Ekiti deepens agricultural reform drive with SAPZ training.

Ekiti deepens agricultural reform drive with SAPZ training.

The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural transformation following the participation of staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and key agro-stakeholders in a train-the-trainer certification programme at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the initiative underscores the government’s determination to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure effective participation in the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.

Boluwade explained that the training was facilitated by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in collaboration with the Global Center on Adaptation for states selected by the African Development Bank Group under the SAPZ Phase II initiative.

According to him, the programme focused on critical areas including soil health management and seed systems development, equipping participants with tools to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve productivity.

The Commissioner added that participants engaged in practical sessions, field assessments and hands-on training in digital soil health and fertility mapping, as well as climate-resilient seed system digitisation aimed at improving traceability and adaptability.

The Commissioner said the training also emphasised the need to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve processing efficiency and create employment opportunities across the sector.

Boluwade noted that the initiative, which  aligns with the agricultural agenda of Gov. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, is expected to enhance farmers’ productivity and deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He said the programme would encourage the adoption of data-driven farming practices, boost agro-processing, improve investor confidence and ultimately strengthen food security in the state.

World Autism Day: EKSG reaffirms commitment to autism support, Inclusivity.

World Autism Day: EKSG reaffirms commitment to autism support, Inclusivity.

Ekiti State government has restated its unalloyed commitment to campaigns aimed at dispelling misconceptions and fostering inclusivity for individuals with autism in the State by ensuring adequate support in the area of finance, healthcare and manpower.

The Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor, Mr Niyi Adebayo, stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday while leading an autism awareness and sensitization campaign walk to commemorate the 2026 World Autism Day. He called on parents with such special children to bring them out for necessary attention stressing that there is still hope for them to live a meaningful life.

“We have therapists, teachers we have well-trained qualified personnel who can diagnose these children, examine them, and then tell us what the conditions are, and we can start working with them on how to move them towards being normal. And there are records  all over the world of children who have autism, who later became normal or near normal such that if you didn't know their history before, you may not even know they were autistic.”

While x-raying the theme for this year’s celebration, "Spark the Spectrum" Adebayo stressed the need for governments and stakeholders to move beyond mere awareness advocacy to strengthen diagnostic, therapeutic and educational services for children and adults on the spectrum.

Adebayo called on all stakeholders to foster a culture of inclusivity, as a departure to persistent discrimination against individuals with autism, particularly in education, healthcare, and employment. He pledged increase government’s funding and policy support to strengthen diagnostic, therapeutic and educational services for children and adults on the spectrum with the aim of creating a society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

He also thanked Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his support for the Special Education and Social Inclusion Agency led by Princess Adetoun Agboola,  who, according to him, continues to do an excellent job supporting those who are living with different conditions of autism in Ekiti State.

Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola commended Governor Oyebanji for being an ardent supporter of Persons with Disabilities with the introduction of many initiatives that ensure that they are well included in the society. 

She said the annual autism day is designed to create awareness by reminding the society to respond with compassion and concrete action to support autistic children. 

Agboola, who revealed plans to expand early screening services, said Ekiti State has achieved a major milestone in the training of about 50 staff to carry out effective screening for autism, noting that screening is different from diagnosing.

The awareness walk took place from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Complex to the Therapy Centre for Children with Disabilities,  Old Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti. 

Top government officials who participated in the awareness walk included a member of House Representatives, Hon Akin Rotimi; Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Comrade Olatunde Kolapo; members of the state executive council including Commissioners for Finance, Mr Akintunde Oyebode; Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani; Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi;  the  Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; Special Adviser OTSD, Dr Moyo Ekundayo;  and Special Adviser Special Projects, Bunmi Talabi; among others.

Agbeyewa Hosts 3rd Annual Ekiti Traditional Rulers’ Retreat.

Agbeyewa Hosts 3rd Annual Ekiti Traditional Rulers’ Retreat.

...Advancing Culture, Leadership, and Nigeria’s Cassava Industrial Transformation.

Agbeyewa Farms Limited, a leading agribusiness platform under Cavista Holdings, will host its annual Ekiti Traditional Rulers’ Retreat on April 15, 2026, at the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre, Ekiti State.

Now in its third year, the retreat has evolved into a flagship platform for engaging Ekiti’s revered traditional rulers, strengthening collaboration between royal institutions and modern agricultural enterprise in driving community development, food security, and inclusive economic growth.

Agbeyewa continues to lead a bold transformation of Nigeria’s cassava value chain, spanning cultivation, aggregation, processing, and agro-trading, while creating sustainable livelihoods and empowering rural communities at scale. This commitment is further reinforced through its role as the agricultural supply engine powering the emerging Matna Cassava Industrial Platform (MCIP), a cornerstone of Cavista Holdings’ Food and Agriculture strategy.

This year’s event will convene distinguished royal fathers, government leaders, and key stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem. The governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is expected to  declare the event open. While other senior Government officials and industry leaders, are expected at the gathering.

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), will serve as Royal Father of the Day. The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Oba Dr. Adejimi Samuel Adu (Agirilala II), Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, will lead participating monarchs from across the state.

The event will also feature a keynote address by the Vice Chancellor of Venite University, Ekiti, Prof. Charity Aremu, on the theme: “Driving Economic Transformation Through Sustainable Agricultural Development."

Beyond a convening, the retreat represents a strategic alignment between tradition and enterprise, reinforcing Agbeyewa’s vision to build a globally competitive cassava ecosystem rooted in cultural heritage, partnership, and sustainable prosperity.

At the heart of this vision is the Matna Cassava Industrial Platform (MCIP), an integrated framework designed to accelerate Nigeria’s cassava industrialization through three critical pillars of value creation:

Security of Supply,  anchored by Agbeyewa Farms through large-scale cultivation and community-based farming partnerships

Processing Scalability, enabled by Matna Foods’ industrial processing capabilities

Market Expansion and Revenue Sustainability, driven by Cavista Holdings’ global market development and strategic partnerships

Together, this integrated platform positions Nigeria to emerge as a global leader in cassava-based food and industrial ingredient production, while delivering inclusive economic growth across rural communities.

The program will also feature a strategic address on Cavista Holdings’ Food and Agriculture Industrialization Platform, highlighting how the integration of agricultural supply, industrial processing, and global market access is shaping the next phase of cassava transformation in Nigeria.

Signed:

Agbeyewa Farms Limited

Ekiti L-PRES Advances Strategic Upgrade of Ultramodern Abattoir Infrastructure.

Ekiti L-PRES Advances Strategic Upgrade of Ultramodern Abattoir Infrastructure.

The Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has initiated a major intervention to strengthen the state’s livestock value chain through the planned equipping of its ultramodern abattoir with state-of-the-art facilities.

This milestone was highlighted during the official bid opening ceremony for the supply and installation of equipment held in Ado Ekiti.

The project recorded a strong market response, with 10 firms expressing interest. Out of these, six met the compliance requirements by submitting complete bidding documentation for evaluation.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, stressed the strategic importance of an integrated and efficient abattoir value chain. 

He noted that deploying modern infrastructure would significantly improve meat processing standards, strengthen biosecurity measures, and enhance operational efficiency across the sector.

Boluwade further explained that a well-coordinated, end-to-end value chain—from livestock handling through processing to distribution—is essential for ensuring food safety, reducing post-harvest losses, and unlocking economic opportunities for stakeholders.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ebenezer Ojo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to due process, stating that contractor selection would strictly follow established procurement procedures to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money.

Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe, confirmed that the procurement process complied fully with statutory requirements. He added that the project was widely advertised in national dailies and conducted in line with public procurement regulations to ensure fairness and competitiveness.

Upon completion, the installation of modern abattoir equipment is expected to improve processing capacity, enhance hygiene standards, and position Ekiti State as a model for sustainable livestock infrastructure development in Nigeria

Venite University to Collaborate with Federal University Oye-Ekiti in Driving Growth and Innovations through Partnership.

Venite University to Collaborate with Federal University Oye-Ekiti in Driving Growth and Innovations through Partnership.

A new chapter of academic collaboration and institutional synergy was initiated on Tuesday, 31st March 2026, as the management team of Venite University paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of Federal University Oye-Ekiti at the Oye-Ekiti campus. The visit, led by the Vice Chancellor of Venite University, Professor Charity O. Aremu, alongside her management team, was received by the Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Joshua O. Ogunwole, and his management team in what proved to be a productive and forward looking engagement.

During the interactive session between both management teams, Professor Aremu expressed her profound appreciation to Professor Ogunwole for the warm reception accorded her team despite his demanding schedule since assuming office. She highlighted the strategic importance of the visit, noting that as a relatively young institution, Venite University is poised to learn and grow by aligning with the experience and achievements of FUOYE. According to her, the partnership would enable Venite University to build on established structures and best practices, thereby accelerating its growth and capacity for innovation.

Professor Aremu further emphasised the need for collaborative engagement, stating that Venite University seeks to “stand on the shoulders” of Federal University Oye-Ekiti in order to attain speedy remarkable progress in teaching, research, and community impact. She reiterated the institution’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that would not only enhance institutional development but also contribute meaningfully to national educational advancement.

In his response, Professor Ogunwole warmly welcomed the visiting team and commended the initiative as a laudable step towards strengthening inter institutional cooperation. He assured the Venite delegation that the proposed areas of collaboration would be given due consideration, stressing that such partnerships align with the university’s responsibility towards community development and academic support.

In a metaphorical expression that underscored FUOYE’s philosophy of openness and shared progress, Professor Ogunwole remarked that “it is important to allow the stream to flow and not build dams, as dams cause flood and flood causes damage.” This statement reflects the university’s commitment to knowledge sharing, institutional support, and the promotion of collective growth within the academic community. He further reinforced this commitment with the closing remark, “blessed is he that scattereth,” highlighting the value of generosity in knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration.

The proposed areas of collaboration between both institutions include science and medical research, faculty staff exchange and professional relationships, joint conferences and seminars, laboratory and library development, inter institutional student engagement, as well as sports collaboration. These areas are expected to foster innovation, strengthen academic capacity, and promote holistic development across both universities.

The visit concluded with the exchange of gifts between the two management teams, symbolising a partnership built on mutual respect, shared vision, and a commitment to long term collaboration. The gesture served as a powerful reminder that beyond formal agreements, the relationship between Venite University and Federal University Oye-Ekiti is rooted in goodwill and a collective aspiration for excellence in higher education.

Ekiti Guber: We’ll Run Inclusive Campaign That’ll Deliver over 500,000 Votes, says Senate Leader.

Ekiti Guber: We’ll Run Inclusive Campaign That’ll Deliver over 500,000 Votes, says Senate Leader.

 The Senate Leader and Chairman of  Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has said that the council will run an inclusive, transparent, credible and a well-coordinated campaign strategy designed to deliver no fewer than 500,000 votes in the forthcoming governorship and presidential election.

Senate Bamidele stated this on Wednesday during the council’s meeting in Ado- Ekiti. He said the campaign would be driven by a clear structure that prioritises grassroots mobilisation and effective engagement across all strata of the electorate, ensuring that the party’s message resonate widely.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Senate Leader said all the six members of the House of Representative in the state have been appointed to be federal constituency coordinators in the six federal constituencies in the state.

He added that the council would adopt a focused and issue-based approach, highlighting the achievements of the current administration while presenting a forward-looking agenda to the people of the state.

Stressing that the major campaign would commence soon, the Senate Leader also disclosed that the campaign council has been carefully populated to ensure wide representation across the State and to effectively reach the grassroots.

Senator Bamidele expressed confidence in the performance of the Governor, adding that the administration’s track record would serve as a strong selling point for the campaign. assuring said the achievements recorded by the Governor would resonate with the electorate and translate into massive support at the poll .

He maintained that the strategies already put in place would not only secure victory for the Governor but also set a benchmark for campaign organisation and electoral success in the state.

“We will want to run an inclusive campaign, we will run a political campaign that will not only deliver the Governor as the candidate of the party but a campaign that will prepare the state for the subsequent elections.

“We will not only run a campaign, we are planning to run a fanfare that will also help stimulate the average voters in Ekiti State and the Governor has also emphasized on the need to run his campaign in a way that would have also prepare the people for the presidential elections, national assembly elections as well as the house of assembly election”. The senate leader asserted.

In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said he was satisfied with the progress recorded so far by  the campaign council, noting that the efforts of the council and the party’s  stakeholders have laid a solid foundation for a successful election.

Commending the strategic planning and grassroots mobilisation already underway, the Governor described them as a key driver that would strengthen the party’s outreach and engagement with voters across the state.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi said the target is to ensure that the Governor wins by landslide, noting that securing less than 500,000 votes for the Governorship and presidential elections would be considered below expectation

He emphasized that the campaign machinery has been structured to cover all wards and local government areas, ensuring robust mobilisation and effective voter engagement at the grassroots.

OYEBANJI CELEBRATES FORMER NIGERIAN ENVOY TO UNESCO, PROF OMOLEWA AT 85.

OYEBANJI CELEBRATES FORMER NIGERIAN ENVOY TO UNESCO, PROF OMOLEWA AT 85.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated former Nigeria's Permanent Delegate and Ambassador to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Prof Michael Omolewa on his 85th birthday.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, celebrated Prof Omolewa’s legacies and contributions to scholarship, education and diplomacy.

He noted the octogenarian scholar’s sacrifices, commitment to academic excellence in the nation's ivory towers of learning contributed to Nigeria's enviable rise as Africa's knowledge powerhouse.

The Governor said Prof Omolewa's history-making feat as the first West African to be elected as President of the General Conference of UNESCO was a remarkable milestone which Nigeria remains ever so proud of.

Describing Prof Omolewa as one of the legends of Adult Education in Nigeria, Governor Oyebanji said his efforts contributed in no small measure in making education accessible to more elderly individuals who did not have opportunities of formal education in their formative years.

He prayed God to grant Prof Omolewa more fulfilled years on the surface of the earth to continue to offer more service to Nigeria in particular and humanity in general.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate our revered academic, diplomat and elder statesman, Prof Michael Omolewa on his 85th birthday and pray that God will sustain  him with good health and grace as he continues to inspire the younger generations. “, the statement added.