The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, has rolled out an empowerment programme worth over ₦20 million for artisans, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executives and grassroots stakeholders in Ibarapa East State Constituency.
The Adebo Ogundoyin empowerment programme also featured the donation of two brand-new Bajaj motorcycles to the Park Management System (PMS) to strengthen its operational activities in the constituency.
The programme, held at Eruwa Town Hall, attracted artisans, political stakeholders and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibarapa East Local Government Area.
The intervention covers 50 artisans’ associations, former local government party executives and ward-level political stakeholders. It is aimed at supporting economic activities, fulfilling previous commitments and recognising the contributions of grassroots stakeholders.
Adebo Ogundoyin Empowers 50 Artisans’ Associations with ₦10m
Speaking during the presentation, Ogundoyin explained that the financial support provided to the artisans was in fulfilment of promises he had previously made to the various associations.
Under the arrangement, the Speaker allocated ₦10 million to 50 artisans’ associations, with each association receiving ₦200,000 to support its members and strengthen their respective businesses.
He said the intervention was also intended to recognise the contributions of grassroots political stakeholders who supported mobilisation and campaigns during the 2023 general elections.
ACOMORAN Receives ₦2m as PMS Gets Two Motorcycles
As part of the Adebo Ogundoyin empowerment programme, the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle Repair, Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) received ₦2 million to support its activities.
The Park Management System (PMS) also received two brand-new Bajaj motorcycles to improve its operational capacity in Ibarapa East.
The motorcycle donation forms part of the Speaker’s efforts to support groups and associations contributing to activities within the constituency.
Former PDP Executives Receive ₦7m
Former political executives at the local government and ward levels also benefited from the empowerment intervention.
The immediate past local government executive committee members received a collective sum of ₦2 million.
Similarly, 50 former principal ward executives representing the 10 wards in Ibarapa East received ₦100,000 each, amounting to ₦5 million.
The financial support was described as recognition of their contributions to grassroots mobilisation and political activities in the constituency.
Ogundoyin Says Empowerment Is Not for Political Influence
Addressing beneficiaries, the Oyo Assembly Speaker acknowledged that the various artisans’ associations comprised members with different political affiliations.
He stressed that the empowerment programme was not designed to solicit political support or influence the political choices of beneficiaries.
According to him, the intervention was driven by his commitment to fulfilling promises made to the associations and supporting their economic activities.
Ogundoyin urged beneficiaries to exercise their democratic rights independently and make informed decisions based on the performance, credibility and track records of political candidates.
“Your preferred candidate is who you should vote for; do not allow anybody to interfere with your decision. My advice is that you should vote for the best candidate based on his or her track record of achievements,” he said.
Speaker Expresses Support for APM Candidates
Although he encouraged beneficiaries to make independent electoral choices, Ogundoyin expressed confidence in candidates presented by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
He noted that the party had fielded candidates for elective positions across different levels, from the presidential to legislative positions.
The Speaker also spoke positively about the emergence of Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi as the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, describing his emergence as a significant development for the party and its political platform.
List of Artisans’ Associations That Benefited from the Programme
The Adebo Ogundoyin empowerment programme covers several professional and business groups operating across Ibarapa East.
The benefiting artisans’ associations cut across several trades and professional groups including Carpenters, Bricklayers, Hairdressers, Tailors, Motor Spare Parts Sellers, Nylon Makers, Vulcanisers, Barbers, Photographers and Videographers, Welders, Sawmillers, Food Sellers and Building Materials Sellers Associations.
Others are Shoemakers, the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPMED), Cloth Sellers, Pepper Sellers, Fruit Sellers, Beer and Paraga Sellers, Drummers, Cassava Sellers, Cocoa and Cashew Sellers, and Butchers Associations.
The intervention is expected to provide financial support to members of the various associations while strengthening small businesses and economic activities across the constituency.
The latest intervention by Adebo Ogundoyin represents another empowerment effort targeting artisans, political stakeholders and grassroots groups in Ibarapa East.
Through financial assistance to 50 artisans’ associations, support for ACOMORAN, payments to former political executives and the donation of two motorcycles to PMS, the Speaker has extended assistance to different groups within the constituency.
The programme also underscores the importance of supporting small businesses, local trades and grassroots economic activities.
