By Charles Kumolu

THE senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged her constituents to make themselves active components of the Federal Government’s change agenda.

She also urged them to be patient with government at all levels, noting that government can only succeed with the support of the populace.

Tinubu stated this, yesterday, in Lagos at a town hall meeting convened to interface with members of her constituency.

The event which was the 17th in its series also witnessed presentation of tricycles to 16 graduate beneficiaries of Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Scheme, YESAS.

Those at the forum included the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Wasiu Eshinlokun, former Minister of State for Defence, Chief Demola Seriki, Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos Central senatorial district, Prince Tajudeen Olusi and executive secretaries of local governments, among others.

The gathering entitled From Dreams to Reality: A Call to Duty, was also a platform to update constituents on her activities in the Senate since the last town hall meeting and keep them informed about the numerous empowerment schemes instituted in the constituency.

She said: ‘’Elections have come and gone, this is the time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work because nobody is going to make Nigeria great for us. Therefore, we all have a duty to perform to get Nigeria to its Eldorado. On my own part, I shall strive to do my best so as not to take your votes for granted, thus, my zeal to continue to do the best.

‘’Let us be reminded that our party’s victory has now placed a very big task on us to make sure that the nation is driven safely to its destination. It is on this note that I want to lay emphasis on the current economic situation in the country. The government that was formerly in power recklessly mismanaged our economy. Therefore, we need to join hands together with the current government’s efforts to enable us get out of the trenches of economic failure. All hands must be on deck to help revamp the economy. We are all expected to contribute our quota towards this.”

She urged recipients of the empowerment scheme not to see the presentation of tricycles as demeaning, noting that it should be embraced as a challenge to make good use of the opportunity it offers.

‘’I feel disheartened by the situation in which we have found ourselves, that our graduates, young men and women, are being given tricycles to get themselves engaged while looking for better opportunities. I see this as challenging. These items would for a while become means of earning decent daily living to keep body and soul together as the government strives to bring back our economy to its feet.

‘’I implore our young ones to use this avenue to be gainfully employed before going into other profitable ventures. My advice to the beneficiaries is for them not to see this as demeaning but to know that there is dignity in labour. I urge our people to be patient and supportive of the efforts of the government. As a senator, I will continue to initiate and support proposals aimed at promoting the interests of Lagos State,” she added.

In his remarks, Olusi had, while calling on elected representatives to emulate Tinubu’s commitment towards the welfare of her constituency, urged Nigerians to see prospects in APC’s change agenda.

His words: “This event is historic in the sense that it is the 17th of such meeting. It is also historic in the sense that our senator will be empowering members of our constituency. We are glad to have a senator who is not only devoted to legislative duties but also to the welfare of her constituents.  I urge representatives in Lagos State and all elected representatives in Nigeria to follow her footsteps. Let me urge you to support the state and federal governments.

‘’The programme of our party is predicated on change and that change is for the better. Today we are exposing corruption at the highest level. I want to ask all of you to prepare for a new Nigeria. I want to plead to our members that the change we want will come despite the harsh economic realities facing our country today.”