The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has declared that the masses-centric policies being executed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration in the last 32 months have brought a drastic slump to poverty index of the state.
The Deputy Governor stated that the feat was accomplished, not by happenstance, but for the fact that Governor Oyebanji was promoting the welfare of the poor masses and makes their rights take a prime priority in governance.
Mrs Afuye said these in Ikere Ekiti, on Tuesday, while distributing her monthly sponsored social security stipend and clothing materials to 120 aged and party leaders across the 11 wards in Ikere Local Government Area.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, explained that she decided to personally initiate the programme to alleviate the sufferings and neglect in the society, by giving the less privileged a sense of belonging in governance.
Mrs Afuye, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Victor Adeniyi, lamented that poverty remains the most troubling crisis hitting the Nigerian citizens, which propelled the current administration to design a cardinal agenda that has responded pointedly to youth employment and offering lifelines to other vulnerable groups.
She was upbeat that Governor Oyebanji wont be distracted from the core values of promoting the spirit of be your “brother’s keeper”, to catapult the “shared prosperity” mantra of his administration to an enviable height.
Mrs Afuye said banishing poverty out of the state through youth employment in the civil service and informal sector, empowerment of widows, orphans and other vulnerable groups, were considered as the major focus in the policy thrust of Oyebanji’s government.
She assured that she will continue to respond to the pressing needs of her people, particularly providing succour that will alleviate poverty and make them savour the dividends being provided by government .
“As of now, Governor Oyebanji has employed over 5,000 youths into the civil service and still counting. Even in the informal sector, statistics revealed that over 20,000 have been provided with a lifeline in that section.
“Part of it was the N2 billion soft loan the government facilitated through partnership with Access Bank for thousands of traders and owners of small scale and medium businesses to power that sector.
“As of today, over, 1000 graduate youths are engaged in commercial farming through cluster farming being operated at Oke Ako, Eporo, Ikere, Ipao and Aramoko Ekiti. This is not only to ensure that we make lives comfortable for our people, but to drive Ekiti to a food security status.
“Let me assure you that I will continue to promote the culture of generosity and benevolence being preached by Governor Oyebanji. This monthly stipends to our elderly will continue till the expiration of our tenure”, she assured.
Commending the philanthropic gesture of Oyebanji’s government, being replicated by the Deputy Governor, the Chairmen, Ikere West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rufus Olorunfemi and Ikere Local Government, Hon. Olu Adamolekun, urged the beneficiaries to pray for the success of the current administration.
The Council Chairmen solicited solid backing for the Oyebanji’s administration, to be able to make a success in the execution of its policies.
In the same fashion, the All Progressives Congress Chairmen in Atiba/Aafin Ward, Hon. Kayode Oyebode, and his counterpart in Afao/Kajola Ward, Hon. Olofinjana Ojo, pledged that the electorate will reciprocate the gesture with massive votes in 2026 governorship poll.
The APC leaders described the Oyebanji/Afuye joint ticket as the most profitable and most suitable at this auspicious time of Ekiti’s political history.
The beneficiaries: Samuel Olofe from Atiba /Aafin, Emily Oluwatuyin and Dele Obatayo from Afao/Kajola as well as Dupe Saka in Are/Araromi Wards, applauded the Deputy Governor’s monthly stipend, saying it has helped to cushion their sufferings.
They saluted Mrs Afuye’s generosity and called on the citizens to continually support the government, so that more dividends of democracy can percolate down to the populace.