By Sheriffdeen Abiola Alli
The member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan South West Constituency 2, Hon Adebayo Oluwafemi Fowokanmi, has given back to his constituents by empowering members with equipments, such as; sewing machines, hairdressers’ standing hair dryers, baking ovens, camp cylinder gas, makeup kit bags, generators, pepper grinding machines, and petty traders’ capital empowerment cash worth over N15m.
The Better-Life Empowerment Programme, which took place on Saturday, March 19th at Baptist Secondary School, Liberty Road, Ibadan, was established to alleviate poverty in society and battle the unimaginable rate of unemployment.
Fowokanmi speaking at the event noted that about 120 constituents were registered for different vocational training, ranging from fashion designs, hair styling, catering, barbing, to makeup artistry, but 50 people absconded during the course of learning.
According to Him, “The empowerment project started two years ago when we attached over 120 constituency members to different vocational schools to learn fashion design, hair styling, catering, barbing, and makeup. 70 students are graduating today because 50 of them absconded from class, making us waste money. We spent over 5 million naira on training costs alone, while about 10 million naira was spent on purchasing equipment for the beneficiaries.
“We ensured quality equipment was purchased with a 2 year guarantee in order to help them sustain their livelihood while eradicating poverty from society. They should use the equipment, training, and different benefits they have received diligently and judiciously.”
He also used the occasion to appreciate the Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, for the giant steps he is taking in improving the state of living of his people.
“We thank God for the success of this two-year project, and we also give thanks to our governor, His Excellency Governor Oluseyi Makinde, who has set the pace for greatness. He is the only governor, so far in the country, who has not owed civil servants’ salaries for about 3 years now, and the promise of payment at 25/26th day of every month has not failed for once.
“All pensioners are being paid as due without unnecessary stress like in the past administration. The governor has given us a path to follow and we are glad to be a part of his administration’, he concluded.
Commending the honourable, one of the empowerment beneficiaries, Miss Oloruntoba Omolade, said, “The 3 to 4 months of training I received as a makeup artist is a life time opportunity. I have always wanted to learn the craft because of my passion for it. I am happy to have been a part of this event. It is my prayer and that of my colleagues that God continue to uplift him.”
Apart from the training equipment donated, a total of 90 beneficiaries, consisting of 15 constituents from 6 wards in the Ibadan South West Constituency 2, were presented with 20,000 Naira cash each to support their businesses.
Some of the dignitaries at the event are: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Ibadan South West Local Government (IBSWLG), Alhaji Moruff Balogun, Former Chairman, Ibadan South West Local Government, Hon. Abass Aleshinloye, Former Majority Leader, Hon. Ayorinde among many others.
