In a bid to drive self-empowerment and contribute to education advancement in Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, Rep. Bamidele Salam facilitated on Saturday held a mega mega and all-encompassing empowerment for his constituents.
The event, held on 16th December 2023 at late Senator Isiaka Adeleke Country Home in Ede, saw a series of empowering initiatives and resources being distributed to benefit the over 3,500 members of the Constituency.
The gathering witnessed the distribution of computer sets to 50 schools, 3 cars to party leaders, 50 industrial sewing machines, hair dryers, generators and chemicals for farmers.
Additionally, 650 students received bursaries and scholarships to support their educational pursuits.
Attendees were presented with bags of rice, beans, grinding machines, manual machines, generators, and freezers to help foster entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency within the community.
A notable aspect of the programme was the National Children Leadership Conference, held in Abuja, where students participated in mock examinations. In recognition of their outstanding performances, top-performing students were awarded prizes, providing encouragement and motivation for their educational journey.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ademola Adeleke emphasized the importance of prioritizing personal health and urged the people of Osun State to stay vigilant about their well-being.
The Governor commended the initiative, describing it as a stepping stone for the greater development that lies ahead in Osun State. He also lauded the lawmaker, describing him as a “fantastic representative”.
In his address, Salam reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the promises made during his election campaign. He assured the constituents that additional provisions were in the pipeline.
“It’s part of the obligation I have for my constituency, it’s like a mandate that I have to fulfill, because when you are running for an election, you’ll speak to community leaders, professional groups, artisans, traders, interest groups , and at the end of the meeting, one of the things they look forward to. If you win, you should be able to bring back materials, things that can help them to improve the economy, their well-being and even income.
“And I’m giving them that commitment, even though I am now there by the grace of God, I should use the privilege. I have to represent them in getting more empowered in their professional businesses and professions and artisanship. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here today by organizing this empowerment Programme for our constituency.
Speaking on government impact in the state, Salam stated that the state government is doing quite alot.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke is focusing on infrastructural development by building roads, schools, hospitals, providing water for people and making sure that the critical infrastructures are provided for various community, so this is what we can do to complement what Governor Ademola Adeleke is doing in various community to ensure that we can meet the needs of each members of the constituency by empowering them to be able to earn more in their various businesses.
”This is just the beginning, by the grace of God we’re going to do far far more than this. We have about 2000 beneficiaries here today who has benefitted from today’s program, because again, we’re also sending items to various wards and communities.
“For bursary and scholarship, about 50 students benefitted from various tertiary institutions. So this is absolutely my own initiative that has started last year and I promise the students that I am going to sustain it. This is a program we’re going to sustain, not just a flash in the back, we’ve been doing it since the last first four years administration and we’re going to even do more, this second term.
During an interview with the State Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Bola Ajao said Bamidele Salam is following the footstep of Governor Adeleke in Osun state.
“We have seen how well it is, we’ve seen that we’ve got a performing governor in Osun state, and Honorable Bamidele Salam is following the footstep of the governor,the performing governor we have in Osun state.
“People are happy, people are expecting Democratic dividends and here we are today, the best servant Bamidele Salam giving numerous dividends of democracy to various aspects of our society, the students,the artisans, and all manner of people. So it’s a good thing to be here today and it’s a good thing to observe.
Ajao advised the beneficiaries that whoever has gotten one thing or the other here should make the best use of it and others who haven’t benefited should be rest assured that they have somebody who’s ready and prepare to take care of them.
Oyedele Kashfat, who is among beneficiaries, commended the organizer for the distribution program. She noted that she has been dreaming for. A machine for a while now before God now sent Bamidele Salam to her.
“This instrument will go a long way because I’ve been dreaming about this machine for years now. Thank God for sending Mr Salam Bamidele for being my helper.
Adegbite Aderoju from Obafemi Awolowo University, who is also a beneficiary, in an interview with her, stated that; the money given to her will go a long way.
“I’m one of the beneficiary of bursary and I would like to thank Hon. Bamidele Salam for this money. It’s more than little, it will actually go a long way for me”. She said.
