OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and members of the Oyo South Senatorial constituency, have commended Senator Monsurat Sumonu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, for empowering members of her constituency.
She was commended for her contributions to the socio-political landscape of her community, senatorial district, state, while she was described as a great blessings to the state.
Noting the alarming rate of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria, the former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Sunmonu, said she was able to bring succor to the plights of her constituents by distributing empowerment tools, which according to her, goes beyond political party lines as beneficiaries cut across the senatorial district.
Demonstrating her love for her constituents, Senator Sunmonu made penultimate Friday a day of joy for her constituents, making beneficiaries of her empowerment programme shout for joy.
Among the several millions worth of empowerment items donated to the people were sewing machines, hair dryers, generator sets, hand sprayers, gas cookers, fertilizers and motorcycles.
The event which was held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, had in attendance members of the state executive council, some members of the National Assembly from the state and state party executive, among others empowerment tools distributed by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
Speaking at the empowerment programme, Governor Ajimobi lauded the lawmaker’s rhythmic progress for quality representations.
Ajimobi stressed that Senator Sunmonu has proved to be a worthy representative of the district and the state at large, considering the tremendous achievements she has recorded.
While recalling her outstanding performance as the speaker of the State Assembly, Ajimobi said she facilitated projects and contributed actively at the National Assembly.
His words: “Sunmonu has been doing very well. She is active and very intelligent. She is a worthy representative, who has exhibited integrity, godliness, patriotism and selflessness”.
Governor Ajimobi urged other lawmakers to emulate Senator Sunmonu, adding that every responsible and responsive representative must make the welfare of their people paramount on their minds.
Also, in their separate remarks, Prince Kunle Sanda, S.M Akindele and Mr Sunday Adewale who spoke on behalf of Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones of the senatorial district respectively paid a glowing tribute to the lawmaker for her unprecedented achievements and strong commitments to the welfare of her constituents.
They further appreciated her for being a better example of good representative.
In a related development , Olufunmilayo Philips, a beneficiary of Sunmonu’s scholarship appreciated the lawmaker for her support, which covered his education and all other external examinations.
Philips, who is currently undergoing a Masters Degree in Mathematics at WUHAN University of Technology, China disclosed that the lawmaker also facilitated international scholarship for him.
He was the best performing student at a Mathematics Competition organised by National Association of Oyo Students (NAOS).
Earlier in her address at the epoch making event, Senator Sunmonu explained that the work of a legislator exceeded dishing out cash gifts to constituents but involved facilitation of projects and ensure the executive does their jobs.
Enumerating her achievements, Senator Sunmonu said she had primarily sponsored four bills (4), co-sponsored ten (10) bills, primary sponsor of seven (7) motions, co-sponsored/supported many motions and have efficiently and effectively carried out several oversight functions.
Her sponsored bills are: Ammendment of the Electoral Act, Ammendment of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Ammendment of Federal Road Safety Act and Ammendment of Criminal Code Act.
Speaking further, the lawmaker said that she had executed several community projects among which was the provision of 25 transformers across the senatorial district, which would be inaugurated in February.
She stressed, ”apart from the empowerment materials distributed today, I have provided exercise books to students, revolving loans to market women and empowered people living with disabilities.
“I have facilitated both national and international scholarships/ bursaries for no fewer than 30 students from the district and have presented over 300 JAMB forms to indigent students”
“I have provided ICT centres across the district and market facilities at Egbeda market.”
Continuing, the lawmaker said she facilitated resumption of work at the new Oyo-Ogbomoso expressway, repair of Adegbayi axis of Ibadan-Ife expressway, repairs of Sawmill-Owode Oyo road and Akobo bridge in Ibadan.
The former speaker added that she has maintained regular interactions with her constituents through town hall meetings.
While commending the governor for his continual support towards her success at the National Assembly, she equally appreciated the royal fathers across the state, who have always offered foresight and advice on dealing with wide-ranging issues.
Senator Sunmonu, however promised to do more towards satisfying the yearnings of her constituents.
