A panel of discussants has unanimously agreed  that Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has done remarkably well in the first year of his return to the Government House.

The panellists which included former Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Olubinmi Adetunmbi; Senior Presenter at Radio Nigeria, Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje; Journalist & Gender Activist, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju and the Vice President of Students’ Union EKSU, Modupe Mary Adetiba spoke separately during a special  colloquium tagged “Building Sustainable Economy through Values Orientation and Innovative Thinking”  noted that Ekiti was indeed on the right path to greatness.

Dr Fayemi  had steered the state through five pillars namely:  Governance, Agriculture & Rural Development, Social Investments, Knowledge Economy and Infrastructure & Industrial Development.

Governor Fayemi’ s successes were revealed thus:Governance; Governor Fayemi’s administration has increased gratuity to retirees from N10million to N100million monthly, ensured regular and prompt payment of salaries and approved N30, 000 new minimum wage.

Agriculture and Rural Development; Governor Fayemi-led administration has trained 100 young rice farmers on production of quality rice seed by AfricaRice International Ibadan and provision of quality rice seed to boost rice production in Ekiti State.

Social Investments; Fayemi has created social intervention programmes such as; YESSO community development for cash scheme. ‘Owo Arugbo’ monthly sustenance cash transfers to senior citizens across the state. ‘Ounje Arugbo’ is a monthly food stuff support for the aged across Ekiti.

Knowledge Economy; Distribution of 8,075 units of furniture for pupils, 3,375 units of metal legged student’s lockers & chairs and 4,150 teachers’ tables and chairs. Payment of Bursary and scholarships for Ekiti students in tertiary institutions and Commencement of recruitment of graduate and NCE teachers into Ekiti state Primary Schools.

Infrastructure & Industrial Development; Engagement with international donors to provide up to $150million of funding for Ad-Akure Road, Special Agric Processing Zone and Ekiti Cargo Airport. Engagement with several investors to complete abandoned projects or commence new ones including the now completed Bon Hotel Ado-Ekiti, investment in Ikun Dairy Farm, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Fountain Hotel, all expected to be completed by 2020.

As part of activities to commemorate the one year anniversary of the JKF-Led Administration, a Colloquium tagged; “Building Sustainable Economy through Values Orientation and Innovative Thinking”

The Colloquium centres on how the government can maximize available opportunities for economic growth, using the principles of values orientation and innovative thinking to generate a re-designed pathway for development in Ekiti state.

Speaking at the Colloquium which was moderated by the Commissioner for Information, Tourism & Values Orientation, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, Governor  Fayemi  said that a lot is yet to be done towards  restoring values in the state.

He said the government is set to begin the next phase of executing plans to reclaiming lost values and also implement innovations that will drive the economic growth of Ekiti State. 0

Governor Fayemi added that government is ready to collaborate with foreign investors that will drive the vehicle of innovation and creativity, adding that adequate attention will also be given to technical education that will produce innovative technicians.

He mentioned that Ekiti State Government is currently reviewing the activities of the education sector to ensure a values-driven academic system.

In his words “We are currently recruiting about 2,000 teachers to boost the academic strength. Promasidor, makers of dairy products, will begin the process of dairy production in the state.

He concluded that the people of Ekiti state must support the government to make the dream of reclaiming the land a reality.

Mallam Abdullahi in his comments on nation building and economic development said that Nigeria is yet to harness various opportunities available for economic growth adding that the government should also focus more on youth development.

On Entrepreneurship, Abdullahi said the Universities and other tertiary institutions in the state have to contribute to the collective economic development of Ekiti State.

Bamidele Ademola-Olateju acknowledged Governor Fayemi’s efforts at Value Restoration in Ekiti State, saying that he has created laws and formulated policies that will reshape the image of Ekiti state. She however noted that the people have roles to play in the collective development of the state.

“The core values of work and productivity lies in the development of Entrepreneurship and I’m glad that the just concluded Ekiti Entrepreneurship Week has charted a new cause for Entrepreneurs in the state,” she said.

Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje in her comments said that family as a unit of the society contributes a great deal to the values of the state. She said that Ekiti people are known for building principles that sustain family values.

Modupe Mary Adetiba asserted that the youth, especially in the tertiary institutions are yet to fully adapt to the sensitization programmes of the government on Value Orientation. She charged the government to do more in ensuring the message gets to all tertiary institutions in the state if Ekiti is to fully reach her potentials.