Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has assured the people that his administration is fully committed to enhancing the lives of citizens, Ekiti News reports.
The Governor affirmed his determination to combat poverty through an agricultural revolution aimed at tackling food scarcity in the state.
Governor Oyebanji made these remarks during the launch of the fifth phase of palliative distribution across the state’s 177 wards, targeting stakeholders and aimed at easing the economic hardships facing citizens due to the current national economic situation.
At the event held at the Osuntokun Pavilion in the Government House, Ado Ekiti, over 20,000 bags of rice and 10,000 bags of maize were distributed to various groups, associations, and communities.
Governor Oyebanji also announced that the palliatives distribution was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Government.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting local farmers through agricultural extension programs and the provision of farming inputs and equipment designed to boost agricultural production and ensure food security across Ekiti State.
Governor Oyebanji said, “What we are doing now is a temporary measure, we are doing this in conjunction with the Federal Government, which gave us some bags while we added more to make up 20,000 bags. I don’t want to create the impression that this is my show, Mr president is also involved. So, we expressed our appreciation to the president.
“I am not happy that we are doing this for the fifth time, this is good, but by next year, our plan for the state is to produce sufficient food for Ekiti markets which we believe would bring down prices of food items.”
The Governor urged youths and residents of Ekiti State to take a keen interest in agriculture, revealing that his government has allocated 2,000 hectares of land to local farmers.
He emphasized that this initiative includes the provision of farm inputs, fertilizers, and extension services, with a commitment to purchasing their agricultural produce.
“I commend the Commissioner for Agriculture for his efforts in Ekiti State; the impact will be evident in the next two years. This Saturday, we will be in Oke Ako partnering with YSJ to revolutionize the agriculture sector. Currently, we have cultivated 2,000 hectares of land and established agro-rangers to protect farms from cattle invasion,” Governor Oyebanji stated.
The Chairman Palliatives Distribution Committee, who is also the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, in his welcome address thanked Governor Oyebanji for all his effort at ensuring that every house in the state has a food on their table.
The Commissioner explained that 50 bags of rice will be distributed to each of the 177 wards, adding that 10,000 bags of maize would also be given to livestock farmers to boost livestock production in the state..
Boluwade while acknowledging the economic hardship faced by the populace, explained that the Governor is working very hard on both the short-term relief measures such as distribution of palliative and various long-term agricultural development.
The Commissioner said governent is improving agricultural sector to enhance the overall quality of life of the citizens with an assurance that Ekiti State would experience food sufficiency within the next one year.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Chairman, Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Daramola Owoola, representative of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Ekiti state, Alhaji Bakare and his Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) counterpart, Pastor Joseph Olubusoye commended Governor Oyebanji for his various efforts at reposition the state and reduce poverty in the land.
They described the action of the governor to ensure food security as unprecedented in the anal of the state, calling on him to continue with the good work as the entire state in behind him.
Other top government functionaries at the flag off were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe; members of the state executive council; local government chairmen among other dignitaries.