Over 300 families get empowerment, scholarship supports in Ekiti

No fewer than 300 families including artisans, farmers and students in Ikere-Ekiti at the weekend received empowerment and support packages championed by the youngest member of the governing council in the country, Abimbola Daramola.

The event, held in Ikere-Ekiti witnessed the distribution amongst other empowerment items, over 300 bags of Rice to households as well as donation of tailoring machines, grinding machines, and fumigation sprayers to artisans and farmers.

Also, several students, especially the indigents, were awarded N50,000 scholarship each and educational materials to schools including St. Gabriel Catholic Secondary School, Methodist N/P School and Aseyori School, all in Ikere Ekiti.

The empowerment initiative described as the first step in a renewed grassroots development drive under the Renewed Hope Grassroots Engagement platform was not limited to food items, vocational equipment, and educational materials as over 100 commercial motorcyclists popularly referred to as Okada riders were given free fuel.

In her remarks, Daramola, a lawyer who was recently appointed as a member of the Governing Council of the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, expressed deep gratitude to God, president Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the people of the community for their support.

She explained that the empowerment programme was essentially to give back to the community by equipping individuals with skills, resources, and confidence to improve their lives and futures.

According to her, the target is to foster self-reliance, reduce poverty, and promote community participation towards creating positive, lasting change and build a stronger, more capable communities.

She said, “today is about home. Ikere raised me. I’m back to give thanks, give hope, and invest in the people who made me. Our people must be equipped not just with words, but with tools—to work, to learn, and to build dignity.

 “This is only the beginning. We will do more, and Ikere will not be left behind.”

She also commended the ‘Young Professionals 4 Tinubu’ a group rooting for President Tinubu’s second term bid, for their assistance and sponsorship of the empowerment programme through the office of the Personal Assistant to the President, General Duties Wale Fadare.

Daramola stressed the need for leaders, well to do individuals and corporate organisations to emulate the good gesture and contribute to the development of the society particularly, the grassroots towards achieving a better society.

Speaking, the Ekiti State Governor who was represented his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye commended Daramola’s initiative, noting that it is in tandem with the vision for poverty alleviation and inclusive development of the present administrations in both the state and federal level.

“This is true grassroots leadership in action. What we’ve witnessed today is not just generosity—it’s capacity building. Barrister Daramola is a shining example of the kind of leadership we need in Ekiti,” the deputy governor said.

The governor emphasized the need for all eligible voters to ensure their collection or update of their voters’ card ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election to guarantee active participation in the democratic process and ensure that their voice is heard.

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