Ekiti to address food shortage through agric revolution, says Gov Oyebanji.

Ekiti to address food shortage through agric revolution, says Gov Oyebanji.

….as Gov flags off distribution of 20,000 bags of rice, 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 bringing improvement to the lives of the citizens. This, he said, has left no room for frivolities

The Governor said he will stop at nothing to ensure that he alleviates poverty through agriculture 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 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 development 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 provision of farm inputs, fertilizer and extension services. He added further that 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 at 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. 

“Its only when we have food security, that we can combat food deflation, no amount of food distribution can bring down price of food stuff except, we produce our own food. I appeal to all of you, whoever is interested in agric, there is money to be made in agric now. This is because you will not cultivate the land by yourself, we will do that, gives 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 effort at ensuring that every house in the state has a food on their table.

Boluwade 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..

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 distribution of palliative and various long-term agricultural development measures.

He said government 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.

Oyebanji Appoints Olomojobi New Head Of Service.

Oyebanji Appoints Olomojobi New Head Of Service. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved the appointment of Dr Olufolake Olomojobi as the new Head of Service in the State Civil Service.

Dr Olomojobi, until her new appointment, is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education. She takes over from Engr. Sunday Komolafe, who is billed to retire from the State Civil Service on July 1, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory 35 years in the service.

Dr Olomojobi’s appointment as Head of Service takes effect from Tuesday, July 2, 2024.  

Meanwhile, Governor Oyebanji has commended Engr. Sunday Komolafe, the outgoing Head of Service for his meritorious service to the state, especially his demonstrated resourcefulness, professionalism and administrative acumen which have greatly helped in repositioning the State Civil Service for optimal service delivery. The Governor wishes Komolafe success in his future endeavour.

Dr Olomojobi, the new Head of Service, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (1994). She also holds a Masters’ degree in Public Health form the University of Lagos, Akoka (2000); and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) in 2005.

She has received several trainings in health management from renowned institutions including the Royal Institute of Public Health Administration, Rocester, London (2005); Harvard University School of Public Health/ WBI, Washington DC, USA; World Bank Institute, Wahington DC, USA.  She also holds a Master of Science degree in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science, United kingdom. (2017).

Dr Olomojobi started her career with the Ekiti State Civil Service as Assistant Director, Primary Health Care and Disease Control in May 2001. She served in different capacities in the State’s Ministry of Health before her elevation to the position of a Permanent Secretary in 2013.

Prior to her new appointment as Head of Service, Dr Olomojobi had served as Permanent Secretary in several ministries including: Ministry of Health (2013-2016); Hospital Management Board (2016-2018); Ministry of Health and Human Services (2018-2021); and Ministry of Education (2021 till date).

Born on September 20, 1971, Dr Olomojobi, who hails from Otun -Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area, is a recipient of the National Productivity Centre’s Award of Excellence in Leadership and Productivity. She is a member of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Pioneer President, Ekiti State Medical Women Association of Nigeria (NWAN).

Signed:

Yinka Oyebode                                                                 

Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Ekiti State  13-06-2024

EKSG Partners China To Enhance Technology Training And Development.

EKSG Partners China To Enhance Technology Training And Development.

The Ekiti State Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy (MISDE) on the 28th of March, 2024,  held a meeting with the Centre for China-Africa Discourse Studies (CECADS) to explore collaborative efforts in enhancing technology training and development in Ekiti State.

The Honourable Commissioner for MISDE, Hon. Seun Fakuade, who led the meeting at Governor's office, Ado Ekiti, highlighted the Ministry's commitment to fostering innovation and digital transformation in the State.
Fakuade said that partnership with CECADS aims to establish a state-of-the-art technology training hub to equip indigenes with diverse skill sets, ultimately speaking to the goal of establishing Ekiti as a rising secondary innovation ecosystem.

He emphasized that government is thrilled to collaborate with CECADS on this transformative project that aligns perfectly with the ongoing knowledge economy development initiative of the Knowledge Zone, adding that, this partnership will present a unique opportunity to accelerate technology training and development in the State, positioning Ekiti as a hub of innovation and progress.

Fakuade disclosed that, CECADS and its partners will provide all the necessary funds for the construction of the technology training centre, as well as, offering support in knowledge-sharing trips to China and first-level training for officials of the Ministry. “The Government is open, ready and willing to support investors and collaborators in transforming its knowledge capital into wealth creation and shared prosperity through innovative approaches”, Fakuade said.

He added that, the partnership will also work on facilitating the establishment of a technology station for assembly plant operations in collaboration with a leading Chinese university.
The Honourable Commissioner emphasized the State's readiness to support and actively participate in the project, and assured her commitment at ensuring the success of the partnership and the sustainable development of the technology training centre.
He said that the present government will continue to prioritize innovation and digital economy advancement, partnerships like CECADS in driving progress and empowering communities through technology training and development.

The CECAD's delegation was led by Ms. Queen Modestus alongside other colleagues including, Jiang Hongsheng, Fang Bo, Fang Fuping, and Quying Fang.
Ms. Modestus promised an accelerated process towards achieving this objective and also extended a State visitation to China.

#InnovationInvestment #InvestInEkiti

EKSU's Nursing Sciences and 42 Other Programmes Secure Full Accreditation.

EKSU's Nursing Sciences and 42 Other Programmes Secure Full Accreditation.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has achieved a significant milestone with the Nursing Sciences programme and 42 other academic programmes receiving full accreditation status. This development was confirmed through official communications from relevant accreditation bodies.

In a letter dated May 20, 2024, addressed to the Vice Chancellor of EKSU, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) conveyed its approval of the university's Nursing Sciences programme for a period of five years. The letter, signed by the Council’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, highlighted that the Nursing Sciences curriculum meets the Council’s standards in both content and coverage. Additionally, the NMCN approved an increase in the university's annual intake of Nursing Sciences students from 50 to 100.

The NMCN’s letter praised the university’s programme, stating, "The Nursing Sciences programme is adequate in content and coverage and is in line with that of the NMCN." This accreditation reassures stakeholders of the quality of education provided by EKSU’s Nursing Sciences department.

In a parallel development, 42 other academic programmes at EKSU have been granted full accreditation status by the National Universities Commission (NUC). These programmes span various faculties within the university and have all been approved for a five-year period following a thorough assessment by the NUC.

The university community has welcomed the news with enthusiasm, recognizing it as a testament to EKSU’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Edward Olanipekun, has been widely commended for his leadership and the positive trajectory of the university under his administration.

Bode Olofinmuagun, the Head of the Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs at EKSU, officially announced the accreditation achievements, highlighting the university's dedication to academic excellence and continuous improvement.

This development marks a significant achievement for EKSU, enhancing the institution's reputation and reaffirming its status as a center for quality education in Nigeria.

My Insistence On Financial Propriety Led To Fajemirokun-Ajayi’s Accusations-Foreign Affairs, Perm Sec Replies Allegations.

My Insistence On Financial Propriety Led To Fajemirokun-Ajayi’s Accusations-Foreign Affairs, Perm Sec Replies Allegations.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa has responded to allegations of sexual harassment by an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Simisola O. Fajemirokun-Ajayi, in a response provided by sources close to the Permanent Secretary's legal representative led by Audu Anuga SAN.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry denied having made any sexual advances at the Ministerial aide, stating that his insistence on financial prudence and due process led to his friction with Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi. 

“We wish to state categorically that our client has never made any sexual advances towards Mrs. Simisola O. Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who he is aware is a married woman, neither has he ever made suggestive comments or innuendos that requested any form of untoward relationship between himself and her,” a part of the statement read. 

It further explained that the Permanent Secretary’s jocular remarks and ordinary conversations with the petitioner were misinterpreted by the aide. 

“Our client distinctly recalls the events that took place at the Ministry’s Retreat on October 7th 2023 where Mrs Simisola O. Fajemirokun-Ajayi claims that he invited her to his room. Our client states categorically that, he never made such an invitation and that his only communication with Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi, which was an overt one, was where he checked on her, like he did to all participants on whether they had been well-lodged in their hotels.

“He further recalls that the instance where he spoke of her as a nursing mother, during the same retreat was in a colloquial conversation they were having with other participants, where one participant even responded jokingly that when a woman says “her baby” it could mean either her husband or one of her children, of which he innocuously joked asking “how big is the baby?” Our client maintains that those conversations were made jokingly and sees their misinterpretation as malicious and with ill-intent,” the statement noted. 

Denying that Ambassador Lamuwa requested the Minister’s aide to travel with him to Hong Kong, the legal representative described the insinuation that such a request was made as absurd.

“Our client also maintains that it is an absurdity for Mrs. Fajemirokun-Ajayi to claim that he invited her to Hong Kong, given that the conversation they were both having was on how Honk Kong had digitised its work processes as far back as 1999. 

“Our client wonders how such a conversation became interpreted as an invitation for her to travel alongside himself knowing fully well that she is an aide to the Minister. How can she possibly leave the Minister to follow the Permanent Secretary, on a vacation? Would that not be the height of delusion for the one requesting, as well as the one heeding to the request?” 

The statement further stated that the Mrs. Fajemirokun-Ajayi had misinterpreted the ordinary conversations they had in public, and that this was tied to the Permanent Secretary’s “objections raised regarding improper requests” from the Minister’s aide. 

“It is clear that the Minister’s aide has misinterpreted ordinary conversations, made openly and in the presence of other participants, for untoward intentions. We believe that these allegations are directly tied to our client’s firm objections raised regarding improper requests that Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi made, particularly to financial matters in the Ministry.  

“For example, Mrs. Fajemirokun-Ajayi made a trip to the World Economic Forum (Davos), of which she sought a reimbursement from the Ministry for. Our client firmly explained to her that while the Ministry may look at avenues to refund her expenses, it is not the appropriate process for a trip to be made without an approval, and then funded with taxpayers money after the fact.” 

The statement went further to accuse Mrs. Fajemirokun-Ajayi of being unfamiliar with Civil Service Rules and processes, as she had requested for access to certain documents that were too sensitive for her clearance level as a political appointee. 

“Further to this, is the fact of Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi’s unfamiliarity with Civil Service rules and processes where she had requested from our client access to Policy Files and even Financial Records of high-level activities of the Ministry. 

“By no means, should the Permanent Secretary, as chief accounting officer of the Ministry provide such sensitive documents to an aide of the Minister, worse via a WhatsApp chat. There are due processes in government, and they must be followed. 

“We must emphasise that Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi is a political appointee, and not a civil servant. Thus, matters of finance and policy are out of bounds for her in this instance. 

“All these, seem to have angered Mrs Simisola O. Fajemirokun-Ajayi, so much that she has taken her offence to the level of concocting stories in order to tarnish our client’s image and character.”

Ambassador Adamu Lamuwa’s legal representative stated that he has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over three decades, and has never received a query or report bothering on issues of harassment throughout the period; further stating that the Ambassador is confident of being vindicated. 

It would be recalled that Mrs. Fajemirokun-Ajayi, an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs had in a petition through her lawyers accused Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa of conducts of sexual harrassment at her place of work, as well as abuse of office and intimidation.

EKSG to patronize local cattle, ram sellers for Muslim festival.

EKSG to patronize local cattle, ram sellers for Muslim festival.

....as Gov Oyebanji restates commitment to local content policy.

As part of his administration’s commitment to the local content policy aimed at empowering local businesses in the state, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has, again directed that cattle sellers in the state should be the sole suppliers of rams for coming Eid- el- Kabir festival.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr( Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro disclosed the government’s position during a meeting with cattle sellers at the Adere cattle market in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday. 

Dr Adubiaro said the directive was in line with the administration’s policy of patronizing local businesses, adding that the effort is aimed at boosting the state’s economy through support for local entrepreneurs. 

"We are here this morning as directed by His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who believes that the re-engineering of the economy value of Ekiti should go round the people and that is why he said this year again, our people should be patronized, they should be the sole suppliers of the rams. That’s why he sent us here to tell you that you are the ones that would supply all the rams that will be given to our people, the Muslims in Ekiti for the Ileya festival", she said. 

It is recalled that the Governor, last year mandated government at all levels to patronised local cattle sellers in the state, Dr Adubiaro said it is a precedence the Governor has set to encourage the private sector, enhance competitiveness of local businesses and reduce the state’s reliance on external suppliers.

She explained that all the rams that the state government intends to give out to Muslims in the state would be purchased and supplied locally.

While assuring them that the Oyebanji led-administration remains committed to ensuring a robust local economy that can withstand external economic pressures by championing local patronage to build self-sufficiency and prosperous Ekiti State, the SSG called on all residents and businesses in the state to follow suit by consistently supporting the local enterprises.

Responding on behalf of the cattle sellers association, Alhaji Alani Yakubu thanked the Governor for patronizing them since coming on board as governor of the state. He expressed optimism about potential increase in sales during the ileya festival.

He opined that patronage from the government would not only provide a substantial boost for their business but also stimulate local economy and foster a supportive environment for small and medium enterprises

EKSG to distribute another round of palliatives.

EKSG to distribute another round of palliatives. 

Moved by the need to further cushion the effect of current economic situation in the country, the Government of Ekiti State will distribute another round of palliatives to the people of the state on Thursday, June 13, 2024. 

The event which will be presided over by the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji will hold at the Oshuntokun Pavilion, Government House grounds, Ado-Ekiti by 12.noon. 

According to a statement by the Palliatives Distribution Committee, representatives of various groups and associations  have been duly notified and expected to be seated at the venue by 11.00am.