Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has disbursed cheques worth N140million to youths engaged in commercial agriculture for the first batch of their harvest.

The young farmers were drawn from the six farm clusters in the state under the “Bring Back The Youth in Agriculture” programme of the state government in partnership with YSJ Farms Limited.

Presenting the cheques to the young farmers on Monday at Osuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado- Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji noted the widespread food shortage experienced across the country and globally this year, stressing that his government’s efforts in this direction would promote farming activities as well as spur the youths’ interests in commercial agriculture, with attendant financial and economic opportunities.

The Governor assured the youths that he was already liaising with investors who will provide tractors for hiring in order to effectively boost their production capacity, adding that the strategy of the state government is not to buy tractors, but to create an enabling environment for investors to bring tractors to the state to lease to farmers.

He cautioned some elements in the Ministry of Agriculture who constitute a cog in the wheel of progress in the sector to desist from their nefarious tendencies and support the zeal of government to reposition agriculture and improve on the food security agenda of government.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji told the excited youths that his government, had in the last 48 hours, injected N300million into the economy of the state, which he said was in line with the shared prosperity and wealth creation agenda.

While tasking the youths to make judicious use of the money, for effective implementation of the aims and objectives of the initiative by plowing back some of their proceeds into next year’s agriculture season with the hope of a favourable weather.

Governor Oyebanji who hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the financial support to the state, said with the support of the President, efforts are in top gear to build Renewed Hope Farm settlements in all the farm clusters in the state.

“If we are going to develop agriculture and create wealth, we have to be extremely deliberate about our procurement process. On Saturday, I was in Oke Ako, we distributed about N160million compensation to farmers whose lands were taken over six months ago and the crop planted then are already being harvested.

“I have listened to your challenges regarding accommodation, I promised you that we will provide that. The old Awolowo farm settlement is what we are renovating, but in our budget next year, we have plan to do at least six farm settlements. With that you can leave your home go to the farm, when you are tired, you have somewhere to rest.

“For those that are collecting money today, I say congratulations and I am happy because you have seen the challenges and you are here today to eat the fruits of your labour, I know that what we passed through this year is not what we will pass through next year. He said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluade thanked the Governor for his various efforts aimed at ensuring that Ekiti people are removed from the league of poverty-stricken states with the new initiative of Agri-preneur aimed at creating jobs in the sector for 10,000 youths and getting them out of poverty.

The Commissioner also revealed that at the Broiler farm, the state was at the verge of realizing N80 million within four cycles of breeding. He called on the youths to know that agriculture is a vocation that needs a lot of patience before the yields and the rewards start to materialize.

Some of the youths, Mr Johnson Owoeye from Gede; Adeyeye Micheal from Oke Ako; Michael Mayowa from Iyemero and Owolewa Samuel from Ekiti west shared their experiences, acknowledged and commended the governor for the initiative and for providing necessary impetus for them to thrive in the business saying they now have very bright future in the state.

Also, the Chief Executive of YSJ, Mrs Yemisi Joluwe commended Ekiti youths for their resilience, commitment and determination to succeed in the business saying that their efforts have shown that Ekiti youths are not lazy.

Also at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, members of the state executive council, members of the State House of Assembly, Chairman, Council of Traditional rulers and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Faboro among others.

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is being tried for an alleged N110 billion fraud.

In her ruling, the judge held that Bello’s bail application was premature and incompetent as he filed it when he had not yet surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The however, admitted Bello’s alleged co-accomplice Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in the like sum.

In her ruling on Bello’s application, the judge said the former Kogi governor was only making an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early.

She said, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”

The 16-count charge preferred against Bello has to do with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

He is alleged have used state funds to illegally acquire properties, at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja , No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, among many others.

A 52-year-old man, Akeem Rasheed, has appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for alleged unlawful possession of a human skull.

The defendant who resides at Jegede area, Ibadan, was charged with two counts of improper interference with dead body and unlawful possession of human skull.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the police.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. David Adepoju, told the court that on Oct. 11, at 1.00 a.m., at Jegede Estate, Odeyale area, Ibadan, Rasheed improperly interfered with a dead human body.

He said that the defendant allegedly exhumed a corpse from its grave, removed the skull and burnt it.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant burnt the human skull into ashes for spiritual purposes.

He said the offences contravened Section 242 (1) (b) and 352(A) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant.

She , thereafter, adjourned the case until May 5, 2025 for hearing.

NAN