The Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oyo state, Oba Sunday Oladipo, in partnership with the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), have empowered Indigenous traders with work tools worth millions of naira.
Oba Oladipo had previously sponsored the medical bills of no fewer than 250 patients who underwent surgeries for various ailments.
This formed part of the activities lined up for his 25th Anniversary on the throne of his forebears.
The monarch, during the presentation of the work tools and other items to the beneficiaries at his palace in Ijeruland, Ogbomoso South local government on Tuesday, said the gesture was borne out of the love he has for his people.
He also stated that the empowerment programme is aimed at liberating the people of the land from the shackles of poverty.
According to him, “During the last medical outreach, we attended to 3,000 people in various medical needs medically.
“Two hundred and fifty-three major surgeries were carried out on patients freely.
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“Also many corporations and individuals have shared in our vision of developing Ijeruland.
“Today, we are having in our midst, the representatives of the Nigeria Bottling Company, (NBC) that promised to empower 100 Indigenous traders with work tools worth millions of naira
“They have made good their promise as 100 traders will go home with branded coolers, umbrellas and other items.
“This is a big lesson to everyone of us, especially those of our children who are well placed, that wherever they find themselves, they should think of what they can do for their people, not what their people can do for them. We are ready to support them.
Also, with the prevailing economic situation in the Country, we decided to share food items to the people in order to cushion its effect.
“Our community is purely an agrarian one and climate change has affected the level of productivity.
This brought about the idea of a Foodbank which was conceived after due consultation with members of my family. We decided to impact the lives of the people rather than organise a lavish end-of-the-year party.
In his remarks, the representative of the NBC, Lawrence Fasuwa enjoined the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the donated items.
He said the Company would be monitoring the growth of their businesses as well as provide needed assistance.
According to him, “We are thankful to Kabiyesi for having the love of his subjects at heart.
We are enjoying the benefits of making judicious use of the donated items by turning it around in order to benefit more.
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