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…Gives scholarships to students
By Kehinde Aderemi
A new vista of hope was recently restored in Aba, a community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State as the the town’s traditional ruler, Alaye Aba, Oba Michael Adegboyega partnered with LAPO MFB Ltd to inaugurate an afforestation project for the development of the community.
Aba played host to representatives of the microfinance bank who assured that the project would transform the town.
Speaking on the need to boost the economic lifeline of the town, Oba Adegboyega said there is a need to improve the economy and restore the hope of the people.
The Alaye Aba said since he became the royal father of the town, it has become his priority to initiate economic programmes that could alleviate poverty and help small scale businesses in the town.
The monarch said the efforts of the LAPO management are in tandem with his plans to impact the lives of the people of the town. He assured the people that he would continue to support any idea that could reduce the poverty level of the people at the grassroots.
Oba Adegboyega stated also that he decided to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the LAPO and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA to embark on the afforestation project in order to boost and enhance Agro- business initiative and help in driving other business ideas that will raise the hope of the people.
To fulfill his part of the promise, Oba Adegboyega raised money for 50 members of the community to open a LAPO business account with for each of the beneficiaries with an initial start up capital of N5000.
“I am working seriously to improve the standard of living of my people and there is no better way to help the people than to empower them in their respective businesses.
“Therefore, I will give a token as my initial capital for the business women and men in order to build their businesses.
“We have made up our mind to bring development to this town. We are ready to do whatever it takes to build the economy of this community.
“Our partnership with the LAPO team is geared towards improving the living standard of the people of the community and we will continue to open windows of opportunities for small business owners.”
Oba Adegboyega urged the people of the town to remain committed to the developmental plans put in place by both the palace and the LAPO management .
LAPO’s Director of Finance, Mr Oluremi Akande expressed appreciation to the Aba monarch for supporting the initiative.
Akande said LAPO management will continue to partner with traditional rulers and leaders in the communities to boost the economic interest of the people at the grassroots.
He stated that the afforestation project is focused at improving the agricultural prospects of the people of the town.
He noted further that his team will make good use of the new initiative to drive the economy of the town, adding that the management will embark on an annual scholarship scheme for five brilliant students in the town from secondary school to the university.
The scholarship, according to him, is to encourage indigent students on the need to fulfil their academic dreams.
“We are determined to make positive impact in the lives of the people of the community. It is our desire to transform the agricultural prospects and boost the education of the people of the town.
“In the same vein, we shall start by giving scholarships to brilliant and indigent students of the town annually. We are starting with five students and the scholarship scheme will take care of the students’ financial needs from secondary school to the university.
“With this laudable initiative, it is my hope that Aba Aiyepe town will continue to experience the transformation agenda of our team.
“From what has happened here today, Kabiyesi has demonstrated an unprecedented love for his people and I am impressed with way he has accommodated us. This is the best way to go for a community that has a rich history and is blessed with a monarch with deep understanding of what it takes to transform a community.
“We are going to work with Kabiyesi and the people of the town to build a future that is not only prosperous but also enduring, as our legacies of business will impact the town and its environs,” he said.
