The Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Association, Ekiti State Chapter, is set to hold its annual lecture and awards ceremony on March 31, 2025, bringing together distinguished members from within and outside Nigeria for a reunion, networking, and discussions on critical national issues.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, the chapter’s chairman, Pastor Adetunji Aribasoye, revealed that this year’s lecture will focus on “Navigating the Harsh Economic Downturn: Interrogating the Interplay of Food Security and Insecurity of Agricultural Processes and Citizens.” The keynote address will be delivered by the EKSU Alumni Global President, Engr. Dipo Bamisaye, on the theme: “Engaging the Alumni Community for Civic Engagement: Bridging the Gap Between Higher Education, Political Engagement, and Community Security for Shared Prosperity.”
According to him, several distinguished individuals will be honored at the event for their contributions to the university, alumni association, and society. Those to be awarded include Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, his wife, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji, Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, and the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade, among others. Aribasoye urged all alumni to attend and support the event as a demonstration of their commitment to EKSU’s vision.
Beyond the annual lecture, it should be noted that the alumni association has made significant strides since its inauguration in September 2023.
These achievements include increasing membership, establishing a multipurpose cooperative society that has generated over N11 million in its first three months, and planning the construction of chalets at the alumni village. These efforts aim to strengthen the association’s presence and provide value to its members.
On agricultural development, Aribasoye called on the federal government to implement a strong monitoring and evaluation process for agricultural funds to ensure efficient utilization.
He acknowledged the government’s recent investments in agriculture, including the distribution of tractors and funding for farmers, but stressed the need for accountability to ensure these resources reach genuine farmers and youth interested in the sector.
The EKSU Alumni, in collaboration with the university and the state government, has also initiated agricultural projects to promote food security. The university allocated 10 hectares of land to the alumni association for farming, while an additional 5,000 hectares have been designated to empower students studying agriculture.
Under this initiative, students also received farmland and agricultural inputs, with their produce bought after harvest, fostering hands-on experience and economic empowerment.
