By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
As more than three hundred beneficiaries got relief materials and Financial Assistance
Leaders and residents of the seven towns and various wards within the precincts of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State have showered accolades on the laudable efforts of their representative in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Princess Iyabo Fakunle Okieimen, in driving community and human capital development initiatives for her constituents.
The commendations resounded during the quarterly constituency engagement and town hall meeting convened at the palace of the Oniye of Iye Ekiti where stakeholders ranging from traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, artisans, representatives of Drivers Unions and Okada Riders associations, farmers, and stakeholders from diverse political affiliations converged to assess the legislative representation provided over the past year.
Barrister Okieimen, rendering her account of stewardship on the legislative achievements of the EKHA since inauguration, highlighted the passage of eleven laws and five pending bills noting that the house had remained resolute and cooperative with the state executive in its primary duty of law making, noting that members were astounded and impressed by the giant strides of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, prompting a collective resolution and concerted effort to domesticate within their respective constituencies, the objectives of the current administration, anchored on the mantra of shared prosperity.
In her proactive engagement with constituents, the lawmaker, accompanied by party faithful, had earlier embarked on a market outreach in Iludun Ekiti, where she patronized local market women, purchasing various goods and produce at generous prices. This gesture, characterized by the substantial remuneration for each item procured, was described by the people as a demonstration of her commitment to empowering traders and fostering economic growth within the communities.
Speaking at the market square, the lawmaker reaffirmed her dedication to maintaining robust communication and engagement with her constituents, as pledged during the electioneering campaign.
Emphasizing that April town hall meeting was aimed at harmonizing the peculiar needs of the various communities for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal year’s budgetary planning, Okieimen availed the opportunity to expound upon governmental programs and initiatives, notably the agricultural revolution and the Adire hub project spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, among others, urging interested youth to actively engage and capitalize on these opportunities for sustainable economic empowerment within their domains.
Okieimen also highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of tree plantation and crop cultivation, reiterating her commitment to supporting interested youth and providing assistance as needed. She emphasized that the government has facilitated the involvement of local artisans in all state contracts through the enactment of the local content bill, thereby creating avenues for economic participation at the grassroots level, hence the need for youth to roll up their sleeves and maximize the various platforms.
The gathering commended the state leadership under Governor Biodun Oyebanji for its various achievements, particularly, the approval for the renovation of Iye Ekiti General Hospital which they described as apt in providing quality healthcare infrastructure and services to the residents.
Among the requests made by community leaders were the construction of rural and internal roads, installation of solar-powered boreholes, procurement of electricity transformers in Ewu, and the opening of key road arteries such as Ipere-Isan, Ipere-Iludun, and Ipere-Ido Ekiti. Additionally, demands were made for the construction of an ultra-modern palace and increased political appointments from the area.
Addressing the forum, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Local Government Services, Mr. Folorunso Olabode, commended the lawmaker’s proactive efforts and extensive community interaction. He assured constituents that major road concerns had been addressed and incorporated into the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Program (RAAMP), which he said was a major testament to the Oyebanji administration’s dedication to infrastructural development.
Olabode, who emphasized the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property urged the people to take security issues seriously.
Additional voices lending support included community leaders such as the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Onipere of Ipere, Oba Olufemi Omiyale; the Onijesa of Ijesamodu Ekiti, Oba Samuel Daramola; the Elewu, Oba Ajayi; the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Mr. Pius Dada; and the APC Chairman in the area, Mr. Lucas Olabode.
Others were the acting Imam of Iye Ekiti Central Mosque and Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Ilejemeje, Alhaji Abdulsalam Ishaq Akinola; Mrs. Julianah Ogunleye; the General Chairman of the Okada Riders Association in Ilejemeje, David Akinola; and the General Chairman of the NURTW, Mr. Obayemi Olasunkanmi who showered accolade on the lawmaker for her outstanding performance
Collectively, they lauded the lawmaker’s diverse initiatives, affirming that she was setting a commendable precedent for effective and quality representation in the area.
The climax of the community engagement was the distribution of Ramadan Iftar gifts to the Muslim community through mosque leaders and extending food items as well as financial assistance, all totalling 3.5 Million Naira to over 300 other selected individuals across the towns.