EKITI State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended one of its prominent gubernatorial aspirant, Hon. Bimbo Damaramola for executing  people-oriented programmes in the state.

State Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who was represented by the Vice Chairperson, Mrs Kemi Olalere gave this commendation on Tuesday where he again distributed 1,050 free UTME/JAMB forms to indigent students under his Educational Scheme dubbed ‘Teach Them How to Fish’ held at Afe Babalola Foundation Civic Centre, Opopogboro, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The event had in attendance youths among whom were beneficiaries, parents, guardians, invited guests, politicians, state leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC , local government officials and its executives in all the 177 wards in the state amongst others.

It would be recalled that the ex -member, Federal House of Representatives,  Daramola had earlier empowered the less privileged candidates  in the state with no fewer than 1000 UTME/JAMB forms.

Speaking at the epoch – making event, Olalere who could not hide her joy, said the party was overwhelmed  as well  as  satisfied with the various programmes executed by the governorship aspirant, stressing that they were happy with his superlative performance and various welfarist programmes which were tailored  towards the propagation of APC in the state.

In her words, “it is beneficial to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. All the party machineries are here and we are all happy for today’s programme. We stand in solidarity with Bimbo because, he is investing in our future leaders. Bimbo is doing all these to promote our great party in this state”.

“Parents could not afford the forms for their children because they are suffering at the hands of the state governor who has simply refused to pay them the salaries as and when due. At this juncture, it is important to state that we are not here to adopt or endorse any candidate but to give support to our son and we can all see what is happening here today. When it’s time, the party will speak.

Congressman Bimbo Daramola flanked by the state executives of APC

While accusing Governor Ayodele Fayose of allegedly inflicting suffering on the people with his leadership style, she continued, ” we are not gullible in this state, divine intervention has finally come, we are the only party that can rescue Ekiti from this poverty and we are fully on ground.

“Well, my brother, I want to appreciate you on behalf of our great party because you are doing this for the party, this is indeed our future”, the Vice Chairperson submitted.

Also, another APC chieftain, Chief George Ojo, in his remarks saluted the sponsor for impacting lives.  “Let me start from where the Deputy Chairman stopped. She said the party has not adopted anybody, that’s true. But, that is not to say we should not recognise or acknowledge the fact that Hon. Bimbo Daramola has been performing excellently well in this party.

“When he was in the House of Representatives , I am saying this without mincing words , we knew and know  and recognised all he did for his people in his federal constituency.

Congressman Bimbo Daramola surrounded by the youths whom were beneficiaries

“In my own area, I am sorry to say this and I don’t have apology for anybody . We were not as lucky as that in our own federal constituency.I was there physically by the time he was commissioning an ultra modern hospital in his home town, we are all living witnesses to that occasion. See what we are witnessing here today, so much money has been expended on this programme.

“I give kudos to you and I want to say that we know those who are very hard working in the party and those who are not. And I want to say that Bimbo is one of the hardworking people in the party. I am saying it authoritatively that the party will reciprocate all his good deeds. By the grace of God, you will never labour in vain”, Ojo added.

According to the party’s publicist, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, ” this is a proper party programme and this one is just too unique and special. Bimbo kudos to you, we love you .As a distinguished party member that respects the party rules and authority, it is equally good to display that; particularly when it’s time to recognise that. You know we have ‘Peter the rock’ somewhere who is mismanaging our resources, but we have ‘Bimbo the dynamite’ who is capable of blasting ‘Peter the rock’ out of Ekiti government house”.

Remarking, the facilitator, Hon. Bimbo Daramola informed that his intention was to relaunch Ekiti state to an enviable height by restoring the pristine identity of the state. He lamented that Ekiti was once known and revered to as the state that breed professors, but has lost that reputation. “We had an alias like one house one professor, but today that’s gone. So, it’s about time to consciously jump start efforts and initiatives  that will connect us with who we really are as a people and initiatives around education particularly fits into that matrix.

The facilitator, Daramola engaging the youths for a sustainable future

Stressing further, the ex-lawmaker  noted, “JAMB is the gateway to acquisition of tertiary education and a pool of young brilliant Ekiti sons and daughters will be struggling for spaces  with others nationwide; while self efforts will make them briliantly qualified  to find a space. The limitation they are faced with is the economic challenge of their parents even to afford cost of forms and if you cannot get the form no matter how brilliant you are, you cannot get your foot in the door, that’s why we decided to intervene. Last year, we gave out 1,000 free JAMB forms and now we are giving out another 1,050 forms. So, in a space of one year we have taken the  battle to restore our prisine identity as Ekiti people to 2,050 homes.

“The direct consequences are that; we are settting agenda for the future, we are pressing the reset button and we are giving the future of these young people back to them; securing them; their families and ultimately our state”, the APC chieftain explained.

Daramola, while assuring the candidates of further assistance, however implored them to read extensively and ensure successful use of the unique opportunity given to them. He thanked the APC executives for their continued support.