The senator representing the Lagos Central, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a donation of N16, 250,000 to 650 widows who are residents of the district.
Tinubu, who disclosed this at the 19th town hall meeting with members of her senatorial district yesterday, said that the beneficiaries would receive N25,000 each on Tuesday under the Widow’s Economic Empowerment Scheme (WESS), her constituency initiative. The meeting with the theme: “Redefining Democracy through Service” was held at Banilux Event Centre, Sabo, Yaba.
She said the amount is to boost the existing business or start business in order to be self-reliant and provide for the families. According to her, the disbursement of the grant will take place at our 13 LCDAs on Tuesday , September 27, at 9.00 am prompt. Beneficiaries should go to the council secretariats where they applied with identity cards.
Prior to yesterday’s meeting, the senate chairperson on Environment said: “We have been able to execute some of our constituency initiatives”. One of such, she said “was the disbursement of scholarships to all the 26 beneficiaries of the Post-Secondary Scholarship Scheme (PSSS) in our senatorial district which took place on Wednesday, 31 August ,2016. The accounts of all beneficiaries were credited with N100,000 each for the next academic year.
“On 1st September 2016, our women leaders in the senatorial district were not left out. In order to boost their businesses, each of our women leaders was presented with grinding machines and 2.5 KVA generator; while 14 of our youth nominated by them, that are into fashion designing, were presented with sewing machines and generators for the Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Scheme (YESAS) programme”.
She also reported that the 6th edition of under 12 and 15 boys and girls Muniru Muse Cup sponsored by her office took place on 21st August, 2016 at the Campos Mini Stadium, Ajele, Lagos.
Tinubu told her audience that “the theme for today’s meeting is apt, especially at a time when Nigeria is faced with imminent threat of recession. We as good citizens are called to a common cause of patriotism, sacrifice and understanding.
She used the platform to explain the difference between constituency projects and programmes initiated by legislators. According to her, it was true she facilitated some projects to her senatorial district in the 7th Senate, saying if the projects were not completed, it was due to impropriety of the Goodluck Jonathan administration. “ I should not be held responsible, I did not collect money for the execution of constituency projects, I don’t even know the contractors”, she said.
On the economy, the senator said the current situation in Nigeria calls for sober reflection. She noted that the issue at the front burner of political debate in Nigeria today is diversification and restructuring of Nigeria.
According to her, what Nigeria needs is diversification. “For instance, if Nigeria can successfully diversify into agriculture, tourism, technology, manufacturing and sports, we will be on our way to economic recovery and agitation for geographical restructuring will fizzle out.
“Meaningful and well-funded diversification is a sure foundation for fiscal restructuring, as sharing anticipated resources will always bring deficit, anxiety, agitation, political suspicion and under development. Diversification plus fiscal restructuring will lead Nigeria to become a developed nation”, she said.
The Deputy Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon Wasiu Sani-Eshinlokun, commended Senator Tinubu for her generosity towards members of her senatorial district and quality representation.
The dignitaries in attendance included the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos Central Senatorial District, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akinolu, represented by Chief Opeoluwa; the traditional ruler of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Adesiyan Adeniyi; former Secretary to Lagos State Government, Chief Aro Lambo; Hon Oyinlomo Danmole, Hon Mutiu Are, Hon Yakubu Balogun and Sole Administrator, Yaba Local Council Development Area, Hon Bayo Adefuye.