Adebayo Adenrele, Precious Oham
…as Ekiti celebrates 28th Anniversary, Nigeria’s Independence
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has assured residents that food prices will soon decrease due to the state’s intervention in the agricultural initiative known as the ‘Bring Back the Youth into Agric Programme.’
Oyebanji gave this assurance during his State Broadcast in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, marking the 28th Anniversary of Ekiti State’s creation and the 2024 Nigeria Independence Day celebration.
The Governor noted that 913 youths in the state are actively involved in the programme, which suggests that food prices will drop by the end of the rainy season.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the Six Pillars of Development, ensuring shared prosperity for all residents and addressing the pressing challenges currently facing the country.
He said: “In the last two years since we came on board, we are glad to report that we have made some giant strides in different aspects of administration in accordance with our social contract with Ekiti people.
“As a State, we have, like many other parts of the country, had to contend with occasional opportunistic attacks of ‘hit-and-run” kidnappers, I am glad that we have been able to bring them to book while we continue to do our best to prevent future recurrence.
“Similarly, we have been able to end the frightful incidence of street hoodlums who troubled the city of Ado-Ekiti in recent months. We have arrested them and they are currently facing trial.
“I therefore want to assure you that we will continue to do our best to protect you while we also appeal to you to help the Government by providing helpful information that can assist the security agencies to prevent and fight crimes in our dear State.
“At the wake of subsidy removal and its imperatives, Ekiti was one of the few states that introduced a wage award for all workers to ameliorate the impact of subsidy in addition to other interventions.
“As you can all bear witness, our schools both at primary and secondary levels have witnessed a lot of tremendous improvement in both physical and pedagogical infrastructure.
“We have invested in continuous recruitment and training of teachers as well as retooling of instructional materials. Our technical colleges as well as schools for special education have witnessed remarkable turnaround.
“Accordingly, all our health centres, general hospitals as well as the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) are all going through different levels of renovation and retooling. We have also improved the condition of service of our health practitioners.
“We are also supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the provision of cheaper funds for business owners in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and other relevant financial institutions. This is with a view to achieving wealth creation and improving the State’s economy.
“As part of our policy to ensure abundant food production, our government has helped farmers to clear and plough thousands of hectares of land. Government also supplied subsidized fertilizer, seedlings and chemicals where necessary.
“Even though the rains came late in the year, we are confident that food prices will respond positively to these interventions at the end of the farming season. It is gratifying to note that 913 youths of the State are involved in the ‘Bring Back the Youth into Agric Programme’.
“As I end this address I want to assure you that we remain committed to our social contract with you and that your welfare and well-being remain our sole pursuit. Thank you for trusting our leadership.”