The country’s current economic situation is seriously affecting every strata of the society, most especially the elderly who are the worst hit due to lack of strength to cater for their needs. But, succour has come the way of the less-privileged citizens in Ekiti, courtesy of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Correspondent RASAQ IBRAHIM reports
The smiles on their faces betrayed the ecstasy in their minds. Yet for some, curtailing the emotions that had welled up within them was a herculean venture. Involuntarily, tears escaped from many eyes in trickles, dripping down wrinkled cheeks in gentle drops. Those were no tears of agony but an expression of joy.
This succinctly captured the moment the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji lifted the cloud of gloom for various less privileged persons in dire need of help in the state. The elderly, widows, orphans, widower, students, entrepreneurs and market women were not left out in the web of the humanitarian gestures.
It was not Oyebanji’s first lifeline for the less privilege neither was it the second time he would assist the downtrodden but their joy knew no bound because the help came at a time they are in serious need of financial assistance to improve their livelihood.
Many had been lost hope until Almighty God sent manner from heaven through the ‘angelic Oyebanji’ who extended milk of human kindness to them. The impacts of the interventionist programme tagged ‘Ojuse Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji which was coordinated by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor’s Office, Mrs Sola Abe, were being felt across the 16 local Local Government and 22 Local Council Development Area of the state..
Ekiti, like all other states in the country, has a number of needy, underprivileged and downtrodden citizens. But unlike what obtains in many other states, the destitute citizens in Ekiti have not been left to their fate as the state government has instituted the “Ojuse BAO” to help as many of them as possible out of their misery and poverty.This welfare initiative is being financed from the governor’s salary.
“Ojuse BAO” was launched by Governor Oyebanji in March 2023 with the aim of tackling myriads of social and economic issues affecting people across various communities in the state. The initiative focuses on supporting less-privileged in the state by providing lifeline in critical areas such as health, education, human capital development.
The programme also supports small and medium scale business with start-ups capitals as well as empowering skilled indigents. From Ado-Ekiti to Igbara Odo, Ilawe, Omuo-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Aramoko-Ekiti, Erio-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti, Iworoko, Agbado, Ido-Ile, Efon Alaaye, Otun-Ekiti, Ijero, Iyin-Ekiti, Ode-Ekiti, Ilasa-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Emure, Ise-Ekiti, Ilumoba-Ekiti, among other towns, the impacts of Ojuse BAO resonates.
The initiative is just like a gust of fresh air sweeping through a stinking room. Beneficiaries include indigent students who could not pay their school fees, artisans who intend to start their trades and businesses and those who needed equipment for their businesses.
The current administration has continue to identify with the less privilege through various interventionist programmes and schemes aimed at giving lifelines to the hopeless and succour to the vulnerables in the face of the sweeping hardship in the country.
Since its inception, the ‘OjuseBAO’ has brought succour to thousands of needy and vulnerables. The intervention ranged from payment of school fees, medical bills, business start ups and expansion of businesses with necessary equipment amongsy others.
The welfarist initiative has given hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless and provide compass to people wandering in thewilderness of difficulties through its various operational arms, which include:
Technical Support
The Governor Oyebanji’s administration has provided essential technical tools to indigent individuals who face challenges at acquiring the necessary equipment to improve their technical work. Through this initiative, the lives of thousands of individual have been positively impacted thereby fostering business growth and enhancing technical skills across the state.
Tuition Assistance
The initiative also focuses on providing financial assistance to indigent students in tertiary institutions who are unable to pay their tuition fees. More than hundred indigent students have benefited from this opportunity provided by Governor Oyebanji.
Business Start-ups
Through this initiative, financial capacity of various families were strengthened as many creative minds were empowered through provision of start ups capital to businesses, thereby leading to reduction in unemployment rate in the state. The makes sure that businesses are not just empowered by funding and tools but that they also get valuable counsel, tips, and guidelines to run a successful business.
Medical Aids
Under this interventionist programme, the governor has also provided medical assistance to many indigents patients in the state as well as securing specialized medical care,funding different categories of surgeries and provision of essential mobility aids for those in need of them.
The intervention for the indigent patients was not limited to government Hospitals alone but also extended to specialized private hospitals in the state. Also, the people Living With Disabilities were not left out of the program.
Public Aids
The governor Oyebanji’s administration, under this initiative, also offers financial assistance to individuals within the state who were unable to finish their building projects and those whose property were destroyed by natural disasters. With this intervention the governor has also been able to alleviate the sufferings of many people and bring hope to the hopeless.
Under the OJUSEBAO initiative, indigent and needy citizens across the state are encouraged to write Governor Oyebanji specifying their different areas of needs which the governor, through necessary machinery, would carefully interrogate to ensure that all request are genuine.
The Office of the Governor receives tons of letters every day. The initiative had started the program on radio where all genuine claims are considered. It holds every Sunday of the week to reduce the waiting period.
In order to continue to ensure economic viability of the initiative, a monitoring and evaluation team was constituted to visit beneficiaries regularly to know how they are faring and see that they are using the money and equipment for the purpose for which they were given.
The OJUSEBAO project Coordinator, Mrs Sola Abe, said that the intervention was in line with the fulfillment of Governor Oyebanji’s campaign promises of shared prosperity as well as rescuing the people of Ekiti from the claws of poverty.
Mrs Abe who stated that the intervention ranging from the payment of school fees, medical bills, provision of business start ups and expansion of businesses with necessary equipment among others, is a way of providing succour to vulnerable indigenes of the state who are in serious need of financial assistance to improve their livelihood.
She averred that Governor Oyebanji was irrevocably passionate about helping the less privileged even before he became Governor, and hence, he had earmarked certain amount from his personal purse every month for this cause.
This, according to her, is one of the ways of reaching out and rendering a helping hand to the needy indigenes that are not employed but have vocational skills.
On modalities for disbursement, Mrs Abe said, “We receive request from indigenes asking for assistance and it varies from tuition, medicals or expansion of businesses, so we do our investigation, market survey, verify claims and disburse.
“The mode of selecting them is that they write letter to Mr Governor and he charges them to our office, we then call the applicants, ask questions and confirm if they actually learn the trades. We also ask if they are already in the business or they want to start afresh before we eventually verify their claims. The only criteria we ask for is that you must be from Ekiti. There’s no political colouration.
“This is more of the Governor’s personal project, this is what he is doing himself to ensure he reach out to people in his own way. In fact, he has been doing this before he became Governor. And I think people now know about it, so the volume of requests that come to him has become enormous. he understands the impact this is having on the people, he understands the hardship going on with the people. This is own way of helping the people from his own personal purse.” She added.
A good number of the beneficiaries who received financial assistance as well as empowerment materials like grinding machines, industrial machines, barbing kits and hairdressing kits for giving them a lift and adding value to their lives.
Among the beneficiaries of the largesse were indigent students who could not pay their school fees, hairdressers, dry cleaners, tailors among others who were given full equipment to start their trades or boost their businesses.
Awokunle Seun, a poultry farmer from Oshodi, Off Afao Road, Ado-Ekiti, is a proud beneficiary of the initiative. His passion for poultry farming began six years ago, but financial challenges had hindered his productivity. Thanks to the Governor’s support, he is now able to fully pursue what he loves and is thriving once again in his farming business.
Mrs. Adeogun Rachel, is also a proud beneficiary of OJUSEBAO initiative. She is a fashion designer with five years of experience who sought for an industrial sewing machine to boost her business capacity. After submitting her request, the claims were ascertained and the request was granted.
During an impromptu visit to her shop by the monitoring team, she shared how her business has significantly improved, with a noticeable increase in customers. She expressed her hearrfelt gratitude to the governor for his timely intervention and support.
Similarly, the humanitarian gestures was extended to Olowoyo Oluwamayowa who gained admission into Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso to study Medicine and Surgery but faced difficulties in paying his full tuition.
Mrs. Ademola Ibukunoluwa, a health assistant and part-time photographer, revealed how the program stabilized her family’s finances. Initially seeking funds for a camera, she instead opted to invest in expanding her inventory of drugs and provisions due to the seasonal nature of photography. “This initiative has filled many financial gaps for us,” she stated, commending the governor for his program’s flexibility and far-reaching impact.
Similarly, Mrs. Oluwayomi Jimoh, a yam flour trader from Iyin Ekiti, recounted how the provision of a grinding machine revitalized her struggling business. She said, “The days of low patronage and financial struggles are behind me, a very big thanks to the Ojuse Bao initiative”.
Agbelusi Veronica,a baker also benefited from the OJUSEBAO initiative, used the funds to acquire essential baking tools including a deep freezer and show glass. These have dramatically increased her business growth as well as profitability.
According to her “ Before now, Meeting business and personal needs had been difficult, but since the grant, my business returns have soared”.
For Mrs. Ogunmoroti Folashade, the support came in the form of a complete hairdressing kit. Initially skeptical, her doubts about the program were dispelled when she received the tools, enabling her to operate her salon more effectively and support her family.
Her colleague, Mrs. Ogunware Modupe, shared a similar experience. She was equipped with modern hairdressing tools like a hairdryer and washing basin and her business witnessed a huge surge in clients. “Since receiving the new tools, business has improved dramatically, and my clients even refer new customers to me,” she remarked.
These stories highlight the impact of the Ojuse Bao initiative, which has not only provided immediate financial relief but also encouraged long-term economic growth and self-sufficiency among Ekiti residents.
