By Dipo Olowookere
A federal lawmaker from Oyo State, Ms Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has contributed her own quota in improving the economy of the state by empowering some of her constituents.
The House of Representatives member over the weekend distributed cash grants and some items like vehicles, laptops, amongst others to about 300 small business owners in the Oluyole federal constituency.
The items were given to participants of a vocational training programme, which was concluded on Sunday, November 21, 2021, in Ibadan, the state capital.
Business Post gathered that Ms Akande-Sadipe, who is the House Committee Chairman of Diaspora, facilitated several vocational skills and economic enhancement schemes and shared no fewer than 15 cars, 35 laptops, 165 vocational equipment and cash grants worth N300 million to the beneficiaries.
The programs included indigenous fabric production (tie and dye) practical in Abeokuta; Aso Oke production in Oyo town and aquatic agriculture fish rearing with value-adding marketing options in Ibadan city.
She organised the week-long training in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Speaking at the event, she disclosed that it was the 15th program of its kind since she was elected into the National Assembly in 2019, noting that, “My primary function is to make laws for my constituency, but because of the state of our nation, I have prioritized empowerment in my constituency as a key responsibility, still within my WWREEEP campaign promises.”
The lawmaker disclosed that “this empowerment programme is in fulfilment of my electoral promises during the 2019 general elections. I am poised to do more, as a lawmaker representing this constituency.”
“The present crop of leaders at the 9th Assembly is unrepentantly committed to our constituencies. We honestly are working on ways to lift the majority of Nigerians out of poverty and this is why we promulgate laws that will affect every stratum in Nigeria,” she further said.
She assured the people that, “I am still vehemently focused on facilitating the rehabilitation of key road construction projects.
“To mention a few, I have facilitated repairs on Odo-Ona Elewe Idi-Iroko Olugbemi Adewole (Liberty Academy) Road, Ayegun Oleyo-bare Abeokuta Road and Olomi Olojuoro-ita Egba-Ijebu Igbo Road and will continue to lobby the appropriate agencies, FERMA and the Ministry of Works and Housing on these roads.”
“I believe so much in empowerment, and this is why at every given opportunity, I collaborate with relevant agencies to empower my people in a bid to add more value to their socio-economic well-being,” she added.
Ms Akande-Sadipe implored the beneficiaries to ensure that the materials are used for income potential, urging them to use the items for long term economic gain and not to sell the empowerment items allotted but to use them and multiply wealth
While the lawmaker thanked all agencies who collaborated with her in ensuring her constituents are happy, she also eulogized party leaders for supporting her.
The Deputy Chairman, Oyo State All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Adegboyega Adeyemo, in his remarks, said “this has been a good decision for the residents of Oluyole Constituency to give us a chance to represent them in 2019.”
According to him, the federal legislator has already surpassed all legislators in Oyo State, describing her as the “best I have seen.”
“Oyo APC will do everything to support Akande-Sadipe in 2023 because she has done more than enough to achieve this,” he assured.
One of the beneficiaries, Basiru Adewale, confessed that the empowerment programmes of Ms Akande-Sadipe have been “one of the best things the people of Oluyole Constituency have enjoyed. She is the best, no doubt. I advise other political leaders to emulate the woman’s virtue and values. We can all achieve more.”
One of the highlights of the event was a raffle draw, where a constituent won a 7-seater Opel car that can be used for both personal use and income generation.
