*As Gov flags off the distribution of 20,000 bags of rice, and 10,000 bags of maize as palliatives to residents
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has assured the people of the state that his administration is committing all its resources to improving the citizens’ lives. This, he said, has left no room for frivolities.
The Governor said he will stop at nothing to ensure that he alleviates poverty through an agricultural revolution aimed at addressing food shortage in the state.
The Governor stated these while flagging off the fifth phase of palliative distribution to the 177 wards of the state as well as stakeholders within the state in the bid to reduce the hardship being faced by citizens as a result of the current economic situation in the country.
No fewer than 20,000 bags of rice and 10,000 bags of maize were distributed to groups, associations and communities during the flag-off event at the Osuntokun pavilion of the Government House, Ado Ekiti.
Addressing the people at the event, Governor Oyebanji announced that the food being distributed was in collaboration with the Federal Government, adding that his administration would continue to support local farmers through agric extension programmes and provision of farm inputs and implements to boost agricultural production that would enhance food security in the state.
“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.”
While calling on youths and other residents of the state to develop an interest in agriculture, Governor Oyebanji revealed that his government has prepared a total of 2,000 hectares of land to be allocated to interested Ekiti farmers in addition to the provision of farm inputs, fertilizer and extension services. He added further that the government will ensure the purchase of the output of their farms.
“I must commend the Commissioner for Agriculture for what he is doing in Ekiti state, the impact of what he is doing in the state will be felt in the next two years. By Saturday, we will be in Oke Ako as we are partnering with YSJ to ensure that we revolutionize the agriculture sector. As of today, we have a total of 2000 hectares of cultivated land. That is why we formed agro-rangers that will protect the farms from cattle invasion.
“It’s only when we have food security, that we can combat food deflation, no amount of food distribution can bring down the price of foodstuff except, we produce our food. I appeal to all of you, whoever is interested in agriculture, there is money to be made in agriculture now. This is because you will not cultivate the land by yourself, we will do that, give you fertilizer, give you herbicide, give you inputs and we are going to purchase your inputs”, the Governor stated.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, who is also the Chairman Palliatives Distribution Committee, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, thanked the Governor for all his efforts at ensuring that every house in the state has food on their table.
Boluwade explained that 50 bags of rice would 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.
Acknowledging the economic hardship faced by the populace, The Commissioner explained that the Governor is working very hard on both the short-term relief measures such as the distribution of palliative and various long-term agricultural development measures.
He said the government is improving the 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 year.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, of Nigeria Labour Congress, the Chairman, of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Daramola Owoola, a 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 is 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.