Agriculture

Don Calls for Synergy between Ministries to Curb Food Crisis

By Web News 340

By Lanre Omotosho

A lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Professor Oluwayemisi Arowosoge has called for synergy between agriculture and water resources ministries to curb the food crisis this year.

Professor Arowosoge who gave the advice in Ado Ekiti while speaking with Radio Nigeria, noted that climate change last year led to low food productivity, hence the need for stakeholders to assist farmers in the area of irrigation.

The university lecturer also called for adequate protection of farmers against the destruction of plantation farms by cattle, kidnappings as well as honeybee pollination of crops.

She advocated adequate farm inputs such as fertilizers, chemicals and improved seeds for the real farmers from the government and warned farmers against diversion of such inputs.

 Professor Arowosoge emphasized the need to add value to perishable crops through processing and storage.

President Bola Tinubu had in December declared that the vision of his administration was to position Nigeria as a leading agricultural export nation by the year 2025.

Represented by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, at a forum in Abuja, the President stressed that Project “Earn from the Soil” would transform subsistence farming into robust, export-driven economic opportunities, thereby revolutionising the country’s agricultural landscape and ensuring National Food Security.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group
Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels

Environment

Degrading the earth is injurious – Prof Arowosoge

By Web News 469

By Lanre Omotoso

It is imperative that people refrain from activities that are inimical to the environment to ensure sustainability of the earth for the future generations.

A lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Oluwayemisi  Arowosoge gave the advice on the commemoration of this year’s International Mother Earth Day.

Professor Arowosoge identified factors that may deplete the environment to include deforestation, pollution, and intensive use of agro chemicals, bush burning and dumping of waste into drainages.

He emphasized that damaging the environment could lead to health implications such as respiratory disease, skin disorder, various types of cancer as well as flooding and erratic weather condition.

The don, however, stressed that prediction by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that Thirty-One out the Thirty-Six States would experience flood this year was a result of damages done to the earth.

She called for enforcement of laws to regulate vehicle emissions in order to guide against loss of biodiversity, scarcity of food and water.

To also protect the environment, the Don emphasized the need for farmers to practise organic farming by using animal droppings.

The United Nations in 2009 set aside April 22 as International Mother Earth Day to promote harmony with nature and protect all the different species on the planet, and the theme for this year is  “Planet versus Plastic”.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Agriculture

Don Cautions against Inappropriate use of Agro-Chemical

By Web News 1056

By Lanre Omotoso

As parts of activities to commemorate this year’s World Food Safety Day, Nigerians have been urged to guide against acts that often lead to food-borne diseases such as diarrhoea and cancers.

A lecturer in the Department of Animal Science, Ekiti State University, Professor Jacob Ogunlade gave the advice in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti.

Professor Ogunlade identified factors responsible for food-borne diseases to include inappropriate use of agro-chemicals, residue of veterinary drugs in animals and environmental contamination.

The don also noted that food can be contaminated with parasites, viruses and bacteria through processing, transportation, storage and packaging.

He stressed that inability to keep to the withdrawal period of residues of agro-chemicals in plants and drugs in animals, may lead to food poisoning when crops, milk, eggs and meat derived from such processes are consumed.

The animal scientist stressed that to avoid food-borne crisis, food must be prepared under hygienic environment, must be cooked thoroughly, clean water must be used for cooking as well as proper washing of fruits and vegetables before consumption.

World Food Safety Day is celebrated every June 7 to prevent over one point six million people from falling sick daily due to unsafe food as well as guiding against daily death of three hundred and forty Children under the age of five due to preventable food-borne diseases, and the theme for this year is “Food standards save lives”.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp

 

 

Agriculture

Don Pushes for Tapping Potential of Bee-Keeping

By Web News 762

By Lanre Omotoso 

Bee-keeping is a potential revenue source that governments at various level need to tap into to generate more income and employment.

A lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Professor Oluwayemisi Arowosoge gave the advice in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti to commemorate World Bee Day.

Speaking on this year’s theme ““Bee Engaged in Pollinator-Friendly Agricultural Production”, Professor Arowosoge emphasized that developed countries had equipment that helped them to derive various products from the bee.

She identified such products as honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly, pollen, and venom which are useful for pharmaceutical and industrial production, hence the need for the country to do the needful.

According to her, “Honey is used as sweetener, the bee wax is used for candles, propolis for diabetic patients, royal jelly is used to solve infertility problems, while bee venom is used to treat inflammation”.

She noted that there are about twenty thousand various species of bees, stressing that Israel practised greenhouse farming with the use of bees, which resulted to more nutritious and bigger crops.

While noting that bees also helped to pollinate and balance the ecosystem, the Professor of Forest Economics urged people to desist from actions such as deforestation, bush burning, and over usage of agro-chemical, that are inimical to the existence of bees.

Since 2018, United Nations General Assembly has declared May 20 as World Bee Day, because of the roles they play in keeping people and the planet healthy.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp

Education

Ekiti Inaugurates Governing Councils of State-Owned Institutions

By Web News 532

By Kazeem Ayodeji

Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has inaugurated the recently approved Governing Councils of three tertiary institutions in the state with a call on members to come up with a rescue agenda to reposition the state education system.

The three institutions include Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; EKSU,  Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, BOUESTI and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital EKSUTH.

Addressing members of the three councils in Ado Ekiti, after they had taken their oath of Office and allegiance, Governor Oyebanji appreciated them for accepting the responsibility, saying that they were all carefully selected to be part of the state transformation agendas due to their pedigrees and antecedence. 

He reminded them that tertiary institutions in the state have been facing serious challenges, hence the need for them to work together with the schools’ management, alumni association, and other relevant stakeholders on how to end instability, financial bottlenecks as well as student unrest in the institutions.

Mr Oyebanji said the government would continue to do its best at complimenting every effort geared towards ensuring that education in the state attains enviable standards.

According to him, the Governing Councils should endeavour to develop new approaches to funding, learning, infrastructure, recruitment, and cultural structures among others in order to take the State education levels to international standards.

Responding on behalf of the governing councils, the pro-chancellor and chairman, EKSU Governing Council, Professor Akin Oyebode expressed the readiness of members to work assiduously and justify the confidence reposed in them for the appointment.

Professor Oyebode thanked Governor Oyebanji for the opportunity and called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the State towards ensuring that the governing councils affect positive changes in the State’s tertiary institutions.

Professor Akin Oyebode is the pro-chancellor and chairman of EKSU Governing council, Chief Wole Olanipekun is the Chancellor of BOUESTI Governing council and Dr Ademola Dada is the Chairman of EKSUTH.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Education

EKSU VC Orders Closure of School Following Students’ Unrest

By Web News 708

By Amos Ogunrinde

The management of Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado-Ekiti has approved the suspension of academic activities on campus for two weeks with effect from Monday.

The Head, Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, Mr Bode Olofinmuagun announced the suspension in a statement on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Edward Olanipekun.

Professor Olanipekun ordered all students to vacate the campus premises immediately for the next two weeks.

The Vice-Chancellor urged parents and guardians to invite their wards home immediately.

According to Professor Olanipekun, any student found wandering around the university premises does so at his/her own risk.

Students of EKSU early on Monday morning barricaded all roads leading to the institution, over the alleged increase of the late registration fee from five thousand naira to ten thousand naira.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Education

Chief Akande Harps on Development of Science-Based Technology

By Web News 466

The former governor of Osun State and Ex-National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief Adebisi Akande has advocated the development of intensive science-based technology in Nigeria’s educational institutions towards improving the nation’s economy.

Chief Akande made the call shortly after receiving Honourary doctorate degree award in Public Administration conferred on him by Ekiti State University, Ado -Ekiti alongside the speaker, Osun state House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye who was also conferred with an award of recognition.

The elder statesman who is also Asiwaju of Ila Orangun submitted that the curriculum of the country’s learning institutions should be designed in a way that would provide employment opportunities for the undergraduates and as well as make them self-reliant.

The Asiwaju of Ila Orangun pointed out that the lack of science-based technology could not guarantee abundance and the needed development.

In a remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Edward Olanipekun said the award was in recognition of their outstanding and unique contributions to society, Osun state and the Nation as a whole.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was represented at the event by his Deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi, while the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji and other State Executive members graced the convocation and conferment of the award ceremony.

Mojisola Oladele

Education

EKSU To Begin Issuance Of e-Transcript

By Web News 1164

Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Edward Olanipekun says the institution is intensifying efforts at using electronic means of Transcript processing for prospective Alumni.

Professor Olanipekun who disclosed this at the 9th National Delegates Convention of the Alumni Association of the institution held at the main Campus, Ado-Ekiti noted that it would make it easy and preferable than the herculean physical processes.

According to him, efforts are in top gear and necessary things are being put in place for the smooth take off of the online means of transcript process.  

The Vice Chancellor urged members of the alumni association to give back to the institution by contributing meaningfully to the advancement of their alma mater. 

The outgoing President of the Association, Dr Oludotun Adetunberu who highlighted his administration’s achievements to include the inauguration of the Alumni Village, commended the robust relationship with the management of the institution and urged the incoming Executive to maintain the standard.

On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BOT, Mr Olawale Jegede saluted the Electoral Committee, led by Mr Olajide Akinyemi for the transparent conduct of the election and charged the New Executive members to live up to expectations.

Responding on behalf of the new Executive members, the National President, Engineer Dipo Bamisaye said the committee would not disappoint members and would deliver on its electioneering promises.

The new members of the Executive include Engineer Dipo Bamisaye as President, Oladotun Akinrulie, Vice President 1 and Isaac Akinleye as National Secretary.

Others include Olumide Abudu, National Publicity Secretary, Afolabi Fakayode, Assistant Secretary, Muyiwa Cole, Legal Adviser, Ajayi Babatunde as Financial Secretary while Internal Auditor position was won by Akinyemi Borode.

Helen Olusegun emerged Social Secretary and Sunday Adelokiki as Ex-Officio while the position of the Vice President 2 was declared vacant by the electoral committee Chairman, Mr Olajide Akinyemi as the sole candidate could not meet the required number of assenting votes.

Olumide Abudu

Lifestyle

Ondo Former Governor Olumilua is Dead

By Web News 828

Former Governor of old Ondo State and elder statesman, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua has passed on.

The news of Olumilua’s death was broken in the early hours of Thursday by his son, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, who is the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation in Ekiti State.

Olumilua, who was governor of Ondo State from January 1992 to November 1993 died at the age of 80 years.

The Ikere Ekiti born politician, farmer and religious leader was elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and served the old Ondo State before the eventual military take-over by General Sanni Abacha.  

Evangelist Olumilua, a career Ambassador also served as the Chairman of the State Christian Pilgrims Board, and later appointed by Governor Kayode Fayemi as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

The deceased was a hard-working patriotic Ekiti indigene who contributed to the development of the State.

Positive FM