By Oyeniyi Iwakun
It is two years of the dynamic representation of the good people of Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency at the green chamber by the brilliant pharmacist and illustrious son of the soil, Hon. Dele Gboluga Ikengboju.
Incontrovertibly, the last 24 months had not been without so many challenges ranging from litigations, global economic meltdown and the COVID-19 pandemic that altered the global calendar. Nonetheless, it is worthy of commendation that Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju has distinguished himself via relentless efforts towards changing the narratives in legislative business in fulfilment of his campaign promises and in tandem with the interest of the Ikale people.
Bearing in mind the responsibilities and limitations of legislators in this clime when compared to their executive counterparts, it can only be instructive and intellectually apposite to appreciate a dynamic and transformational leader, Hon. Dele Gboluga Ikengboju who combines the qualities of communicative and transactional leadership in ensuring that his constituents always get the best.
In the last two years, the Ilutitun born legislator, has against all odds pursued the interest of his constituents via execution of numerous projects including empowerment programmes, giving voice to the voiceless and succor to battered lives.
The renowned pharmacist began his administration on an unprecedented note with the appointment of 55 personal aides among members of his constituents who are paid between N20,000 to N100,000 every month. This is aside his philanthropic gestures to the needy and vulnerable in the society.
It is no news that the difficulty in securing employment in Nigeria is better imagined than experienced, but within two years in office, Hon. Gboluga has successfully secured jobs for over 7 graduates, and also processing many others. He has nominated names for NDLEA, Immigration, Prisons, NSCDC, Fire Services, et al recruitment, and expectedly in no distant time, the result will be out.
His thirst for pursuing the good of all saw him finance the training of over 400 people across the Federal Constituency in different skills with the aim of securing sponsorship through Central Bank funded assisted programme so that they can be financially liberated.
In 2019 alone, Industrious Hon. Gboluga succeeded in empowering and training over 100 women with various skills aside the provision of palliatives to ameliorate the associated hardships of COVID-19 Pandemic during lockdown in 2020.
Another set of 200 women trained in cake baking and hospitality businesses were empowered with N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) each as capital to kick start their businesses on the skills they have aquired.
Hon. Gboluga facilitated the enrollment of 160 constituents in government’s Survival programmes where they receive monthly stipends while another 80 persons benefited from the World Bank Assisted 20,000 monthly payment. In a related development, 50 people were enrolled for the Federal Government’s N- power scheme with another 4 people as N- Power Coordinators.
The compassionate legislator sponsored 12 names for loans. 5 among them (per ‘’leader head’’) already paid N1,000,000.00 to aid business expansion while others are awaiting disbursement.
Hon. Gboluga facilitated COVID-19 Relief fund for women most of whom are aged (over 60’s) and vulnerable. He also organized a strategic training and empowerment of some women on Catering programmes (BCDA).
Other landmark achievements include:
– Provision for N100,000 (One hundred Thousand Naira) empowerment for 100 women for business expansion
– Provision of cash for 400 people in the Federal Constituency (including youths) as business start-up grants. Most recipients got cash ranging from 50,000 to 450,000.
Through the Primary Healthealth Care Development Agency (PHCDA), he facilitated the delivery of N100,000,000 worth of medicines and other essential pharmaceutical materials which were distributed across all the primary Heath care facilities in the Federal Constituency.
Hon Gboluga was behind the full renovation and upgrade of the Ilutitun Comprehensive Health Centre and without doubt many other centres have been identified for upgrade in 2021.
His passion for education was responsible for the 2021 free UTME/JAMB forms widely distributed to qualified indigent students across the Federal Constituency recently, coupled with a well designed education project to be executed in no distant time.
All the above projects are as a result of his sensitivity to the need to prioritize cash empowerment and accessibility to funds to ameliorate effects of the global economic meltdown on businesses. Hon. Ikengboju is of the firm belief that when people are trained to be enterpreneurs and funds made available for them to kick start or expand their businesses in an enabling environment, a larger part of our economic challenges will be solved as those enterpreneurs will be self reliant and will also be indirectly contributing to the economic development of the society. To him, it is a way of employment creation for our teeming unemployed populace especially the youths. Lest we forget, that the economy which is the sub-structure controls other structures including the super structure which is the politics.
However, having recorded huge successess on this, Hon. Dele Gboluga Ikengboju has decided to focus on infrastructures and other physical projects in 2021. Hence, the following programmes among others have been lined up for execution:
– Solar powered street lights (3 – communities)
– Grading of Rural roads in the Federal Constituency
– Community- Hall and Event Centre (Irele Local Government)
– Modern Sports and Event centre (Okitipupa Local Government)
– Block of 3 classroom to be constructed in Ode – Aye
– Training of youth and women in Commercial fish production
– Renovation and upgrade of modern primary healthcare centre
– Grants for Business start – up and expansion (Across the Federal Constituency)
– Distribution of Empowerment materials to youths and women in the Federal Constituency
– Health and educational programmes and many more.
Impressively, Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju out of compassion and generosity has always come to the aid of many constituents who have health , educational, welfare and other financial challenges. This he does virtually on daily basis.
Easy going and accessible, Hon. Ikengboju is gifted with numerous but rare qualities that endears him to his constituents. He has listening ears and would not trivialize people’s opinion and advice on issues bordering on his activities at the green chamber.
He has been consistent and vocal in lending his voice to debates in order to advance the course of his people.
An objective analysis of his activities cum performance appraisal clearly shows a score card with excellent grades, making him one of the best in recent times. It is often said that when a man lives up to expectation, he deserves to be applauded. It is therefore imperative that we appreciate this trailblazer for his transformational and outstanding leadership for the people of Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency at the green chamber of the National Assembly.
Oyeniyi Iwakun is the Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the distinguished Member, House of Representatives(MHR)
June 16th, 2021