… doles out cash gifts, Ten million worth of farm tools, as he seeks Governor Oyebanji’s re-election
By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
In a significant way, the lawmaker representing Ikole Constituency 1 in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Femi Fatunla has reassured the residents of Ikole Constituency 1 of his total commitment to the well being of the people in the area by encouraging them to engage in modern way of farming to enhance food sufficiency and self reliance in agriculture for rapid economic growth and development.
Hon.Fatunla stated this at the All Progressive Congress Local Government Party Secretariat in Ikole Ekiti, the headquarters of Ikole Local Government during his empowerment program organized to commemorate his second year in office, as lawmaker representing the Constituent in the state House of Assembly.
Welcoming the stakeholders to the event, Hon Fatunla said the event would give him opportunity to interact with his people and as well enable him to give out critical farm tools and seedlings to categories of people, such as, Artisans, Farmers, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ikole Local Government, Drivers Unions, NUT, ASSUS, Traders and other notable groups in the area.
In his address, he thanked the members of All Progressive Congress, beneficiaries and members of the public at the event for their cooperation and unwavering support for the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and sought their support for the Governor beyond 2026.
The lawmaker and the Chairman House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals highlighted his achievements as elected member of the House in the last two years, he also intimated the people about 2026 Governorship election in the state, urging them to reciprocate the gesture of the Governor by renewing their social contract till 2030.
Speaking further, the lawmaker “described the empowerment program as one of the core agendas of the Seventh Assembly, designed to complement the effort of the Governor and a way of taking dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroot.
However, he emphasized on the reasons why he gave out Agricultural tools and seedlings to the people in the area, which was attributed to the agrarian nature of Ikole Local Government, therefore, he called on the beneficiaries not to sell the tools given to them and to make good use of them, so that they can overcome hardship, poverty and lack that ravage the society within the shortest time, through farming and by investing in Agriculture” he said.
It is worthwhile to mention some of the items distributed, over Ten million worth of farm tools were given out to Farmers, Artisans, Drivers Union, Okada Riders, Iyaloja among others, items distributed include, Sprayer pumps, Herbicides, Pumping machines, Cash gift of two million five hundred thousand, one thousand stands of palm seedlings, Fifty packs of Day old Chicks and a bag of New hope feed with drugs were given to fifty people.
The event was an avenue for members of All Progressive Congress, Party leaders, Union leaders and some of the beneficiaries to reflect on the performance of Hon. Fatunla and his achievements as the representative of the Constituent in the State House of Assembly.
Over four hundred beneficiaries were selected across the six wards in Ikole Constituency 1, which comprises Igbona, Otunja, Asin, Usin, Isaba, Okejebu, Ikunri, Temidire, Ara Ekiti, Ikoyi, Odo Oro, Orin Odo, Ijesa isu and Ikole Ekiti respectively.
Also, representatives of Hausa, Ibira, Tvs, Igede and Igbo Communities in the constituent were not left out in the gesture, as they received items like other contemporaries.
Speaking on the empowerment program of Hon.Fatunla and his regular Constituency engagements, some of the beneficiaries thanked the lawmaker for the gesture, more importantly, party leaders present at the event included, former Chairman Ikole Local Government, Abiola Olukayode, APC leader, Chief Akanbi Bunmi Awotiku, Idowu Akinlabi, Chairman Ikole West LCDA, Mosunmola Adeyemi, Ward Councillors, Ward Chairmen, Women leaders and Youth leaders in the six wards.
Other notable party leaders were, APC Local Government Chairman Elder Ebenezer Omotoso, Chairman Ikole Local Government, Bayo Omojola, Coordinator and Youth representative in the area, Morakinyo Olusola described the lawmaker as a grassroot politician, a philanthropist, a consummate
leader and as well commended him on the initiative, his unwavering support and consistent intervention.