The lawmaker representing Ibadan Northeast and Southeast Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, on Tuesday, empowered people living with disabilities in his constituency
The empowerment program held wa at the Local Government House within the Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.is part of efforts to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
Agboworin in his remark urged the people of Oyo State to support and encourage those with disabilities during the distribution and disbursement of a strategic empowerment program for specific vulnerable groups
He highlighted the current economic challenges and expressed empathy for the difficulties faced by persons living with disabilities.
The lawmaker, however, reflected on his childhood and how his humble beginnings inspire him to help others.
He said: “I wasn’t born into a wealthy family, but we never went hungry. As the Yoruba adage goes, *‘Bẹ́ẹ̀bì bá ti tán nínú ìṣẹ́, ìṣẹ́ búṣẹ́’* (Poverty without hunger is no poverty at all). This is why I believe that empowering people in business is a direct path to alleviating poverty”.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director of the NDE in Oyo State, Mrs. Steve-Ogundipe Olayinka, commended Hon. Agboworin for his dedication to humanity and urged beneficiaries to make good use of the empowerment items.
She equally urged the beneficiaries to adopt a business-oriented mindset to uplift themselves and their families.
Barrister Dare Adekanbi, the Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for People Living with Disabilities, thanked the state government and Hon. Agboworin for the unique initiative.
He urged Hon. Agboworin to continue his impactful work, which has set a commendable precedent.
Hon. Agboworin’s compassion and persistent attempts to assist vulnerable communities were also praised by other dignitaries in attendance. They emphasised that the tools should support their enterprises rather than be auctioned off, and they reminded the recipients to use the distributed products for their intended objectives.
One of the recipients, Oba Aro, who goes by Oba Aro, conveyed his sincere appreciation, pointing out that Hon. Agboworin is the only member of the House of Representatives who has recently organised an empowerment program for people with disabilities. He prayed that the lawmaker would continue to receive divine favours.
Among those present at the event were Hon. Wasiu Adeleke, Secretary, Oyo State PDP; Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government; Hon. Adebanjo “Bigger,” Vice Chairman, PDP Ibadan Southeast; Hon. Dare Adeleke, PDP Caretaker Chairman, Ekiti State; Hon. Isiaka Fatokun, PDP Chairman, Ibadan Northeast; Hon. Kehinde Akande, Chairman, Ibadan Southwest Local Government; Mrs. Steve-Ogundipe Olayinka, Director, NDE Oyo State Yinka Omikunle; PDP Chieftain, Ibadan Southeast; and Barrister Dare Adekanbi, Director-General, Oyo State Agency for People Living with Disabilities
