By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Christianah Afuye, has declared that the pro-people policies implemented by the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji over the past 32 months have significantly reduced the state’s poverty index.
Mrs Afuye stated that this achievement was not coincidental but a result of Governor Oyebanji’s deliberate prioritisation of the welfare and rights of the less privileged in policy formulation and governance.
She made these remarks in Ikere Ekiti on Tuesday during the distribution of her monthly social security stipends and clothing materials to 120 elderly individuals and party leaders drawn from the 11 wards of Ikere Local Government Area.
A statement earlier released by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, explained that the programme was personally initiated by the Deputy Governor to mitigate societal neglect and suffering by ensuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups in governance.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Victor Adeniyi, Mrs Afuye lamented that poverty remains one of the most persistent challenges confronting Nigerian citizens. She said this concern has driven the current administration to develop a comprehensive agenda focusing on youth employment and support for vulnerable groups.
She expressed confidence that Governor Oyebanji remains steadfast in his commitment to the core values of communal support and the “shared prosperity” agenda that underpins his administration.
According to her, eradicating poverty through job creation in both the civil service and informal sector, as well as empowering widows, orphans, and other at-risk groups, remains central to the government’s policy direction.
She pledged to continue addressing the pressing needs of her constituents, particularly by delivering initiatives that alleviate poverty and ensure wider access to the dividends of democracy.
“As of now, Governor Oyebanji has employed over 5,000 youths into the civil service, and the figure continues to rise. In the informal sector, statistics show that more than 20,000 individuals have received support to sustain their livelihoods.
“One major effort includes the N2 billion soft loan the government facilitated in partnership with Access Bank, benefiting thousands of traders and small to medium-scale business owners across the state.
“Currently, over 1,000 graduates are engaged in commercial agriculture via cluster farming initiatives in Oke Ako, Eporo, Ikere, Ipao, and Aramoko Ekiti. This effort not only improves living conditions but also moves Ekiti closer to achieving food security.
“Let me assure you that I will continue to promote the culture of generosity and benevolence championed by Governor Oyebanji. This monthly stipend initiative for our elderly will continue throughout our tenure,” she affirmed.
Commending the Deputy Governor for emulating the administration’s charitable posture, the Chairmen of Ikere West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rufus Olorunfemi, and Ikere Local Government, Hon. Olu Adamolekun, urged beneficiaries to pray for the administration’s continued success.
They also called for unwavering public support to ensure the effective implementation of government policies.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the monthly stipends, stating that the intervention has helped cushion the harsh effects of economic hardship.
They lauded Mrs Afuye’s generosity and appealed to citizens to continue backing the government so that more benefits of democracy could reach the grassroots.