A House of Representatives member representing llorin West/Asa federal constituency, Muktar Tolani Shagaya as part of his efforts at giving back to his people, empowered his constituents with hundreds of motorcycles, grinding machines, solar home systems, solar irrigation pumps, food, palliatives sewing machines, boots and Torchlight for for security personnel.

In his address, Shagaya articulated that the reasons for his empowerment program was designed to ease the burden of economic challenges during these times of reform. We recognize the struggles faced by our people, and we are committed to providing tangible support to improve their lives.

“In this time of economic hardship, it is imperative that we stand together as a community. The governor’s initiatives are a beacon of hope, and we must rally behind these efforts to elevate our state from the grips of poverty, every member of my constituency is entitled to these benefits, irrespective of their political affiliation.

“Our programs are designed for everyone—market women, the elderly, young people, students, artisans, security personnel, farmers, and various groups. This is about us coming together as one community, united in our journey towards progress,” he said.

The empowerment program was graced by political stalwarts, party’s faithful like Senior Adviser and Chanselor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adudeen Salaudeen, who ably represented the Governor of Kwara State.

In his remarks, he appraised Muktar Shagaya for his timely empowerment in the State, an attempt to eradicating poverty.

The governor’s representative noted that, “This empowerment program is a reflection of the governor’s vision to uplift the lives of Kwarans. We have witnessed numerous transformative initiatives over the years, and I assure you that more are on the horizon.”

The beneficiaries profusely appreciated their representative for coming to their aid by giving them items to change their livelihood.

One of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Hassan from Asa LG who received a solar irrigation pump said, “This will change everything for me. I can now irrigate my crops more efficiently and produce even more food for my family and the community.”

In his closing address, Shagaya said, “We are just getting started. Expect even more mega empowerment initiatives very soon, as we remain steadfast in fulfilling our campaign promises, together, we will build a better future for Ilorin West/Asa LG,” he concluded.

The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education Services, harped on the need to empower constituents.

As a way ensuring food security and the soaring cost of food prices, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security and renamed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; and his administration has also launched the National Agricultural Development Fund with N100 billion to address agricultural financing challenges.

Again, 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, including sorghum, millet, maize from the National Strategic Grain Reserves and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice through millers were released to vulnerable Nigerians through the 36 state governors and the FCT, in an attempt to stabilise food supply. The Central Bank of Nigeria donated 2.15 million bags of fertiliser worth N100 billion to support farming.

The federal lawmaker commended President Tinubu’s administration to have introduced the Dry Season Farming Initiative on 500,000 hectares of farmland, financed by the African Development Bank with $134 million to promote year-round farming; partnerships with John Deere aim to supply 2,000 tractors annually for five years under a unique financing arrangement supported by low-interest loans from the Bank of Agriculture.

The Green Imperative Programme, a $1 billion bilateral partnership with the Brazilian Government, aims to provide farmers access to machines, equipment, and training.

The Bank of Agriculture will support Nigerian farmers with low-interest loans to purchase fertilisers.

Additionally, there is a N141 billion credit facility from a Japanese agency for agricultural scheme projects. These and many more are the efforts of the federal government to make life abundance for the citizens. Rep. Shagaya in his address also commended the efforts of Governor AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman led administration for his untiring effort at changing the administrative narrative of the state for good. He applauded the people’s governor for his massive infrastructural developments in the state which in turn brings about economic and shared prosperity to Kwarans.

As part of his contribution as a Representative, Hon. Muktar Shagaya hinged on some of his interventionist programs in the past aiming to compliment the efforts of the State and federal governments. Many of such laudable programmes as part of stewardship are: distribution of over 1000 units of food items to the victims of flood in llorin West/Asa Federal constituency- social relief package, nutritional packs, livelihood items, and building materials; cash relief empowerment given to over 700 constituents during the holy month of Ramadan, ranging from N50, 000-N100,000; distribution of essential food palliative to 2000 constituents; empowerment of 800 constituents with N16m- N20k each to boost Small and Medium Scale Enterprise; writing and reading materials were distributed to the students in llorin West/Asa Federal constituency; 29 liaison officers appointed across the constituency; solar powered borehole was facilitated to Orogbangba community, Pasa, Asa local government; solar powered borehole was facilitated to Sebutu Compound, Ojuekun/Sarumi, Ilorin West local government; capacity building and skills acquisition program organized for the youths across the constituency; scholarships given to the students across the constituency; timely engagement of critical stakeholders in the constituency; over 50 motorized boreholes were facilitated across 29 wards in the constituency; 350 Jamb forms were given to students across the constituency in the just concluded 2024 Jamb exercise; Keke Irorun(tricycles) were subsidized and given to the interested constituents.

The federal lawmaker also buttressed that there are sponsored bills and moved motions that if they scaled through, will further engender development and make life easier for the masses, the lawmaker said.