OSV Applauds Governor Oyebanji Over Food Security Initiatives

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By Johnson Folarin

…Commends Commissioning of “Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet” and “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub”

A famous grassroots mobilisation group, Oyebanji Street Vanguard (OSV), has lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his administration for their decisive actions in addressing food inflation and insecurity in Ekiti State.

#NewsAlert report that the commendation came on the heels of the official commissioning of the “Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet” and the “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub” on Tuesday, described by the group as a major milestone in the fight against hunger and poverty in the state.

Effort Rooted in Strategic Policy

The Governor had explained during the launch that the initiative was a product of the recommendations from the Ekiti State Food Security Committee, chaired by the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, who also chairs the Committee.

Governor Oyebanji disclosed that the state had already aggregated 715 metric tons of white beans, 239.167 metric tons of paddy rice, 101.54 metric tons of maize, and 1,716 bags of garri, all sourced from local farmers in Ekiti State.

The Governor stated that the “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub” is a registered company that procures farm produce from within the state and stores them, while the “Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet” serves as the government-supported retail channel to make food available at subsidised prices.

Tackling Post–Harvest Losses

The initiative also aims to reduce post-harvest losses which, according to recent Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) figures, account for nearly N3.5 trillion annually in Nigeria – a figure that dwarfs the nation’s five-year agricultural budget allocation.

With up to 50–60% of tubers, fruits, and vegetables wasted due to poor handling and storage facilities, OSV praised the Ekiti government’s proactive investment in storage, processing and aggregation facilities, calling it “legacy-making.”

Grassroots Support and Call for Expansion

The Convener of OSV, HC Ade, urged for increased and sustained budgetary support for agriculture and food security, describing the sector as key to unlocking sustainable economic growth and ending poverty across the state.

He called for the replication of the initiative in all 16 Local Government Areas and 28 Local Council Development Areas of the state.

“It is in the seamless continuation of laudable programmes like this that we can banish poverty from our state,” the statement read.

Retailers, Citizens Encouraged to Key In

The group encouraged retailers and citizens to embrace and support the initiative, noting that Ekiti’s future lies in political stability and the continuity of impactful policies like the current administration’s approach to food security.

Read the full statement below:

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

A famous grassroot mobilization group for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji – OYEBANJI STREET VANGUARD (OSV), has commended the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, his entire cabinet members especially the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security who doubles as the Chairman of Food Security Committee and the State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Honourable Aribasoye and the entire Ekiti State for the laudable and legacy-making efforts of the present administration in squarely and genuinely addressing the hydra-headed food inflation in our dear State, yesterday during the official commissioning of ‘Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet’ and “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub’.

The initiative, according to the amiable Governor, was as a direct outcome of the recommendation of the Ekiti State Food Security Committee, which was constituted under the leadership of Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security and the Chairman.

In Nigeria, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in a recent release says, post-harvest losses are estimated to be around 50% of total agricultural produce. This translates to a staggering N3.5 trillion annually, which is roughly three times the country’s five-year federal agricultural budgetary allocation of N1.13 trillion.

The losses however varies by crop type, with:

Grains – 5-20% loss
Fish – 20% loss
Tubers, fruits, and vegetables – 50-60% loss

These losses are attributed to several factors, including, Inadequate storage facilities, i.e lack of proper storage infrastructure leading to spoilage and waste, poor handling practices, inefficient food processing methods etc, the factors this current administration is using its policies on Agriculture to address swiftly.

According to His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji during the historic commissioning, the “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hubs as first option off-taker have successfully aggregated 715 metric tons of white beans, 239.167 metric tons of rice paddy, 101.54 metric tons of maize and 1,716 bags of garri all produced within Ekiti.

“Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub”, a registered company, buys food commodities from farmers in the state and store, while the “Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet” is to sell the food items to citizens at affordable prices. This is massive and well thoughtful, to say the least.

In a statement released by the Convener of the group yesterday, he advocated for more and consistent improved budgetary allocation to the Agriculture and Food Security segment of the State for continuous funding of this laudable initiative to jump-start the economic growth of the State and ensure the replication of the programme in all our 16 Local Governments and 28 Local Council Development Areas.

However, the group urged all our retailers to key in and patronise this initiative of the State Government in arresting the hydra-headed food inflation cum high cost of living in our dear State and remember that it is in seamless continuation of a laudable program like this we can bannish poverty in our State.

Ekiti State can only get better with political stability, leading to economic growth built on continuity and consistency of policies like this.

One good term they say deserves another.

Signed:

HC Ade
The Convener, OSV