Commercial farmland cultivation has reduced kidnapping – Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, said on Tuesday that the cultivation of more land for commercial agriculture has reduced the menace of kidnapping in the Ikole – Ijesa Isu – Iluomoba axis of the state.

Oyebanji said that his administration, in addition to power and road infrastructure development, would focus on agriculture to ensure food security, create economic opportunities, ensure proper utilisation of land and drive industrialisation.

The governor spoke at Ikole Ekiti while inaugurating the Ikole township road and Ilumoba-Ijesa Isu-Ikole 33kVA electricity project.

He said that the commissioning of the Ikole Township Road was another gain of the continuity of the vote of the people of the state in the 2022 governorship poll, noting that the project was started by his immediate predecessor in office, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Oyebanji said, “The execution and completion of the power project is a testament to our administration’s resolve to boost social and economic activities in the axis and breathe more life into grassroots economy and investment.”

He said that his administration attached much importance to Ikole council area, which accommodated the state’s Special Agriculture Processing Zone and which has attracted government and private sector investment.

The governor said, “Opening up of more land for commercial farming has reduced the incidence of kidnapping and other forms of criminal activities in the axis. I urge more citizens to embrace agriculture. Government will provide necessary support.”

He also called on Ekiti people to take advantage of the investment opportunities offered by the Agric Processing Zone, while pledging that his government would continue to provide necessary infrastructural support that would make the state attractive to investors and make the environment conducive for living and investment.

Speaking at the event, the Elekole of Ikole Ekiti, Oba Adewumi Fasiku, who spoke through the Olotin of Ikole Ekiti, Chief Oluwasayo Okunola, described the governor’s performance in the last two years as commendable.