Dr Kayode Fayemi, of Solid Minerals Development has urged civil servants in Ekiti state to engage in farming activities to cushion the effects of their unpaid salaries.
Fayemi, immediate past governor of the state gave the advice during the distribution of food items to the workers by the Kayode Fayemi Leadership Centre in Ado-Ekiti.
The distribution of food items was aimed at cushioning the economic hardship faced by the civil servants in the state.
Fayemi who was represented by Mr. Abiodun Omoleye, Director of the Centre, appealed to the civil servants and the entire Ekiti populace to engage in farming to cushion the adverse effects of the unpaid salaries on their wellbeing.
He said the programme was designed to help indigent residents of the state live well despite their current economic hardship due to unpaid salaries.
“The wind of hunger blowing in Ekiti now is unpleasant. It seems hunger is gradually taking over the land and that is why we that are privileged must continue to identify with the poor.
“Taking cognisance of what is happening in Ekiti now when we read in the newspapers that some civil servants steal food on fire, our people must embrace farming as a way of life. Food production remains the best for now and nothing more.
“We must all rise up to save our state and the future of our children. Some can’t be living in opulence when some could not afford one square meal a day. This welfare programme is going to be a continuous one and we shall do it in a way that would have positive impact on the lives of our people at the community, ward and local government level,” he said.
The Minister added that Nigeria is presently in the era of change under a ‘focused and purposeful’ leadership of President Muhammadu
Buhari, and advised Nigerians to key into all the programmes of the federal government by learning how to do things in different ways.
