EkIti State Deputy Governor ,Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye has charged beneficiaries of empowerment items frequently dolled out by government, politicians ,philanthropists and corporate bodies to always ensure the gifts are utilized to enhance multiplier effects on the people instead of being sold out for immediate gains.
According to a statement from the Director of Press ,Office of the Deputy Governor, Tope Ariyo , the Deputy Governor handed down the charge at a community empowerment programme organised by lkere Local Government in lkere EkIti .
The elaborate event witnessed the display of several tools and home appliances such as refrigerators, sewing machines ,farming implements,grinding machines among others which were distributed to beneficiaries.accross the council area.
Afuye who presided over the event explained that the state government and several development partners had embarked on numerous empowerment initiatives for the benefit of EkIti people warning that these worthwhile gestures should be utilised properly to ensure the public get the desired impacts..
” Oyebanji-led administration has a goal of making our population self reliant especially the youths . There is nothing as lofty as being self reliant.If we dole out money today, you will spend it and forget as soon as possible….but these items could help in your small scale businesses and you could resultantly expand your businesses and employ others. Therefore, l commented the council chairman for this initiative.”
She also warned the beneficiaries against selfishness charging them to share the equipment with their neighbours where and when necessary so that the gesture could reach others who were not direct beneficiaries.
The council boss, Hon. Olu Adamolekun in his remarks said the gesture was birthed out of the desire to impact the lives of the people at the grassroot which he noted was the major duty of the council as an institution of government.
He expressed hope that the items would help in establishing new businesses as well as upscaling the existing ones to make sure that commercial activities in the council area were boosted for the benefit of all adding that his administrator would be committed to the advancement of the initiative to ensure the benefits reach others.
Two of the beneficiaries Akindele Bayo and Damilola Ayeni who said they were elated by the gesture thanked the council boss for the gesture addingg that the council should ensure that the gesture was sustained so that more people at the grassroot could get democratic dividends.