Sola POPOOLA
The first female Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba has promised quality and robust representation in her constituents.
Speaking at this year’s Emure Day held in her hometown, Emure Ekiti on Saturday, Mrs. Adelugba urged the people to be more involved in politics and be interested in selection of the next set of leaders to be produced in the 2023 polls and ensure that their votes count.
She also promised that her impact would continued to be felt in Emure Constituency which she represents at the State House of Assembly and would always work hard for better standard of living for her constituents.
The Speaker also used the opportunity of the event to give account of her stewardship especially on the projects she had influenced, attracted and sponsored in her constituency since she was elected into the House in 2019.
The Speaker had earlier distributed cash gifts and food items to widows at her Constituency Office in the town with the beneficiaries praying for her and expressing their appreciation for the gesture.
She also donated two operational motorbikes to local security agencies, one for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and another one for the Ekiti State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps.
Mrs. Adelugba listed her scorecard to include influencing the extension of road to Supare and Eporo, renovation of the General Hospital, installation of solar powered lights, capacity building programmes, donation of academic materials to schools, free medical tests and treatment, scholarships to indigent students, commissioning of police station, food and cash donations, among others.
Addressing the gathering, she said: “I appreciate your prayers and support all the time. I promise to continue to play the food role of representing you well at the House of Assembly. My slogan is ‘ileri Oluwa ko ni lo laise (God’s promise will not go unfulfilled.)
“I promise that the impact of my representation and good governance will continue to be felt in Emure and our people will not lag behind in the scheme of things and efforts to bring development and good governance to them.
“I want to advise my people to always let your criticisms be constructive. As the general election is fast approaching, I want you to come out and vote en masse. Be involved in politics and choice of your leaders and let your votes count.”
The Speaker explained that she was standing in for Governor Biodun Oyebanji who was attending another function elsewhere but had sent in his donation for the day
Speaking at the event, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo, expressed happiness at the emergence of the daughter of the soil, Mrs. Adelugba as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Oba Adebayo prayed for the success of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in piloting the affairs of the state and Speaker Adelugba in leading the parliament to deepen and enrich governance in the state.
The monarch also thanked Oyebanji for appointing an indigene of Emure, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade as a Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security in the state cabinet wishing the appointee a successful tenure of office.
The Elemure called on all indigenes of the town wherever they are residing within and outside the shores of the country to come back and develop their hometown.
The royal father specifically charged them to ensure that they build houses and erect good structures in their hometown to enhance its aesthetic value and also donate generously to community development projects.
Oba Adebayo canvassed prayers for successful tenure of office for Mrs. Adelugba whom he described as pride to the town.
He said: “I pray that there will be peace and progress during her tenure as Speaker. There will be peace in the state, there will be progress in the state and that is also our prayer for His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji.”
The Emure Day also featured fundraising for key projects in the town and awards to deserving indigenes who had contributed their own quota to its development.
Some of the awardees include the Speaker, Mrs. Adelugba; the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Boluwade; former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, who was recently awarded the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, while some indigenes were honoured with posthumous awards for their services to the town in their lifetime.
The occasion was witnessed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu; Leader of Business, Hon. Oyekola Bode-Adeoye; Chief Whip, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Emure Local Government Chairman, Hon. Joseph Adu; members of the Elemure-in-Council, town Union leaders, community leaders and other guests.