The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated the Agriculture Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (AGRIC-MEAL) Team, a strategic mechanism aimed at enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and ensuring inclusive monitoring in the agricultural sector.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place in Ado- Ekiti on Thursday, was attended by key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Oyeniyi Adebayo highlighted the administration’s commitment to improving governance, transparency, and outcomes in the sector.
The Chief of Staff commended Dr Ekundayo’s nomination and charged the Team members to operate with the highest standards of professionalism, inclusivity, and integrity. He assured them of the government’s necessary support to make their work impactful and successful.
The AGRIC-MEAL Team, led by Dr John Moyo Ekundayo, is expected to provide credible data, offer practical recommendations, and ensure that agricultural initiatives are guided by evidence-based decision-making.
The Team’s formation reflects the Governor’s resolve to institutionalize a culture of data-driven decision-making, performance accountability, and inclusive monitoring. The Team comprises bureaucrats, seasoned farmers, and experts in Agribusiness, including members from the private sector, demonstrating the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Ekundayo, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the appointment and pledged the Team’s commitment to delivering measurable and sustainable outcomes. The Team’s approach will be data-driven, participatory, transparent, and inclusive, prioritizing learning and progress over paperwork. The AGRIC-MEAL Team’s mandate includes ensuring effective execution of policies, programmes, and projects, identifying what works and what doesn’t, and pinpointing areas for change. The Team will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, development partners, civil society groups, farming communities, and other stakeholders.
The composition of the AGRIC-MEAL Team as approved by His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, is as follows:
- Engr. (Dr.) John Moyo Ekundayo – Coordinator (Special Adviser/Director-General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery – OTSD)
- Dr. Solomon Ayodeji Ekundayo – Member
- Prof. Segun Ajibola – Member
- Eng. Adebiyi Adebayo Ojo – Member
- Mr. Adetunji Aribasoye – Member (Senior Special Assistant, Monitoring & Evaluation, OTSD)
- Mr. Toba Fatunla – Member (Special Assistant, Service Delivery, OTSD)
- Mr. Akeem Olusola Salami – Secretary (Director, Office of the Chief of Staff)
The event was graced by top government functionaries including the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolake Olomojobi; Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olabimpe Aderiye; Special Adviser/Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Pastor James Folorunso, Director general Bureau of asset management architect Temitope Oni and the Special Adviser on Special Education, Princess Adetoun Agboola. Others are the Technical Advisor on Change Management, Rev. Biyi Fashoyin; and Technical Advisor, OTSD, Pastor Kayode Odunayo and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Services, Dr Lateef Oluwafemi Buhari. Also present was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Babatope, who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture.
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