No fewer than 300 small scale entrepreneurs have benefitted from a vocational training powered by the member of the House of Representatives representing Oluyole federal constituency,Hon Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, while 15 cars, 35 laptops, and 165 vocational equipment were distributed by the lawmaker, on Sunday, November 21, 2021 in Ibadan.
The lawmaker had facilitated several vocational skills and economic enhancement programmes, which commenced on November 15, 2021, for members of her constituency.
A statement from her media Adviser,Olamilekan Olusada stated that the programs included indigenous fabric production (tie and dye) practical in Abeokuta, Ogun State; aso oke production in Oyo town; and aquatic agriculture fish rearing with value-adding marketing options in Ibadan city.
The statement stated that the training was facilitated by the lawmaker in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research; the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; the National Directorate of Employment, NDE; and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD.
The week-long training, ended on Sunday, with empowerment of the participants and others by Hon. Akande-Sadipe with cash grants, and various tools, worth N300 million, for economic engagement, to boost the economic growth of her constituents.
In her remarks during the event, Hon. Akande-Sadipe mentioned that this was the 15th program of its kind that she has delivered to her people since she was elected into the National Assembly in 2019.
The empowerment materials distributed included 15 vehicles, 40 horizontal freezers, 35 laptops, 47 grinding machines, 45 sewing machines among others.
The chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora Affairs said that the present leadership of the House is committed to making laws that will help reduce the poverty rate in Nigeria.
She said, “My primary function is to make laws for my constituency, but because of the state of our nation, I have prioritized 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 fulfilment of my electoral promises during the 2019 general elections. I am poised to do more, as a lawmaker representing this constituency.”
Akande-Sadipe hinted that as a member of the House of Representatives, in addition to her core legislative responsibilities, making laws through bills, bringing the plight of the people to the fore by the way of motions and petitions, 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.
She added, “I am still vehemently focused on facilitating the rehabilitation of key road construction 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.”
Imploring beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme to ensure that the materials are used for income potential, Akande-Sadipe urged them to use the items for long term economic gain and not to sell the empowerment items allotted, but to use it and multiply wealth; even as she expressed heartfelt appreciation to all agencies, which collaborated with her in ensuring that her constituents are happy.
She also eulogized her leaders in the All Progressives Congress, APC, especially in Oyo State for supporting her.
Speaking ta the event, the Deputy Chairman, Oyo State APC, Hon Adegboyega Adeyemo, said, “This has been a good decision for the residents of Oluyole federal constituency to give us a chance to represent them in 2019.”
He added that Akande-Sadipe has already surpassed all legislators in Oyo State, describing her as the besthe had seen, adding, “Oyo APC will do everything to support Akande-Sadipe in 2023, because she has done more than enough to achieve this.”
A beneficiary of the scheme, Basiru Adewale, said, “Hon Akande-Sadipe’s empowerment has been one of the best things the people of Oluyole federal constituency have enjoyed. She is the best, no doubt. I advise other political leaders to emulate the woman’s virtue and values, so that we can all achieve more.”
Highlight of the event was a raffle draw, where a constituent won a 7-seater Opel car that can be used for both personal use and income generation.
