By Emeagi Emeka Williams
Distinguished Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, former member of the House of Representatives, National Assembly has received commendations from the Executive Governor of Ekiti state, Abiodun Oyebanji for making Ekiti better.
The governor specifically lauded Hon. Wumi recently when she donated modern residential buildings to widows, the physically challenged and homeless in her constituency.
The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, hailed the gigantic and humanitarian private sector inputs of Hon. Wumi Ogunlola and described her as a private sector partner in the development of Ekiti state.
Via a statement delivered by Victor Ogunje, Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on media, Ekiti state government described the donation of detached bungalows comprising 9 Room and Parlour self contain apartments as a reflection of the humane nature and distinctive generosity of Hon. Ogunlola who represented Ekiti Central Constituency 2 at the National Assembly between 2019 and 2023.
The government also noted Ogunlola as one woman in political leadership poised for the success of govt and growth of the state.
In addition, the government described the donation which took place in Ijero Ekiti Headquarters of Ijero Local Government as a masterstroke in support of the anti – poverty policies of the current Ekiti state leadership.
The feat was also seen as one huge step that will bolster the coordinated efforts of the office of the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji to banish poverty from Ekiti state through diligently prosecuted ‘Widows and Orphans Hope’ Project (WAOH).
The Deputy Governor however appealed to the citizens to guard against frittering any empowerment opportunity being provided for them by government, political office holders and private individuals.
“These apartments meant to be given out free to the less privileged in the society, marks another milestone in the efforts being made by government in collaboration with the private individuals and organisations to make lives better for our citizens.
“Since 2019, Hon. Ogunlola being a good and worthy representative of the people, had empowered over 300 women who are petty traders with #20,000 each .
She had also trained and equipped 50 youths in ICT capacity building.
“Her other numerous empowerment programmes include :
Distribution of cars ( over 30 ), Tricycles, Motorcycles ( over 200) , Sewing machines , etc.
” Let me on behalf of the state government appreciate Hon. Ogunlola for her generosity demonstrated since her foray into politics .
“We are not in anyway surprised by her good deeds and benevolent actions”, she stressed.
Reacting, Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, praised Governor Oyebanji for prioritizing the people’s welfare far and above personal aggrandizement, describing the governor as a true lover and admirer of the poor masses.
Revealing the rationale behind the gesture, Ogunlola noted that helping the needy to overcome economic, educational, health and social problems had been her desire since she veered into politics.
She however promised continued coalition of efforts and actions with the government to fight poverty, pledging to replicate the same project in Ekiti West and Efon Local Governments.
Ogunlola hailed governor Oyebanji, describing him as a people-oriented person, a quality she pointed has given him leadership Hallmark.
She equally assured that beneficiaries of the homes will use them for life, adding that they will only ensure maintenance.
