ADO-EKITI—The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, has released a sum of N8.1 million for widows’ empowerment programme in his constituency.

Making the declaration in Iyin-Ekiti at the weekend while constituting a committee to manage the Special Intervention Fund, Bamidele said it was the amount accruable from his salaries since June this year.

He promised to forfeit his four years salaries as a member of the National Assembly, for the upkeep of his constituents in Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Ekiti State. He described the gesture as a unique way of giving back to the people, who entrusted him with the mandate to represent them at the National Assembly.

Appointed as members of the committee include prominent traditional rulers including: the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti , Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, party leaders, market men and women, academia and members of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties.

The lawmaker, however, pointed out that forfeiting his salaries every month to take care of the people in his constituency was not enough to combat poverty bedeviling them, but stressed that it would go a long way in alleviating their sufferings.

Bamidele hinted that a leader that was quite aware of the level of poverty in the land should embrace the doctrine of leadership by example as well as ability to sacrifice for the betterment of the less-privileged individuals.

He said: “I know that forfeiting my salaries to take care of these people is not enough to give them the best, but it exemplifies leadership by sacrifice, leadership by interaction and ultimately , leadership by example and that is what we are determined to showcase.