By Ahmed Ajikobi
Residents of about 20 compounds at Ita-Egba community, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State were at the weekend in jubilation mood as the Chief Medical Director of General Hospital, Ilorin, Prof. Abdulfatai Bamidele Olokoba empowered the youth and women.
The event took place at Zone C area of Ita-Egba where no fewer than 26 people benefited from the gesture.
Among the compounds that benefited from the empowerment were; Akuji Oke and Akuji Isale, Alabere, Onagun, Bobonkiri among others.
Speaking with our reporter, Olokoba said that the gesture was his own way of giving back to his community.
He stated that the society is faced with various challenges such as unemployment and inadequate infrastructure.
“That’s why I embarked on the empowerment programme. In the first phase of the empowerment, we started with the vulnerable people.
“We are giving the vulnerable people N5,000 each and they are not expected to pay back the money. We hope that the money will solve the immediate need of those who are petty traders and to also do a little turn around to meet up with their immediate challenges.
“We are also taking other steps in helping the people of the community especially the issue of unemployment. Within the last month, four people have been employed in my name and we are also thinking of digging bore holes within Ita-Egba community.
“I am committed to the welfare of the people of my community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CMD charged the youth not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs ahead of the forthcoming election.
“The future of our youths is very bright and what we need to do is to encourage them in entrepreneur skills. We need to gainfully encourage them.”
