In a bid to support local agriculture and boost food production in Ekiti State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and representative of Ekiti Central Senatorial District, has distributed 500 bags of fertilizer alongside cash gifts to farmers.
This initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to support farmers nationwide and strengthen the economy.
During the distribution exercise, Senator Bamidele urged the beneficiaries not to sell the fertilizers to non-farmers, expressing concern over reports of individuals attempting to misuse these supplies for illicit purposes, such as the manufacture of explosives.
To further assist the farmers, he announced a financial contribution of N1 million to each local government area, specifically aimed at easing the transportation of fertilizers to the farms.
Bamidele also highlighted plans for the establishment of the South-West Development Commission, which will be based in Ibadan, Oyo State. He noted that President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the bill creating the commission into law once he returns from his vacation abroad.
In response to rumors about his position on regional interests, the senator clarified that he has been working closely with 17 other South-West senators to ensure the successful passage of the bill through the National Assembly.
Bamidele further explained that there are no current bills or discussions regarding regionalism in the Senate and dismissed claims that he opposes regional governance.
“Let me reiterate that there is no such bill before the Senate, not even a memorandum for debate regarding regionalism. So, all the talk that I oppose regionalism is fake news and unfounded. We have not received any papers to debate. Whether anyone supports regionalism or not is a debate that will arise when we have the bill before us,” he said.
He also noted that the South-West Development Commission will include key leadership positions, such as a chairman, a managing director, and four executive directors overseeing finance, administration, projects, and operations. These roles will be distributed among the six states in the region to ensure balanced representation.
“The commission will ensure that the interests of Ekiti and other states in the region are well protected. There will be a chairman for the commission, a managing director, and four executive directors—finance, administration, projects, and operations,” he stated.
Concluding his address, Bamidele acknowledged the widespread economic challenges facing Nigerians and appealed for patience as President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda takes shape. He stressed that peace and stability are critical for the progress of all ethnic groups and regions, reaffirming his dedication to ensuring unity and development in Ekiti State and the South-West region.