Femi OGUNLANA
There were barrages of commendations today for Hon Gbadamosi Moruf, caretaker chairman of Surulere South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), as women numbering over 80 were given cash donations as well as items like deep freezers, grinding machines, hair dryers, food warmers and sewing machines.
The empowerment programme, which came up today at the council’s secretariat at Oko, the headquarters of the LCDA, was attended by traditional rulers and political bigwigs including Aresa of Iresaapa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye; Alapa of Okin-Apa, Oba Professor John Akintola; Olujado of Ijado, Oba Ahmed Oyetunde Adegbile Omolegbe 1; Olosu of Osu, Oba Adetunji Adeniyi; and Chief Israel Olatunji, Baale Apata Ogele 1.
Some other dignitaries were Hon Banji Folaranmi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in the council area and who represented Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa federal constituency in the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003; Prince Lasisi Oladimeji, another PDP leader; Hon Sarafadeen Olatunji Muhammed, caretaker chairman, Surulere North LCDA; and wives of council chairmen in Ogbomoso zone, who came in solidarity with the Surulere LCDA First Lady, Alhaja Khadijat.
Speaking, Hon Moruf said he embarked on the empowerment programme to enable beneficiaries start businesses or boost existing ones.
He affirmed that the gesture was indeed to complement “the giant strides being made by Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.”
He now urged beneficiaries not to sell off the items, adding, “You must make use of this little opportunity, it can turn to something great in the future.”
The chairman assured that the programme would be a continuous one, promising that those who were not beneficiaries this time would next time.
Moruf, who is the third chairman in the LCDA, noted that he never shrank from spending his personal money to promote the present administration in the state, saying, “Whatever will make the government of Governor Seyi Makinde to be more successful we must do it.”
He had stated this against the backdrop of allegations of corruption leveled against him, while blaming detractors for what he described as an unsubstantiated claim, but he assured, “We will not be disheartened, that is how people are, it is envy and we will press forward in doing what is good and what will make life more meaningful to our people.
“They are jealous of our successes and we will not relent, so, we have no issue of corruption here, our books are open for scrutiny.”
In his goodwill message, Aresa of Iresaapa remarked that Hon Moruf is a listening chairman, “who always listens to advice and that is why his administration is making progress.”
Alapa also submitted, “The chairman is doing well and once you are doing well, people will speak ill of you. But you must not be discouraged, you must rather see it as a challenge to do more.”
Hon Folaranmi, who is the pioneer chairman in the council area, too expressed satisfaction with the strides of Hon Moruf asserting he had not disappointed, “He has not allowed people to despise us for supporting his emergence.”
Folaranmi commenting on the administration of Governor Makinde averred, “What Seyi has done for politicians is enough good news; what Seyi has done for civil servants is enough good news; what Seyi has done for retirees is enough good news; what Seyi has done to promote development in the state is enough good news. We must continue to support this government and the PDP in the state.”
Caretaker chairman of Surulere South LCDA, Olatunji Muhammed saying he was impressed by the empowerment programme promised to stage a similar one but on a bigger scale next December. “This is a challenge to our council, we will emulate this, I assure our own will be bigger and we will hold it in December.”
The Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr. Ayandosu Ayantoyinbo in his speech also commended Hon Moruf saying despite paucity of funds such a programme was still being held.
Mrs. Segun Serifat, who lost her husband, a PDP stalwart, two weeks ago, and still grieving her loss expressed thanks to the chairman in a chat with The Insight.
Similarly, Mrs. Oyedeji Yemisi, who received a grinding machine, expressed appreciation to God and to the council helmsman disclosing she never expected to be a beneficiary.
Party exco members including women leaders, PDP members as well as career officers were also part of the event.
Some of the items distributed
