Federal lawmaker empowers 1,050 widows in Kwara

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

No fewer than 1,050 widows in Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency in Kwara state have benefitted from a cash empowerment initiative worth N10.5 million to boost their businesses.

The empowerment programme, held in phases across the federal constituency, was put together by the constituency office of Rep. Raheem Olawuyi in Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun local government area.

Breakdown of the figures indicated that 275 widows benefitted from each of Irepodun and Isin local government areas with 11 wards each, while 250 widows benefitted from Ekiti and Oke-Ero councils which have 10 wards each. Each widow, it was gathered, went home with the sum of N10,000.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event, the Sponsor, Rep. Raheem Olawuyi, said the gesture was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people of his constituency, adding that the empowerment initiative was a product of an In-depth research and fact-finding by his constituency office which revealed that a token amount was needed by some constituents to turn around their fortunes for the better.

He said: “With that token amount added to their existing small businesses some of the constituents can on their own take care of the feeding, school fees and other pressing needs of their families.

“I promised during the elections that I would always check on them, interact with them to share in their pains, this is in fulfilment of that promise.

“I also promised that I would not wait till the time their services are needed by me before giving them their dues in form of dividends of democracy for them to be self sufficient. That is exactly what we are doing today and what this empowerment actually stands to achieve.

“We are aware that what we have given is a token, but we also believe that if judiciously managed, it can lift someone out of poverty. We are doing all we can to do more because we know our responsibilities.”

Olawuyi further disclosed that his constituency office has embarked on sinking of a number of motorised boreholes across major locations within the constituency to ease perennial water problem, saying most of these borehole projects were at 80 percent completion stage. The boreholes, he said, were allocated based on the needs and requests of the respective beneficiaries.

The lawmaker, while soliciting for the understanding and support from the constituents, urged those that were yet to benefit to remain patient and optimistic, saying nobody would be left out.

Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, an APC elder in the state, lauded Olawuyi for promoting the party’s principles and ideals with the widows’ empowerment initiative.

“This is exactly what our party preaches and stands for as we are always focused on teaching the electorate how to fish and become something on their own.

“With this kind of initiative we are rest assured that our party members will continue to increase in manifold,” he said.

Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Irepodun Local Government Area, Yemi Aransiola, described the initiative as unprecedented, and timely, urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.

Mrs Racheal Adebayo and Mrs Nike Mathew, both beneficiaries, in their remarks, commended Olawuyi for enhancing their self esteem, and giving them a sense of belonging through the initiative.


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