Lawmaker's jobs tools lift Kwara community
It took the agrarian community by surprise. Most residents of Omupo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were said to be going about their daily routines when some political heavyweights in the state visited.
It was not a political campaign rally. Their representative in the House of Representatives, Dr. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, was coming to town to give the people jobs tools. With the tools, they will be able to fend for themselves and, possibly, become employers. Senator Bukola Saraki, a former governor of the state, was among the visitors.
The community is one of those under the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal constituency which is under the control of the All Progressive Congress. It was also an event organised by the lawmaker to present his scorecard to the people apparently ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Dr. Adebayo is not unaware of the threat posed by the Peoples Democratic Party to the aspiration of the APC in the area and only a comprehensive scorecard will ensure victory for them in the elections.
Several items were presented to the people by the lawmaker. They include three Sports Utility vehicles (SUVs) for APC chairmen in the three local government areas; eight cars for party faithful; 100 TV sets for ward chairmen and coordinators; 373 units of grinding and sewing machines; 370 sets of small generating set and 370 units of clippers. Others are 25 units of freezers; 10,000 copies of exercise books, 15,000 units of clothing materials; 15,000 units of T-shirts, face caps and souvenirs.
Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Dr Ibrahim urged the beneficiaries to use the items given to them to unify the APC at all levels. He told the gathering that he has spent about N130 million on empowerment scheme, scholarship and bursary award for students in his constituency during the year under review. He said that "Registration of students for the junior West African Examinations Council (WAEC), bursary awards to various students of tertiary institutions including law school and school fees assistance to thousands of students within the constituency and beyond has so far amounted to nothing less than N30 million. So far, nothing less than 10,000 people have benefited in the financial assistance for various purposes including burials, naming, medicals and festive packages ( Eid Fitri, Eid Kabir, Christmas and New Year; year in year out as well as relief materials running into nothing less than N90 million."
He listed other constituency projects and empowerment programmes to include sinking of thirteen motorized boreholes; seven hand-pump boreholes; rehabilitation and expansion of waterworks (dam), supply of eighteen energised transformers; supply and installation of 136 solar street-lights. The House of Representative member said further that during the period under review, he constructed 5 nos of classrooms; construction of modern acquisition/vocational centre for training of unemployed youth in Ilemona, Oyun local government area; facilitated the employment of thirteen youth as well as the donation of eighteen vehicles to party stalwarts, loyalists and aides and twelve self-sponsored Hajj/Umrah slots for the Alfas and Imams. He paid tribute to Senator Bukola Saraki who he described as his inspirational backbone, the state governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, party stalwarts and members for their encouragement.
Speaking at the event, Senator Saraki appeal to all elected or appointed office holders to let the people at the grassroots feel their impact, adding that politicians who distance themselves from the people cannot wine election. He noted that the political structure of the state held sway because of the love that exist among the people of the state, saying that the people of the state are now politically awaken and it would be difficult for anybody to take over the state from the existing platform. The former governor called on political office holders in the state to redouble their empowerment and mass mobilization drives to ensure the victory of the party in the next year's general election. Speaking on the 2015 elections, Senator Saraki ask the people to be wary of those he regarded as 'Abuja politicians' who will only come around during elections. He said: "I told you severally my people in Kwara state election will come and go. My people don't let anybody to come and deceive you. Our royal, women and youth, we are here all seasons, we don't come and we don't go. Since May 2011 till date who do you see? Now you will see many people, but you know those who are consistent."
The Elerin of Erin-Ile (Oyun LGA), Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola described Dr Ibrahim as a man of vision and mission. He said: "He is a humble man who is full of accomplishments. He contributes very well in the National Assembly. He consults constantly with his constituency and makes contributions that reflect the opinion and aspirations of his constituency. I think we are lucky and happy to have him as our representatives. He executed many projects in Erin--le community like drilling of boreholes, solar lights, supply of transformers and building of classrooms with toilets. He promised and fulfils, this man has been supportive of the youth. He is taking care of the needy and we the traditional rulers are also well taken care of from his personal resources," the first class monarch added.
Also speaking, Elese of Igbaja (Ifelodun LGA), Oba Amodu Arepo said: "Hon Ibrahim is a gift to this generation and to the people of Igbaja. As legislator representing our constituency, he has performed creditably well within the period he has spent in the House of Representatives. He has provided for us in Igbaja land 500KVA transformer, five hand-pumps in five wards and a motorized borehole at the Elese's palace. He is a God-fearing and humble person. I wish to use this opportunity to appeal through him to the National Assembly with the support of Senator Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to look into the creation of another local government from the present Ifelodun local council which is too large as we spend about fours to get to our council headquarters."
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