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THE PLACE OF DELE PHILIPS FOUNDATION’S HUMANITARIAN GESTURES TOWARDS COMPLIMENTING GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN RESTORING HOPE IN LEADERSHIP
By: Iyiola Oluborode
In any given society in this part of the world, there is always the need for private sector participation to compliment efforts of government towards imparting positively on the lives of the people.
In Ekiti State, the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji has continued to justify the confidence reposed in it by coming up with interventions that have rekindled the hope of the people in democratic institutions.
It is on record that Governor Oyebanji administration has come up with unusual road infrastructure across the various parts of the state while welfare of workers, senior citizens as well as the less privileged and the vulnerable are also prioritised.
In a way to complement the efforts of the administration, a non-governmetal organisation, Dele Philips Foundation came up with empowerment programmes few years ago to cushion the effects of the economic hardship the less privileged face.
The empowerment programme has held in various parts of the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, comprising Ekiti West, Ijero and Efon local government areas.
And in the process of making the empowerment sustainable and ensure that more people benefited, another empowerment programme was held for no fewer than 300 people in Ekiti West local government area.
The beneficiaries included Women, less privileged and the vulnerable in Okemesi, Aramoko, Ido-Ile and Ekameta.
The presentation of cash gifts to beneficiaries held at the Aramoko Civic Centre and other communities was witnessed by party and community leaders in the areas.
The leaders who include Governor’s aides, lawmaker, leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the area commended Dele Philips Foundation for showing interest in the welfare of the people at the grassroots.
Speaking at the Okemesi edition, Special Assistant to Governor Oyebanji on Community Engagement, Alhaja Motunrayo Adesina said the gesture by Dele Philips Foundation is a demonstration of love for humanity.
Alhaja Adesina who is also a former Vice Chairman of Ekiti West local government area said the intervention should be commended, calling on other privileged indigenes to emulate the founder of the foundation, Mr. Dele Philips.
Similarly, the Lawmaker representing Ekiti West Constituency 1 in the house of assembly, Hon. Kareem Agunbiade said the development is another way of showing recognition, expressing the hope that more residents would benefit in future exercises.
In the same vein, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress in the local government, Prince Olu Aladeloye noted that it was not the first time the NGO would impart positively on the lives of the people, expressing a high degree of hope that the empowerment programme would be sustained and improved upon.
Chairmen of Ward A, Olaoye Ayoade; Ward B, Toyin Dada and Ward C, Sunday Ajiboye as well as Aramoko Ward 2 Chairman , Niran Aluko unanimously lauded the founder of the NGO, Mr. Dele Philips assuring him of their support in future endeavours.
In his remarks, the Director of Administration of Dele Philips Foundation, Aare Ebenezer Adebusuyi who also doubles as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oyebanji on Internal Relations said the foundation has been involved in humanitarian services for years and it’s all bothered on imparting positively on the lives of the people.
Chief Adebusuyi said the founder, Mr. Dele Philips has also put in place the required structures to ensure that the empowerment is not only sustained but also improved upon.
In his remarks, the Director of Administration of Dele Philips Foundation, Chief Ebenezer Adebusuyi said the gesture is in continuation of the various interventions carried out by the NGO as a way of complimenting government efforts.
While noting that government could not attend to all the challenges being faced by the people overnight, Adebusuyi who also doubles as Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Internal Relations said well meaning indigenes should also play one role or the other to alleviate the economic challenges being faced by citizens.
Adebusuyi who made reference to various efforts of the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to make life more meaningful for the people, stated that the agricultural revolution being carried out has not only increased food production but also provided job opportunities for the youths.
In the same vein, member representing Ekiti West Constituency 1 in the state house of assembly, Prince Kareem Agunbiade commended the NGO for the objective selection of the beneficiaries who will continue to appreciate their involvement.
The Lawmaker also assured that the state legislature will always work with the government of Governor Oyebanji to justify the confidence reposed in him.
In an interview, the founder of the NGO, Mr. Dele Philips who was represented by a member of the board, Mr. Idowu Philips said he decided to prioritize women in the selection, having realised their place in nation building.
Dele Philips assured that the gesture would not only be sustained but also improved upon as plans are also underway to diversify the approaches of imparting positively on the people with provision of food items.
He urged the people to continue to support the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to keep delivering dividends of democracy to the people as an opportunity to sustain him in office beyond 2026 would attract more developments to both individuals and the generality of the state.
The beneficiaries commended the Dele Philips Foundation and its founder, Mr. Dele Philips for recognising them at this crucial time and prayed that more if such would continue to be witnessed in the area.
Others in attendance include the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oyebanji on Property, Gbenga Michael, former Councillor, Tajudeen Mohammed, APC Assistant Youth Leader in the LG, Sunday Alade, and Comrade Niran Aluko.
With the little intervention being championed by Dele Philips Foundation, there is the need for more well-being individuals as well as private organisations to also compliment the efforts of the government.
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