Celebrating Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage with NYSC.

Celebrating Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage with NYSC.

At Agbeyewa Farms, we believe strongly in the power of community and the role of youth as pillars of national development.

On Saturday, August 16, 2025, we were proud to sponsor the Ekiti State NYSC Cultural Day, held at the orientation camp in Ise-Orun/Emure-Ekiti.

The event was a vibrant showcase of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, with platoons delivering unique performances that highlighted our nation’s diversity and unity. 

Agbeyewa Farms was ably represented by our Talent Acquisition Manager, Kenny Fayomi, who engaged with corps members and shared insights on opportunities for growth within our organization.

Our partnership with the NYSC continues to deliver impact, with over 20 corps members who served with Agbeyewa Farms now gainfully employed across our operations. This collaboration not only empowers youth but also strengthens national unity and integration in Ekiti State and beyond.

At Agbeyewa, we are proud to invest in the next generation of leaders who will drive Nigeria’s agricultural and socio-economic transformation.

#AgbeyewaFarms #NYSC #YouthEmpowerment #CulturalHeritage #UnityInDiversity #CommunityEngagement #FutureOfFarming #NigeriaAgriculture

NPUGA 2025: Venite University Shine as Benedicta Sprints into 200m Semis, Football Team Books Round of 16 Spot.

NPUGA 2025: Venite University Shine as Benedicta Sprints into 200m Semis, Football Team Books Round of 16 Spot.

By Olamide Akinwumi 

Venite University athletes continued their impressive outing at the ongoing Nigerian Private Universities Games Association (NPUGA) holding at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

The institution’s sprint sensation, Edelegba Benedicta, powered her way into the semi-finals of the women’s 200 metres after finishing second in her heat. Teammate, Marvelous, also put up a commendable performance, crossing the line in fifth position. Benedicta will be the centre of attention today as she bids for a place in the final.

In football, Venite University’s male team sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Pan-Atlantic University to advance to the Round of 16. The win sets up a crucial clash against Bells University scheduled for 2:30pm today.

With confidence running high in both track and football events, the Venite camp is brimming with belief as they aim to continue their fine form at the Games.

OSV Hails Ekiti People’s Maturity, Reaffirms Support for Oyebanji’s Reelection

OSV Hails Ekiti People’s Maturity, Reaffirms Support for Oyebanji’s Reelection.

The most pro-demcracy and leading pro-governor Abiodun Oyebanji's support group, Oyebanji Street Vanguard (OSV) has once again commended the good people of Ekiti State for their maximum support and cooperation with the present administration of All Progressives Congress under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji in putting the State in the path of meaningful development. 

The group, specifically thanked the people for their show of maturity, understanding and putting the collective interests of the State ahead above the provocation of few hired stage crafters in attempt to lampoon the ruling party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, _gcfr_ on the deplorable nature of Federal roads leading in and out of the State as a result of long neglect of the access roads.

The group noticed that, Ekiti State is strategically located as a gateway to movement of heavy, medium and light trucks from the North to the West and vice versa along with increasing commercial activities in the State due to the ambience of safety, peace and tranquility guaranteed by the present administration. 

The group however agreed that in the absence of any reasonable ground to challenge and criticise the present administration based on all good governance benchmarks, the few opportunities with critical view have no option other than blaming the deplorable Federal Government road networks in the State on the State Government despite the meaningful and physical achievements in internal State road networks. 

Between the 1900s and 1920s, colonial roads were developed sometimes over existing straightened and cleared footpaths that were previously used for trade. Among those built  were, Lagos - Ibadan, Ibadan - Ijebu-Ode, roads linking Ilesha, Akure, Ondo, Benin and Sapele in the West.

1974, some roads previously maintained by the states were transferred to the Federal Government, which created a classification called Trunk F roads.

The Federal Highway System of Nigeria also known as Trunk A

 The Federal Highways Act is not directly embedded within the Nigeria Constitution. Instead, it's a separate legislation that governs the management, direction, and control of federal highways in Nigeria. This act vests powers in the Minister of Works and Housing for 

- Planning and Designing Federal Highways

- Construction and Maintenance

- Supervision of Users

The Federal Highways Act was established in 1971, and its provisions cover various aspects of highway management, including 

The law guiding the Nigeria Highway Code is rooted in the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, established in 1988 through Decree No. 45, later amended by Decree 35 of 1992 and referred to as the FRSC Act cap 141 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN). This act empowers the FRSC to:

- Prevent and minimize accidents on highways

- Educate motorists and the public on highway discipline

- Determine and enforce speed limits for roads and vehicles

- Regulate vehicle safety standards

Additionally, the Federal Highways Act governs the construction, maintenance, and management of federal highways in Nigeria. This act vests powers in the Minister of Works and Housing for

- Planning and designing federal highways

- Constructing and maintaining highways

- Supervising highway users and regulating traffic

In a statement by the group, the group congratulated the good people of the Ekiti State for their resilience, maturity even in the face of provocation by some fifth columnists, and their support for the present administration.   The group also commended the efforts of Governor Oyebanji for tackling the mirages of our road networks.

However, the group reminded the entire people that it is in an atmosphere of peace and political stability built on the platform of continuity of good governance that developments can continue to take speed in the State. The state can be positioned to attract more federal government attentions with resilience and support to the government administration of Gov Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

High Chief Adebayo Convener, OSV

OYEBANJI REMOVES CHAIRMAN, MICROCREDIT AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

OYEBANJI REMOVES CHAIRMAN, MICROCREDIT AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

Ekiti  State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has relieved Akogun Abayomi Olumide  a.k.a Lustay of his position as Chairman of the Microcredit and Enterprise Development.

The removal, which was as a result of gross misconduct and dereliction of duty, is with immediate effect.

The sacked Chairman has also been directed to hand over all Government properties in his custody to the Agency.

Signed: 

Olayinka  Oyebode

Chief  Press Secretary to the Governor

16-08-2025

Group Warns Against Instigating Division Between Minister Tunji-Ojo and Governor Ayedatiwa.

Group Warns Against Instigating Division Between Minister Tunji-Ojo and Governor Ayedatiwa.

A political support group, BTO Ambassadors, has warned against alleged moves by some political actors to instigate division between the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The group, in a statement on Saturday, alleged that certain individuals, including some beneficiaries of both leaders, were hiding under “eye service” to create needless tension in the state’s political space.

It, however, maintained that both Tunji-Ojo and Aiyedatiwa enjoy a cordial working relationship and are jointly committed to the progress of Ondo State and the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The statement read partly, “BTO is for Aiyedatiwa, and Aiyedatiwa is for BTO. Both leaders are working tremendously towards the progress of Ondo State. We therefore warn loyalists and beneficiaries to desist from launching attacks on the Honourable Minister. They should learn to make enquiries before passing harsh comments or engaging in shallow criticisms that may disrupt the state’s political system.”

The group further clarified that all PBAT support groups established to back BTO’s commitment to President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid are structures working solely for the Tinubu mandate, and were never created to antagonise or provoke the Ondo State government. It stressed that Tunji-Ojo would not endorse any divisive agenda. 

It further cautioned loyalists on both sides against dragging either leader into personal battles.

“BTO loyalists should know that they cannot use the minister’s name to fight their personal wars, just as Aiyedatiwa’s supporters should avoid the same. The unity between both leaders is paramount for the peace and development of Ondo State,” the statement added.

The group also advised the APC state chairmanship Aspirants should desist from causing crisis between the Honorable Minister and the Governor, rather they should reach out to party members and notable leaders instead of dwelling on divisive tendencies between the Hon. Minister and the Governor.

Ekiti Govt, ENSHET Global Sign MoU for Agro-Forest Investment Expected to Create 1,000 Jobs.

Ekiti Govt, ENSHET Global Sign MoU for Agro-Forest Investment Expected to Create 1,000 Jobs.

The Ekiti State Government has signed a 30-year Memorandum of Understanding MoU, with ENSHET Heights Global for the development of economic trees on a 100-hectare portion of the Ogbese Forest Reserve, marking another giant step towards sustainable forest development and boosting the state’s agro-economic value chain.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ekiti State Government by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. (Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro, in the presence of the Executive Secretary, Forestry Commission, Mr. Sunday Adekunle while the 

Chairman, Mr Oladapo Olasope, signed for Enshet Heights Global Ltd, as witnessed by Dr Tunmise Ayodele, MD/CEO Enshet Heights Global Ltd. 

Under the agreement, the state government is granting ENSHET Global access to 1,500 hectares within the Ogbese Forest, out of which 100 hectares will be dedicated to the cultivation of high-value economic trees for commercial purposes.

The initiative, which is to be supervised at no cost by officials of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, mandates ENSHET Global to cultivate only approved species and prohibits the planting of Indian hemp or any unlawful crop.

According to the terms, the investment will run from 1st August 2025 to 31st July 2055, subject to review every five years and renewable based on satisfactory performance.

Harvesting of any mature trees will be carried out jointly upon confirmation by an independent valuer and the Forestry Commission, who will issue the necessary permits. 

It was agreed that any attempt to remove trees without due process or the state’s percentage entitlement will be deemed a breach and sanctioned in line with the Ekiti State Forestry Laws.

Both parties are committed to maintaining confidentiality, acting in good faith, and abiding by Nigerian laws regarding dispute resolution, which shall be settled through arbitration in Ado-Ekiti if required.

The MoU also includes provisions for termination should either party default on agreed obligations or fail to perform satisfactorily. 

Importantly, arbitrary termination, especially after ENSHET Global has made substantial investment, would require the state to refund the investment as valued by jointly appointed independent assessors

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director/CEO of Enshet Heights Global Ltd., Dr. Tunmise Ayodele, explained that the project is designed to develop, finance, cultivate, regenerate, process, and market cassava and its value-chain products;  including cassava flour, starch, sorbitol, and ethanol; on up to 1,400 hectares of degraded portions of the Ogbese Forest Reserve. 

He added that the initiative will be implemented alongside the planting of various exotic and indigenous tree species to support environmental sustainability.

According to Dr. Ayodele, the project is expected to directly employ over 1,000 Ekiti citizens, attract increased foreign direct investment and ultimately place Ekiti State on the global economic map, adding that the initiative is in complete alignment with Mr Governor’s shared prosperity agenda.

Ekiti to Host New Forestry Research Institute Outstation, Boosting Research and Job Creation.

Ekiti to Host New Forestry Research Institute Outstation, Boosting Research and Job Creation.

Ekiti State is poised to host a new research outstation for the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), a move expected to significantly boost forestry research and economic development in the state. This initiative stems from a collaborative effort between the Ekiti State government and FRIN's management. A key inspection was conducted in Odoowa, Ijero Local Government Area, led by Dr. Tayo Oyelowo of FRIN, to assess the site's suitability for the proposed facility.

In a move to attract a greater federal presence in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has officially approved the establishment of the FRIN outstation in Odoowa. This approval underscores the state's commitment to harnessing its rich forestry potential. The establishment of this outstation is a crucial step towards unlocking the immense potential of forestry to significantly boost the state's Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) in the future. Beyond economic benefits, this initiative is also a testament to the governor's commitment to climate change mitigation and the long-term sustainability of Ekiti's environment.

The new FRIN outstation, a federal government research institution under the Federal Ministry of Environment, will serve as a hub for research and development, helping the state to better manage its forest resources and contribute to a greener future.

The establishment of this outstation is a direct outcome of a high-level meeting held in Ibadan on April 28, 2025, where Ekiti State officials, including Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, the Technical Advisor on Green Economy, Dr. Olly Owen, the Technical Advisor on Forestry and Climate Change, and Mr. Sunday Adekunle, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, met with FRIN's Director-General, Professor Zachariah Buba Yaduma. FRIN, Nigeria's premier government agency for forestry research, has over seventeen regional stations but none in Ekiti State, making this a pivotal development. The new outstation will focus on sustainability, conservation, and the utilization of forest resources, aligning with FRIN's core mandate.

The proposed outstation will bring significant benefits to Ekiti, including job creation, capacity building, and enhanced environmental consciousness. It is also expected to become a "Green Hub" for nearby towns and villages, contributing to the restoration of degraded landscapes, tourism, and the eventual development of a seed bank. The Ekiti State government is required to meet several conditions to facilitate the project, including providing a minimum of 10 hectares of arable land, furnished office accommodation, and essential utilities like water and electricity.

During the site inspection in Odoowa, the FRIN team met with Mr. Sunday Adekunle, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, and the Olowa of Odoowa. The Olowa has reportedly promised to provide 20 hectares of land and a farmhouse, exceeding FRIN's minimum requirement and positioning Odoowa as a strong and preferred site for the outstation's location. Odoowa's offer reflects a robust commitment from the local community.