Barrister Temilolu Nurudeen Ashamu, popularly known as TNA, has disclosed that he facilitated over 315 employment opportunities for people across Afijio, Oyo East, Oyo West and Atiba Federal Constituency during his tenure as Commissioner in Oyo State.
Ashamu made this disclosure in a statement shared on his Facebook page, where he reflected on employment, economic empowerment and the responsibilities of leadership, stressing that the true measure of empowerment goes beyond financial assistance or skills acquisition to include the ability of beneficiaries to become economically independent.
The former Commissioner also revealed that he had supported more than 2,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs over the years, describing many of the interventions as personal commitments carried out quietly. According to him, his decision to seek elective office has made it necessary to open his record of service to public scrutiny.
He further explained that his empowerment initiatives were not limited to employment opportunities and financial support, as he also facilitated business and agribusiness training to equip beneficiaries with the skills, knowledge and capacity required to sustain their businesses.
Reflecting on his approach to public service, Ashamu maintained that the achievements recorded during his time in government should be credited to the administration rather than individual political appointees.
He, however, challenged public office holders and political leaders to examine the lasting impact of their interventions, particularly the number of people they have helped secure meaningful employment and the extent to which such opportunities have transformed their lives.
Emphasising the need for sustainable empowerment, Ashamu argued that the ultimate goal of leadership should not be to create permanent beneficiaries but to build individuals who can stand independently and contribute meaningfully to society.
“The purpose of empowerment should never be to create permanent beneficiaries. It should be to create people who no longer need to be empowered,” he stated.
The disclosure comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Ashamu, the Allied People’s Movement (APM) candidate for Oyo Federal Constituency (OFC), highlighting his record of public service, employment facilitation and economic empowerment as part of his credentials for legislative representation.
As the political contest gradually gathers momentum across Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West, his latest disclosure has brought renewed attention to his record in government and the role of employment generation and sustainable economic empowerment in assessing political leadership.
