By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
Worried by the poverty rate in the country and Ekiti State in particular,a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Demola Popoola has roled out N50m Empowerment programme aimed at cussioning the effects of the economic hardship.
Popoola,who is also an aviation expert while speaking during the flag off of the scheme at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium, in Ado-Ekiti,the Ekiti State capital yesterday said the beneficiaries of the largesse will represent all the sectors of the economy and this will reflect in the distribution of the fund.
He stessed that Okada riders, artisans and market women will be given priority in the scheme”.
The governorship hopeful said the N50m empowerment for traders, farmers, women groups and driver, motorcycle unions, was initiated to complement the poverty eradication policy of the Fayemi’s administration in the State.
“Am particularly concerned about the prevailing economic hardship in the country and I know there was urgent need to lend hand of support to the people at this trying time.
“This is a practical demonstration of my covenant with the people. The beneficiaries will be drawn from the 16 local government areas of the state, regardless of political or religious affiliations.
Popoola added that the event, which also featured football match supervised by Nigerian football legends like Mutiu Adepoju and Duke Udi, was conceptualised to spur sports and talents’ development in the state.
Reeling out the achivements recorded by the foundation, Popoola said he recently donated a sum of N1million to an undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology,Akure (FUTA), Akure ,who underwent brain surgery at the Afe Babalola Multisystem Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
“The foundation also gave a sum of N500,000 to one Tayo Alabi who recently underwent a successful surgery for renal complications caused by his involvement in accident”.
While the All Progressives Congress(APC) Governorship candidate in Oyo State in the 2019 general elections, Chief Adebayo Adelabu,who also spoke at the event said that the party will defeat the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in the June 18,2022 gubernatorial poll in Ekiti State.
Adelabu,a former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, said the APC has a high chance of winning due to the superlative achievements recorded by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Adelabu said: “The APC led government in Ekiti has done well and that the next governor, which I know will come from APC would consolidate on the gains delivered by Fayemi-led government”.
Speaking further on the 2022 poll, Adelabu added: “We know Demola Popoola is a generous and committed politician. He is capable to be Ekiti governor. We know how capable and competent he is. He has passion for Ekiti. He loves his people .
“With the way he is going, he stands a very good chance of getting APC’s ticket. He is not here to play on people’s intelligence. I pray God endorses his ambition to be able to consolidate on what Governor Fayemi has done”.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were a member of the National Assembly, Hon Sina Peller ,the Ekiti APC Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso and his deputy, and some Nigerian football legends,including Mutiu Adepoju(The Headmaster).
In his remarks,Barrister Omotoso who hailed Popoola’s initiative said it was in line with cardinal objective of the APC to lift people out of poverty.
