….pledges loyalty, synergy with Oyebanji’s govt
Sequel to his swearing-in for a second term tenure, the Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Hon. Prince (Amb.) Michael Ogungbemi, has hinted that the veritable platform would propel his spirit and dedication to offer more superlative services that will change the face of the economy of the LCDA.
Specifically, Ogungbemi, who was among the council bosses sworn in by Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday, January 4, 2024, said his second term will focus predominantly on consolidation on the gains already recorded in the security, economy and job creation in the council.
The multiple award winning council boss, who was overwhelmingly reelected in the December 2, 2023 council poll, promised unflagging loyalty and forging of strong synergy with the government of Biodun Oyebanji, for the replication of the 6-point cardinal focus of his administration in the LCDA.
In a statement released in Ayedun Ekiti, after the swearing-in, on Thursday, the council boss, apppreciated Governor Oyebanji, the leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the council and at the state levels and his constituents for deeming him fit of being reelected.
On what he has in stock for his people, Ogungbemi promised that his focus would be chiefly based on demonstration of outstanding administrative and political mettles that will turn the agrarian council into an agricultural hub, centre of commerce and fertile ground for investment .
He stated the foregoing might not be difficult and tasking to accomplish since he had been able to lay a rocky foundation during his first term, with gradual and steady progresses already being recorded.
In the area of economy, Ogungbemi, said his administration would make significant investment in partnership with private organisations to attract youth into farming banking on the available and expansive arable land in the LCDA.
“Agriculture is one area where we have the comparative advantage. We have good atmospheric condition and available arable land to deploy. In our first term, 80 unemployed graduates were attracted into farming. They were to specialise in cassava and cashew plantation. We will work harder to increase the tally in commercial agriculture”.
In the area of economy, Ogungbemi said his government had built about 100 open market stall and shopping malls in the council, promising to expand the scope to radicalise the face of economy through trading and commerce.
In the area of Human Capital Development, Ogungbemi, said his administration will sustain the strong partnerships he had fostered with Build a School in Africa (BASIA) to shore up facilities in schools, as experienced in the modern schools built in Ayebode and Esun Ekiti to boost school enrolments.
Ogungbemi added that several other landmark projects like the fight against malnutrition, women empowerment, bursary for students, and others will be sustained to make lives more comfortable for his constituents.
On articulated strides to empower the populace, Ogungbemi, said he will sustain the partnerships with BASIA, Interweaves Solutions, African Histories and Genealogical Centre and others to empower Ajoni citizens in the areas of education, job creation and investment to increase the council’s contributions to GDP.
“We are not limiting our opportunities for partnership. We are wooing other local and international agencies to see Ajoni as a land of economic opportunitirs and prospects”.
Describing security as the fulcrum and anchor for investment drives, the LG Boss, pledged continuous and solid funding for operation EBBORRAC he established to ward off kidnappers, bandits and killer herders out of the border council.
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Ajoni enjoys vast land resource up to Kwara and Kogi borders. But the actvities of marauding herders and other criminals were dissuading our people from taking into farming for us to attain food security status. The farmers-herders’ constant clashes is one menace we will tackle head-on.
“But this time, we will adequately fund the operatives of our security outfit called EBBORRAC while also having strong alliance with Amotekun corps to complement their efforts.
“Right from time, I have been having good relationships with our conventional security outfits like the Police, DSS, and NSCDC. This we are going to strengthen the more to make Ajoni land safe for agriculture and other investments”.