Kunle Adelabu
A total of 190 residents of Ijede were, at the weekend, empowered by Egbin Power PLC in continuation of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the need to support economic development within its host communities.
The disbursement, which was the first batch of the N30million released to the community for the 2024 Empowerment Programme for Ijede residents, were distributed in different sums to petty traders, widows, fishermen, artisans, elderly persons and youths, to support them and their businesses.
The disbursement, which was tagged, ‘Community Empowerment Programme’, was handled by the Alajede Powerlift Empowerment Committee.
The event took place at the D’jos Hotel, Ijede, and was witnessed by Mr Bayo Dawodu, the representative of Egbin PLC, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Chairman, Ijede PLC, High Chief Allu Musediq, Regent/Olisa of Ijede, High Chief Babatunde Ogunmuywa, the Odofin of Ijede, High Chief Adedayo Aba Ajanaku, the Otunba Alajede, High Chief Rasaq Oyebanj, Aro of Ijede, Sheikh Fadhila Sulaimon …., Chief Imam, Ijede LCDA, Revd. Kolawole Peters, Chairman, CAN, Ijede LCDA and Hon. (Alhaja) Kehinde …, CDC Chairman, Ijede LCDA among others.
High Chief Babatunde Ogunmuyiwa, Odofin of Ijede and Chairman, Alajede Powerlift Empowerment Committee, speaking about the fund disbursement, said that contrary to speculations, the empowerment funds for 2024, were released last year November, by the company and not since 2021 as rumoured by some residents.
“We are gathered here today to actualise what started in 2021, when rumours began that the traditional chiefs have collected N30million which they have shared. That was the situation when we protested to NEPA, and we were able to meet with the head, Alhaji Tope Sonubi, Mr Tola Adeshina, the Head of Ikeja Electric and one other person, who constituted Sahara.
“We were able to let them know that the promise that they made has caused serious problems, and they further assured us that they are going to fulfill their pledge.
“But they did not until November 2024, when the money was released. So, there is no truth in the rumours that they have paid us since 2021”, the traditional chief explained.
Odofin Alajede also explained that the committee was unable to disburse the funds since November last year when the money was released because they had to change signatories of their account to include two officials of Egbin Power PLC, and two from the Ijede community.
The chairman of the empowerment committee also pleaded with those that are not in the first batch to exercise patience till the next disbursements.
“In addition, beneficiaries of this empowerment programme are divided into batches. The first batch that will be collecting today are 190 people.
“The first batch consists of residents approved by the Egbin Power PLC. They are the approving authority.
“While we are going to be giving cash to elderly people who do not have bank accounts, others will get alerts of their disbursement today (last Saturday).
“I appeal to those that are not included in the first batch to exercise patience, their names will be included in the second batch”, he assured.
Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motuntayo Gbadebo -Alogba, thanked the Egbin Power PLC for the gesture geared towards uplifting the residents. She charged beneficiaries on the need to make good use of the money.
“This is a good development for us in Ijede. We are thankful and grateful for the Egbin Power PLC’s gesture in empowering our people.
“This is an intervention that we must make good use of by putting the money given to us to support our businesses, into good use. It is only if we make good use of it that they will be encouraged to do more.
“Let’s add the money to our business capital so that we will have economic prosperity in our community”, she said.
While further commending the donor for the gesture, Hon. Gbadebo -Alogba asked Egbin Power PLC to do more in supporting the people and Ijede LCDA as a whole.
“On behalf of my people, I want to thank you for for the gesture. We are grateful and we are Oliver Twist, we want more.
“We are asking for more because we know that this is just a tip of an iceberg from what the company can do for the community”, Hon. Gbadebo -Alogba said.
The representative of Egbin PLC, Mr Dawodu, speaking, said that the initiative is part of the company’s programmes to develop its host communities.
“This programme is solely for Ijede people and we are happy that beneficiaries are gathered here to receive the money to support their businesses.
“As the representative of Egbin Power PLC, I am satisfied with what I have seen here. We are concerned about the development of our host communities, and that is why we are supporting with this initiative.
“The development of any nation starts in the grassroots, and that is why we want businesses in Ijede to develop”, he said.
Like the Council Chairman, Mr Dawodu also charged beneficiaries to make good use of the money, adding that the company will sustain the initiative.
“It is important for our people to make good use of the money being given to them by using it for their businesses so as to experience business growth in Ijede.
“This is just the first edition which ought to have held since last year but due to some delays. This is an initiative that Egbin Power PLC intend to sustain”, he assured.
He commended the committee for the organisation.
While reiterating the company’s commitment to its host communities, the representative of Egbin Power PLC also stated that the company held another edition of its annual medical outreach programme recently which benefitted thousands of residents of Ijede, Egbin and Ipakan.
He also listed bursary progarmmes, educational support – textbooks, notebooks and furniture and now empowerment programme, as parts of the support given to the host communities by Egbin Power PLC.
Many of the beneficiaries that spoke, commended the Egbin Power PLC for the support which they said would go a long way in supporting their businesses.
They pleaded with the company to sustain the initiative which they said would improve the relationship between the company and its host communities.
Other members of the Alajede Powerlift Empowerment Committee are Prince Olumide Musediq, Chairman, Ajede Day, Princess Bukola Koleoso, Mr Tope Salisu and Mr Adedamola Olaribigbe.
