BY LAW IBITOYE
As part of his administration’s commitment to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment, the Executive Chairman of Moba Local Government Area, Hon. Bamidele Fadugba, has empowered no fewer than 500 artisans with various working tools.
The Chairman also commissioned key infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing social and economic activities across the council area.
The colourful and well-attended event, held at the Local Government Secretariat in Otun Ekiti, saw jubilant beneficiaries receive a wide range of business-enhancing equipment, while some widows were also presented with cash gifts to support their livelihoods.
Items distributed included deep freezers, industrial ovens, sewing machines, gas burners and cylinders, large iron cooking pots, hair dryers, wheelbarrows with shovels, head pans, jackboots, vehicle and motorcycle tyres, plant watering cans with agrochemicals, soldering irons with digital multimeters, welding and plumbing toolboxes, four-litre gallons of engine oil, metal grinders and an operational motorcycle, among others.
In addition to the empowerment, Hon. Fadugba also inaugurated a newly procured and rebuilt 500KVA transformer, as well as a renovated modern marriage registry hall within the secretariat to boost power for local businesses and social engagements while the registry hall is expected to improve the council’s internally generated revenue respectively.
Speaking at the event, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Folorunso Olabode, expressed satisfaction with the scale of the multimillion-naira empowerment programme and praised the Chairman for his visionary leadership, describing the initiative as a significant step toward creating a self-reliant and productive society.
Hon. Olabode, who described the number of equipment given out as uncommon at the local government level, urged beneficiaries to use the tools for their intended purposes and prayed for their prosperity.
The Commissioner also emphasized the importance of empowerment and agricultural development in building a fair and just society where poverty and social vices are minimized.
In his remarks, the Oore of Moba Land, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, thanked all stakeholders who have contributed to the development of the local government, particularly Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his continued support.
He also applauded Hon. Fadugba for his sustained efforts in combating poverty through large-scale empowerment, promising that traditional rulers in the area would continue to support the administration.
In his address, Hon. Fadugba explained that the programme was designed to uplift artisans across all communities in the local government and reduce youth unemployment by encouraging entrepreneurship.
He appealed to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials to improve their livelihoods.
The Chairman added that the empowerment would continue in phases and urged residents who are yet to benefit to be patient, just as he revealed that the newly completed Adire Hub in the local government would soon be inaugurated to empower 60 women with skills in textile design.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs Akinola Ololade, Mrs Comfort Ibidoye, Mrs Agboola Juliana, and Mr Olajide Paul, expressed gratitude to the Chairman for the life-changing support.
They promised to utilize the equipment to grow their businesses and prayed for the Chairman’s continued success in his political journey.
Dignitaries at the event included the Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo; the Olosan of Osan Ekiti, Oba (Alhaji) Tajudeen Bamidele; the Owa of Osun Ekiti, Oba J.A. Adeleye; the Elepe of Epe Ekiti, Oba M.A. Atolagba; the Aromiro of Iro Ekiti, Oba A.J. Omotosho; the Eisa of Ira Ekiti, Oba A.J. Adeniyi; APC political leaders; the Chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government; local chiefs and council officials.