Governor Oyebanji Distributes N146 Million Compensation Cheques to 46 Landowners

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday distributed cheques totalling N146 million to 46 landowners whose properties were acquired for a commercial agriculture project. 

The initiative, spanning 4,000 hectares, is part of the “Bring Back the Youth in Agriculture” scheme, a partnership between the state government and YSJ Farms Limited. 

The project aims to engage young farmers, enhance agribusiness, and drive economic development in the region.

Speaking during the event, Governor Oyebanji expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress despite initial delays caused by land acquisition challenges. 

“What we are doing here today is another promise we have kept in ensuring that compensation is paid to our citizens whose land were acquired for commercial agricultural purposes,” he stated.

The Governor explained that the compensation process had been delayed to allow for the enumeration of economic trees affected by the acquisition. He assured landowners that a second round of enumeration would soon begin, with additional compensation payments planned. 

“We are paying them the compensation for the economic trees lost to the acquisition process and for them to use the money to get another land for the continuation of their farming so that they will not be denied of their means of livelihood,” he added.

At the event, Oyebanji inaugurated tractors and processing equipment for use by the young farmers and attended the dry-season harvest by participants in the programme. He highlighted the project’s potential to transform the area into a hub for tractor training, assembly, and repair, with experts on hand to train local youth.

“Before we remove the remaining economic trees, we will pay compensation to the owners and the presence of large-scale commercial farming will bring many positive things. Factories, schools and hospitals will spring up here while we can also have tractor assembling and engineering hub,” he explained.

Oyebanji also noted the scheme’s broader benefits, including improved infrastructure, job creation, and enhanced security. He said, 

“For development to get to any place, it will be accompanied with some pains. It’s just like a woman who is giving birth to a baby, she will have to endure pain after which the pain will be overshadowed by the joy of the birth of a new baby.”

The Governor commended the Oke Ako community, led by Regent Princess Tinuade Ogunbiyi, for their cooperation with his administration. He assured residents that the project would bring development, including road rehabilitation, healthcare facilities, and cottage industries.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, lauded the Governor for his commitment to food security and the growth of agriculture in the state. He described Oyebanji’s presence at the event as a testament to his dedication.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands, Survey and e-GIS, Prof. James Olaleye, praised the landowners for their sacrifices, emphasising that their contributions would help turn Ekiti State into a leading agricultural centre in Nigeria. He also pointed out that the Bureau of Lands was aligning land administration practices with the government’s vision for economic growth and food security.

Regent Princess Ogunbiyi expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for bringing the project to the community, pledging her people’s unwavering support for its success.

Faridah  Abdulkadiri

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