Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has restated his commitment to the wellbeing of Ekiti people as he presented over N4.7million to 17 indigent citizens who had approached his office for assistance.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Sola Abe, who made the presentation to beneficiaries at the Conference room of the Governor’ Office, Ado Ekiti, said the intervention was in line with the fulfillment of Governor Oyebanji’s campaign promise to ensure wellbeing and prosperity of the people.
Mrs Abe explained that the intervention which ranged from payment of tuition fees, medical bills to expansion of businesses among others, is a way of providing succour to vulnerable indigenes of the state who are in dire need of financial assistance.
“This is a programme from the Governor’s office for indigenes that are in need and who cannot really support themselves. So, the Governor came up with this programme, which, from time to time, will intervene and take care of the people’s need.
“It is a programme the Governor is so passionate about. He has earmarked a certain sum every month for this cause. It’s not just the civil servants that will get paid every month, the Governor also wants to reach out to ordinary citizens who are in one need or the other, many of whom are not employed but are skilled in their own way. So, it is his own way of supporting them and the programme will be sustained by God’s grace”. The Governor’s aide asserted.
While charging the beneficiaries to spend the money judiciously, Mrs Abe said “whatever they should endeavor to utilize the money for the purpose they stated in their request letters, adding that recipients of the fund would be monitored going forward to ensure the money is properly utilized. “We will pay them visit and we will ensure they utilize the money for the actual purpose they stated in their request letters”. Abe said.
Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Communications, Mary Omotoso said the intervention was an evidence that the welfare of Ekiti people is paramount in the heart of the Governor.
The beneficiaries who received amount ranging from N100,000 to N700,000 each spoke glowingly about the various welfare programmes of the Governor Oyebanji led-administration and prayed for it’s sustainability, adding that they never had it so good.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Bolaji Ojumirayo, a student of Adeleke University, Ede, who could not hide her joy, expressed her profound appreciation to the Governor for the assistance saying the Governor’s gesture would save her the embarrassment of dropping out of school.
