By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
21/11/2023
The EKiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Tuesday orchestrated a landmark meeting between the Farmers/Herders Peace Committee, led by the astute Security Adviser to the Governor on Security, Gen Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), and key agricultural investors operating within the state.
The meeting which inaugurated to fortify safe and secure farming communities, commenced with a warm welcome from the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Ebenezer Boluwade.
Boluwade who stressed the paramount significance of a tranquil environment, crucial for ensuring robust returns on investments for stakeholders said primary objective behind convening the gathering was to glean invaluable security insights from the Herders/Farmers Committee.
This committee boasted representatives from the Army, Police, NSCDC (Agro Rangers), Amotekun Commander, Anti-Grazing Commandant, and other crucial authorities. Boluwade underscored that the resolutions emanating from this conclave would be promptly dispatched to the Governor for review.
Gen Ogundana, chairing the committee, delineated that these meetings would be recurrent, slated for a quarterly cadence.
The forum is aimed at fostering dialogues and propose solutions to the pressing security challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
He articulated the unified commitment of all security agencies collaborating to realize a tranquil investment milieu within the state.
Ogundana further urged investors to conscientiously adopt the ethos of “KNOW YOUR OPERATING ENVIRONMENT” as a guiding principle.
Expressing their gratitude to His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the investors lauded the visionary platform that preempts challenges, aligning with a conducive investment climate.
They pledged unwavering cooperation, promising to promptly disseminate crucial information to pertinent stakeholders. Additionally, they assured their commitment to collaborating closely with local farming communities.
Among the attendees were representatives from all security agencies, the Honourable Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof Bolaji Aluko, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Engr Gbenga Odesanmi, SSA SAPZ, Mr. Kehinde Ajayi, alongside other General Managers and Directors from the Ministry.
The meeting was a testament to the proactive stance adopted by the Ministry in safeguarding agricultural investments and fostering harmonious relationships between stakeholders, underlining a concerted effort toward sustainable development and security within the agricultural sector.