Agbeyewa, Matna Foods Deepen Ties with Netherlands' ANDRITZ Gouda to Unlock New Value from Cassava.

Agbeyewa, Matna Foods Deepen Ties with Netherlands' ANDRITZ Gouda to Unlock New Value from Cassava.

From the farm to the factory, Agbeyewa Farms and Matna  are exploring new possibilities for cassava through technology and strategic industry partnerships.

Sander Schwartz of ANDRITZ Gouda B.V., Netherlands, recently visited Agbeyewa's cassava operations in Ipao, Ekiti State, before proceeding to Matna Foods' processing facility in Akure.

The two-stop engagement explored opportunities to strengthen cassava processing, optimise production and unlock higher-value applications through advanced processing technologies.

With ANDRITZ Gouda bringing more than a century of expertise in process technology, the engagement represents another step toward connecting reliable cassava production, industrial processing and value addition.

At Agbeyewa and Matna, we remain focused on one bigger opportunity: unlocking more value from cassava, from root to industry.

#CassavaValueChain #AgroProcessing #AgriculturalInnovation #ValueAddition #AgriBusiness

SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU FACILITATES CONSTRUCTION OF SIX-CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR ORUN COMMUNITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

SENATOR YEMI ADARAMODU FACILITATES CONSTRUCTION OF SIX-CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR ORUN COMMUNITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The ongoing construction of a modern six-classroom block at Orun Community Grammar School, Orun-Ekiti, facilitated by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has further strengthened efforts to improve educational infrastructure and create a more conducive learning environment for students.

The project is designed to provide safe, comfortable and functional classrooms that will enhance teaching and learning while supporting teachers in delivering quality education.

The intervention underscores Senator Adaramodu’s commitment to human capital development, educational advancement and community-focused representation, particularly across Ekiti South.

Speaking on behalf of the community, High Chief Aro, representing His Royal Majesty, Oba Zachaeus Aderohunmu Oluwatosin Adewumi Omuyomade I, the Olowuro of Orun-Ekiti, expressed the community’s appreciation to Senator Adaramodu for his consistent interventions and responsiveness to the needs of the people.

The Olowuro of Orun-Ekiti prayed for Senator Adaramodu and pledged the community’s continued support for the government at all levels, while expressing confidence in the Senator’s commitment to the development of Orun and Ekiti South.

Residents Defy Heavy Rainfall to Receive Balarabe Akinwumi, Others.

Residents Defy Heavy Rainfall to Receive Balarabe Akinwumi, Others.

Residents of Ward 2 in Akure South Local Government Area, on Friday, September 11, 2026, defied a heavy downpour in the metropolis, trooping out in large numbers to receive Hon. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

The visit formed part of the ADC's ongoing ward-to-ward engagement across the constituency, during which the party's candidates and leaders have been interacting with residents, community leaders, party members and various interest groups.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Akinwumi thanked the residents for turning out despite the unfavourable weather conditions. He described the reception as a demonstration of the confidence and support of the people, assuring them that he and the party would not take their support for granted.

“This show of love is overwhelming. It is a confirmation of your confidence and belief in us. As an individual and a political party, we will not disappoint you too,” Akinwumi said.

He said he was determined to establish a standard of representation that would serve as a benchmark for whoever represents the constituency in the future.

“I am determined to set a standard that even after me, subsequent representatives will not be able to perform below the standard. We will support our women with funding for their businesses and provide job opportunities for their children so that their businesses can grow,” he said.

Akinwumi also spoke on the need for greater economic opportunities for women and youths, stressing that support for small businesses and employment opportunities could contribute to improved livelihoods within the constituency.

He called on ADC members and supporters to continue mobilising peacefully across their respective wards and communities, urging them to communicate the party's message responsibly and engage residents with respect.

The candidate also thanked the residents for their resilience in braving the heavy rainfall to participate in the engagement, describing their presence as an indication of the importance they attach to direct interaction with political candidates.

The campaign train included the ADC Chairman in Akure South,  Prince Abiodun Adeyemi; Director-General of the ADC Campaign Council in Akure South, Ambassador Kunle Adeloye; House of Assembly hopefuls, Engr. Temi Oluwalade and Hon. Adeyemi Adesida; and the ADC Women Leader in Akure South, Olori Falaye Adenike, among other party leaders and supporters.

The Ward 2 engagement is part of the ongoing grassroots sensitization activities of the ADC ahead of the 2027 general election, with the party continuing its interactions with communities across the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency.

Balarabe Foundation Empowers Households, Students as 30 Trainees Graduate, 100 Set for Next Intake.

Balarabe Foundation Empowers Households, Students as 30 Trainees Graduate, 100 Set for Next Intake.

The Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi Foundation (BAAF) has continued its intervention in education, youth empowerment and community development, with 30 young people graduating from its latest skills-acquisition programme as another 100 set to benefit from a new digital-skills training initiative.

Founder of the Foundation, Hon. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi, said investing in young people and making meaningful contributions to society had become an important part of his personal commitment to community development.

Akinwumi, who is also the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, stated this on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the BAAF Impact and Graduation Ceremony held to celebrate the 30 beneficiaries who completed their training.

The beneficiaries were equipped with practical skills across various areas, including fashion, hair styling, photography, video editing, event planning, pastries and nail artistry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Akinwumi said one of the most enduring ways of impacting society was through investment in human capacity, particularly by giving young people the skills, mentorship and support required to become self-reliant.

According to him, empowering young people goes beyond providing immediate assistance, as it also involves mentoring them and monitoring their progress to ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired translate into sustainable livelihoods.

He announced the sponsorship of another batch of 100 young people who would be trained in digital skills as part of the Foundation's continuing empowerment initiative.

Akinwumi expressed appreciation to his wife, Adenike, for what he described as her invaluable support, while also commending the Manager of the Foundation, Mrs Simisola Alabi, and the team of volunteers for their commitment to the Foundation's programmes.

Earlier in her remarks, the Foundation's Manager, Mrs Simisola Alabi, had said BAAF's interventions should not be measured merely by the number of beneficiaries but by the individual lives and families positively affected by its programmes.

“When we look at the journey of BAAF so far, we don’t just see numbers. We see faces. We see young people whose dreams were given another chance. We see parents whose burdens became a little lighter. We see communities that were reminded that someone cares,” Alabi said.

She explained that the Foundation's education-support initiatives had reached a significant number of pupils and students, noting that BAAF had paid the school fees of 100 students and supported 20 parents with their children's education. According to her, the Foundation had also provided 60 school uniforms and distributed more than 2,000 learning materials, 500 mathematical sets and 500 school bags to children who needed them.

Alabi said the Foundation recognised that financial constraints could constitute a major barrier to educational advancement, particularly for young people seeking admission to tertiary institutions.

“We also believe that the cost of an examination should not limit a young person’s future. That is why we sponsored 100 teenagers for JAMB registration, helping remove one more barrier between them and tertiary education,” she said.

She recalled that when residents of Ifelodun community reached out following damage to their water-storage facilities, the Foundation responded by providing two 2,500-litre water tanks.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the 30 beneficiaries who completed the skills-acquisition programme.

The event also featured a panel discussion and talent presentations, providing the beneficiaries with an opportunity to showcase some of the skills and abilities acquired during their training.

OYEBANJI: A FORWARD-LOOKING LEADER PRIORITISING DEVELOPMENT AND EKITI’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.

OYEBANJI: A FORWARD-LOOKING LEADER PRIORITISING DEVELOPMENT AND EKITI’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.

The resumption of official duties by Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, immediately after his two-week annual leave is another clear demonstration of the character of a forward-looking leader who understands that governance is a continuous responsibility and that development must remain at the heart of public administration.

Rather than returning from his leave to engage in mere ceremonial activities, Governor Oyebanji went straight to the field to inspect major ongoing projects across the State. For about four hours, the Governor personally assessed the progress of critical projects, interacted with contractors and supervising Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and sought assurances on quality, standards and timely completion.

This hands-on approach deserves commendation. Leadership is not only about making policies from the comfort of an office; it is also about going to the project sites, identifying challenges, demanding accountability and ensuring that public resources are translated into tangible infrastructure and improved quality of life for the people.

The projects inspected — including the newly acquired Ground Handling Equipment and Aviation Fuel Dump at the Ekiti Agro-Allied Airport, the ultra-modern 80-bed facility at EKSUTH, the reconstruction of the Adekunle Fajuyi Memorial Park and the new Ekiti State High Court Complex — represent investments with the potential to strengthen Ekiti's infrastructure, healthcare, aviation, tourism, justice system and broader economic prospects.

Governor Oyebanji's development philosophy goes beyond constructing physical infrastructure. These projects are components of a broader vision to position Ekiti State for sustainable economic transformation. A functional airport can stimulate investment, tourism and commerce. Modern healthcare infrastructure can improve human capital and attract professional expertise. Quality public spaces can enhance tourism and the urban environment, while a modern judicial complex can strengthen institutional efficiency and investor confidence.

This is why Governor Oyebanji deserves commendation for consistently placing development above political rhetoric. His approach demonstrates an understanding that the real measure of governance is the extent to which government projects and policies create opportunities, improve livelihoods and build a stronger foundation for future generations.

His re-election by the people of Ekiti State on June 20 is, therefore, not merely a political victory; it is also a vote of confidence in a development-oriented administration and its direction for the State. The forthcoming inauguration of his second term will provide another opportunity to consolidate the gains of the first administration and pursue even more ambitious programmes for Ekiti.

The people of Ekiti should expect a second term characterised by greater consolidation, accelerated infrastructure development, economic expansion, job creation, investment attraction and stronger institutional capacity.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has demonstrated that leadership is about vision, commitment, accountability and the courage to turn plans into reality. His immediate return to project inspection after his annual leave is another indication that he remains focused on the task of building an economically stronger, more prosperous and better-positioned Ekiti State.

As Ekiti enters another phase of its development journey, the State needs continuity, stability and purposeful leadership. Governor Oyebanji's record and renewed commitment provide a solid platform upon which the State can build.

"Ekiti's future is not merely about what we have today, but about what we are deliberately building for tomorrow. Governor Oyebanji's development agenda is pointing in that direction." Arch. Tope Ogunleye.

RST Media Team.

EKITI GUBER TRIBUNAL ADMITS OYEBANJI, OTHERS' PRE-HEARING REPORTS.

EKITI GUBER TRIBUNAL ADMITS OYEBANJI, OTHERS' PRE-HEARING REPORTS.

...Full hearing commences on Monday.

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti has admitted the pre-hearing reports as adopted by parties before it in the petition arising from the governorship election held on June 20, 2026 in Ekiti State.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi at the sitting held on Thursday said the three-member panel has taken the report as adopted by parties in the case to pave way for commencement of hearing on Monday, September 14.

The pre-hearing reports were filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Isaac Adebayo Alade;  who are the 1st and 2nd Petitioners and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Biodun Oyebanji who are the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the case with Petition Number EPT/EK/GOV/02/2026.

The Tribunal also received the pre-hearing reports filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Matthew Olu Omotoso; who are the 1st and 2nd Petitioners as well as INEC and Governor Oyebanji who are the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the case with Petition Number EPT/EK/GOV/03/2026.

The Thursday's sitting formally brought an end to pre-hearing formalities at the Tribunal with parties now expected to prepare for the full trial of the petition filed by both SDP and AA which scored 179 votes and 126 votes respectively at the June governorship poll.

The three-member jury which also includes Justice Justice Aminu Tukur and Justice Maurice Okediya also admitted the pre-hearing reports submitted by INEC and Governor Oyebanji through their legal teams.

Counsels to parties in the two petitions told the panel that they had read the pre-hearing reports exchanged among themselves and that the reports reflected all the issues they had all agreed on to drive the course of the proceedings before the Tribunal.

Counsel to SDP and AA in the two petitions, Paul Ayantoyinbo and counsel to INEC, Bunmi Ogunsakin, told the panel that they have been served with the pre-hearing reports which contain all issues agreed by parties in line with the Practice Direction.

Also, counsel to Oyebanji in the two petitions, Kabir Akingbolu, also told the panel that he has been served with the pre-hearing reports which reflect issues agreed by parties to allow for commencement of hearing.

Akingbolu, however, said the governor's legal team has filed issues for determination before the Tribunal which was dated September 7 with lawyers to other parties in the case admitting that they have been served.

INEC counsel Ogunsakin also told the Tribunal that she has filed a Motion on Notice also dated September which have been served on other parties in the petitions.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Kutigi, who emphasized the readiness of the panel to give expeditious hearing to the petitions within the time allowed by law urged petitioners' counsel, Ayantoyinbo, to ensure that witnesses are brought to the Tribunal on Monday in order not to give room to any delay.

Justice Kutigi stressed that the petition had been filed in July with hearing commencing in September with the two months interval enough to assemble witnesses needed to facilitate hearing of the governorship case.

The Tribunal chief further told parties that all applications served will be addressed at the adoption of addresses by parties in the petition.

He subsequently adjourned the sitting of the Tribunal to 9.00am on Monday, September 14, for hearing of the petition in which the SDP and its governorship candidate are expected to open their case.

EKITI AT 30: STATE ANNOUNCES YOUTH ESSAY COMPETITION, OFFERS ₦1.5M TOP PRIZE.

EKITI AT 30: STATE ANNOUNCES YOUTH ESSAY COMPETITION, OFFERS ₦1.5M TOP PRIZE.

As part of activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, the Ekiti State at 30 Anniversary Planning Committee has announced a youth essay competition designed to give young Ekiti people a platform to shape the conversation about the future of the State.

The competition, titled “Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years,” invites young Ekiti people to envision the kind of State they want to see by 2056 and propose practical steps that government, communities, institutions, the private sector and citizens can take today to make that vision possible.

The essay competition is open to Ekiti indigenes aged 18 to 35, whether resident within or outside the State.

Participants are encouraged to explore issues including agriculture and food security; education and human-capital development; technology and innovation; entrepreneurship and job creation; arts, culture and tourism; infrastructure and urban development; healthcare and social protection; governance and civic responsibility; and environmental sustainability.

The Planning Committee said the competition is intended to move beyond the familiar diagnosis of Ekiti's challenges by encouraging young people to develop original, practical and measurable solutions for the State's long-term development.

According to the Committee, preference will be given to essays that clearly connect vision with implementation by addressing what should be done, who should do it, how it could be funded and what results should be expected.

The competition offers the following prizes:

● First Prize: ₦1,500,000, a laptop computer and certificate

● Second Prize: ₦1,000,000, a laptop computer and certificate

● Third Prize: ₦750,000, a laptop computer and certificate

● Seven other finalists: ₦100,000 each and a certificate of distinction

The winners will be announced and presented with their prizes at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit, scheduled for October 7, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.

The Committee said the initiative is also aimed at identifying young writers, thinkers and policy innovators whose ideas can contribute to Ekiti's long-term development agenda.

The top ten essays will be edited and published in a commemorative publication, while the finalists will be invited to an Ekiti Youth Futures Forum scheduled for December. 

The strongest proposals emerging from the competition will also be compiled and presented to the State Government as a proposed “Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056.”

According to the committee, entries, interested participants should visit www.ekitistate.gov.ng/ essay to submit their essay, while entries  will be accepted from September 11 to September 28, 2026.