By Stephen Adeleye
Chief Eric Fiki, the Baale of Amuro Kingdom and Executive Director of Fiki Foundation, on Thursday empowered 200 vulnerable women across the 10 wards of Mopamuro Local Government Area with ₦50,000 each, totaling ₦10,000,000.
The empowerment programme, held at the APC Party Secretariat in Mopa, was organized as part of support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and other APC candidates including Hon. Elder Leke Abejide.
Speaking to beneficiaries, Chief Fiki said the gesture was aimed at cushioning economic hardship and strengthening grassroots support for the APC ahead of the forthcoming general elections. He described it as his contribution to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Ododo’s people-oriented policies.
“This is just the beginning. We will keep empowering our women, youths and men so that no one is left behind.
“Supporting leaders who are working for the people is the best way to ensure more dividends of democracy,” the Baale stated.
According to him, the empowerment is a continuous programme under the Fiki Foundation, which he runs two to three times in a year, and not only during election periods.
He added that subsequent phases will be extended to youths and men.
“The total amount it will cost me for this batch is 10 million. Any woman that has the form will be given 50,000, just to aid them, to do their little things around there, their businesses and any other thing.
“This covers the whole local government — both Amuro and Mopa. We have 200 in all,” Chief Fiki said.
He urged beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously and to vote for Tinubu, Ododo, and all APC candidates.
“I’m APC, and I’m not going to any other party anymore. The little I have that I know I have been doing, I will keep doing it so that our people can benefit. It’s just a kind of giving back to the society.”
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude and pledged support for the APC.
Mrs Veronica Ibeun appreciated Chief Fiki for remembering them, praying for God’s continued strength for him and Governor Ododo.
She promised to invest her ₦50,000 in her provisions and drinks shop “so that more money will be coming in, my children will eat, and they will be happy.”
Another beneficiary, Oluwatoyin Elisha, a provisions and frozen fish trader, said the support would go a long way in strengthening her business.
She called on other politicians to emulate the gesture and create employment opportunities for youths across all local governments.
Dignitaries at the event commended the initiative as timely and a reflection of APC’s commitment to welfare.
They included: Hon. Ademola Bello, Executive Chairman, Mopamuro LGA, represented by Hon. Temitope Ajayi Santos;!Hon. Sunday Moses David, Former LG Chairman & SA to the Chairman on Cultural Integration.
Others include: Hon. Joy C. Solomon, Vice Chairperson, Mopamuro LGA, Comrade Adeyemo Olajide Stephen, Mopamuro APC Chairman, Hon. Mrs Mercy Obajemu and other party leaders, stakeholders, and community heads
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Temitope Ajayi Santos applauded Chief Fiki for complementing government efforts in poverty alleviation and urged beneficiaries to mobilize massively for the re-election of President Tinubu, Governor Ododo, and other APC candidates.
The Mopamuro APC Chairman, Comrade Adeyemo Olajide Stephen, Hon. Moses David, Hon. Mrs. Mercy Obajemu and Hon. Joy C. Solomon also lauded the programme.
