BY LAW IBITOYE
OPINION
The current economic situation in Nigeria calls for a radical approach to put the country in the right direction as everything seems topsy-topvy. This can be achieved when leaders with the fear of God and genuine lovers of the masses are put in positions of authority in the three tiers of Government: Federal, state and local government.
“I will appreciate the beneficiaries of today’s empowerment not to sell the working tools given to them. In fact, I would so much appreciate it if those that got sewing and grinding machines can reduce the cost of services to their customers because they got these working tools free”
The Executive Chairman of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti, Hon Olusola Michael Oniyelu made the statement while empowering over one hundred residents of the Council on 10 September, 2024.The Empowerment was massively different from the usual cosmetics our politicians embark on to hoodwink the masses for cheap media hype.
Oniyelu, gave out several sewing and grinding machines, forty spray pumps, chemicals,mattresses, standing fans, clippers, seedlings and cash, worth millions of naira to the beneficiaries that were selected from the four wards that make up the LCDA, in Ilupeju Ekiti, the headquarters of Ifeloju LCDA. Since the empowerment is not the usual tokenism given to residents, the chairman emphasized that the life changing tools must be judiciously used for creating more wealth rather than selling them. Reiterating that the purpose for empowering the masses would be defeated if they allow the present economic situation to push them to dispose of the materials for little cash.
In another development, the council boss had the same admonition at a special empowerment and commissioning of market stalls, though initially meant to celebrate his fifty year birthday that was put on hold due to the sudden death of the secretary of the LCDA, Hon Fabunmi Babalola . According to him, the programme was truly packaged to better the lives of residents of the LCDA, considering millions of naira expended to procure the tools and put up befitting market stalls.
The kind gesture could only be displayed by someone who has the love of his people at heart. Investigation revealed that Hon Oniyelu even before he assumed the chairmanship position, had been a shoulder that thousands of people rest in terms of urgent needs. He has been a great philanthropist to the masses. No wonder he finds it easy to carry out thorough investigation to ensure that materials given to beneficiaries were truly needed to boost their socio- economic lives.
Oniyelu, ‘Baba ewe’ as fondly called by his admirers turned the event of the Empowerment into a carnival as residents of Osin, Itapa, Ijelu, Omu, Oye, Ire Ekiti and other neighbouring towns thronged Ilupeju Ekiti market square, the venue of the heroic life changing programme where dire needs of some residents were truly met. Multi million naira working tools were given to residents to include: sewing machines, grinding machines, spray pumps, clippers, standing fans, mattresses among others.
As a journalist, the last time I witnessed such massive Empowerment was (2007-2010) During former Governor, Segun Oni when the Ekiti State House of Assembly had 13:13 members of PDP and ACN. Funny enough, the Political Godfather of the Chairman, Hon Sunday Adunmo ( GALAXY) was on record to have held a superb empowerment then, now his Godson, Oniyelu who’s neither a state nor National Assembly member.
In his speech, the chairman pledged not only to sincerely serve his people but promised to bring dividends of democracy to inhabitants of the LCDA. The chairman demonstrated leadership by asking his family members and friends who were ready to paint Oye Local Government red during his 50 years birthday to contribute to the empowerment programme so as to put smiles on the faces of the Masses.
Apparently, the lives of those who benefitted from the gesture of working tools, would take a better dimension. This is anchored on the judicious use of the items. What Oniyelu has done is one of the surest ways to combat poverty and criminality in his domain, Ekiti and Nigeria at large.
Recognizing the chairman’s efforts to meet the needs of the people of Ifeloju LCDA, commissioners for Local Government and information, Hon Folorunso Olabode and Chief TAIWO Olatunbosun applauded him for replicating the good works of the executive Governor of Ekiti state in the Local Council . The duo adjudged the chairman as one of the best Local Government Chairmen in Ekiti state . Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender mobilization and Empowerment and Coordinator of EK- RAAMP, Hon Kemi Olaleye and Hon Sunday Adunmo commended the chairman for given APC good name in the LCDA through his people’s oriented programmes that residents are direct beneficiaries.” I must tell you that Oniyelu is doing well, he’s working in tandem with the policies and programmes of Governor Oyebanji. His Philantropy has attracted many oppositions in the LCDA to join APC. We are very glad that we made the right choice”
It would be interesting to inform you that the chairman had over 100 residents in his personal pay roll monthly aside from the needs of people he met daily. We shouldn’t forget that Hon Oniyelu is not a senator or house of representative member or Ekiti House of Assembly member. The sterling performances of Hon Olusola Oniyelu is a challenge to the senator, House of Representatives and Ekiti State House of Assembly member representing Ekiti North; Hon Cyril Fasuyi, Hon Akin Rotimi and Hon Idowu Odebunmi who should take a cue from Ifeloju LCDA chairman.
Other projects unveiled alongside the empowerment were: Commissioning of kolanut stalls, goat shed, BAO game center and grading of farmsteads across the four communities that make up the LCDA.
In conclusion, politicians should adopt sincere empowerment to curb poverty and hunger in Nigeria rather than capitalizing on palliatives; sharing a few bags of rice and grains to Nigerians.The mentality of politicians replacing real empowerment and dividends of democracy to the masses for PALLIATIVE IS CRIMINAL, UNACCEPTABLE AND UNGODLY BECAUSE IT IMPOVERISHES THE MASSES