No fewer than 300 small scale entrepreneurs have benefitted from the empowerment programme of the lawmaker report representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
The lawmaker also distributed 15 cars, 35 laptops and over 165 vocational equipment during the empowerment programme held in Ibadan, on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
The lawmaker facilitated several vocational skills and economic empowerment programmes, which commenced on November 15, 2021, for members of her constituency.
The programmes included indigenous fabric production (tie and dye) practical in Abeokuta; aso oke production in Oyo town and aquatic agriculture fish rearing with value-adding marketing options in Ibadan.
The trainings were facilitated by the lawmaker in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research; National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
The week-long trainings, which ended on Sunday, with the empowerment of participants and others Akande-Sadipe. Cash and various tools for economic empowerment worth over N300 million was given to participants to boost the economy of the constituency.
Speaking, Akande-Sadipe said that this was the 15th programme of its kind that she has delivered to her people since she was elected into the National Assembly in 2019.
The empowerment items distributed include 15 vehicles, 40 horizontal freezers, 35 laptops, 47 grinding machines, 45 sewing machines among others.
Akande-Sadipe, who is the Chairman,House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, said that the present leadership of the green chamber is committed to making laws that will help reduce poverty rate in Nigeria.
“My primary function is to make laws for my constituency, but because of the state of our nation, I have prioritised empowerment in my constituency as a key responsibility, still within my WWREEEP campaign promises.
“The present crop of leaders at the 9th Assembly is unrepentantly committed to our constituencies. We honestly are working on ways to lift majority of Nigerians out of poverty and this is why we promulgate laws that will affect every stratum in Nigeria.
“This empowerment programme is in fulfillment of my electoral promises during the 2019 general elections. I am poised to do more, as a lawmaker representing this constituency,” she said.
The lawmaker noted that in addition to her core legislative responsibilities as a member of the House of Representatives, she has facilitated many projects within her constituency such as construction and renovation of blocks of classrooms, provision of solar lights, provision of transformers, provision of borehole water, rehabilitation of roads among others.
“I am still vehemently focused on facilitating the rehabilitation of road projects. To mention a few, I have facilitated repairs on Odo-Ona Elewe-Idi-Iroko-Olugbemi-Adewole (Liberty Academy) road;Ayegun-Oleyo-Bare-Abeokuta road and Olomi-Olojuoro-ita Egba-Ijebu Igbo road and will continue to lobby the appropriate agencies, FERMA and the Ministry of Works and Housing on these roads.
“I believe so much in empowerment, and this is why at every given opportunity, I collaborate with relevant agencies to empower my people in a bid to add more value to their socio-economic well-being,” she said.
Akande-Sadipe implored the beneficiaries to ensure that the materials are used to generate income, urging them to use the items for long term economic gain and not sell the empowerment items.
The lawmaker thanked all the agencies who collaborated with her in ensuring her constituents are happy. She also eulogised party leaders for their support.
In his remarks, the deputy chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Honourable Adegboyega Adeyemo, said: “This has been a good decision for the residents of Oluyole Constituency to give us a chance to represent them in 2019. Sadipe has already surpassed all legislators in Oyo State, she is the best I have seen. Oyo APC will do everything to support Sadipe in 2023 because she has done more than enough to achieve this.”
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries,Basiru Adewale, said: “Honourable Sadipe’s empowerment has been one of the best things the people of Oluyole Constituency have enjoyed. She is the best, no doubt. I advise other political leaders to emulate the woman’s virtue and values. We can all achieve more.”
Highlight of the event was a raffle draw, where a constituent won a seven seater Opel vehicle.
