Tinubu’s appointee, Prof Adeyanju, gifts free fuel to okada, marwa operators, empowers farmers, widows in Ogbomoso

Tinubu’s appointee, Prof Adeyanju, gifts free fuel to okada, marwa operators, empowers farmers, widows in Ogbomoso

Niyi AJALA

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The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited (a public enterprise that provides digital infrastructure and shared ICT for the Nigerian government under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy), Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, has sponsored an empowerment programme for residents of Ogbomoso, Oyo state, aimed at giving back to the society.

Beneficiaries of the programme, tagged Renewed Hope Empowerment Programme, included farmers, widows, motorcyclists, tricycle operators, among others.

Farmers received inputs, knapsack sprayers, chemicals etc; while commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists received free fuel. There were also food packages and cash given to others

Speaking at the programme, the coordinator, Prof Abass Alade, explained that the initiative powered by Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju as part of his commitment to giving back to the people and community that contributed to his growth and success.

According to him, the programme would be implemented in two phases, with the first phase focusing on God and the second on the people of Ogbomoso who, in one way or another, contributed to Prof. Adeyanju’s journey.

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He disclosed that widows from churches and mosques were among the beneficiaries in the current phase, stressing that those who benefited from the first empowerment would not be included in the second phase.

The coordinator also said farmers were deliberately included in the programme, while motorcyclists and tricycle operators would benefit through the provision of free fuel.

He urged all beneficiaries, particularly the commercial motorcyclists, to maintain order and discipline during the distribution of the fuel.

Also speaking, Alhaji Sodiq Sekengbede, who represented Prof Adeyanju, called on the people to appreciate God for giving Prof Ibrahim Adeyanju the grace and opportunity to organise the empowerment programme.

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Sekengbede said the initiative was also a way of appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving Prof. Adeyanju the opportunity to serve under his administration and to give back to the society from what he had benefited.

He described the gesture as a lesson for others who had attained positions of influence to remember their communities and extend assistance to the less privileged, regardless of how little they might have.

He further appealed to the commercial motorcyclists to remain orderly while accessing the free fuel.

In her remarks, Alhaja Nurat Olayiwola appreciated God for the life of Prof. Adeyanju and prayed for continued strength and success for him so that similar programmes could be sustained.

Olayiwola emphasised that the empowerment package was not politically motivated, describing it as an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of good relationships among members of society.

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She urged the people to be good to their neighbours and cultivate a culture of caring and supporting one another.

Speaking on healthy living, Alhaja Kabirat Adetoyinbo of the Department of Food Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, educated participants on the importance of balanced diets.

She explained that people could still maintain healthy eating habits even with limited financial resources, stressing that proper nutrition was essential to maintaining good health.

The beneficiaries included farmers who received pump-sprayer machines and chemicals to support their agricultural activities. Widows were presented with food packages alongside transport fares.

All participants were also provided with transport fares to enable them to return to their respective destinations after the programme.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a farmer, Hon. Prince Akeem Ayinla, expressed appreciation for the gesture, saying the assistance would significantly support their farming activities.

Ayinla said the beneficiaries did not expect such a gesture and described it as a welcome intervention for farmers in the community.

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He appealed to other indigenes of Ogbomoso who had attained prominent positions to emulate Prof. Adeyanju by remembering the people and contributing to the development of their community.

The empowerment programme was widely described by participants as a practical demonstration of community service, generosity and the importance of giving back to society.