAO at the helm, there is no doubt that Ekiti State is on the right path. Let us walk this path together, for the sake of our children, our state, and our future.

    •Aluko, a psephologist and development expert writes from Oye-Ekiti.

  • ‘Ekiti returning to Awolowo’s farm settlement era for food security’

    ‘Ekiti returning to Awolowo’s farm settlement era for food security’

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has said his administration is returning the state to the farm settlement era witnessed in the old Western Region under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in order to boost agriculture and food security.

    The Governor who utilized the Independence anniversary public holiday to undertake a visit to young farmers in three cluster areas in the state, on Tuesday disclosed this during his visit to the Ikere Farm settlement.

    He also said construction work on ultramodern dormitories at the farm settlements would commence within the next three weeks.

     About 930 youths are involved in the youth agriculture scheme known as “ Bring Back Youth into Agriculture” being carried out the state government in collaboration with a private entity YSJ Farms. Under the scheme the Government provides land to the young farmers, assists them with land clearing and seedlings as well as agric extension services among others.

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    It also has an arrangement to buy their products for storage purposes.

     The Governor said he was determined to invest hugely in agriculture, as a form of empowerment for the youths, to ensure food security and to drive industrialization.

    He stressed that revamping the old farm settlement strategy of the late Chief Awolowo was the only way to ensure the young farmers stay on the farms and maximize government’s support for the scheme.

     Governor Oyebanji also made stopovers at some farms and took time to personally interact with farmers and asked of their needs which he drew the attention of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade to for prompt action.

     The proposed dormitories for the young farmers, according to him, would have facilities like sitting rooms, kitchens, security posts, sick bays, among others in his administration’s bid to attract more young farmers into agribusiness and turn the state into a huge agriculture hub.

     The three clusters visited by the Governor and some officials included those in Eporo-Emure, Ikere and Aramoko-Erio where he monitored the young farmers who are participating in one of the agricultural initiatives of his administration “Bring Back the Youth in Agriculture.

     Oyebanji also assured of the readiness of his administration to expedite action on other requests of the young farmers which include motorable roads, security at the locations and provision of vehicles and motorcycles to aid mobility of the participants.

     The Governor had to defy the challenge of muddy and swampy terrain posed by the road which led to the Aramoko-Erio cluster by hopping on a motorcycle in his determined bid to reach the young farmers who were excited by his gesture of getting to the place to pay them a morale-boosting visit.

     Oyebanji who had earlier paid visits to Oke Ako, Iyemero and Igede Farm Settlements over the weekend, said it was unacceptable for the people of the State to be complaining of hunger and be queuing up for palliative materials when the State is blessed with arable land, stressing that a paradigm shift has just begun with his administration’s investment in agriculture.

     He described agriculture as a lucrative business noting that farmers are among the richest set of people in developed economies pointing out that the participating youths in particular and the state in general would reap bountiful harvest in agribusiness in the long run. The Governor assured the youths of security in all the clusters visited, adding that a massive security cordon has been woven around the locations which he said would be consolidated upon to eliminate all forms of criminality in the area.

     He commended the Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Farms, Mrs Yemisi Joluwe, for partnering with his administration to take agriculture to a higher pedestal.

     Oyebanji explained that with the massive clearing of land for agricultural purposes carried out by his administration, the stage has been set for the resuscitation of farm settlements established during under the leadership of Awolowo to ensure mass production of food for location consumption, export and provision of job opportunities for the teeming youths.

     “The land we are returning to now were last cleared by Chief Awolowo during his time as Premier in Western Region. “This is the beginning of greater things that will happen in Ekiti State. Western Region was renowned for agriculture under Chief Awolowo and he developed Western Region without oil money and we had food surplus in those days. With what we are doing with our youths now, we are returning to the era of Awolowo’s farm settlements.

     “In Ekiti State, only six local government chairmen have keyed into this initiative. I want to ask other local government chairmen that have not keyed into this project to do so. Within the next three weeks, construction of the dormitories will start.

    We now have more youths showing interest in the scheme, they will have that opportunity to join in the next stage once we get more land”, the Governor added .

     The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, who lauded the Governor’s vision to invest in agriculture pledged the support of his kingdom for the project and charged the youths of the town who are participants in the scheme to work hard and justify their inclusion.

     In all the three locations visited by the Governor, the participants including Margaret Basorun, Olu Okeya, Kolawole Ganiyu and Folasade Filani hailed the state government and YSJ for giving them a platform for self development and to contribute to the state economy.

  • Agriculture will take priority in 2025 budget – Oyebanji

    Agriculture will take priority in 2025 budget – Oyebanji

    Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji has restated his administration’s commitment to food security for residents of the state through various collaborations with investors in agribusiness and young farmers, saying his target for 2025 is to record a significant increase in production in the sector to feed the people.

    Governor Oyebanji gave this indication while inspecting the Bring Youth Back into Agriculture Project farms in Oke Ako Ekiti, Iyemero Ekiti, and Gede in the North senatorial Districts on Saturday.

    The governor, who was accompanied on the visit by some top government officials, disclosed that the state’s budget for 2025 would focus more on agriculture, to ensure food sufficiency and make Ekiti the food basket of the country.

    While noting that his government’s deliberate investment in agriculture was already yielding the desired positive results, the governor said his government in the last two years, had prioritized investment in agriculture, boosted the capacity of farmers and created a market for farm produce as part of efforts to enhance food production and tackle food insecurity.

    Governor Oyebanji also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary impetus for the state to thrive in agriculture and other sectors and promised that his administration will continue to provide economic opportunities for youths in the state and position them to be employers of labour.

    The governor added that the State has also improved on its agricultural policies and guaranteed the needed infrastructure and support to drive the State’s agriculture development plans, adding that his administration was looking at ways to scale up food production and make the state self-reliant.

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    Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said the 2025 budget, aside from focusing on agriculture and food security, would prioritize the welfare of citizens, saying his administration in the last two years had done a lot in infrastructure, stressing that he would de-risk the agricultural value chain by scaling up security, provide electricity and rehabilitate roads to farms.

    “I’m superbly excited about the outcome of the agriculture strategy, a few months ago, we flagged off this programme, ‘bring back our youths into agriculture’ and I believe strongly that the only way to prosperity is productivity and bring our youths back to work, the government has to provide the platforms for them.

    “We partnered with our people and  YSJ, a private sector agric company to work out a strategy of bringing back our youths to agric where the government cleared land for them free of charge, subsidized inputs by fifty percent. I am just going around today to see the outcome of this effort and I am happy that it has turned round this way.

    “What this has taught me is the fact that Ekiti youths are not lazy, Ekiti youths are productive, they can work and what they need is just the platform. I have always been saying it that Ekiti can rival any state in the federation, but as a government, we need to provide a platform for people to exhibit their potential and this is what we have done.

    “Next year’s budget is going to focus on welfare and agriculture, we have done a lot with infrastructure, education and health, the time has come for us to feed our people and my target for next year is to grow enough food to feed Ekiti people.”

    At Oke Ako Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji, while applauding the youths for their dexterity and commitment to the success of the project, assured the people that his government had already concluded plans to commence rehabilitation of the road from Ayedun to Oke Ako with a pledge to also provide electricity to the town within a short time.

    At the palace of the Regent of Oke Ako, the Governor assured that those whose farms were acquired and enumeration completed would receive their compensation within two weeks. He pleaded with them to maintain decorum with the investors and the youths carrying out farming in the area. He assured that no member of the community has collected any money from the government on their behalf.

    He also hailed the people of Iyemero Ekiti and Gede, for their support for the projects, adding that road infrastructure would be prioritized in the area to enhance movement of produce.  

    “Despite the shortage of rain this year, you are not discouraged, we are looking at a process whereby we provide irrigation and as well provide each of you with a pair of raincoats and boots. We will also provide a vehicle to each of the groups to allow for easy mobility and make the farms accessible at all times.

    “Please note that the support I am giving you was provided by President Bola Tinubu, the state government doesn’t have that kind of resources. I went to him and I told him I wanted to get involved in agriculture. He gave us that support and I promised myself that when we get those resources, we will invest them in agriculture, so, from those resources, we should be able to get a bus for each group. The Governor stated.

    The youths at the various farm sites had earlier reeled out the demands from the government including the provision of buses to give them easy access to their farms, free inputs, agriculture loans, accommodation to the farmsteads as well as rehabilitation of roads to the farms among others.

  • Oyebanji pledges support for artisans, craftsmen

    Oyebanji pledges support for artisans, craftsmen

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated the commitment of his administration to support artisans and craftsmen.

    He spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday during the closing of four-week Artisans Up-Skilling Training Programme for selected mastercrafts persons in the state.

    Oyebanji, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, emphasised the importance of the informal sectors in economic growth and development, hence the need to upgrade their skills in their vocations to meet job demand of the 21st century.

    He highlighted the crucial role artisans played in driving small and medium-scale enterprises, saying: “ The artisans are the backbone of SMEs in our society. Their skills and creativity are pivotal to the growth of local communities and larger industries.

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    “We recognise that Ekiti State’s prosperity rests significantly on the success of our artisans and private sector players, who are the engines of job creation and economic stability,” he added.

    Governor Oyebanji praised the artisans for their commitment during the training and urged them to embrace innovation and expand their businesses.

    Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dele Ogunsemoyin, said the initiative aimed to bolster the craftsmanship and entrepreneurship of artisans, who were the backbone of the state’s informal economy.

    “Today marks the conclusion of a rewarding training programme designed to empower our artisans and private sector with cutting-edge skills and modern techniques, ensuring their services meet both local and international standards,” she said.

    Commissioner for Information, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusesan Alabi, praised the governor for initiating the training.

  • New stockbrokers’ leadership capable of driving growth, says Ekiti Governor

    New stockbrokers’ leadership capable of driving growth, says Ekiti Governor

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said the new leadership of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has the experience and knowledge to further distinguish the institute and contribute to national growth.

    Oyebanji said the election of Mr Oluropo Dada as the 13th President and Chairman of Governing Council of CIS as well as that of Mrs Fiona Ahimie and Dr Akeem Oyewale, the 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents respectively, will benefit the institute.

    Dada, who was the former 1st Vice President,  was elected the 13th  President after the Institute’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), on Tuesday, April 30 in Lagos. The election followed  the expiration of the tenure of Mr Oluwole Adeosun, who is now the Immediate Past President (IPP).

    In a congratulatory letter, signed by Governor Oyebanji , he described Dada as a distinguished  industry leader.

    “It gives me a great delight to receive the thrilling news of your recent election to the prestigious position of the President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.

     “I want to heartily congratulate you and other esteemed Council members that were elected to serve with you. In particular, let me extent my warmest wishes to the first and second Vice Presidents, Mrs. Fiona Nyako Ahimie and Dr Sina Akeem Oyewale, respectively.

    “Going by your solid reputation as a professional stockbroker and a distinguished industry leader, I have no doubt that you will bring your enormous experience and rich network to bear on your new role.

    “The Institute will surely benefit immensely from your knowledge, competence and leadership acumen. On behalf of my wife, the Government and the good people of Ekiti, congratulations once again. “, according to the letter .

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    Recently, the Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, congratulated Dada on his election, during the courtesy visit of the leadership of the Institute to the Vice President in Aso Rock Villa. Abuja. Also, many notable groups, including the leadership of NGX PLC,  had paid courtesy visit to Dada at CIS Council Chamber after his election.

    Dada’s Investiture has been scheduled for Friday, June 28, 2024 at Muson Centre, Lagos. It is expected to attract many distinguished Nigerians and captains of industries.

  • Oyebanji greets APC chief at 80

    Oyebanji greets APC chief at 80

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has congratulated All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Oladele Jeje, who turned 80 at the weekend.
    He described the businessman as a distinguished leader and man of honour.
    Oyebanji, who was at St. Paul Anglican Church, Idagba, Efon-Alaye, for the celebration, prayed for robust health and strength for the octogenarian, a leader of the party in Efon local government.
    In a message, he said: ”We thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on you and your contributions to economic and socio-political development.

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    “We join you in thanking God for the gift of life, good health and greatness, and pray that He increases your strength, joy and peace as you age gracefully. “
    The governor donated N5 million for the church development on behalf of Jeje.
    Highpoint of the celebration was the resolution of the cold war between Jeje and two frontline leaders of the party – Chief Joseph Alake, and Chief Bode Olayinka.

    The source said: “The governor successfully reconciled the three leaders during the service, a move that received a thunderous applause from the congregation.”

  • Insecurity: Oyebanji calls for synergy between forest guards, security agencies

    Insecurity: Oyebanji calls for synergy between forest guards, security agencies

    Ekiti State Governor  Biodun  Oyebanji, has  called for synergy between forest guards  and  security agencies to flush out kidnappers and other criminals that are using Ekiti forests as hideouts.

    Oyebanji said that his government had mapped out strategies in partnership with some stakeholders to increase forest potential of Ekiti for improved economy, ecosystem and atmospheric condition that could bring about healthy living and prolonged life expectancy of the people.

    The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, spoke  yesterday  in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital during this year’s edition of International Day of Forests and passing out of the 50 newly recruited forestry officials.

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    Oyebanji said that the newly employed officials, as part of efforts to address the ugly trend in deforestation and illegal activities of criminals in the forests included 22 foresters, 18 boundary men and 10 technicians.

    The governor said:  “Our government has been working tirelessly to ensure that forest estate is totally free from kidnappers and other evil perpetrators like illegal tree fellers, who are destroying our economic trees.

  • Oyebanji unveils local fabrics hub for job creation in Ekiti

    Oyebanji unveils local fabrics hub for job creation in Ekiti

    In a bid to tackle rising unemployment in the country, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has unveiled a local fabric hub and training centre, Adire Ekiti Hub, to give economic empowerment to the unemployed youths and widows in the state.

    A total number of 220 beneficiaries made up of 200 young citizens and 20 tailors drawn from across Ekiti Central Senatorial District began the training sponsored by the Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji in partnership with Nike Okundaye Art Foundation.

    The 220 beneficiaries are expected to undergo two weeks of intensive training on the intricacies of tie and dye at the training facility dedicated to the project which was commissioned by Governor Oyebanji.

    The building housing the Adire Ekiti Hub was donated by the former lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly and immediate past Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

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    Speaking during the launch of the Adire Hub on Monday, Dr. Oyebanji said the initiative would benefit the state in the provision of livelihoods, promotion of entrepreneurship as well as economic empowerment.

    The governor’s wife, who is also the initiator of the Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Project, said she envisioned “a community of skilled artisans, vibrant entrepreneurs and a thriving Adire industry that contributes to the growth and prosperity of Ekiti state.”

    Dr. Oyebanji said the opening of the Adire Ekiti Hub marked the beginning of a new chapter for the people of the state which holds the promise of long-term benefits for the beneficiaries, and local economy and building a brighter future for the coming generations.

    She said: “The Adire Ekiti Hub represents a platform for creativity, skill development, and collaboration. It is a symbol of our commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation and building a brighter future for the people of Ekiti state.

    “Through this initiative, we envision a community of skilled artisans, vibrant entrepreneurs, and a thriving Adire industry that contributes to the growth and prosperity of our state.”

    Governor Oyebanji who charged the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunities offered by the Adire Ekiti scheme which include self-sustenance, productivity and becoming job creators rather than job seekers emphasized that “provision of palliatives cannot solve Nigeria’s problems.”

    He promised that his administration would support the beneficiaries to stand on their own, give them opportunities to access soft loans and market advising anyone among them who saw the scheme as another opportunity for free money to perish the thought as they will be strictly monitored to follow the terms of the scheme.

    The governor said: “Government cannot give everybody employment; it is good to be educated, your education will prepare you to do better in whatever area of life you find yourself so, don’t see this as a share of the national cake. The challenges we have with programmes like this will be put behind you to ensure that you overcome them.

    “We are going to hand-hold you, to train you, and not to leave you alone because that is the problem of many government interventions. We are going to monitor you to the level that you will become independent and become employers of labour. If we do 200 per senatorial district, that is 600 (across the state) and you can now know the multiplier effects.

    “A time is coming when all of you will not be able to meet up with the demands (for your product), that is what I want to see. By the time we are doing one year anniversary of this project, we will call you back to tell your success stories.”

  • Oyebanji unveils N12 billion economic relief programme

    Oyebanji unveils N12 billion economic relief programme

    Ekiti state governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved relief programmes to alleviate the hardship triggered by the current global economic downturn.

    These programmes include the payment of one month’s salary arrears to state and local government workers, totalling over N2.7 billion.

    With this payment, the government has cleared the salary arrears owed to state government workers and will ensure the arrears owed to local government workers are cleared this year.

    The governor also approved an increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions including the Judiciary and all tertiary institutions.

    This is to allow the institutions to implement the wage award being implemented for State and Local Government workers.

    Oyebanji also approved the payment of two months’ pension arrears owed State and Local Government workers totalling N1.5 billion, as well as N100 million monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and an increment of the current N50 million monthly gratuity to local Government pensioners to N100 million. (This brings the total monthly gratuity payment to N200 million).

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    The government has also committed the sum of N1 billion to improve food production, especially to embark on land preparation, driven by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s tractorization subsidy scheme, and an input supply programme to support small-scale farmers.

    Similarly, the government is also committing a whopping sum of N1.2 billion it recently got as the first tranche of the World Bank-financed Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support ( L-PRES) Project to transform the livestock subsector.

    The money would be spent on empowering livestock farmers, boosting livestock productivity as well as creating a conducive environment for youths and private sector involvement in livestock businesses.

    This will include revamping all veterinary clinics across the local government areas and the state veterinary hospital; developing of poultry sector across the value chain from production to processing; Feed formulation and artificial insemination (AI) training and support, among others.

    Additionally, the state is also launching a N500 million loan programme in partnership with Access Bank to support medium and small-scale businesses.

    This is in addition to the N1 billion cooperative fund to provide low-interest working capital for cooperatives and members. These programmes will ensure that small-scale businesses, a critical part of the State economy, also benefit from the relief programme, and help kick-start the economy.

    The final set of the programmes includes a continuation of the conditional cash transfer to low-income households as well as the CARES programme which among others focuses on livelihood support, labour-intensive support, technology support for small businesses, and support for agricultural produce and for which the sum N3.5 billion is earmarked.

    It also includes the free bus service for students and workers within Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti, which will now be extended to Ekiti State University (EKSU) and other major towns; and the distribution of food items to the 177 wards of the State being coordinated by the Local Government Councils and Community Development Associations.

    All these are in addition to ongoing infrastructure projects across the State, boosting power supply to critical areas including connecting the EKSU Campus to the IPP; which will also help lower the cost of logistics- a big driver of commodity prices; the free malaria treatment for elderly citizens and children as well as free delivery for pregnant women at all primary health care centres across the state.

    Governor Oyebanji assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of the citizens, urging them to cooperate with the government at the local, state and federal levels.

  • Oyebanji appoints Olowolafe as Ekiti varsity chancellor

    Oyebanji appoints Olowolafe as Ekiti varsity chancellor

    Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has approved the appointment of business mogul, Dr Tunji Olowolafe as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.

    This is in line with his power as governor of the state and visitor to the university.

    Dr. Olowolafe, who hails from Are-Ekiti is a medical doctor-turned-businessman with decades of professional experience and an excellent reputation.

    He is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Deux Project Limited, a civil engineering, construction, consultancy, and maintenance company, which he co-founded in 1988.

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    He had previously served as a member of Ekiti State Covid-19 Resource Mobilization Committee.

    Dr. Olowolafe, a graduate of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, had a brief stint in medical practice before launching his career as a business owner.

    He’s also the Founder of Generic Product Limited, which he launched in 1996, and the Chairman and Managing Director of Deux Investment Limited.

    The appointment is with immediate effect.