In what many described as first of its kind in Kwara State, the lawmaker representing Share/Oke-Oke state constituency at the State House of Assembly, Honourable Owolabi Rasaq has empowered the people of his constituency.
Items distributed to the beneficiaries are 6 vehicles, 40 grinding machines, 43 sewing machines, 20 sprayers, 2 deep freezers, 2 generators and clippers, and five thousand exercise books for primary and secondary schools in the 10 wards that constitute the Share/Oke Ode constituency.
Owolabi, in his brief opening remark, said the gesture was part of his campaign promises to support and empower people of his constituency.
He pointed out that his determination to ensure no one is jettisoned in the dividends of democracy pushed him to take a loan to augment what he initially budgeted to prosecute the empowerment scheme, adding that he won’t rest until he has put smiles in the face of his constituents.
“It is expedient I let people know that I did not just get here in a day. I denied myself of many things as an honourable member, I was making certain contributions monthly and when I collected the money, it could not meet up with the present exorbitant price of things in the market, which I plan to buy for the empowerment, so, I took a loan to argument. People accused me of incurring debt to satisfy others, it worth it, because, when I needed you, you supported me,” Owolabi said.
Also speaking, the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, commended the lawmaker for what he described “as unprecedented empowerment from any house of Assembly member in the history of the state”.
He said the 9th Assembly will continue to empower the people especially those at the grassroots level to make life more meaningful to them.
Danladi, who also commended Governor AbdulRahman AndulRazaq for the support extended to the lawmakers, said, “I am very sure other lawmakers are also preparing to emulate what Hon Owolabi is doing today, we are grateful to our Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AndulRazaq for this opportunity which allows us to empower as and when due.”
He added that Owolabi, in the last two years has been making the Assembly proud through many various infrastructural projects such as road, water, energy among others he had facilitated to his constituency and for his constituents.
The Speaker enjoined the beneficiaries of the empowerment program to seize the opportunity to be self-reliant and be able to empower others in the nearest future.
The Program, held in Share, the council headquarter, was attended by Member representing Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-ero at the National Assembly, Hon Tunji Ajulo opin, the Kwara State House of Assembly Clerk, Hajia Halimat Kperogi, the Kwara State House of Assembly Service Commission Chairman, Mr. Femi Yusuf, the Ifelodun TIC chairman, Hon. Ashonibare Jide Johnson and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Domestic Affairs, Mr Soji Alashi among other top government functionaries.
Also, traditional rulers at the massively attended empowerment scheme are the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale; Elesa of Oke-Ode land, Oba AbdulKadir Adelodun Alebiosu ll; Oloro of Oro-Ago land, Oba Johnson Olarewaju Dada; the Lomo of Babanlomo, Oba M. J . Usman Ayilara; Olu of Owode Ofaro, Oba Abdulraheem Babatunde; Onidera of Idera Kingdom, Oba James Oladipo Buremo; Oba of Babanla, Oba Aliyu Alabi Yusuf; Akunyun of Labaka, Oba Issa Kazeem Adelodun; Onisagbe of Sagbe, Oba Isiaka Sadiku Lawal.
