The Deputy Chief Whip of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yusuf Mariam Aladi, has empowered 1,200 constituents with items worth millions of naira to improve their living conditions, as reported by Voice of Nigeria.

Beneficiaries cut across different demographics, including young people, artisans, women, widows, and people living with disabilities (PLWDs). Items distributed included cash, foodstuffs, sewing machines, hair dryer machines, painting machines, printing machines, tailoring machines, deep freezers, clippers, power generating sets, and a cow, among others.

At the event were Kwara First Lady Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju; Kwara House of Assembly members led by Deputy Speaker, Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode; Mariam Yusuf Aladi; former House of Representatives member, Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo; Chairman, Ilorin South Local Government, AbdulMajeed Podo; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi; Adviser on Political Affairs Moshood Alaka; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe; Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters (Central) Sulaiman Abubakar Sai Kai; APC Chairman for Ilorin South, Abeeb Ayilara; President Kwara Artisan Congress Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina; Professor Saudat Abdulbaki of University of Ilorin; party leaders; women support groups; and youth.

Royal fathers in attendance were Balogun Alanamu Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Usman Jos; and Balogun Fulani, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.

Speaking at the event, Olukoju, who represented Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq praised the lawmaker, Aladi for embarking on a project that can lift dozens of citizens above the poverty line and improve the economy of the state.

While encouraging the recipients to put the items to good use and for the original purposes, AbdulRazaq tasked other political office holders in the state to emulate Aladi.

Aladi, for her part, said the programme was organised to complement Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s social protection programmes which she noted have continued to shape the lives of youth, marketers, and the less privileged.

She said her office is paying school fees of at least 1000 students within the Constituency, among other supports for the people.

“I put this together because I want to follow the legacy of my leader, my mentor and benefactor, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. I follow his footsteps in all I do because he has laid a good foundation for us to build on,” she said at the event in Ilorin.

Beneficiaries of the latest empowerment were carefully selected across the 11 wards that make up the Ilorin South Local Government Area, Aladi said.

She appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for his mentorship and support that she said usually guides her steps.

“Your actions allay with party’s ideology,” APC Chairman said.

Fagbemi, for his part, described Aladi as a lover of masses who is committed to the principles of the APC and exemplary qualities of Governor AbdulRazaq.

“On behalf of the Governor, I commend Aladi for this. What you have done is huge. You did this for humanity, but never expect the reward from them but from your God. And I pray that God will reward you accordingly,” he said, enjoining the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously.

Olohungbebe, in his lecture, urged the beneficiaries to be frugal in their businesses, and use the tools to boost their incomes.

He commended Aladi for the kind gesture and how she contributes to the economic development of the state.

Highlight of the programme were the symbolic presentations of gift items to some beneficiaries by the representative of Kwara First Lady, Olukoju, and other important dignitaries.