By Editor
Still in the mood of yuletide festivities and the need to put smiles on the faces of Ekiti people, the Governor of Ekiti State Mr Biodun Oyebanji in conjunction with the Bank of Industry, (BOI) on Thursday, unveiled a palliative distribution initiative for vulnerable citizens in the state.
The customized food packs which contained semovita, indomie noodles, vegetable oil and sugar in each pack was distributed to People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), representatives of ethnic groups, sweepers, trade unions and market women amongst others.
The program was organised by the Bank of Industry and Ekiti State Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives ably anchored by the Office of Community Communications, Governor’s Office Ado Ekiti.
In his keynote address, Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by Dr Mrs Habibat Adubiaro, the SSG, said the initiative was a show of unwavering commitment of the State Government to the welfare of the people who are mostly in need.
“In collaboration with the Bank of Industry, we are taking a bold and decisive step to drive the economic development in our dear state”
The Governor explained further measures put in place by his administration to impact on the lives of Ekiti people.
“This week, the state Executive Council approved a N1billion counterpart fund for MSME in partnership with Bank of Industry designed to provide low interest loans that will support business activities and foster growth.
“This partnership has given rise to today’s impactful initiative which aims to address the socio-economic challenges faced by our vulnerable citizens, empowering them to build a Sustainable livelihood and contribute to the prosperity of Ekiti State”
The Governor, who lamented the present economic realities as a result of fuel subsidy removal said the government recognized the urgent need to provide support that would cushion the effect of the hardship on the vulnerable citizens.
She said; “Trough this partnership with the Bank of Industry, we are delivering direct palliatives to alleviate immediate hardships while simultaneously investing in initiatives that will foster sustainable economic development. Our vision for Ekiti State is one of shared where no citizen is left in the shadows of economic hardship.
“This event is just one of the many steps we have taken to actualize that vision. Together we’ll continue to build an Ekiti State that is inclusive, resilient and prosperous.” He concluded.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information Chief Taiwo Olatubosun restated the determined efforts of Governor Oyebanji to always seek opportunities to put smiles on the faces of Ekiti people especially in collaboration with the government at the center citing the collaboration with the Bank of Industry through which the program was organised and actualized.
Olatubosun, who listed series of palliative interventions so far embarked upon by the present administration to the entire citizens of Ekiti noted however that the Governor always remarked that the best palliatives to be given to the people is in the area of agriculture and food sufficiency hence the aggressive Investment in agriculture for the people to eat what they plant.
He said the return on investment in agriculture is beginning to yield positive result in Ekiti now compared to about five years ago.
Unveiling the food packs, the Commissioner for Trade Industry Investment and Cooperatives Princess Adeola Omotayo lauded Governor Oyebanji for his ingenuity in his quest to make life better for the ordinary man and woman in the street through his vision of shared prosperity.
She also thanked the Bank of Industry for facilitating the food palliatives and the meaningful collaboration with the Governor to ensure that the food items get to the people who are mostly in need of them.
Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso, who anchored the distribution of food items ensured that they were evenly distributed amongst the PWDs, representatives of ethnic groups, associations, sweepers, market women amongst others.
