Leyoo Ajeokun
Some of the empowerment items
No fewer than 300 indigenes and residents in Odo Ayedun Ekiti, Ikole Local government area of Ekiti state on Sunday benefitted empowerment program worth of N7m .
Some Beneficiaries
The programme was organized by Jide Akinyemi Foundation to alleviate the sufferings of economic hardship and put smiles on the faces of his people.
Beneficiaries taking the gifts
The founder of the program while speaking with journalist at the event declared that the empowerment was organized to make meaningful impact on the people and to complement the efforts of the State governor, Biodun Oyebanji on poverty reduction for the benefit of the people in the state , he explained that the programme which kick started in his community, Odo Ayedun is in continuum with the assurance that it would be taken across the state.
The founder, Jide Akinyemi, a military officer based in the United States of America ,USA who was represented by Oluyemi oluropo Adeolu said he is aware of everything that is going on in Nigeria , and felt he doesn’t need to be around before he could make impact on peoples life to complement the good efforts of governor Oyebanji on human face programs.
“ The program focuses on empowerment for the less privilege such as widows, farmers and the indigents , it involves giving out cash gift , weed removal for the farmers, cooking gas cylinders for the widows and women. Beneficiaries would also take away food items like indomie. Jide Akinyemi also fixed solar system in some areas in the community including roads to the king’s palace. .
“We spent about N 7m for the empowerment programme . Even if its not going to be enough, it will take at least little care of the indigents and it’s going to be a continuous thing , by December we are still coming back to look at another area where we can have input again to try our best . we have only started from his community, Odo Ayedun, the empowerment will be taken across the state. The program has no political undertone, its just borne of the interest and patriotism of the founder, He is aware of the good thing that governor oyebanji is doing in Ekiti and decided to contribute his own quota. He said in the United state of America, its not only the government that is doing everything , people also make their contributions and philanthropic gestures, so, this is what he has decided to replicate in his country”
In his response, the monarch of the community, His Royal Majesty Oba Evangelist Dr,Solomon Ajibade, Owa of Odo Ayedun Ekiti described the empowerment as ‘ God’s own project’.
“its one of my sons that established the project to help the widows, elders and the youths. Its going to be a continuous one , the organizer is Jide Akinyemi , i admire him because he’s a very trustworthy child , he has been doing a lot of great things in the community”.
The monarch seized the opportunity to call on government and relevant stakeholders to assist the community in overcoming some challenges which bothered about road congestion and youth unemployment.
“ since about two months now, there are a lot of trailers on the road, some fell down, and it has been a lot of challenge to us here , there is a very bad spot down there around Ayebode what we really need there is to have bridge not covet ,government should help us to construct a bridge at that area to solve the problem for people to enjoy the community’s access road ,also some of our youths are not gainfully employed, we want the government to help us in that regard to employ those youths . In Ekiti state, Odo Ayedun is one of the most well planned community with well planned houses, if they can help us access those roads , we will be very much grateful”.
A beneficiary, Chief Mrs Cecilia Modupe Fabunmi who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries appreciated the foundation on the gestures with prayers for progress and upliftment of the founders.