Kunle Adelabu
The Ipakan community in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, has distributed the N30million empowerment fund received from Egbin Power PLC.
The fund which is part of the power station’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to its host communities were presented to about 200 widows, aged citizens and fishermen at the Ipakan Town Hall, at the weekend.
The distribution was witnessed by the representative of the Egbin Power PLC, Mr Bayo Dawodu, who also presented cash of N50, 000 to aged residents who benefited from the gesture.
It was gathered that Ipakan is the first to access its N30million, the same sum which were also made available for Egbin and Ijede, other host communities of the power station.
Speaking about the fund tagged ‘Ipakan Empowerment Fund 2024’, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) between Ipakan community and Egbin Power PLC, Mr Tajudeen Yinusa, commended the CSR of the power company stating that the distribution is the first edition of what is planned to be an annual exercise by the company.
“This is the maiden edition of the Ipakan Empowerment Fund and it is going to be an annual programme.
“It is part of the company’s good gesture towards empowering and developing its communities and it is a very good gesture and we welcome it.”
The Ipakan Community CLO furthered, “Egbin Power PLC took over the operation of the plant in 2013 and since then, they have been getting back to their host communities. We have been benefitting from them.
“They started with scholarships programme for our students in JSS 1 – 3 and paid for them and also for the BECE. They also extended the gesture to SSS 1 – 3 and as well paid for their WAEC”, he said.
He also stated that regular medical mission, donation of malaria drugs to the General Hospital Ijede for residents, commissioning of an ICU at the Ijede General Hospital, distribution of food palliatives, distribution of tricycles and infrastructural development like solar powered water projects, and construction of Ipakan town hall among other CSR benefits from the organisation.
While explaining the management of the fund, he charged the beneficiaries to make good use of it because they will be monitored.
“Empowerment fund is N30million for each of the three communities and Ipakan is the first to access it since we have been able to prove what we wanted to do with it which is to empower our people.
“We have a 5 – man committee comprising of two representatives from the Egbin Power PLC and three from Ipakan community that are managing the funds. There is no how that we could have been able to access the funds if we had not shown what we are using the funds for and if their representatives are not convinced,” the Ipakan CLO noted.
Chief Mustapha Lasisi, Baale Ipakan said that there was no benefit for the community prior to the emergence of Egbin Power PLC.
He recalled that it was the Isokan Youth Congress led by one Mr Owolola Olatunji, that led the struggle against NEPA to develop plans for its host communities and deliver on its CSR.
The community traditional head stated that a total of 622 acres of land were acquired from the communities thereby preventing residents of Egbin, Ipakan and Ijede from engaging in their traditional vocation of farming.
“The struggle was on when the Egbin Power Station took over and they tried to improve on the company’s relationship with the community. They started with the construction of the Ipakan Town Hall and roofed it.
“The Egbin Power PLC that took over continued with the town hall project by fixing the tiles, plastering it, fixing the widows, doors, toilets and every other thing.”
Chief Lasisi also said that the name of beneficiaries were sought for and generated through the Community Development Association (CDA). He appealed to others that are not on the list to exercise patience.
“We have your names and other details with us. This is just the first set of people to benefit from the empowerment programme which is the maiden edition. Others will be consider in the subsequent editions since we cannot accommodate everyone.
“I can assure that we are still going to disburse to more people from the existing funds released by Egbin Power PLC while we expect them to continue discharging their duties to us as the host communities.
“It is possible for us to do it three times in a year if the company keeps to its pledge,” he said.
While stating that the utilization of the funds will be monitored, Baale Lasisi also urged the beneficiaries especially the petty traders and fishermen, to make good use of the funds.
“The sum may seem small but if put into good use, it will encourage the company to do more. You are going to be monitored. All your details that were given to us have been submitted to them.
“Please, use the funds very well and do not disappoint us.
“The company is ready to continue to extend its gesture to us but we must appreciate what they are doing at present by making good use of the funds. We are appreciative of the company”, he said.
The Grand Chief Imam of Ijede LCDA, Sheikh Sulaimon Olatunji Akejobi, in his remarks commended Baale Ipakan and his team for bringing people from Ijede to be part of the progarmme.
He urged that such unity and sincerity of purpose should be encouraged between Ijede, Egbin and Ipakan.
Chief Bisiriyu Moroof, an Ifa priest who was one of the beneficiaries commended the Egbin Power PLC for the gesture.
He said that such gesture is meant to assist residents and bring about development in Ipakan.
Another beneficiary, Ms. Sunamite Adams, who is into fashion designing also commended the gesture:
“They have really done well and this shows that they want development in the community and they want the people to grow. I really like it and they are appreciated.
“A very big thank you to them for making our mothers, sisters, brothers, grand fathers and grand mothers smile. They actually put smiles on their faces. We all know how difficult it is in the country, and the token which they have given shows that they really care.”
Evangelist Dorcas Ayodele Egbin, also speaking said:
“We are to collect empowerment funds from Egbin Power PLC that was given to the community. And we are very appreciative of the gesture.
“We are also grateful to our Baale and his team. God bless.”
Other dignitaries at the presentation were High Chief Musediq Alliu, the Regent/Olisa of Ijede, Hon. Saheed Hassan, former Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Kabir Kareem, Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA who represented the Chairman, Otunba Lanre Kuye, Director of Information/Public Relations, LASUSTECH, Mr Wasiu Agoro, retired Director, State Treasury, Hon. Kehinde Basirat, Councillor representing Ward A, Ijede LCDA Legislative Arm, Hon. Oyedele Adenuga, Councillor for Youth & Sports, Alhaja Saramotu Salami, Woman Leader, APC Ijede LGA and Mrs Falilat Taiwo, former Councillor representing Ward A.
