The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for emerging the Silverbird Man of the year, saying the Governor has again written the name of Ekiti in gold.
Boluwade in a congratutory message to the Governor, described him as a visionary and focused leader who has matched his promise of shared prosperity for all in the State with rapid action.
He reteirated the commitment of the Governor to Food Security in the State through various programmes and interventions geared towards large scale food production, massive mechanised farming and empowerment programmes for youths in Agriculture.
The Commissioner recalled that over 200 million naira was generated as profit by young farmers in the State last year as a result of provision of modified seedlings, massive land clearing and tractorization for the young farmers as well as various other groups of farmers in the State
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Ojo Babatope who corroborated the Commissioner’s assertions, affirmed that the award did not come as a surprise due to the commitment of the Governor to anything that will bring succour to humanity.
He recalled several efforts made by the Governor to attract Federal Government’s interventions to the State Agricultural sector, including the establishment of the Food Processing Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (FOPEMDI) in Ekiti State, nomination of Ekiti State as the pilot state for Agriculture in South West, selection of Ekiti State for Agricultural Skills Programme through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and citing of the first Soil assessment laboratory equipment in South West in Ekiti State in order to help farmers in Ekiti and the South Western States have easy access to soil test.
Babatope charged people of the State to reciprocate the Governor’s efforts through unalloyed support to the programmes of the State Government, saying the Governor has brought an enviable honour to Ekiti State.
