To support the anti- Poverty policy of the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has distributed cash, farm implements and food palliatives to over 500 vulnerable groups in Ikere Local Government Area of the State to buffer the effect of the hard biting economy on them.
Mrs Afuye posited that the social security gesture, was targeted at upscaling and spread the safety net of the robust anti-poverty initiatives being rolled out by his boss to make lives more abundant for Ekiti citizens.
Amid cheers and expression of love to Governor Oyebanji’s government, the palliatives were distributed to the beneficiaries across the 11 Wards in the Council, with special focus on the aged, physically challenged, sick, widows and other categories of vulnerable population.
Interacting with the beneficiaries, Mrs Afuye, said no effort will be spared by Oyebanji’s administration to mitigate poverty among the masses, especially the grassroots, at this period of economic crisis being witnessed across the nation.
The Deputy Governor added that the Governor, had demonstrated commitment to making lives more abundant for the poor masses and economically weak citizens, through commercial farming for the youths, employment generation, conditional cash grant, trader moni, promotion of small and medium scale enterprises, among other innovations.
Mrs Afuye maintained that the life-changing policies of Governor Oyebanji were specifically tailored to favour the poor masses to foster equilibrium in the system and narrow the gap between the rich and poor.
The Deputy Governor promised that she would continue to spearhead regular social security interventions in the council to complement what Governor Oyebanji was devising at the state level to ramp up social inclusion and reduce poverty in the state.
“You could all attest to the fact that Governor Oyebanji has done well in the areas of poverty reduction, infrastructures, industrial development, agriculture, rural development, human capital development, arts and culture and governance, where security was a pivotal component.
“Before now, I have been giving N5,000 monthly stipend to 10 selected categories of people from each of the 11 Wards in Ikere Local Government. I decided to add food palliatives and farm implements to help in reducing the negative effect of astronomic increase in food prices.
“What we are doing today is a consolidation of our past efforts and strides to expand the scope of actions being devised by Governor Oyebanji to actualise the shared prosperity focus of his government.
“I want you to continue to support this government at both state and federal levels. What is happening now is going to be a temporary suffering, things shall come to normal very soon”, she assured.
Mrs Afuye directed the Ward Chairmen to always remember and capture the physically challenged and the aged people, who are also voters and committed members of the town.
Speaking at the occasion, the Special Adviser on Women and Gender Empowerment, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, saluted Mrs Afuye for the gesture, saying it will help in cushioning the economic pains on the poor masses.
Mrs Olaleye appealed to those not captured in the scheme to exercise patience, assuring that the dividends of democracy shall surely get to their doorsteps under Oyebanji’s impressive and people-centric leadership.
The Chairmen of Ikere LG, Hon Olu Adamolekun and Ikere West LCDA, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi, were full of praises for the Deputy Governor, saying the gesture will help in alleviating poverty and reduce neglect at the grassroots.
The APC Chairman in Ikere Local Government, Hon Kayode Oyebode, the Chairmen of Atiba/Aafin Ward, Hon. Olu Orekunrin, and Oke Osun Ward, Hon. Albert Ajakaye, commended the Governor and his Deputy for placing high premium on the welfare of Ekiti populace to strengthen the concept of inclusive governance.
Some of the beneficiaries: Felicia Magbagbe, Asana Sola, Afolabi Matilda, Oluwaponle Felicia, Ayodele Victoria, Afolabi Ojo, Okpe Sunday, Ogoji Esther, Boluwaji Beatrice, Aluko Folakemi, and Esther Rawa, described the intervention as timely and came at a time when there was rising prices of food commodities in the market.
They appreciated the Oyebanji’s welfarist approach to governance, disclosing that the action will help in putting a soothing balm on their pains at this critical time.
On the Deputy Governor’s entourage are: Ikere Local Government Chairman, Hon. Olu Adamolekun , his counterpart in Ikere West LCDA, Hon. Rufus Olorunfemi, Special Adviser on Women and Gender Empowerment, Chief Kemi Olaleye, the All Progressives Congress Senatorial Chairman in Ekiti South, Hon. Akindele Akinbobola, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Victor Adeniyi, Special Assistants , among others