Roland Ogbonnaya
1 August 2005
Lagos — It was like a carnival recently as market women dressed in their various uniforms danced and gyrated to the sound of the talking drums of the local drummers and different artisans from various local governments of Ogun States also danced to the music from the talking drums. It was not either a carnival or political rally, but an occasion for Senator Ibikunle Amosun to say thank you for their support and moments to assist the poor within his senatorial district.
The eight-day event was part of Amosun, who is popularly called SIA to improve the relationship that exists between him and his constituents and to also see to their steady socio-political and economic development. The tour took him to the six local governments that make up the Ogun Central, he represents at the Senate. The tour started on July 12 from Ewekoro local government through Obafemi Owode, Odida, Ifo, Abeokuta North and ended on July 18 at Abeokuta South.
Some of the projects executed to palliate the needs of the downtrodden during Amosun's constituency tour were classified into six categories: empowerment scheme, which included credit scheme to the traders and trade empowerment to farmers and traders; education scheme which included awards of scholarships, construction of classroom blocks and provision of exercise books to students and pupils in the constituency; agricultural scheme, embracing distribution of farm implements and while under the poverty alleviation programme, he distributed motorcycles, grinding machines and commercial GSM handsets and lines to he unemployed.
Under his community development scheme, he sponsored the construction of 32 borehole projects and town halls while on his humanitarian effort; he provided accommodation to the disabled and donated food items and beddings to other needy persons.
Philanthropy has been part of Amosun before and after he was elected a senator in 2003. In 2004, a year after his election, he made a similar thank you tour to his constituency. He distributed tricycles and motor bikes (popularly known as Okada) to the Association of Okada Riders (ACOMORAN) in the six local government areas that make up Ogun Central Senatorial district.
Some of the beneficiaries of the motorcycles expressed their appreciation to the senator. Mr. Lekan Balogun the branch chairman of National Union of Okada Riders, Lafenwa Division in Abeokuta North Local Government, which controls about 15 units under Lafenwa division that boosts about 500 member believed that the Senator must have sat down and thought of what contribution he can make to better "our lives. The only thing we have been doing after the donation is to pray that he continues to do more. We have been involved in politics for the past six years and no politician has been magnanimous like Senator Amosun. We believe that he will continue to see to our needs".
He said the union gave the motor bikes to members to work with. "From the proceeds, such people are able to cater for their personal needs and as well provide for their families. Asides that, the union makes some money to its purse, which is readily available for use whenever the need arises. The motorcycle brought a new way of generating money to our union which has led to the union's development," Balogun said.
Like Oliver Twist, he said his union would need more assistance from the senator in the area of providing more motorcycles because of the many units that constitute the branch, so that "more of our members will benefit. Senator Amosun should continue in his activities to better the lives of people. Those he has been able to touch their lives should prosper, so that they can help others around them and transform their lives too".
Comrade Alfa Lateef Yekini, chairman Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) Abeokuta North Local Branch said that the motorcycle has been very useful to "our association in the area of mobility. The members ride it to meetings whenever necessary and also to other important outings. We are so pleased with the gesture because it has reduced our transportation expenses.
"The motorcycle is also given out to members to help them make some money to put body and soul together. Such members or persons are expected daily to pay a certain fixed amount into the purse of the association at the close of work, and such money is utilised for the benefit of members of the branch," Yekini further stressed.
Yekini advised Amosun to prepare for greater challenges ahead because he has carved a niche for himself in politics, which has been impressive to people. "People have been enjoying the dividends of democracy in this constituency. Senator Amosun should endeavour to do more".
Couple of years ago when fire gutted the saw mill section of the Kuto Market, Abeokuta, the philanthropy of Amosun also came to the fore.
a trader testified that "Senator Amosun really tried for us. For someone who is not a member of our family to assist us so much, we can only pray to God Almighty to continue to shower his blessings on him. May his children find favour wherever they go. SIA really helped us.
"He so much helped us after the fire outbreak. He sent us some relief materials such as food items. He was the first to assist us before some well meaning Nigerians and the state government came to our aid. May God continue to spare SIA's life. We were five in number that were affected by the fire accident and SIA's philanthropic gesture went round all of us.
"Even after our stalls were reconstructed, he personally came to inspect them. There is nothing we can do now to repay SIA for all he has done except to pray fervently for God's protection and guidance for him and his family," the trader further explained.
He called Senator to help in the construction association's secretariat, "where all Kuto market men and women can hold meetings. We also use this opportunity to remind SIA of some money he had promised us when he came to visit us at the market. We commend SIA for all he had done, knowing that he is not our relation or family member; he was just rendering help to us.
"We understand there is a gang-up that has been hindering SIA's philanthropic gesture. We know he has good intentions for all the people of Ogun central senatorial district and indeed all Ogun State people. We pray that God in his infinite mercy shall grant SIA his heart's desires. Ah! He has really helped us," the trade emphasised.
Senator Amosun's recent tour of his senatorial district was however marred by a clash between the entourage of Governor Gbenga Daniel in Abeokuta at the last lap of the tour with his supporters. Despite this the senator believed that he will never forget those that voted for him.
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