Through the Five Pillars of his Administration namely; Governance, Agriculture & Rural Development, Social Investments, Knowledge Economy and Infrastructure & Industrial Development, His Excellency Governor John Kayode Fayemi has exceeded the expectations of the people of Ekiti State on ensuring the dividends of Democracy reached all and sundry.
His notable achievements within one year in office have upturned the economy of the state. These are: Pillar one Governance; Governor Fayemi’s administration has increased gratuity to retirees from N10million to N100million monthly, ensured regular and prompt payment of salaries and approved N30, 000 new minimum wage.
Pillar Two Agriculture and Rural Development; Governor Fayemi-led administration has trained 100 youth rice farmers on production of quality rice seed by AfricaRice International Ibadan and provision of quality rice seed to boost rice production in Ekiti State.
Pillar Three Social Investments; Fayemi has created social intervention programmes such as; YESSO community development for cash scheme. ‘Owo Arugbo’ monthly sustenance cash transfers to senior citizens across the state. ‘Ounje Arugbo’ is a monthly food stuff support for the aged across Ekiti.
Pillar Four Knowledge Economy; Distribution of 8,075 units of furniture for pupils, 3,375 units of metal legged student’s lockers & chairs and 4,150 teachers’ tables and chairs. Payment of Bursary and scholarships for #Ekiti students in tertiary institutions and Commencement of recruitment of graduate and NCE teachers into Ekiti state Primary Schools.
Pillar Five Infrastructure & Industrial Development; Engagement with international donors to provide up to $150million of funding for Ad-Akure Road, Special Agric Processing Zone and Ekiti Cargo Airport. Engagement with several investors to complete abandoned projects or commence new ones including the now completed Bon Hotel Ado-Ekiti, investment in Ikun Dairy Farm, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Fountain Hotel, all expected to be completed by 2020.
As part of activities to commemorate the one year anniversary of the JKF-Led Administration, a Colloquium tagged; “Building Sustainable Economy through Values Orientation and Innovative Thinking”
The Colloquium centres on how the government can maximize available opportunities for economic growth, using the principles of values orientation and innovative thinking to generate a re-designed pathway for development in Ekiti state.
To address key issues bothering on economic growth and development, the Colloquium featured a Panelists Session moderated by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Tourism & Values Orientation, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua.
Panelists for the session include; Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Olubinmi Adetunmbi; Senior Presenter at Radio Nigeria, Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje; Journalist & Gender Activist, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju and the Vice President of Students’ Union EKSU, Modupe Mary Adetiba.
Governor Fayemi, during the session, said that a lot is yet to be done to restoring values in the state. He said. He said the government is set to begin the next phase of executing plans to reclaiming lost values and also implement new innovations that will drive the economic growth of Ekiti State.
He also said that the state government, through the office of Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency, has made various provisions for Agriculture and SME funding.
Governor Fayemi added that government is ready to collaborate with foreign investors that will drive the vehicle of innovation and creativity, adding that adequate attention is also given to technical education that will produce innovative technicians.
He mentioned that Ekiti State Government is currently reviewing the activities of the education sector to ensure a values-driven academic system. We are currently recruiting about 2,000 teachers to boost the academic strength. Promasidor, makers of dairy products, will begin the process of dairy production in the state.
He concluded that the people of Ekiti state must support the government to make the dream of reclaiming the land a reality.
Mallam Abdullahi in his comments on nation building and economic development said that Nigeria is yet to harness various opportunities available for economic growth adding that the government should also focus more on youth development. On Entrepreneurship, Abdullahi said the Universities and other tertiary institutions in the state have to contribute to the collective economic development of Ekiti State.
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju acknowledged Governor KAYODE Fayemi’s efforts on Values Restoration in Ekiti State, saying that he has created laws and formulated policies that will reshape the image of Ekiti state. She however noted that the people have roles to play in the collective development of the state.
“The core values of work and productivity lies in the development of Entrepreneurship and I’m glad that the just concluded Ekiti Entrepreneurship Week has charted a new cause for Entrepreneurs in the state,” she said.
Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje in her comments said that family as a unit of the society contributes a great deal to the values of the state. She said that Ekiti people are known for building principles that sustain family values. She advocates for continuous re-orientation of values in the state.
Modupe Mary Adetiba asserted that the youth, especially in the tertiary institutions are yet to fully adapt to the sensitization programmes of the government on Values Orientation. She charged the government to do more in ensuring the message gets to all tertiary institutions in the state if Ekiti is to fully reach her potentials.
