..Donate Fish products to Special education schools
By Editor
Joining their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the 2024 World Fisheries Day, the Ekiti State chapter of Fisheries and Aquatic Farmers Association (FAFAEK) has marked the maiden edition of the special Day in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Thursday November 21, 2024.
The amalgamated Association under the umbrella of FAFAEK, used the occasion to enlighten the general public of the strategic importance of the Association as an essential source of high grade food suppliments as well as the pivotal role it plays in the nation’s blue economy.
The members however, did not lose focus of the celebration aspect of the Day as they converged at the Fajuyi Pavilion in their large number for a brief meeting in preparation for a road show amidst pomp and celebration as the Police and men of Federal Road Safety Commission led the peaceful rally against any breakdown of law and order.
Their first point of call was a courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office where they made a generous donations of some of their products to students of Special Education schools in Ekiti State.
They were received by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education, Mrs Adetoun Agboola and her top aides.
During the presentation, the Chairman of FAFAEK, Dr. E.T Adebayo in his welcome speech disclosed that his Association was joining their counterparts in other states of the federation and globally in celebating the maiden edition of the World Fisheries Day in Ekiti State under his leadership and to sensitize the people that “in fish there is life, in fish, there is fortune because no one can rule out the importance of fish and aquaculture in the economy of a nation and as an integral part of the nation’s blue economy”
He noted that his Association deemed it fit to celebrate the special Day with students from Special Education schools by recognizing them as special people in the society that should be celebrated hence the need to share the gifts with them and to make them happy.
An elated Special Adviser, Mrs Agboola in her acceptance speech, thanked members of the Association for giving the children what she described as ‘survival items’
“I want to say to you that we appreciate your gesture for coming to celebrate with our children in special schools as you know that not only children in special schools but people with disabilities are of great interest to our dear Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji”.
Speaking further, the Governor’s aide lauded Governor Oyebanji for his relentless efforts to better the lot of the vulnerable citizens since he came on board saying;
“Ever since he came on board as the governor of Ekiti State, he has been supporting people with disabilities as this categories of people in Ekiti State now has a new story to tell particularly the children in the special schools; they have benefitted in terms of infrastructures, equipment, tutors and support staff such as cleaners, cooks, laundrymen and caregivers who hitherto, were employed as temporary staffs. But in one day, Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved and normalized the appointment of 74 support staff.
Mrs Agboola commended the fish farmers for mimicking and replicating the Governor’s love for the special people promising to convey their message to the Governor.
“The fact that you have decided to associate and celebrate your Day with this children, I will convey your message and what you did today to Mr Governor and I know that His Excellency has always been supporting farmers, I know he will surely support you the more”
In a related development the farmers concluded the one-day program with a ‘thank-you-visit to the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade in his office where they made their presentation .
The Commissioner in his address, emphatized with the Association’s members over what they are passing through as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country but assured them of government readiness to support all farmers in Ekiti to boost food production.
His words;
“We are government that believes in empowerment as you all know that all our palliatives have been structured to benefit all categories of farmers.
He specifically thanked the FAFAEK Chairman for the innovative initiative displayed during the last palliatives where the maize allocated to fish farmers were processed to fish feeds and distributed to members.
He pledged the government continued support for the Association.
“If I have maize today, I will give it to poultry and fish farmers because it is okay for us to support and subsidize productivity than to subsidize consumption because to subsidize productivity means you are creating wealth. So for us from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security we are going to support you,we are going to ensure that your business thrives and also we are going to create market because plans are under way to buy feeds at subsidized rates”
“I salute your resilient and the way you are doing business despite the fact that things are difficult and I pledged government’s total support with your Association” he concluded.
Also in attendance during the program are chairmen of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Ekiti State chapter and Poultry Association as well as other stakeholders in agric sector
