Ekiti State and CAVISTA Holdings Strengthen Partnership for Cassava Revolution.

Ekiti State and CAVISTA Holdings Strengthen Partnership for Cassava Revolution.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji yesterday met with the Chairman of CAVISTA Holdings, John Olajide and his team at the governor's office in Ado-Ekiti for a strategic meeting.

The meeting was a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between CAVISTA and the Ekiti State Government (EKSG) in Dallas, US, in May, regarding the Cassava Revolution project.

In his opening remarks, CAVISTA Holdings Chairman John Olajide reiterated the organization's objectives in Ekiti State which are centered around three pillars: job creation, job creation and creation of more jobs. He emphasized that this is part of the strategic alliance between CAVISTA and the Ekiti State Government under Governor Oyebanji's prosperity agenda.

Governor Oyebanji in his opening address, expressed his administration's support for CAVISTA's cassava revolution project which aims to establish a 100,000-hectare cassava farm and build a Cassava Processing Plant at Itapaji Ekiti.

He directed his team to provide necessary support to all CAVISTA Holding’s portfolio businesses in the state.

The meeting was a significant step towards actualizing the Cassava Revolution project, which promises to bring economic growth, job opportunities, and prosperity to Ekiti State.

With the support of the state government, CAVISTA Holdings is poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Ekiti residents.

The strategic partnership between CAVISTA and EKSG demonstrates the government's commitment to private sector collaboration and its dedication to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

As CAVISTA Holdings works towards achieving its objectives, the people of Ekiti State can look forward to a brighter future.

Nigerian Youth Congress Chairman, Aare Adedara Temitope Moses, Outlines Reasons for Disassociating from National Protests.

Nigerian Youth Congress Chairman, Aare Adedara Temitope Moses, Outlines Reasons for Disassociating from National Protests.

The Nigerian Youth Congress Ekiti State Chapter, under the leadership of Aare Adedara Temitope Moses, has decided to disassociate from national protests for several important reasons. These reasons are centered around the potential challenges and risks associated with such protests, which the Congress believes can be better addressed through dialogue and peaceful engagement:

Concerns Over Lack of Accountability and Leadership.

One of the primary concerns with protests lacking clear leadership is the difficulty in holding individuals accountable for their actions. This absence of accountability can sometimes lead to situations where the behavior of a few individuals overshadows the peaceful intentions of the majority. Without identifiable leaders, it becomes challenging to mediate or effectively manage the crowd, potentially resulting in chaos or unrest. Anonymity, while offering protection from retaliation, can sometimes embolden individuals to engage in actions they might otherwise avoid, such as vandalism or violence. This lack of accountability can undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the protest and create an environment where responsible behavior is not prioritized.

Heightened Risk of Violence.

The risk of violence is significantly heightened in protests without clear leadership. Without someone to mediate and guide the protestors, tensions can quickly escalate, leading to clashes with authorities or other groups. Anonymity can unfortunately embolden some individuals to act aggressively, as they might feel shielded from personal consequences. Additionally, the absence of clear communication channels and leadership can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the protest’s goals. This, in turn, might result in conflicts and confrontations that detract from the protest’s original intent. There is also the risk of infiltration by individuals with extreme or malicious intent, who may seek to exploit the anonymity for their own agendas, thereby inciting violence or unrest.

Misrepresentation and Hijacking of Protest Goals.

When protests occur without clearly identified leadership or participants, the original aims and goals of the movement can be easily misrepresented or hijacked. This can lead to confusion and skepticism about the protest’s true objectives. Without clear accountability, there is a risk of misinformation spreading, which might affect public perception and credibility. Faceless protests can also be susceptible to manipulation by entities with ulterior motives, distorting the protest’s original message or goals. This can result in a negative perception of the protest, both in the eyes of the public and authorities, potentially undermining the cause.

Legal Implications 

There are significant legal implications to consider when engaging in protests, particularly those that lack identifiable leadership. Participants might face legal consequences if the protest is deemed unlawful or if violence occurs. Being associated with an anonymous movement can make legal defense challenging, as it complicates the process of holding individuals accountable for unlawful actions. The absence of identifiable participants can also lead to potential legal conflicts, especially if the protest involves activities that breach laws, such as incitement to violence. Authorities may respond with stricter regulations or enforcement measures, which could impact the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Impact on Public Perception.

Public perception plays a crucial role in the success of any protest movement. Faceless protests, while aiming to protect participants from retaliation, can sometimes be viewed negatively by the public and authorities. This can lead to a loss of support for the cause, as the absence of visible leaders might affect the perceived legitimacy and sincerity of the movement’s message. Effective communication and clear leadership are essential for garnering respect and support from the public. When a protest lacks these elements, it may struggle to resonate with the wider audience, potentially diminishing its impact and effectiveness.

Security Concerns.

Security concerns are another significant issue in faceless protests. Participants may be more vulnerable to infiltration by groups with malicious intentions, including those seeking to incite violence or disrupt the protest’s goals. Without identifiable leaders, it becomes challenging to ensure the safety and security of all involved. Taking into cognisance the recent attacks in Ekiti, we cannot afford to put people’s lives at risk any further. Law enforcement agencies may also face difficulties in managing and responding to protests effectively when they cannot identify key organizers or assess potential threats. This can lead to heightened security measures and a more cautious approach by authorities, which might affect the overall success of the protest.

A Call for Dialogue and Peaceful Engagement.

In light of these concerns, the Nigerian Youth Congress emphasizes the importance of dialogue and peaceful engagement as effective means of advocating for change. By engaging constructively with authorities and the public, we can work towards meaningful solutions that address the issues facing our society. 

"Let us focus on building bridges and fostering understanding, ensuring that our voices are heard in a manner that is both respectful and impactful. Together, we can make significant strides towards positive change and send a clear message to the government about our commitment to progress and development," said Aare Adedara Temitope Moses, Chairman, Nigerian Youth Congress, Ekiti State Chapter.

EKSG seeks partnership with Chinese investors for SAPZ, EKZ.

EKSG seeks partnership with Chinese investors for SAPZ, EKZ.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has canvassed the partnership of Chinese investors to expand and accelerate development of the Ekiti State Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) and the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKS), which are central to the state’s economy.

Governor Oyebanji made the call in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while meeting with the Chinese investors led by the Executive Secretary-General, China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Leo He, emphasized the immense potentials of these zones in driving industrial growth of the state and creating employment opportunities for the youth.

Highlighting the potential of the zones, designed to foster innovation and technology, education, and entrepreneurship, which would attract talents and investment in information technology and other high-tech industries, the Governor expressed confidence that Chinese expertise in agro-processing technology and infrastructure would maximize these opportunities and ensure sustainable development in the sector.

While assuring the investors of the state’s readiness to provide necessary support and enabling environment to any serious investors to ensure their investment flourish, the Governor emphasized his administration’s open-door policy to partnership that will drive the economic growth and development of the state. 

“I am glad that you have chosen to come to Ekiti State, As a government, we understand our responsibility to investors and that’s why we have put in place a very strong regulations to make doing business easy for the investors.

“I invite you to explore the opportunities offer in our special agro-processing zone which currently have the support of ANDP, the zone is a game changer and any serious investors should take position either in the special agro-processing zone or Ekiti knowledge zone.” The Governor said.  

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary-General, China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Leo He commended the Governor for his foresight to diversify the state’s economy, reduce unemployment, and improve the standard of living of the citizens.

Mr Leo He, while explaining that he got inspired by the special agro-processing zone assures the Governor of his organization's readiness to collaborate with the state government to actualize the objectives of the zones.

Also at the meeting were, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Commissioner for Industry, Trade, investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Tayo Adeola, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, and Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akintunde Oyebode.

Oyebanji flays BEDC over poor power supply to Ekiti.

Oyebanji flays BEDC over poor power supply to Ekiti.

….Urges BEDC to meter all households.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has called on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to expedite the metering of all households in the state to address the persistence issues of estimated billing and erratic power supply, which have long plagued residents and businesses in the state 

Governor Oyebanji, who made the call in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday during a meeting with the Managing Director, BEDC, Mr Deolu Ijose and his team, expressed dissatisfaction with the poor power supply and inconsistency service delivery in the state, noting that there has been no value addition by the company to the government's efforts to improve electricity supply in state.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, the Governor said the company (BEDC) has frustrated every effort at ensureing improvement in power supply to the state despite spending over 2.6 Billion naira on electricity infrastructure.

While demanding more immediate and tangible improvement, the Governor called for a detailed action plan with clear timeline and measurable goals to address the power supply problems in the state.

“I am extremely dissatisfied with BEDC, between 2023 and now, we have spent close to 2.6 billion to provide infrastructure in the state but most of this infrastructure has not been commissioned by BEDC, so we provide infrastructure without electricity and the people at the end of the day are not benefiting from money spent and am not happy with that and I could sense it is a deliberate attempt by BEDC to frustrate us” the Governor said.  

In his own remarks, the Managing Director, BEDC, Mr Mr Deolu Ijose, who commended the Governor for his efforts and the huge investment of the state government at ensuring improvement in power supply, assured the Governor of the company’s commitment to improving the power outages and erratic supply and addressing the billing issues in the state

The BEDC boss cited logistics challenges and financial constrains as factors responsible for the poor electricity supply to the state and appeal for patience and corporation of government and the residents.

Oyebanji inaugurates L-PRES State Project Office, vehicles, flags off fertilizer distribution.

Oyebanji inaugurates L-PRES State Project Office, vehicles, flags off fertilizer distribution.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday inaugurated the Ekiti State Livestock Production Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project office, vehicles and other equipment as part of his administration’s commitment to agriculture development, particularly the livestock sector in the state.

Speaking while commissioning the project Office, vehicles and motorcycles in Ado- Ekiti on Tuesday, the Governor said the programme is part of his administration’s agenda to drive innovative ideas and food security vision.

The Governor explained that the livestock production productivity and resilience support, a World Bank assisted project in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, is aimed at improving productivity and commercialization of targeted livestock production system in the state and also strengthening the resilience of livelihoods including those affected by farmer-herder conflict.

Emphasizing the suitability of the state to further leverage on the enormous livestock facilities in the state, the Governor said his government supported the implementation of the project because of its potential in enhancing the livestock value chain in the state.

He explained that the state would leverage strategically on the project to build strong institution around agro-economy development, conflict resolution, capacity building, massive extension service, construction and renovation of livestock infrastructure, among others.

He said the project would also restructure and upgrade the livestock development centre at Erifun in Ado- Ekiti to a livestock agribusiness centre that will accommodate the state priority value chain, upgrade central abattoir and cattle market along Iworoko road to ultra-modern climate smart facility that guarantee public health and safety, upgrade and equip veterinary hospital to a modern disease diagnostic skit as well as facilitate the establishment of modern cattle market in Omuo Ekiti.     

While assuring that his administration would not relent in its effort at ensuring that Ekiti becomes the food basket of the country, the Governor said his government has tremendously transformed the poultry value chain under Ekiti State Broiler Production Scheme in the state.

“L-PRES is a World Bank Project in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and It is aimed at improving productivity and commercialization of targeted livestock production systems and strengthening the resilience of livelihoods including those affected by farmer-herder conflicts”. 

“Our government supported the implementation of L-PRES project for its potential in enhancing the already existing livestock value chains in the State. The suitability of Ekiti State is further premised on the enormity of the available livestock facilities and land in the State. These include among others Livestock Development Centre in Ado-Ekiti, Irele grazing reserve, old Oke-Ako cattle ranch and other associated infrastructures. These facilities will obviously offer a springboard for the overall success of the project” the Governor asserted. 

After the commissioning, the Governor also flagged off fertilizer distribution to farmers in the state to improve their yields. 

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, who appreciated the Governor for ensuring Ekiti State become one of the participating states in the L-PRES project and his commitment and support for the implementation of the project said, Ekiti has met with all the requiments for the implementation of the programme.

Also at the event were, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi, former acting Governor, Hon. Tope Ademiluyi, farmers across the state, among others.

PROTEST: WE WON'T TOLERATE BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER, SAYS OYEBANJI.

PROTEST: WE WON'T TOLERATE BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER, SAYS OYEBANJI.

….Governor appeals for calm in statewide broadcast. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has vowed to ensure protection of lives and property of citizens of the state in the wake of the planned nationwide protests over current economic situation in the country.

Governor Oyebanji said Nigeria and its people cannot afford "another massive destruction of our economic base" as witnessed during the #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of many private and government infrastructures.

Addressing the people of Ekiti State in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday morning, the Governor expressed concern that the planned protest has the potential to degenerate into violence and reverse his administration's steady progress to shared prosperity.

Governor Oyebanji, in the address which was broadcast across all radio and television stations in the state, clarified that while his administration is not averse to free expression of opinions and displeasures over socioeconomic issues, it strongly believes that it should be after due consideration of the overall security implication of such a protest.

Acknowledging the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and the right to air views freely, Governor Oyebanji argued that "a protest should be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere without recourse to any violent disturbances to other citizen who also enjoy inalienable right to unhindered movement and life."

The Governor pointed out that he has the primary duty to ensure the security and wellbeing of the people at all times as the Chief Security Officer of the state noting that security agencies will be on high alert and will not allow anybody to destroy Ekiti's good image as a peaceful and progressive State.

He appealed to the residents of the state not to fall into the agenda of individuals "who might just be interested in wreaking havoc while pretending to be fighting for the interest of the ordinary people."

While contending that protest, violence and destruction of lives and property can be counterproductive, the Governor said “a lot of fifth columnists are trying desperately to weaponize the current economic crisis for their own destructive agenda."

Recalling the havoc wreaked in Ekiti during the #EndSARS protest of 2020, Governor Oyebanji disclosed that some public buildings, infrastructures and assets are still in ruins nearly four years after they were savagely vandalized by protesters with government struggling to repair or replace them.

According to him, "nothing much will change by blocking roads and prevent distribution of goods and services, instead, it will aggravate poverty and sorrow and will also worsen the situation as it did in 2020 when we had to slip into deeper economic recession as a result of the combined effect of COVID 19 pandemic and the #EndSARS wanton destruction of economic infrastructure across the country."

"Multimillion naira businesses were completely ruined and the owners destroyed forever. Till today, the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency’s store room and other government institutions remain in ruins because of the arson and looting that were visited on the State by retrogressive elements masquerading as protesters.

"Many of our silos which serve as national strategic reservoirs for food and seedlings were burnt, looted and vandalized. Government is still struggling with replacing or repairing these infrastructures, even in the face of scarce resources," the Governor said.

The Governor appealed to parents, guardians, traditional rulers and religious leaders to appeal to the youths not to submit themselves to those he referred to as "evil merchants who want to use them to cause violence in our state as protests can easily be hijacked by hoodlums."

He stressed "that no matter how peaceful a protest might seem at the beginning, no one can predict its eventual dynamics and its ending."

The Governor also used the opportunity of the broadcast to assure the people o the state that efforts are on to ameliorate the current challenges relating to food price inflation and high cost of transportation while also ensuring that the provision of welfare packages to workers, retirees and other citizens.

He added: "It is for this reason that we have undertaken different palliative measures across the State to many of the eligible people based on different criteria for each batch. 

"Indeed, we are not in anyway deluded that food handouts will be the magic bullet to end the food related inflation, more and abundant production of foodstuff is the golden bullet to fight food poverty and government has put in place various measures to ramp up food production in the State through the Ministry Agriculture and Food Security and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"It is in the realization of this, that we are investing in an unprecedented level, in agriculture. We are supporting our farmers to increase their capacity in production through clearing and ploughing of land in thousands of hectares. 

"The second phase of the land clearing is about being concluded. We are not only clearing and ploughing for our farmers, we are also providing them free and subsidized seedlings, fertilizers and other farm implements."

OYEBANJI ADMINISTRATION IS FANTASTIC, UNMATCHED, SAYS OJUAWO.

OYEBANJI ADMINISTRATION IS FANTASTIC, UNMATCHED, SAYS OJUAWO.

"...Let the good work continue"

Hon. (AVM Rtd) Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi has described the administration of the current governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as fantastic and unmatched, which should be encouraged to continue in government till 2030.

According to the Honourable representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 in the green chamber in Abuja, Governor Oyebanji and his team have continued to excel in good governance, delighting all and sundry, and nobody can match their present achievements.

"They are unmatched and should be encouraged to continue with the good work they are doing presently for another term," Ojuawo said, adding: "We have a good administration in place in Ekiti. Everyone has keyed into the vision. It's like all in the BAO cabinet were cut out for what they are doing at the moment, and it's my proposition that the team is left alone to continue to improve on the quality standard being built."

Asked if that was the thinking of everyone in Ekiti South, Hon. Ojuawo answered in the affirmative, saying that as far as he knew, no one would stand up against Gov. Oyebanji's second term from the constituency or any constituency, not even within the opposition parties.

"We are all in one accord that Gov. Oyebanji, BAO, is the best choice for Ekiti right now till 2030. Anyone questioning that is on their own, and we will confront them with the brutal fact that we are going to queue behind the winning team for the second term. Let the good work of Oyebanji continue," Ojuawo admonished.

Before joining mainstream politics, Hon. Ojuawo, who retired from the Nigerian Air Force as Air Vice Marshal, affirmed that if BAO were in the military, he would have enjoyed rapid promotion and been given higher tasks to perform due to his resourcefulness and determination in ensuring everyone's well-being.

"I commend the entire team and give kudos to everyone who appreciates the good work of the administration," Ojuawo said.

OJUAWO MEDIA TEAM