By Funke Rotimi
The Executive Chairman of Ise/Orun Local Government of Ekiti State, Honourable Ayodele Samson Bamikole, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to bringing development to the local government in accordance with the Six Point Agenda of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
The Council boss stated this at the groundbreaking event of the foundation laying ceremony of a poultry farm house and distribution of agricultural farm inputs to farmers in the wards across the local government held at the council secretariat in Ise/Orun- Ekiti.
Highlighting the Six Points Agenda of the Governor which include; Job Creation, Human Capital Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Good Governance, Arts Culture and Tourism, Honourable Bamikole said, It’s important to appreciate Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his unwavering support towards the growth and sustenance of Ekiti State, and by extension the Local Government Councils as well as the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State in terms of Agricultural development and Empowerment programmes.
The Chairman who said he’s bold to say that he has come to serve the good people of Ise/Orun Local Government promised that he would ensure that the dividends of democracy reach everyone.
According to him, “the distribution of agricultural inputs to our people is aimed at scaling up and unlocking agricultural productivity”.
The inputs, he said would not only help farmers to produce more food, but also help in producing more food with fewer resources and in a way that is sustainable and environmentally responsible.
The use of knapsack and herbicides for examples will aid farmers achieve better yields, improve the quality of their crops and ultimately increase their profitability. The Chairman stated.
He added that the foundation laying of the poultry farm embarked upon is to rear livestock and eggs which are proteinous and raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the Local Government.
While soliciting support, prayers and cooperation of the people, Honourable Bamikole enjoined them to pay their taxes at the right time to enable the present administration achieve all its envisioned projects and programmes.
He therefore assured the good people of the Local Government of speedy completion of the poultry farm and several more empowerment packages for the people of lse/Orun Local Government.
Some agricultural inputs distributed at the event were; Knapsack Sprayer, Cutlass, Rain boot, Iron file, Herbicides, such as Atrazine and Force up, Liquid Fertilizer, Hand Glove, Rake and Big Hoe to selected beneficiaries/farmers across the Ten(10)wards of Ise/Orun Local Government.
In his reaction, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Otunba Kayode Fasae, emphasized that Governor Biodun Oyebanji means well for farmers in the State. Adding that agriculture is one of the major pillars of the present administration and that the Governor would continue to accord priority to the farmers.
The Technical Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Biyi Fasoyin equally assured the Chairman and all the people of the local government of his support, advising the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to boost food production in the local government.
On his part, Professor Philip Adetiloye, urged government at all levels to be responsive to the yearnings of the farmers and ensure that the farm inputs get to them. He commended the Chairman for all the support he has been giving to farmers.
Similarly, Engr. Atere Philip appreciated the Governor of Ekiti State for making agriculture a good investment in the local government. He also urged the Chairman not to relent in his effort at making life bearable for farmers as he donated one thousand blocks to the poultry project.
The Traditional Ruler of Ise-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Adetunji Ayodele Ajayi (JP), the Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, represented by High Chief Daramola, the appreciated the gesture of the Chairman and advised the beneficiaries not to sell any of the tools given to them.
Also, his counterpart, the Olowuro of Orun-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Zacheous Oluwatosin Adewumi (JP) ably represented by High Chief Ogunjemilua, thanked the Chairman for helping the farmers with the tools at this period of the nation when the economy of the country is nothing to write home about.
The monarch used the occasion to equally appeal to the Council boss to provide adequate security for the farmers to be able to carryout their farming activities without any fear.
