The Nation Newspaper

Tag: constituents

  • Lawmaker empowers constituents

    Lawmaker empowers constituents

    A House of Representatives member, Olufemi Adebanjo, yesterday distributed empowerment tools to some of his constituents.

    Adebanjo, representing Alimosho Federal constituency gave out the materials during a Town Hall Meeting to commemorate his one year in office at Mosalashi, Alimosho, Lagos.

    The event was witnessed by Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola and Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa.

    The items included six tricycles (Keke Marwa), 70 motorcycles (Okada), 70 grinding machines, 70 sewing machines, 30 hair driers, 300 bags of rice and beans and cash.

    The beneficiaries included the youths, the elderly, market men and women, Community Development Association (CDA) and Community Development Committee (CDC) executives, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), teachers, artisans and many others.

    Adebanjo said his gesture was informed by the prevailing financial situation.

    He said: “The current financial situation in the country calls for desperate measures. Our declining revenue as a result of the crash in international crude oil prices has further proven that we need to explore other sources of income.”

    The lawmaker praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the completion of Ayobo–Ipaja–Abesan road and Meiran road, the upgrading of Ajasa-Command road, the construction of Abule Egba overhead bridge, Aboru–Abesan road, Isefun – Kande road and the completion of the mini waterworks at Abesan, among others.

    “These clearly indicate the governor’s love and passion for the development of our constituency,” he said.

    Obasa hailed Adebanjo for giving account of his stewardship and empowering his constituents to lessen their hardship.

    The speaker urged Alimosho residents to continue to support the government so that they can keep enjoying the dividends of democracy.

    He pleaded with them to protect the infrastructure in their area.

    Senator Adeola said he had distributed 500 life jackets to the people of his senatorial district, adding that he will be giving 28 schools one toilet and one borehole each.

  • Work tools for lawmaker’s constituents

    Work tools for lawmaker’s constituents

    Work tools worth millions of naira have been distributed to some members of the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.

    The items were provided by Senator Obinna Ogba who represents the constituency.

    The items included motorcycles, grinding machines, cassava grinding machines, sewing machines, kernel grinding machines and over 10 cars.

    Speaking during the distribution at his hometown Amanvu Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, Senator Ogba noted that the distribution is structured in such a way that all the 58 wards in the four local government areas of the zone namely Ikwo, Ezza North, Ezza South and Ishielu benefit from the scheme.

    He said the distribution which will be periodical is in keeping with his campaign promises to the people.

    The Senator said he has started paying stipends to over 232 persons in the constituency.

    The programme he said costs him over N1m monthly, adding that he is determined to sustain it till the end of his tenure.

    On creating jobs, Senator Ogba noted that notwithstanding the embargo placed on employment, he has been able to secure employment for about 14 persons spread across the four local governments.

    “I recommended over 30 persons for employment; about 9 of them will get their appointment letters now that the 2016 budget has been signed,” he said.

    Also 10 persons from my constituency are also in my payroll and I spend well over N400,000 on their salary monthly.

    On education, Senator Ogba noted that he has paid school fees for over 100 students. He said he has concluded arrangement to float a scholarship scheme later in the year.

    Other projects by the Senator include construction of rural bridges and roads in some communities in Ishielu local government area and sponsorship ofsome constituents to overseas tour.

    “On arrival, the contingent receives cash rewards not fewer than 500,000 each. I am making arrangements to secure some slots for two or more persons to travel to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics”.

    Senator Ogba said all those who drove his campaign vehicles have been given those cars.

    He urged the beneficiaries to put the gifts into good use while assuring that the programme will continue throughout his tenure.

     

  • Lawmaker’s jobs tools for constituents

    Lawmaker’s jobs tools for constituents

    Some got sewing machines, some motorcycles or tricycles. But even as Federal House of Representatives member, Alhaji Zakari Angulu-Dobi gave out those items to his Abuja South constituents, he assured them of more to come.

    Angulu-Dobi said the gesture was a way of giving back to his people who voted him in the last election.

    “We were voted into the office and not appointed,” he said. “Politics is all about giving back the dividends of democracy to the people. It is not about beauty; it is not about being proud. It is all about reciprocating the gesture given to you.

    “I am fulfilled that I was able to bring happiness and excitement to people of my constituency by giving them these few items that were shared across my constituency comprising Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali and Abaji. It is a laid foudation. This not a first time I have been voted into power. I have always benefitted from giving out, being honest with the people and carrying them along,” he said.

    Angulu-Dobi also said that his people should expect more of such gestures and promised to pursue with all seriousness whatever is meant for his constituency as it contain in the year’s budget.

    “I want to assure the people of my constituency and FCT in extension because I am the only highest elected person in APC. I know I have a challenge. I have a fight ahead of me. I am ready and capable to face it and it gives me joy.

    “The people of my constituency should expect continuity. We will continue to do what we have done. The good thing is that budget is signed, I will pursue what is meant for my people to ensure that all ministry, agencies and parastatals where projects are domiciled are dully executed to the benefit of my people,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, APC party chairman in Abaji area council, Alhaji Haruna Yaba, described the gesture as first of its kind in the history of Abuja politics while pledging their support for the honourable member.

    “It is a kind gesture we have never experienced before. It will help to eradicate poverty. It will create a way  to make a living. He has done well and I urge everyone to support him,” he said.

    Apart from tricycles, motorcycles and sewing machines and generators were also presented to women and elders of the constituency at d occasion.

  • Lawmaker provides work tools for constituents

    Lawmaker provides work tools for constituents

    A member representing Irepo/ Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Mr. Bosun Oladele has endowed an empowerment scheme for members of his constituency. Empowerment items worth N35 million were distributed to them.

    According to the lawmaker, the empowerment scheme was the first phase of the Oladele Youth Alliance for Progressive Agenda in which about 400 people benefited.

    Some of the items distributed included 100 motorcycles, sewing machines, chest freezers, power generating sets, hair dryers, sprayers and chemicals for farmers and books for over 3,500 students.

    Speaking during the event held at Tafo Event Centre Igbeti, Mr. Oladele, who is a former Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, said the empowerment scheme is part of the dividends of democracy which he made available for his constituents who voted for him during the 2015 general elections.

    “This is going to be a continuous programme. I must report back to you from time to time; I will also ensure that the town hall meeting we started continues so that we can discuss issues relating to the development of our communities,” he said.

    Mr. Oladele further revealed that he has started lobbying the appropriate authority on the need to develop the region’s tourism potential in mineral resources and agriculture.

    “We have what it takes to be rich in Oke-ogun, but the neglect by past administrations is responsible for our situation now. But we are gradually getting out of it as efforts are ongoing to develop the potential of Oke-ogun for economic advantage and development.

    “I am also working hard to ensure that the abandoned Badagry–Sokoto and some other road and infrastructural projects are completed for the benefit of our people,” he said.

    On what informed the distribution of the empowerment materials, the former youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State said: “We consider the needs of our people before making provision for the materials. We do not give to only APC members. Members of other political parties and security agencies are also benefiting.”

    Some of the beneficiaries commended Mr Oladele for his support, promising to make use of the items judiciously to enhance their economic well-being.

    Some party and community leaders who spoke during the event said the outstanding performances of the lawmaker since he began representing his people at the National Assembly, has rekindle their hope of enjoying  quality representation at the federal level.

    Present at the event were members of the state executive of the APC, traditional rulers, council chairmen, party stalwarts in Oke-ogun, youths, students, traders and artisan groups, among others.

  • Jobs tools for lawmaker’s constituents

    Jobs tools for lawmaker’s constituents

    Jobs tools worth millions of naira have been distributed to some members of the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.

    The items were provided by Senator Obinna Ogba who represents the constituency.

    The items included over motorcycles, grinding machines, cassava grinding machines, sewing machines, kernel grinding machines and over 10 cars.

    Speaking during the distribution exercise at his hometown Amanvu Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, Senator Ogba noted that the distribution is structured in such a way that all the 58 wards in the four local government areas of the zone namely Ikwo, Ezza North, Ezza South and Ishielu benefit from the scheme.

    He said the distribution which will be periodical is in keeping with his campaign promises to the people.

    The Senator said he has started paying stipends to over 232 persons in the constituency.

    The programme he said costs him over N1m monthly, adding that he is determined to sustain it till the end of his tenure.

    On creating jobs, Senator Ogba noted that notwithstanding the embargo placed on employment, he has been able to secure employment for about 14 persons spread across the four local governments.

    “I recommended over 30 persons for employment; about 9 of them will get their appointment letters now that the 2016 budget has been signed,” he said.

    Also 10 persons from my constituency are also in my payroll and I spend well over N400,000 on their salary monthly.

    On education, Senator Ogba noted that he has paid school fees for over 100 students. He said he has concluded arrangement to float a scholarship scheme later in the year.

    Other projects by the Senator include construction of rural bridges and roads in some communities in Ishielu local government area and sponsorship ofsome constituents to overseas tour.

    “On arrival, the contingent receives cash rewards not fewer than 500,000 each. I am making arrangements to secure some slots for two or more persons to travel to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics”.

    Senator Ogba said all those who drove his campaign vehicles have been given those cars.

    He urged the beneficiaries to put the gifts into good use while assuring that the programme will continue throughout his tenure.

     

  • Lawmaker provides work tools for constituents

    Lawmaker provides work tools for constituents

    A member representing Irepo/ Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Mr. Bosun Oladele has endowed an empowerment scheme for members of his constituency. Empowerment items worth N35 million were distributed to them.

    According to the lawmaker, the empowerment scheme was the first phase of the Oladele Youth Alliance for Progressive Agenda in which about 400 people benefited.

    Some of the items distributed included 100 motorcycles, sewing machines, chest freezers, power generating sets, hair dryers, sprayers and chemicals for farmers and books for over 3,500 students.

    Speaking during the event held at Tafo Event Centre Igbeti, Mr. Oladele, who is a former Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, said the empowerment scheme is part of the dividends of democracy which he made available for his constituents who voted for him during the 2015 general elections.

    “This is going to be a continuous programme. I must report back to you from time to time; I will also ensure that the town hall meeting we started continues so that we can discuss issues relating to the development of our communities,” he said.

    Mr. Oladele further revealed that he has started lobbying the appropriate authority on the need to develop the region’s tourism potential in mineral resources and agriculture.

    “We have what it takes to be rich in Oke-ogun, but the neglect by past administrations is responsible for our situation now. But we are gradually getting out of it as efforts are ongoing to develop the potential of Oke-ogun for economic advantage and development.

    “I am also working hard to ensure that the abandoned Badagry–Sokoto and some other road and infrastructural projects are completed for the benefit of our people,” he said.

    On what informed the distribution of the empowerment materials, the former youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State said: “We consider the needs of our people before making provision for the materials. We do not give to only APC members. Members of other political parties and security agencies are also benefiting.”

    Some of the beneficiaries commended Mr Oladele for his support, promising to make use of the items judiciously to enhance their economic well-being.

    Some party and community leaders who spoke during the event said the outstanding performances of the lawmaker since he began representing his people at the National Assembly, has rekindle their hope of enjoying  quality representation at the federal level.

    Present at the event were members of the state executive of the APC, traditional rulers, council chairmen, party stalwarts in Oke-ogun, youths, students, traders and artisan groups, among others.

  • Lawmaker’s jobs tools for constituents

    Lawmaker’s jobs tools for constituents

    A member of the House of Representatives Hon Lazarus Ogbe has distributed sewing machines, motorcycles and other tools to some members of the Ikwo/Ezza South constituency in Ebonyi State whom he represents.

    He also promised to provide more after the passage of the 2016 budget by the National Assembly.

    Ogbe gave the assurance while distributing the items at the Onueke Township stadium in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

    He said his efforts were to complement those of Governor David Umahi in uplifting the people.

    Ogbe said, “All these things I was able to do without the passage of the budget and now that the budget has been passed and our dear President has promised to implement it to the letter, I think it is going to be El Dorado for my constituents.

    “Believe you me, I sleep, wake up, thinking how to better the lot of my people.”

    He lauded the courage of the people of Ikwo council for voting for him despite pressures from their kinsman and immediate past governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi whose son, Nnanna Elechi who contested for the senate in the same constituency under the Labour Party platform.

    He promised to deliver on the mandate through federal jobs and the training of the youths and women on various skill acquisitions to help them escape from the hydra of poverty.

    He urged the people to support him if convinced he was doing well but should also be free to withdraw their support if they found the opposite.

    He said the unity existing among the Reps members from the zone was an evidence of good things to come.

    He said, “When you are given a mandate, you do not have every opportunity on earth to gallivant, most especially the one propelled by votes of your people, utilise it and when you are doing that, God that sent you there will be glorified and the blessings will be yours.”

     

  • Senator’s empowerment tools excite constituents

    Senator’s empowerment tools excite constituents

    The number of the unemployed is rising daily. Public officers are encouraging the jobless to be self-reliant through provision of empowerment items. LEKE AKEREDOLU reports that the Senator Yele Omogunwa has provided N100million worth of empowerment tools worth N100m for members of his constituents in Ondo-South Senatorial District.

    As the country grapples with the challenge of unemployment as a result of lack of white-collar jobs, wealthy individuals and those in position of authority have been encouraging individuals, especially young school leavers, graduates and some others to redirect their attention from being job-seekers to job-creators and employers of labour.

    Lawmakers are not left out in the quest to empower members of their constituency through skill acquisition programmes and empowerment items.

    In the circumstances, the countrified town of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State sparkled as residents shirked all their commercial and other activities to converge on the headquarters of the local government.

    They gathered to join several distinguished guests who came from far and near to witness a unique moment when many members of the lawmaker’s constituency were empowered with various items to make them self-reliant and, possibly employers of labour.

    For them, it was a rare opportunity to witness such an event which, they said, was the first in the state since the return of democracy in 1999.

    During the event, Senator Omogunwa gave out empowerment items valued at N100 million to some of his constituents.

    Great crowd of members of his constituency witnessed the event which was described as unprecedented. What made the exercise remarkable was that some of the items distributed included 200 sewing machines, 300 motorcycles, 300 pieces of dryer, 400 stoves and pots, 100 generating sets, 100 clippers, 150 speed boats and equally 150 horse power machines to power the speed boats. Over 1, 500 people benefited from this empowerment scheme at the event.

    Speaking at the event, Senator Omogunwa said he was committed to enhance the well-being of members of his constituency, even as he said his tenure at the National Assembly will witness a departure from the stereotypical experiences the people have had with their erstwhile representatives.

    The people are already thanking their stars for voting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain to represent them at the National Assembly.

    The lawmaker said the items distributed were part of measures to appreciate his party and members of the party in his senatorial district who worked for his success during the general elections.

    The local government areas that make up the district he represents at the Senate are Okitipupa, Irele, Ile-oluji/Oke-Igbo, Ilaje and Ese-Odo.

    Omogunwa, who is the only PDP Senator from Ondo State, said poverty alleviation programmes must be a constant event at the grassroots, as they serve as means of alleviating the sufferings of the people and pull them out of poverty.

    He said: “It is time Nigerian youths began to think of what they can use their hands to do through vocational skills and not to be seeking white-collar jobs that are hard to come by.”

    Omogunwa, however, promised to attract Federal Government’s presence to the area; including the riverside communities.

    He said: “For so long, the people of Ondo State `have been cheated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by not establishing projects for the well-being of the people. I have told those concerned when we went for oversight functions in South-south geo-political zone that this must be corrected.

    “I discovered that there are meaningful projects that were executed in other states of the Niger Delta region but I don’t know why we were neglected.

    “States such as Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River and so on are positively feeling the impact of the NDDC. The projects in those states are far different from the projects in Ondo State and no doubt about it, they will adjust.

    “Even the one they have done here, they are coming to investigate. In the next one or two weeks, the team will be in the state to oversee what has been claimed to have been done on paper but not on ground.”

    He, however, enjoined all the beneficiaries to use the empowerment tools judiciously in order to contribute to the economy of the state and the country, and especially to improve their economic well-being.

    On behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr. Adetomiwa Morakinyo from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, thanked the Senator for the gesture, assuring him of their regular support.

    Also, ýa 25-year-old lady, Miss Bose Okunola, who just graduated from a fashion design school, said she had been looking for money to buy sewing machine so that she could start her own business.

    She said: “I am so excited that I am one of the beneficiaries of these sewing machines. This will go a long way in reshaping my future in the area of fashion designing.

    “I am a graduate but since all of us cannot get white-collar jobs, I have decided to learn fashion designing. I graduated three months ago but I don’t have money to start the business.

    “I thank Senator Omogunwa for remembering us in this senatorial district and this sewing machine would relief me of lots of burden.”

    A PDP chieftain from Ese-Odo, Lucky Obolo was full of joy when his name was mentioned as one of the beneficiaries of the speed boats.

    Obolo said: “I was at the campaign of Omogunwa last year when he said he would always be available to listen to our complaints and also ensure he gives back to us whatever is given to him in Abuja.

    “I never believed him because many previous lawmakers have said much of this and at the end only their families and close allies benefitted from them. Even those who are representing Akure do not look back after we had voted for them.

    “But I was amazed when I got the information that he would be empowering us less than a year after the elections.

    “One peculiar thing was that he kept the names of those who would benefit from the scheme to his chest and I was surprised that my name appeared on the list.

    “With this boat, I am going to start transportation business and I believe the money I realise from it will be used to cater for my family.”

  • Ekiti Rep empowers constituents

    Ekiti State Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives Kehinde Agboola has distributed multi-million naira empowerment items to his constituents.

    The items included a Mazda bus presented to a driver; a wheel chair for a physically-challenged cobbler; 50 power generating sets; 100 sewing machines; 100 hair dryers and 100 flour mixers.

    Others included 50 laptop and desktop computer sets for palaces of traditional rulers in the federal constituency; laptop and desktop computers to Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) offices in the two councils; and N2 million cash distributed among some party members.

    Agboola (Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency), who spoke at the event at Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State, said it was part of his effort to give back to his people and ensure that dividends of democracy got to his constituency.

    According to him, all the items distributed were targeted at supporting or boosting the economic activities of the people.

    The lawmaker added that the computers for the palaces of traditional rulers and NUT and NULGE would aid administrative duties and Information Technology.

    The lawmaker, who thanked the people for reposing confidence in him to represent them in the National Assembly, assured them that he would continue to work for them to ensure development of the federal constituency and its people and as well the state.

    He assured the people that the Omuo-Ikole-Ijero Road and the Itapaji Dam in his constituency would soon be rehabilitated.

    Agboola said the two projects were among others listed for execution in the 2016 budget billed for passage in into law by the National Assembly soon.

    The National Assembly member added that the road and water projects, when executed, “will attract a lot of economic benefits to our people and

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, represented by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, lauded the gesture of the lawmaker, describing it as “provision of stomach infrastructure for the people.

    “This is about empowering the people to chase away hunger,” he said.

  • Orji unfolds plans for constituents

    Orji unfolds plans for constituents

    Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central in the Senate has concluded plans to lift the profile of youths, the less privileged and students in his constituency, his media adviser Don Norman Obinna has said.

    Obinna told airport correspondents at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA 2) Ikeja the former governor Senator was also planning to ensure federal presence in Abia State through road network construction.

    Obinna explained that Senator Orji has about seven programmes to be unveiled for the youths especially in scholarships while, the down trodden in the society will equally be touched.

    According to him, in order to give back to the society, Senator Orji has mapped out plans to ensure that electorates were not disappointed. “From now till December this year these programs will be manifested and we cannot afford to disappoint the people”.

    Obinna described Senator Orji as an institution in Abia State and urged all Abians to embrace Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State now that the Supreme Court has affirmed his election in order to build Abia State.

    While commending Governor Ikpeazu for commencing on road construction to Aba, Obinna said the governor has started well and advised him to re-engineer the civil service for a better performance.

    According to him, there was no problem in Abia state but manipulated by a section of the media to create confusion in the state.

    Describing the Supreme Court judgment as well deserved, the media Adviser to Senator Orji stressed that before the judgement that APGA candidate had already manipulated the people making Abians believe that he has won the election.

    He said what was paraded as APGA in Abia state was never APGA adding that APGA had done it’s primaries before Alex Oti came in as a candidate. “It was some section of the PDP who felt they can easily cash in the situation at hand and become governor. But with this Supreme Court judgment APGA has died a natural death”

    Obinna urged them to apologize to the PDP in Abia State and come back to the fold as one family to work together. “They never left PDP, they were opportunist, they tried to see if they can actually realize whatever ambition they have through another party”

    He expressed hope that the state will be transformed with the pace of development set by Governor Ikpeazu and urged Asians to lend supporting hands.