…..AS FAYEMI INAUGURATES GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR AGRIC COLLEGE
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at the weekend said his
government was making concerted efforts to make commercial agriculture
the mainstay of the State’s economy hence the decision to establish
the College of Agriculture and Technology, Isan Ekiti.
The governor stated this in Ado Ekiti while inaugurating the governing
council of the College. He said the state government under his watch
is “walking the talk in the agriculture sector” with the aim of
ensuring food security and financially empowering Ekiti farmers.
Dr Fayemi stated that the quest to restore agriculture to its pride of
place in Ekiti State has necessitated a number of reforms and
initiatives such as developing partnership with private sectors such
as Promasidor and Dangote Farms to boost the agric sector in the
state.
The governor explained that the essence of the College of agriculture
was to train people in agricultural best practices through modern
technology with an expectation that the products of the College would,
in turn, utilize their acquired knowledge and skills in the
agriculture and technology base of the State.
“The dream and aspiration to have a College of Agriculture and
Technology in our dear State has been resuscitated and this has been
made possible through the Re-enactment Act of 2019 which resuscitated
the school. It gladdens my heart that the College commenced operation
on September 4, 2019 and it is gradually afoot with remarkable
progress.
“It is a common knowledge that Ekiti is an agrarian State. Therefore,
it is not by happenstance that Agriculture and Rural Development is
one of the five pillars of our administration. As a government, we are
walking the talk in the agriculture sector with the aim of ensuring
food security and financially empowering our farmers”, he said.
While charging the pioneer governing council members to demonstrate
creativity and commitment that would add value to the College,
Governor Fayemi urged them to discharge their duties with all sense of
“responsibility, diligence, fairness and honesty” as their appointment
is a call to service and not “a call to keep up appearances at the
detriment of the College and the State”.
Fayemi commended the efforts of individuals especially the former
Deputy Governor of the State and now Chairman of the National Board
for Technical Education, Prof. Modupe Adelabu for providing the
support which has enabled the state government to revive the once
abandoned College.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council and former
Commissioner for Agric in the State, Mr Babajide Arowosafe recalled
Fayemi’s visit to the United States where it was discussed that the
State could establish a College of Agriculture and Technology that
would “service the country in the space of agriculture and be a legacy
for Ekiti and Nigeria”.
Arowasafe, a former commissioner for Agriculture in the state, said
the council would ensure that the College is run as an institution
that will drive agro-business in the State and be a catalyst for food
security in Nigeria.
The Arowosafe-led Council has Prof Simi Odesanmi, Nurudeen Ousman, Dr
Tope Aroge and Mr Aroge as members.