The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • Ekiti plans storage of excess farm produce

    Ekiti plans storage of excess farm produce

    Ekiti State Government has set up storage facilities in parts of the state, with the aim of buying farm produce from farmers during harvest and storing them, for release, during scarcity.

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who on Monday led officials on inspection of one of the storage facilities for agricultural produce in Ado-Ekiti, said building the storage facilities was one of the government’s plans to avert the food scarcity experienced in the state last year.

    He said government’s immediate focus was to address food shortage, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food sufficiency all year round across the state.

    Speaking with reporters after the inspection, Governor Oyebanji, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Boluwade Ebenezer and Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Tayo Adeola, said the initiative was in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the governors to prioritise food security as a critical step in combating hunger across the country.

    Read Also: AGF confirms recovery of over $110m in assets

    The governor said the state cultivated over 6,000 hectares of farmland in 2024, adding that the warehouse for storing food crops was a major challenge, ‘’hence the decision of my administration to provide storage facilities this year.’’

    The facilities, according to him, would help in regulating prices of food items in the eventuality of food scarcity.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the goal was not only to tackle hunger, but to also create opportunities for youths in agriculture.

    Noting that the initiative would ensure steady food supply throughout the year, the commissioner said government would encourage farmers, particularly youths, in agriculture, to increase production, knowing that their produce would not waste, as the government was ready to buy from them.

  • Kidnapped Ekiti travellers regain freedom

    Kidnapped Ekiti travellers regain freedom

    Travellers abducted on Emure-ile Road in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State have regained freedom.

    The victims who were travelling in an 18-seater bus were abducted on Sunday night by some gunmen while coming from Onitsha in Anambra State to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    The gunmen were said to have contacted the families of the victims, demanding N30 million per person for their release.

    It was, however, gathered that the victims were released in the early hours of yesterday following the payment of ransom ranging from N1million to N2million to the hoodlums.

    The driver of the bus, Sunday Emmanuel, said: “They left us in Ago Paanu in the Owo area, Ikare Road. We don’t actually know the name of the place, it was the people that lived there that came out to talk to us.

    “We walked the bush from Emure. We walked through the night and once it was 5am, we would stop to take a nap.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Kidnapped Ekiti travellers regain freedom

    “There were two women among us, including a female corps member but they were not touched.

    “The kidnappers told us they came from Niger Republic. They know those bushes because we were passing through where cattle are usually herded.

    “They are just three men but the machine guns in their hands can’t be dared.They told us that we can only get those weapons from soldiers alone and they have massive extra bullets.

    “They don’t eat with us but what we discovered is that one of them would go out to get something. They usually mixed garri with red oil and we would eat it.’’

  • I’ve achieved 90 percent of my promises to Ekiti people, says Oyebanji

    I’ve achieved 90 percent of my promises to Ekiti people, says Oyebanji

    Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday, stated that his administration has achieved over 90 percent of the promises he made to the Ekiti people during his electioneering campaign.

    Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed this during the flag-off of the Itawure – Okemesi road, added that his government had illuminated over 30 communities that had been in darkness for nearly 20 years.

    He assured the residents of the state that his government would continue to invest in infrastructure development to ensure that people live better lives.

    The Governor noted that the Itawure- Okemesi road is just the first phase of the road project, adding that the second phase would extend construction work to the Ikoro, Ipoti, Ijero and Iloro axes.

    He remarked that the project has both economic and security importance for the state as it possesses the ability to attract investors to the area and support the developmental strides of his administration.

     “Today’s projects cover Okemesi, Ido-Ile and Efon Alaaye. As we are flagging off this project, we are also commencing the construction of the Ido-Ile – Okemesi road and we are embarking on the construction of the Alanaka road in Efon. These are my campaign promises to our people.

    “When we marked two years in office, I had a book of promises I made to our people; I checked it and I stand before God and man to say that in two years, what I promised the Ekiti people, I have completed more than 90 percent of it.

    “There is no community where I made promises that we have not fulfilled, either in terms of infrastructure, welfare, or party development.

    “On the issue of electricity, if there is one thing I am eager to accomplish, I promise to ensure that Okemesi also enjoys the benefit of electricity from the state. I am going to send a team here in January to advise us on how to proceed.

    “Within the last two years, we have illuminated more than 30 communities in Ekiti State; these are communities that have not had electricity in 20 years,” the Governor added.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Sola Adebayo, who described the project as another milestone in the annals of Governor Oyebanji’s drive to open up the state to investors and community development, added that the government continues to prioritise the well-being of the people through a robust focus on infrastructure and industrialisation.

    Adebayo noted that the government recognises that roads are not just infrastructure, but lifelines that connect people through the transportation of goods and open doors to investments.

    In their separate goodwill messages, the Owaoye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji; President of the Okemesi Improvement Union, Chief Nathaniel Olaoye; and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda (SAN), expressed their gratitude to the governor for his interest in the community as well as for considering their community worthy of his developmental agenda.

  • JUST IN: Kidnapped Ekiti travellers regain freedom

    JUST IN: Kidnapped Ekiti travellers regain freedom

    Some travellers abducted on Emure-ile Road in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State have regained their freedom from the kidnappers’ den. 

    The victims, who were traveling in an 18-seater bus, were abducted on Sunday night by gunmen while returning from Onitsha in Anambra State to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    The gunmen reportedly contacted the families of the victims, demanding N30 million per person for their release. 

    However, the victims were released in the early hours of Wednesday morning after paying ransoms ranging from N1 million to N2 million to the kidnappers.

    Narrating his ordeal, the driver of the bus, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel, recounted that the incident occurred very close to Emure-Ekiti shortly after they left Eporo-Ekiti. 

    He revealed that he was released in the early hours of Christmas Day following a ransom payment of N1.5 million, while other passengers reportedly paid ransoms ranging from N1 million to N2 million.

    Emmanuel stated that they were fed only Garri mixed with red oil and water for several days by three heavily armed bandits, who appeared to be familiar with the local area. 

    He stated that they were not subjected to torture, aside from the bruises sustained while being herded through the bush. 

    Emmanuel confirmed that all the passengers, including a woman and a female corps member, had also regained their freedom.

    He said, “They left us in Ago Paanu in Owo area, Ikare Road. We don’t actually know the name of the place, it was the people that lived there that came out to talk to us.

    “We trekked the bush from Emure. We trekked through the nights and once it was 5 am, we would stop to take a nap.

    “There were two women among us including a female corps member but they were not touched.

    “The kidnappers told us they came from Niger Republic. They know all those bushes because we were passing through where cattle are usually herded.

    “They are just three men but the machine guns in their hands can’t be dared. They told us that we can only get those weapons from soldiers alone and they have massive extra bullets.

    “They don’t eat with us but what we discovered is that one of them would go out to get something. They usually mixed Garri with red oil and we would eat it.

    “They took N1.5m from me. Some paid N1m, N2m, 1.45m. They did not harm anybody among us except some bruises we sustained while passing through the bush.

    “They kidnapped us in Emure-Ekiti. We had left Eporo, we were about to enter Emure-Ekiti town when the incident occurred.

    “It was after five minutes after we left the checkpoint that it happened. Even soldiers at the roadblock not far from where we were kidnapped cannot deny that they didn’t hear the gunshots”, he narrated. 

  • Yuletide: Group fetes vulnerable women in Ekiti

    Yuletide: Group fetes vulnerable women in Ekiti

    A non-governmental organization, the Temilola Ajayi Foundation for Women and Children has distributed foods and cash gifts to 150 widows, people living with disabilities and aged women in Ekiti State. 

    Speaking with journalists at the flag-off ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the Executive Director of the foundation, Temilola Ajayi, stated that the initiative was aimed at celebrating the festive season with vulnerable women and girls in the state.

    Ajayi emphasized that the programme was aimed at supporting underprivileged to cushion current economic hardships in the country.

    She said: “This is part of our grassroots outreach; this is the third edition of this initiative, and we have been running it every year. This year, we are empowering about 150 women across various local governments in Ekiti State.

    “The event today is specifically for Ado-Ekiti, where we have women from different backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, widows, the elderly, and single mothers.

    Read Also: Agency DG to Ekiti APC members: let’s remain united

    “Our foundation is inclusive; we embrace everyone and strive to reduce poverty levels. We are committed to educating women and also have programs for young adolescents.”

    Ajayi noted that the foundation will also extend its support to Moba Local Government, with a similar program scheduled for December 24, where all communities in the LGA will be represented.

    “This annual program brings women together to celebrate Christmas, providing food items and cash as our support from the foundation,” she added.

    A finance expert, Glory Adeseye urged them to be judicious with their spending, advising them to devise a means in preparation for emergencies.

    She acknowledged the challenges posed by Nigeria’s erratic economy and encouraged them to avoid unnecessary expenditures.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen attack 18-passenger bus, kidnap travellers in Ekiti

    JUST IN: Gunmen attack 18-passenger bus, kidnap travellers in Ekiti

    Gunmen have kidnapped some travellers in Emure-Ile in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti. 

    It was gathered that the bus conveying the travellers who were returning from Onitsha, Anambra state to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital was ambushed on Sunday night by the daredevil attackers. 

    A source at the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria,(RTEAN) Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal branch, who confirmed the incident, said the driver, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel was kidnapped alongside the passengers. 

    The source said that the kidnappers had contacted the driver’s family demanding a whopping sum of N30 million ransom for each of the passengers. 

    He explained that the men of the under world abandoned some children in the bus, whose cries attracted attention of passersby in the early hours of Monday, before it was reported to the nearest police station.

    He said: “They drove the bus into the bush and dragged people inside the bush.

    Read Also: Society decries rising cases of femicide in Nigeria

     “They called the family of the driver and I pleaded to speak with the driver and after our conversation, they demanded a ransom of N30 million. They said they would call back, but they have not done so yet.

    “They left some children on the bus, and it seems that some people to the the farm saw the kids and alerted the police in Emure-Owo. The driver’s union in Ado-Ekiti is currently holding a meeting on how to reach out to the kidnappers”, he said. 

    He added that two of the  kidnapped victims escaped while they were being herded into the bush. 

    Efforts to get the Ekiti police command’s comment was not successful as calls to the telephone line of the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu rang out.

  • Mission to Ekiti

    Mission to Ekiti

    Since Dele Farotimi’s arrest in Lagos and transfer to Ekiti 17 days ago, the world seems to have centred around him and his book: Nigeria and its criminal justice system. It is the book that put him in trouble. The contents of the book are said to be defamatory of some individuals and the judiciary.

    Leading the individuals aggrieved by the book, though not jointly, but severally, is accomplished lawyer and educationist, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN). Babalola’s complaint to the police led to the arrest of Farotimi in Lagos and transfer to Ekiti for trial for criminal defamation. The facts of the case are in the public domain, that even a schoolboy can reel them off heart, if asked to do so.

    That will show you how popular the  matter has become. Then, there are people for and against on both sides of the divide. There are those who argue that Farotimi went overboard in what he wrote about Babalola, some lawyers in his chambers, the chambers itself, and the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, for which he has never hidden his contempt.

    At no time did his contempt for the judiciary become more obvious than during the 2023 presidential election which his principal Peter Obi, who coincidentally Babalola also supported, lost. Farotimi was livid that the judiciary upheld the outcome of the election which President Bola Tinubu won. In his characteristic manner, he tore the judiciary apart, wondering how it could have upheld what he called such a flawed poll.

    His controversial book is a reflection of his thoughts on the judiciary in his interviews in the mainstream and social media over the election. That was in a political season where, as they say, “anything goes”. The book is a different matter. The difference is now being seen as the aggrieved are challenging its contents and putting Farotimi to the strictest proof of his claims.

    Farotimi does not lack supporters. Here, I am not talking about the social media crowd that usually goes into a frenzy on matters that it knows little or nothing about. I am talking about the high and mighty; the affluent and the influential who would go to any extent to protect their honour and integrity. These are people, who if they were in Babalola’s shoes would not listen to any plea for mercy until they have exacted their pound of flesh from Farotimi.

    These rich supporters of Farotimi are in two camps. On one side are those that have seen what Farotimi is not seeing. On the other are those who believe in what he wrote, warts and all. So, the former group led by his main man, Obi believes that it is better to resolve the matter amicably, but the latter comprising the leadership of a faction of Afenifere does not. Obi has seen the danger ahead and wants to leverage his relationship with Babalola to avert it.

    He has met with Babalola who appears receptive to his proposal. But the issue is Farotimi, who is reportedly insisting on fighting to the end. He has the right to take any course of action. But he should remember that whatever option he goes for has consequences. Obi has done what he deems right. His initiative may not have been appreciated by Farotimi. As usual, he is insisting on his position in the book. As we wrote here last week, he can do that as long as he can prove the allegations therein.

    Read Also: 2027 elections: Ganduje tasks APC members to secure Tinubu’s re-election

    Obi knows why he initiated the peace moves. He might have done it to avoid a crack within his fold. Or he might have done it after seeing the grave allegations Farotimi made against Babalola. Can those allegations be substantiated? Obi might have asked himself. So, to help Farotimi save his face, Obi might have decided to beg Babalola on his behalf. Farotimi would have none of that. He said he never sent anybody to beg Babalola on his behalf.

    Of course, the world knows that. Obi and his team that comprised Sola Ebiseni, the Labour Party’s candidate in the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, among others, was on a peace mission, all for the sake of a loyalist who fought tooth and nail for him during the last presidential election. How do you abandon such a man in his hour of need? Obi has done what he should do for a follower. Whether the follower appreciates that move or not is a different matter entirely.

    If the follower decides to play along with self-styled revolutionaries or others egging him on just for the purpose of noisemaking and without cogent proof of the allegations contained in his book, then he should be prepared for any eventualities. The choice, I reiterate, is Farotimi’s. He is not only an adult, he is a lawyer to boot, who knows what is right and wrong. He knows what to do in the present circumstance to end this case. Babalola has set out the conditions for truce.

    Those conditions, I want to believe, are not cast in iron. They can still be worked upon until both parties reach an agreeable point. The truth is the odds are against Farotimi. He got himself into this mess and he is the only one that can extricate himself from it. It will do him well to calm down and listen to the voices of reason. It will do him no good to keep the company of people urging him to keep pursuing the same lines in the book, if he knows he has nothing to prove those allegations.

    He should like a fighting ram retreat to draw strength. No matter what people may say, that is no weakness, but wisdom. Only a fool fights and dies in battle. He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. The choice is Farotimi’s.

  • 2027: Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency pushes for Ekiti North senatorial seat

    2027: Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency pushes for Ekiti North senatorial seat

    The race for the 2027 general election is gathering steam in Ekiti state with some relevant stakeholders from Oye and Ikole federal constituency pushing for the Ekiti North senatorial seat, RASAQ IBRAHIM reports.

    Although the 2027 general elections are still over two years away, politicking is in the air in full throttle in Ekiti. Politicians across the political parties  are already sharpening their arsenals in preparation for another cycle of elections.

    While open campaign for votes is still banned as the Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to officially blow the whistle, interest groups  are already positioning themselves through consultations, meetings, reaching out and alignments.

    Stakeholders in the Ekiti North Senatorial District of the state are not  exempted from the subterranean moves to position themselves and their preferred choices even when the current occupants of the nine legislative seats comprising three Senate and six House of Representative

    seats had barely spent one and half years in office.

    The clamour to get the desired seats are in sync with the popular saying in politics that “24 hours is a long time in politics” as permutations, projections and mood can change owing to various factors that come into play in determining who gets what, when and how in the convoluted political game.

    Like in other 36 states of the federation, Ekiti has three Senatorial Districts: Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South with the three zones presently represented by Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu respectively in the Tenth Senate.

    All the three Senatorial Districts are divided into two Federal Constituencies each to produce the six members of the House of Representative. The six Federal Constituencies are Oye/Ikole and Ido Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje (for Ekiti North), Ado /Irepodun Ifelodun and Ekiti West/ Ijero/ Efon (for Ekiti Central) and Ikere/Ise Orun /Ekiti Southwest (for Ekiti South).

    For the purpose of emphasis, Ekiti North, the Senatorial District under focus, has two Federal Constituencies in Oye/Ikole otherwise known as Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 and Ilejemeje/ Ido Osi/ Moba/ otherwise known as Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2.

    Ahead of the 2027 general elections political players, stakeholders and a good number of the electorate who are expected to vote in the next National Assembly elections are staking a strong claim and advocacy that it should be the turn of Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 (Oye/Ikole) to produce the Senator for the zone.

    One of the interest groups pushing for the Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency to produce the next Senator for Ekiti North is Ekiti Movement for Peace and Good Governance which advocates for equity, justice and fair play in the distribution of political offices and positions in the state.

    The group through its President, Chief Ibukun Adejoro and Secretary, Comrade Femi Olofinbiyi, during an interactive session with the media said ahead of the 2027, there is need to draw the attention of the electorate to what it called “skewed structural imbalance and lopsidedness” in the representation in the Red Chamber which must be corrected at the next polls.

    Articulating the position and advocacy of the Movement, Adejoro said the Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 (Ido Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje) had enjoyed better representations in the Senate in the past and still presently holds the seat hence the need for major political parties to consider zoning their tickets to the Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 (Oye/Ikole) for the 2027 contest.

    Backing up his arguments with historical antecedents, facts and figures, Adejoro expressed dismay that while Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 had produced Senators in six election cycles since 1999, Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 had just been privileged to produce just Senator once in the last 25 years.

    He revealed that Moba produced two Senators, the late Olatunji Ajayi and James Kolawole (1999-2007); Ilejemeje produced one Senator in Duro Faseyi (2015-2019) while Ido Osi had occupied the seat three times through Olubunmi Adetunmbi (2011-2015 and 2019-2023) and still holds the seat through the incumbent Senator, Cyril Fasuyi (2023-date).

    Adejoro remarked that throughout the period under consideration, the only one Senator produced by Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 is Ayo Arise (2007-2011) who hails from Oye.

    Recalling the senatorial representation that predated the Fourth Republic which began in 1999, Olofinbiyi stated that the late Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who hailed from Ilejemeje represented the Ekiti Oke Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly during the Second Republic which ran from 1979 to 1983.

    Olofinbiyi explained that if the late Fasanmi’s tenure is added to the list of Senators produced from Ekiti North, it means Ilejemeje had produced two Senators while the Federal Constituency 2 had produced more Senators in seven election cycles.

    Speaking further, Adejoro said: “You will agree with me that it appears Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 has been marginalized over the years in the senatorial race and we want to believe that the candidates and the electorate from Oye/Ikole are not second class citizens and we want the political parties to take not of this ahead of 2027.

    Read Also: Fuel tanker explosion sparks panic in Osun community

    “We want to appeal to our political parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC), to consider zoning the Ekiti North senatorial ticket to Oye/Ikole which had only succeeded once compared to the six times the other federal constituency, Ido Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje had produced Senators to occupy the same seat.

    “The Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency has eminent, distinguished and illustrious sons and daughters who can be nominated and voted for to occupy the seat. Many of them had contested for the party nominations especially in the APC but they were denied in very curious and inexplicable circumstances.

    “Very competent and viable politicians that have pedigrees like Chief Olusegun Osinkolu from Ayede and Mr. Dipo Bamisaye from Ijesa Isu, among others vied for nomination but were denied victory in the primaries in very suspicious circumstances that leave sour taste in the mouth.

    “The only Senator produced by Oye/Ikole, Ayo Arise, who won on the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) succeeded in attracting the biggest federal presence and the largest employer of labour, the Federal University, Oye Ekiti to the Senatorial District during his tenure.

    “This is a clarion call to the main opposition party, the PDP and other political parties to consider choosing credible and competent candidates from Oye/Ikole for the Ekiti North Senatorial seat for the sake of equity, justice and fair play. We are making this advocacy in good time so that parties can be put on notice ahead of 2027.

    “We are particularly throwing this challenge to the APC, that prides itself as the progressive party because since 1999, the progressives have not produced a Senator from Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, that is Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency and 2027 offers the party an opportunity to do so for the first time.

    He urged the political parties to put necessary machinery in motion to ensure the conduct of credible, transparent, free and and fair primaries that would produce candidates who have the interest of the Senatorial District at heart and represent the people well when voted into office.

  • BREAKING: Ekiti Court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail

    BREAKING: Ekiti Court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail

    Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights lawyer, has been granted bail by the Ekiti State High Court. 

    The bail was set at ₦50 million, with the condition that a surety must provide the same amount and own a landed property.

    The court has adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.

    Farotimi’s legal challenges stem from a defamation suit filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who accused him of making defamatory statements in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

    Read Also: Afe Babalola, Farotimi: storm in judicial teacup

    The 95-year-old legal luminary alleged that Farotimi’s claims tarnished his reputation. 

    In response to the allegations, the Ekiti State Police Command arrested Farotimi, sparking widespread public backlash.

    Civil society organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have condemned the arrest, arguing that it undermines free speech and raises concerns about the state of justice in Nigeria.

  • Ekiti youths mull bill for compulsory genotype test for intending couples

    Ekiti youths mull bill for compulsory genotype test for intending couples

    The apex youth organisation in Ekiti State, the Youth Parliament is currently considering a bill for a law to establish a compulsory genotype test for intending couples in the state before marriage.

    The youth body, led by its Speaker, Com. Tunde Olusanya also passed a vote of confidence in Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the Youth Commissioner, Mr Gold Adesola Adedayo, for carrying out transformative policies that are impacting positively the lives of the productive population. 

    The youth parliamentarians took the actions during a special sitting of members held inside the Hallowed Chambers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, on Thursday, marking the first anniversary of the inauguration of the parliament.

    Other bills presented by the parliament are a bill for a law to provide online applications and collections of certificates of State of Origin in all the Local Government areas, a bill for a law to allow Ekiti State Peace Corps to serve as security personnel in all public schools in the state and a bill for a law for the inclusion of disabled youths in Ekiti State parliament, among others.

    Speaking at the session, the Speaker, Com Olusanya, said the bill that will be transmitted to the State House of Assembly for passage, was meant to stem the rising cases of sickle cell disease in the state. 

    During the plenary, the Parliament presented an award of excellence to the Youth Commissioner as part of the activities marking the first anniversary of the parliament.

    Before the special sitting, Olusanya had earlier toured some ongoing and completed youth-friendly projects across the state, where he commended Oyebanji for the establishment of the “Bring Youths Back to Agriculture Project” to bolster food security for the residents.

    Inspecting the Project in Ikere-Ekiti, Erunfun, Oke Ako Ekiti, Iyemero Ekiti and Ayede-Gede, Olusanya, who led the parliamentarians and other youth groups’ leaders, said the project had employed over 1,000 youths.

    The Speaker added that the move was part of the efforts of Governor Oyebanji to ensure food sufficiency and make Ekiti the food basket of the country. 

    “We appreciate the governor for providing necessary opportunities for youths to thrive in agriculture and other sectors. We will continue to support the Governor and ensure the provision of economic opportunities for youths and position them to be employers of labour. 

    “As you can see, several hectares of land had been cleared both in Ikere-Ekiti and Ayede-Gede. Security was on the ground, and equipment was provided to work out a strategy of bringing back the youths to agric government had cleared the lands for them free of charge, and subsidized inputs by fifty percent.

    Some of the youths on the farms praised the Governor for the provision of support to them, demanding 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.

    Speaking at the special sitting, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adesola Adedayo, said the present administration under Governor Oyebanji will continue to offer good leadership for people of the state to excel in their daily activities.

    Adedayo stressed the need for the youths to continue supporting the Governor, assuring that Oyebanji will provide an enabling for them to display their talents for the benefit of the good people of the state.

    He used the occasion to catalog some of the projects undertaken by the government, the introduction of a youth data collection analysis centre, a review of Ekiti youth policy, youth, student, and security engagement,

    Others are the establishment of a youth resource/job centre, review of Ekiti youth policy, bursary increment for students, sponsorship of members of Ekiti youth parliament to Ghana, as well as training and empowerment of youths through Adire Ekiti production, among others.