Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, commended the lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East in the House of Representatives, Rep. Abass Adigun, who is popularly known as Agboworin, for empowering over 600 market traders and artisans with cash within his constituency.
The governor was accompanied by some top government functionaries, commissioners, party leaders, and political appointees in the state to the event, which held at the Apex Hall, opposite Yidi Ground, Gate, Ibadan.
Makinde, who addressed the gathering briefly, noted that the empowerment programme as facilitated by Agboworin has, once again, shown that he is committed to delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the constituency.
While congratulating the beneficiaries on the gesture extended to them by the lawmaker, Governor Makinde urged them to make judicious use of the grant provided to them.
He said: “From what we are doing here today, we can all see that dividends of democracy is getting to our people in this federal constituency.
“For those of you who are beneficiaries of this programme, please, I want to urge you to do everything possible to make sure you use the money judiciously. Though we all know we are faced with crisis economically, ensure the money is spent in a way that will boost your trade.”
Speaking earlier, the lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, explained that the empowerment programme was in line with the fulfillment of his electoral promise to market traders and artisans.
He maintained that the beneficiaries, who were more than 600 from different market associations and artisan groups, were drawn from eleven markets in the Ibadan South East and nine markets in the North East Federal constituency.
Agboworin said: “During my electioneering campaign, I made a promise to the market traders that if they vote for me to occupy the seat in Abuja, I would give them money to enlarge the scope of their small and medium scale businesses.
“There was a former House of Representative member who did similar thing in the past but collected back the money, even with interest. But, as for me, I told them if they voted for me, I would give them the grant and not collect it back. The promise I made is what has been fulfilled here today.
“I vowed that apart from the fact that the money would be interest-free, it will also be non-refundable. In total, I am extending this gesture to 20 markets including 11 markets in the South East local government area and 9 from the North East.
“The money will be in the bank accounts of different market associations that are represented here. Traders are expected to access whatever amount they want, use it and return to the same account so that other traders can also benefit from the fund. They will keep rotating it among themselves in that manner to enlarge their different businesses.”
Also speaking at the event, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, lauded Agboworin for the gesture towards market traders, and congratulated the beneficiaries.
Babaloja said: “Today is a great day in the history of our markets. In all fairness, Agboworin, apart from being a politician, is a great philanthropist. He has been doing a lot of marvellous projects. We all know he is not the only Rep Member in Oyo State but we can see he is the only one doing great things.
“As of yesterday, he flagged of N1bn road construction project. And here we are today where he is doing a great thing like this for the market traders. So, I congratulate the traders on this opportunity and want to urge them to use the grant wisely.”
In his remark, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Ademola Ojo said: “What Agboworin is doing here in his constituency is a regular thing and that is why I am not surprised. If I am not making a mistake, he has been very consistent and appears as if he does empowerment programme every month.
“He has different ways of empowering people from his constituents and, as they have been told, this grant they are benefiting from today is not for a joke. I want to urge them to utilise it in the right direction.”
Special Adviser to the governor on federal constituency matters, Hon. Dare Adeleke, while commending the lawmaker, described Agboworin as a touch-bearer and midas-toucher, who has been doing his best to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
He called on other political office holders to follow suit and not put everything on the hands of the government, especially the governor of the state, who has been doing so much.
At the end of the programme, the lawmaker performed the symbolic presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries.
Agboworin, joined by the leaders of Ibadan South East and North East, thanked the governor for gracing the empowerment programme, saying that he has proven to be a respected and uncommon leader of the party in state and the entire South West.
Top government functionaries who were at the event include the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin; Commissioner for Trade and Establishment, Hon. Ademola Ojo; Member, State Advisory Council, Alhaji Bashir Ajibade; Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass (Y.K Abass); Special Assistant to the governor on federal constituency matters, Hon. Dare Adeleke and Vice Chairman of Ibadan South East, Hon. Tesi Ogundeji.
Some members of House of Assembly members in attendance include Hon. Olusola Owolabi, member representing Ibadan North East Constituency II; Hon. Abiodun Babalola, member representing Ibadan North East Constituency I; Hon Yinka Omikunle, who represents South East Constituency II; Engr. Akinleye; Former S.A on fed. Constituency Matters, Hon. Yaya Akinbile; Hon. Mary Eso; local executive members of the party and a host of others.
