FIC Report (Ekiti State) – The citizen engagement programme which began with an opening prayer and followed by the National Anthem had in attendance, dignitaries and stakeholders at the grassroot.
The welcome address and message from the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris was delivered by Mrs Omotola Oluyemisi, Head, Federal Information and Resource Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
In his welcome address, themed, “President Tinubu Administration’s Mid-Tem Report”, the Minister said the goal of the Town Hall Meeting was to provide platforms of informing the public on Federal Government’s sterling milestone achievements and ensuring that the benefits of the Federal Government’s intervention programmes reached all Nigerians.
According to him, “Our role is to ensure that the public remained informed.
We recognize that the removal of fuel subsidy presents both the challenges and opportunities.
That is why we have a team of experts and stakeholders here in our midst this morning to engage in constructive dialogue and identify effective solutions vis-a-vis, access to the key initiatives pushed forth to cushion the harsh effects of this fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
“Your participation is invaluable and we look forward to productive discussions that will inform our decision-making processes and key into this chain of opportunities by simply accessing the websites of these Initiatives to benefit and better our lives.”
Mrs Yemisi Omotola, gave the assurance at a One-Day Sensitisation Engagement on the mid-term report of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, across the thirty-six states of the federation.
Mrs Omotola said the programme spear headed by the Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, was to acquaint citizens with government policy initiatives in line with President Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda.
The event touched on diverse areas such as agriculture, employment, health, and NELFUND among others, where the Federal Government was adjudged to have performed excellently, while in education, it was unfolded that the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, had so far disbursed #549,199,000 to students beneficiaries in Ekiti State.
In a keynote address, Special Adviser to Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Media and Publicity, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, scored Tinubu’s administration high, pointing out that it has re-engineered different areas of the nation’s economy through its policies and programmes.
He cited the position of the former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Coordinating and now Director-General, World Trade Organization,WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who not long ago commended the Nigerian President for stabilizing the economy but not downplaying the advice from the economic expert to the government that efforts should be made to address the pervading poverty in the land.
The media adviser underscored that Ekiti has not been left out in the scheme of things.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, in the last two years, impacted positively on the lives of the people. His policies are bold and daring and yet liberating, bringing about the structural change, sustainable growth and prosperity.
The Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government is also redefining our place in the comity of nations.
The beauty of the present administration is that it has chosen a well defined path to growth, development and progress. More beautiful is that fact the President, being a visionary leader who is adequately prepared for the assignment, possesses the political will required to build on these initial gains to achieve a more enduring gains that will put the country on the path of irreversible progress and prosperity.
The Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, unarguably, one of the most vocal supporters my of the President’s economic policy.
The Governor makes bold to admit that the development strides being recorded in Ekiti State were made possible because the President freed more money to the sub nationals. So, states have more money to spend on programmes and projects that have direct impact on the people. So, when people talk of the huge number; and the high quality of infrastructure projects going on in Ekiti State, they should credit Mr President for his support for the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
The achievements of the President in the last two years pointed clearly to the fact that the next two years shall be much more prosperous as the various policies and programmes of the Federal Government continue to yield the expected dividends. I am of the opinion that the first two years of the administration is but a foretaste of what is to come. Again, to whom much is expected, much ought to be given.
The Nigerian people should give the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu–led Federal Government all the support it requires, as we await the full manifestation of the inherent benefits of the President’s economic policies in the next two years”, Oyebode said
Other paper presentations from different government agencies included the State Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; the Director, Mr Segun Aderemi, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Support, and Mrs Toyosi Eleyinmi, Assistant Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA.
Their papers dwelt on the Federal Government’s efforts aimed at making life more meaningful for the citizens, with special emphasis on the level at which Ekiti state has been one of the benefitting states.
There were goodwill messages from the stakeholders including the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, represented by High Chief Alofe.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments in Ekiti State, Ojo Anifowose said that it was good to have a programme of such magnitude noting that the purpose of the programme was to inform and get the grassroot in tune with the Federal Government’s laudable initiatives and services to the citizens.
On her part, NAWOJ Chairperson in Ekiti State, Mrs Adewumi Ademiju who spoke behalf of her Union and the NUJ, commended the Ministry for the programme saying that it was in addition to what NUJ represented in the State.
She lauded the Federal Government’s timely intervention and initiative on students loan scheme, NELFUND, saying that it would boost education growth in the country.
The event ended with the unveiling and distribution of informative materials and entertainment to attendees and stakeholders present.
Vote of thanks was given by Mrs Oluyemisi Omotola, the convener of the programme.
Participants at the event included traditional leaders, political office holders, Students’ Union groups, Nigeria Union of Journalists, security agencies, artisans, market women, public servants and members of Heads of Federal Establishments in Ekiti State.
Signed
Omotola Oluyemisi
CIO&PRO
21/08/2025.
