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Tag: constituents

  • Dogara trains constituents

    Dogara trains constituents

    I am a farmer and also a marketer of farm produce,” said Musa Ahmad from Tafawa Balewa Local Government of Bauchi state. “I have come here and have acquired knowledge in the crops I produce. When my father told me about it, I was very happy and willing to be here.”

    Ahmad was one of those who held tightly to their starter packs, their faces betraying their joy.

    They have just graduated from the Federal College of Horticulture (FCH) at Dadinkowa in Gombe State. They were youths and women who  graduated from the Yakubu Dogara’s Zonal Intervention Project for Women and Youths in Agricultural Products and Practices organised as part of his constituency project and coordinated by the college.

    Madaki  Garyalang, a farmer from Bogoro Local Government, said they were taught fish farming, poultry, and animal fattening. He said he preferred cow fattening, adding that the training opened his eyes to new ideas.

    Lami Ibrahim and Mayo Shuaibu, both from Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State found the skills useful and interesting. Though a crash programme, they were able to grasp the preparation of sesame seed tea and hope to start from there.

    Their illiteracy notwithstanding, they said they would give the manuals to their educated children to put them through on other ventures and the children in the process could also learn something from the book that they may live on for the rest of their lives.

    Hon Aminu Tukur, who represented Dogara at the event, said the programme was informed by the need to make the people see the latent value in what they often overlook and turn them into wealth.

    “We are products of our parents who have been in agriculture. So it is essential that if you want to put in something into our youths, the best approach is to go into agricultural kind of endeavour simply because of the fact that they have that orientation from the word go.

    “The land is there, it is just a matter of additional skill, inputs and improving their capacity. Besides, it is obvious that agriculture is the real deal in the country and people have realised that if you want to grow, grow in agriculture,” said Tukur

    He said the FCH programme was one of the series of programmes being embarked simultaneously upon by the Speaker in other places, assuring the constituents that the efforts would be sustained, participants would be graduating even as one of those programmes within a fortnight interval from this.

    In her remarks, Provost of the College, Professor Fatima B. J. Sawa said the training programme was initially packaged for 750 beneficiaries who would undergo a weeklong training in two batches of 375 apiece.

  • Constituents trained in skills get work tools

    Constituents trained in skills get work tools

    For 75 residents of Lagos Island Constituency 2, there was no better Yuletide gift than their graduation from three-month intensive skill acquisition training and start-up handouts from their representatives at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Shola Giwa.

    Though about 260 applicants filled the forms for the training scheme in September last year, only 75 of them graduated on December 28, last year and received certificates as well as various start-up equipment/tools from Giwa to kick-start their various trades.

    The 75 graduates were trained in tailoring, hairdressing, shoe making, auto mechanic, and sign writing.  On the graduation day, the lawmaker provided sewing machines for those who trained as tailors, filing machine and gum for shoemakers, mechanical tool box for mechanics, hair dryers, aprons, towels, relaxers for hair dressers, cylinder, drier, cutter, burner, steel ruler, cello tape, and mesh for sign writers.

    The graduation ceremony and presentation of the work tools took place at Eleganza Sports Centre, Lagos Island.

    Speaking at the event, Hon. Giwa said it was a great pleasure for him to be part of the graduation which he said was an important occasion for the trainees who were graduating as qualified artisans.

    “But I also need to say that this initiative is part of a much-bigger picture –the roles our artisans have to play in fighting unemployment directly by providing skilled labour to a skill- starved economy.

    “The trainees completed theoretical and workplace training component of this programme which commenced in October with qualified artisans as supervisors in fulfilment of the artisan training requirements.

    He urged the beneficiaries to part themselves on the back for the inconveniences they endured to reach their goal and in the process, thus making the programme a success.

    “To the  trainees I  say,  the  road  you  have  travelled was long; you faced  a  myriad of  challenges;  but  still  you persevered to reach  this momentous moment.  For  this you can  pat  yourselves on the  back for the  sacrifices you endured  to  reach  your  goal  –  in  the  process, making this programme  a  success.

    “The graduation ceremony marks an important milestone for our government and further re-affirms our commitment to the development and empowerment of our constituents. This day  is  also  proof  that  indeed  our government is  serious about  addressing the  skill gap and drawing  significant  numbers of  the  unemployed into productive work”.

    The lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment said: “The Lagos State Government Employment Trust Fund was established to equip residents with technical and professional training and enhance the professional capacity of artisans and entrepreneurs.”

    Urging artisans to take full advantage of the fund, Giwa said: “It is to set  a  clear and strategic long-term interest  and  commitment  to  technical  and professional  training in the  environment–both to rebuild the professional capacity  of  the  artisans and entrepreneurs–and to contribute to scarce skills required in  the  enhancement of the environment generally.

    “The task is more urgent now as the country is experiencing economic recession. This is why, as part of the initiative to build capacity of trainees in trades and artisans, the programme has explored all channels of learning and empowerment.

    “All of our graduates will get incentives to start their contributions to the economy where they are prepared to make a significant impact.

    “I mustn’t fail to acknowledge the steadfastness of the artisans of Lagos Island. Without their active participation, the course would have been unachievable. I must also commend the graduates.

    “They must know that all they’ve learnt cannot be taken away from them and they should be on the path of sustainability, replication, innovation and creativity.”

    The event also served as a platform for the lawmaker to present awards to the champions and defending champions of the Hon. Sola Giwa inter-school debate competition in Yoruba language which held in November last year.

    The training initiative was in collaboration with the Lagos Island Artisan Association which trained the beneficiaries.

    “It was borne out of their interest and commitment to technical and professional training which would play a role in fighting unemployment directly by providing skilled labour to a skill- starved economy through theoretical and hands-on experience,” he said.

    The Deputy Speaker of Lagos Assembly, who was Special Guest of Honour at the event, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun, commended Giwa for the initiative and harped on the importance of learning a trade and venturing into entrepreneurship.

    He said: “With or without formal education, it is an added advantage and stream of income for you when you render a service or sell goods. It brings about less dependence on your salary.”

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee, Prince Tajudeen Olusi who was the Father of the Day, encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and empowerment given to them. He stressed the need for inclusion of entrepreneurship training in the curriculum of tertiary institutions in the country, which, he said, is the practice in other climes.

    The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Akin Oyebode also attended the event. He enjoined the beneficiaries and residents of Lagos Island to tap into the opportunities the fund has to offer.

    The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde Durosimi-Etti assured the participants that they would be inducted into their respective trade societies at the state government level and would be entitled to subscriptions; an announcement that was hailed by the beneficiaries.

  • N100m boost for constituents’ self-reliance

    N100m boost for constituents’ self-reliance

    Senator Fatimat Olufunke Raji Rasaki has provided empowerment materials for members of her constituency in Ekiti Central Senatorial District. The gesture was in fulfilment of her electoral promises. The event was also a platform for presentation of her score card. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports. 

    About 600 people in Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State had cause to smile when the legislator representing the zone, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki donated economic empowerment materials worth N100 million to them.

    The constituents, who trooped out in large numbers at the ceremony held at African Church Primary School, Mobil area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, were happy that the gesture would make them become self-reliant.

    During her tenure as a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011, Mrs. Rasaki had carried out the same gesture. This time around, she decided to up the ante as she now represents a larger political space.

    At the ceremony, which also served as the first town hall meeting since her election into the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Chairman of Senate Committee on Trade and Investment pledged to do more for her constituents in order to reduce the level of poverty and provide them the opportunity to contribute to grassroots economy.

    She further explained that the beneficiaries who were drawn from the 57 wards making up the district, were nominated by various associations and interest groups, promising that more people would benefit in future programmes.

    Beneficiaries who were drawn from Ado, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ekiti West, Ijero and Efon local government areas that make up the district received N10 million cash, tractors, motorcycles, tricycles, helmets, reflexive jackets, spraying machines, agro-chemicals and insecticides.

    Other materials distributed were rain boots, sewing machines, vulcanising machines, grinding machines, popcorn making machines, clippers, hair dryers, cooking stoves and commuter buses for Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque and National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the five council areas of the district.

    The N10 million cash was distributed to local traders, widows, aged persons and senior citizens to give them succour against the harsh economic situation.

    Giving account of her performance in the National Assembly, Mrs. Rasaki revealed that the bills she had sponsored included Companies and Allied Matters Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 which has reached second reading and Nigeria Industrial Development and Zones Commission Bill which has reached committee level.

    The Senator explained that she had used her position to bring the Bank of Industry to her constituency to organise seminars for 2,500 local investors in order to assist them with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) loans.

    According to her, she also facilitated employment opportunities for her constituents in paramilitary organisations while youths, women, the aged, widows and indigent students are benefiting from Fatimat Raji Rasaki Community Development Programmes.

    Senator Rasaki promised to continue to carry her constituents along through regular presentation of her score card to them in appreciation of their mandate to her at last year’s National Assembly polls.

    She said: “As your representative in the Senate, I speak on your behalf and in your best interest. I have communicated your needs and aspirations as a community through the mandate given to me in last year’s general elections.

    “I have projected our local government areas Ado-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ijero, Ekiti West and Efon as a community with enormous economic opportunities, vast land mass and an investment haven for Ekiti people, Nigerians and the global community.

    “Beside the business of law-making for which I have your mandate, we have worked further to touch the lives of our people in various communities. The youth, women, the aged, widows, indigent students and more are benefiting from the ongoing Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki Community Development Programmes.

    “As we are aware, execution of constituency projects lay basically within the purview of the executive arm of government. We as legislators make efforts to align our constituencies with the necessary fiscal provisions which must definitely undergo the thorough budgeting process.

    “As your steward, I am mandated to carry the entire communities along on our collective journey to greatness. That is why I deployed all channels of communication-both conventional and modern-to provide feedbacks for the constituents from time to time which has generated tremendous results.

    “In the last one-and-half years, I have convened meetings with stakeholders and heads of many sectors and communities as a feedback mechanism towards ensuring that the people of my senatorial district are well abreast of developments, actions and issues from the Senate.”

    Husband of the Senator and former Military Governor of Ogun and Lagos states, Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki (retd.) who inaugurated the buses, said his wife inherited the integrity of keeping promises from her late father, Chief Michael Obayemi.

    The Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, inaugurated the tractors and praised the Senator for  spreading empowerment across communities in the constituency.

    Gen. Rasaki explained that most of the projects the Senator executed during her tenure as a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011 are still there for all to see, adding that the empowerment programme was a confirmation of her steadfastness and pedigree.

    Brig-Gen. Rasaki described his wife as a promise keeper, saying her humanitarian gestures dated back to the period of his tenure in the two states when she served as wife of the military governor.

    He said: “During the electioneering campaigns, your Senator made some very specific electoral promises. Keeping promises has become a tradition in the family. Throughout my military career and state governance in this country, I made efforts in all ways to keep my word; as my word has always been my bond.

    “During the whole period of my sojourn in the Government Houses and Barracks (Ogun and Lagos states), your Senator, Fatimat, made promises as wife of the military governor and she never wavered.

    “The Senator, naturally inherited integrity from her late father-the patriarch of the Obayemi Dynasty- Chief Michael Afolabi Obayemi, Atuase of Ado-Ekiti. So, keeping promises and maintenance of integrity are not alien to her.

    “Today’s empowerment programme is, therefore, a further confirmation of her steadfastness and her uncommon pedigree.

    “It is on record that she succeeded first as a member of the House of Representatives and all promises made during her tenure were fulfilled. Most of the projects are still surviving till today whereas those of some of her counterparts had disappeared. She is still capable of doing more and will do more by the grace of God.”

    The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, who was represented by the Sasere, Chief Segun Famuagun, said the kingdom and the entire senatorial district are proud of Mrs. Rasaki for representing them well.

    He said: “She is an illustrious daughter of the kingdom, she has represented the senatorial district well and she has come back to appreciate the people who sent her to the National Assembly.

  • For the love of his constituents

    For the love of his constituents

    Residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were ecstatic when the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Adesoji Akanbi, empowered thousands of women, artisans and young graduates from across the nine local government areas that make up the district.

    Akanbi provided work tools and equipment worth N150 million at the event that took place at the main bowl of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.

    The choice of the stadium for the epoch-making event was apt as crowd of supporters thronged the sports complex for hours to benefit from the Senator’s philanthropy.

    The event was akin to a political rally; with many leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state trooping in to felicitate with the Senator who they said was committed to the  economic well-being of his people at such a critical time.

    They were all smiles as they acknowledged cheers from their followers and beneficiaries who waited patiently; ignoring the scorching sun. They clapped, sang, danced as entertainers provided music to calm frayed nerves.

    Beneficiaries included over 1,000 jobless young graduates who had received special training on entrepreneurship in different vocations by the Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi Foundation (RAAF) in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational  Centres and National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB).

    Areas of training were fashion  designing,  electrical  installation and repairs, hair dressing, hotel and catering management, leather works, shoe making and repairs, mobile phone repairs, tie and dye, soap and  detergents  making, production of insecticides perfumes, deodorant and air-freshener.

    They received tools and equipment to begin their own businesses in their areas of skill acquired.

    At the well-attended programme, Senator Akanbi also distributed equipment and tools to various groups and associations of artisans such as the Oyo State chapters of auto technicians, panel beaters; auto body builders, auto sprayers, blacksmiths, auto electricians, vulcanisers, barbers, fashion designers, beauticians and the Nigeria Agricultural Co-operative Organisation (NECO).

    Other beneficiaries were the Children Ward of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, State Hospital, Adeoyo, Oni and Sons Hospital, Oluyole Cheshire Home, Federation of Muslim Women Association, Heart and Soul Disability Centre, W. O. Lawal Homes, Adeen Homes, Celestial Church of Christ, Apete, Christ Church, Mapo, Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Yusrullahi Association of Nigeria and National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO).

    Items distributed included  numerous motorcycles, sewing  machines, deep and chest  freezers, vulcanising  pumping machines, furniture/carpentry equipment, hairdryers, catering and baking  equipment, welding  machines, barbing  equipment; power generating sets, chemical  sprayers for farmers, 18-seater bus and  Nissan Micra car, among others. He also gave out cash gifts for purchase of other tools and to start-up businesses.

    Speaking at the event, Senator Akanbi said the gesture was borne out of his belief in teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish.

    He said when people are empowered; they will be able to empower others.

    Akanbi urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items for their self-development.

    One of the beneficiaries, Waheed Akanmu, an auto builder, expressed his satisfaction with the tool he received. He praised Akanbi’s gesture, saying it would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries to be economically self-reliant.

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Ismail Ali.

    He commended Akanbi for the gesture, emphasising that as many voters as possible should be empowered to lift them out of economic stagnation.

  • Rep dismisses recall plans by constituents

    A member of the House of Representatives, representing Mbaike Federal Constituency of Imo, Mr. Henry Nwawuba said the rumour of his constituents plan to recall him was baseless.

    Nwawuba who stated this while addressing newsmen on Monday in Owerri, said he has not been officially communicated on the issue.

    According to him, those behind the rumour were aggrieved PDP members who had problems with him during the state congress of the party.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that a group under the auspices of Mbaike Movement, had moved a vote of no confidence on Nwawuba during a meeting last week.

    The group claimed that Nwawuba had not carried members of his constituents along since he was elected, and vowed to begin recall procedures against him.

    The group had also accused Nwawuba of poor representation and high handedness.

    Nwawuba, however, dismissed the threat, saying that the group was only expressing their anger on the outcome of the party’s congress.

    According to him, he is representing his constituents well and is carrying everyone along.

    “My constituents have never complained of misrepresentation or high handedness.

    “This is the fallout of the party congress and I want people to disregard the rumor,’’ he said.

  • Lawmaker cares for ailing constituents

    Lawmaker cares for ailing constituents

    Chief Whip of Ebonyi State House of Assembly Hon.  Kingsley Ikorohas made good his electoral promise, offering free medical treatment to 200 indigent patients of his constituency.

    The lawmaker who represents Afikpo Northwest state constituency said 100 out of the 200 persons are already enjoying the free treatment while the other 100 will follow.

    He said this at Ozziza Central School in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state where he feted widows. He also distributed wrappers and other items including cash to aged widows of the constituency.

    He expressed regret over the sudden death of certain persons in the society which he said could have been avoided if they had gone to hospital for medical treatment.

    “This is why we offered the free medical treatments to the constituents,” he said. “We will be paying the premium of this free medical treatment to the NHIS every year and we will continue to cloth the widows and empower the indigents.”

    In his remarks, the President, Afikpo Mutual Health Association Chief Agha Ewah said the free medical treatment will go a long way in solving the health problems of the people.

    Some of the widows who spoke thanked the lawmaker for remembering them.

  • A lawmaker’s outreach for constituents

    A lawmaker’s outreach for constituents

    A House of Representatives member Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha teams up with medical personnel to bring succour to her constituency in Abia State. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Over 10,000 residents of Umunneochi/Isiukwuato constituency in Abia State have benefitted from Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha’s medical outreach.

    For five days, patients were treated for various conditions, some undergoing eye surgeries.

    The lawmaker told The Nation that she would always prioritise her people’s health.

    Some of the medical personnel came from the United States of America, while others were locally based.

    Though the event was meant for Umunneochi and Isiukwuato constituents, patients from neighbouring Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states also turned up and some were treated.

    The event was a big relief for families especially, the less privileged ones as their wards, children, parents and relatives consulted well-trained and experienced doctors, collected drugs, reading glasses and also underwent various surgeries at no cost.

    Why such an outreach at a time of financial difficulties?

    Hon. Onyejiocha replied, “Health is wealth; if you are talking about infrastructure and people who are to benefit from the exercise are not healthy, it will be worthless and a wasted vision. Basically it is my intention to bring good health to our people so as to enable them respond well in any activity that will be going on within the constituency. And also because of the present economic situation not everybody will be able to afford the money for health care services and I believe the best I can do is to partner with some people to bring health care facilities down here.

    “I don’t play politics with people’s lives. 90% of people with hernia, lumps amongst others have been operated upon while those with malaria have also been attended to and drugs given to them. The eye problems were given lenses. I have been doing it over the years and have partnered with Living Hope Ministries’ medical team headed by Dr. Sony Acho for six years, though I had been partnering with other Nigeria doctors to carry out this particular exercise even before I become a politician. Everybody have access to it as far as you have any ailment, we attend to hernia, lumps, cataract, appendectomy and others but if there are some major ailments we get referrals and sought for doctors that will attend to them while I also handle the bill.

  • Ondo lawmaker doles out cash, cars, others to constituents

    Ondo lawmaker doles out cash, cars, others to constituents

    A lawmaker representing Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Hon. Friday Olemija has distributed empowerment facilities and funds to his constituents in fulfilment of his electoral promises. DAMISI OJO reports.

    The lawmaker representing Akoko Northwest/Northeast Federal Constituency, Hon Friday Olemija, has dolled out cash and other items to his constituents.

    Among the items distributed at Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast are cars, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, sowing machines, hair dryers, plasma television sets, electricity generating sets, musical instruments and wheel chairs for the handicapped with substantial cash.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who is the former chairman of Akoko Northeast Local Government, Ikare-Akoko, praised the people of his constituency for the support rendered to him during the last year general elections.

    According to him, “to whom much is given, much is expected from such person and in fulfilment of my campaign promises, I have to make my people happy.”

    Olemija said in spite of the economic downturn in the country, he still obliged to put smiles on the faces of the people in his constituency.

    He said he had sponsored three bills on roads in the lower chamber to better the lot of his people, while providing boreholes in many towns.

    He promised that such gesture would be continuous.

    Olemija urged the Ondo State government to pay the salary arrears of the public servants.

    “The state government has no reason to owe its workers salary, considering the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Federal allocation accrued to the state monthly,” he said.

    He lamented that no fewer than 35 civil servants and pensioners have died due to lack of money for medication.

    The lawmaker, who decried the poor condition of workers in the employ of the Ondo State government, said the state has enough resources to cater for the needs of its workers without leaning on the Federal Government.

    He said Ondo State is blessed with abundant mineral resources, and being part of the Niger Delta states receives more allocation than many states in the Southwest, and wondered why the state government owes its workers five months salaries.

    Olemija expressed worry on what he described as poor welfare of workers in the state, saying the Mimiko-led administration has little respect for the state’s work force.

    He challenged the state government to pay the workers all their outstanding salary arrears, even as he urged the workers to fight for their right and ensure that the state government understands their plight.

    He maintained that the state is economically buoyant to pay its workers and execute physical projects in all the Local Government Areas in the state, adding that government’s insensitivity to the welfare of the people accounts for the under development.

    The legislator advised the people to vote for APC in the governorship election for the state to experience the development it deserves.

    Some beneficiaries of the legislator’s kindness appreciated him for fulfilling part of his promises, urging him to continue impacting on the lives of the people.

  • Ondo lawmaker doles out cash, cars, others to constituents

    Ondo lawmaker doles out cash, cars, others to constituents

    The lawmaker representing Akoko Northwest/Northeast Federal Constituency, Hon Friday Olemija, has dolled out cash and other items to his constituents.
    Among the items distributed at Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast are cars, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, sowing machines, hair dryers, plasma television sets, electricity generating sets, musical instruments and wheel chairs for the handicapped with substantial cash.
    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who is the former chairman of Akoko Northeast Local Government, Ikare-Akoko, praised the people of his constituency for the support rendered to him during the last year general elections.
    According to him, “to whom much is given, much is expected from such person and in fulfilment of my campaign promises, I have to make my people happy.”
    Olemija said in spite of the economic downturn in the country, he still obliged to put smiles on the faces of the people in his constituency.
    He said he had sponsored three bills on roads in the lower chamber to better the lot of his people, while providing boreholes in many towns.
    He promised that such gesture would be continuous.
    Olemija urged the Ondo State government to pay the salary arrears of the public servants.
    “The state government has no reason to owe its workers salary, considering the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Federal allocation accrued to the state monthly,” he said.
    He lamented that no fewer than 35 civil servants and pensioners have died due to lack of money for medication.
    The lawmaker, who decried the poor condition of workers in the employ of the Ondo State government, said the state has enough resources to cater for the needs of its workers without leaning on the Federal Government.
    He said Ondo State is blessed with abundant mineral resources, and being part of the Niger Delta states receives more allocation than many states in the Southwest, and wondered why the state government owes its workers five months salaries.
    Olemija expressed worry on what he described as poor welfare of workers in the state, saying the Mimiko-led administration has little respect for the state’s work force.
    He challenged the state government to pay the workers all their outstanding salary arrears, even as he urged the workers to fight for their right and ensure that the state government understands their plight.
    He maintained that the state is economically buoyant to pay its workers and execute physical projects in all the Local Government Areas in the state, adding that government’s insensitivity to the welfare of the people accounts for the under development.
    The legislator advised the people to vote for APC in the governorship election for the state to experience the development it deserves.
    Some beneficiaries of the legislator’s kindness appreciated him for fulfilling part of his promises, urging him to continue impacting on the lives of the people.

  • Ondo lawmaker doles out cash, cars, others to constituents

    Ondo lawmaker doles out cash, cars, others to constituents

    A lawmaker representing Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Hon. Friday Olemija has distributed empowerment facilities and funds to his constituents in fulfilment of his electoral promises. DAMISI OJO reports.

    The lawmaker representing Akoko Northwest/Northeast Federal Constituency, Hon Friday Olemija, has dolled out cash and other items to his constituents.

    Among the items distributed at Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast are cars, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, sowing machines, hair dryers, plasma television sets, electricity generating sets, musical instruments and wheel chairs for the handicapped with substantial cash.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who is the former chairman of Akoko Northeast Local Government, Ikare-Akoko, praised the people of his constituency for the support rendered to him during the last year general elections.

    According to him, “to whom much is given, much is expected from such person and in fulfilment of my campaign promises, I have to make my people happy.”

    Olemija said in spite of the economic downturn in the country, he still obliged to put smiles on the faces of the people in his constituency.

    He said he had sponsored three bills on roads in the lower chamber to better the lot of his people, while providing boreholes in many towns.

    He promised that such gesture would be continuous.

    Olemija urged the Ondo State government to pay the salary arrears of the public servants.

    “The state government has no reason to owe its workers salary, considering the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Federal allocation accrued to the state monthly,” he said.

    He lamented that no fewer than 35 civil servants and pensioners have died due to lack of money for medication.

    The lawmaker, who decried the poor condition of workers in the employ of the Ondo State government, said the state has enough resources to cater for the needs of its workers without leaning on the Federal Government.

    He said Ondo State is blessed with abundant mineral resources, and being part of the Niger Delta states receives more allocation than many states in the Southwest, and wondered why the state government owes its workers five months salaries.

    Olemija expressed worry on what he described as poor welfare of workers in the state, saying the Mimiko-led administration has little respect for the state’s work force.

    He challenged the state government to pay the workers all their outstanding salary arrears, even as he urged the workers to fight for their right and ensure that the state government understands their plight.

    He maintained that the state is economically buoyant to pay its workers and execute physical projects in all the Local Government Areas in the state, adding that government’s insensitivity to the welfare of the people accounts for the under development.

    The legislator advised the people to vote for APC in the governorship election for the state to experience the development it deserves.

    Some beneficiaries of the legislator’s kindness appreciated him for fulfilling part of his promises, urging him to continue impacting on the lives of the people.