•Ajimobi, constituents hail lawmaker.

ON Friday 6th January, 2017, both governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and constituents hailed the Chairman, Senate  Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu representing Oyo Central Senatorial District at the red chamber during empowerment of members of her constituency.

She was lauded for her contributions to the socio-political landscape of her community, senatorial district, state and how her  ilk  was said to have constitutes great blessings to Oyo state.

According to some constituents, Senator Sunmonu  with the desire to right societal wrongs, her performance don’t only goes beyond law making but sharing and bringing dividends and goodies of democracy to the door steps of her constituents  by given them  a new lease of life with various masses –oriented programmes.

Noting the alarming rate of poverty and unemployment in our nation, the former speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Sunmonu said she was able to bring succor to the plights of her constituents by distributing empowerment tools, which goes beyond political party lines as beneficiaries cut across the senatorial district.

As a result, the penultimate Friday was a moment of joy as the highly jubilant beneficiaries  find it hard to hide their feelings by expressing vociferous gratitude to their benefactor, Senator Sunmonu.

Motorcycles donated by Senator Sunmonu to her constituents.

Among the several millions worth of empowerment items donated to the people were Sewing machines, Hair Dryers, Generation Sets, Hand Sprayers, Gas Cookers, Fertilizers and Motorcycles.

The event which was held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, had in attendance members of the state executive council, some members of the National Assembly from the state, State Party Executives among others.

Empowerment tools distributed by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

Speaking at the empowerment programme, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, lauded the lawmaker’s  rhythmic progress for quality representations.

The governor stressed that Senator Sunmonu has proved to be a worthy representative of the district and the state at large, considering the tremendous achievements she has recorded.

While recalling her outstanding performance as the speaker of the State Assembly, Ajimobi said she facilitated projects and contributed actively at the National Assembly.

The governor’s  statement reads , “Sunmonu has been doing very well. She is active and very intelligent. She is a worthy representative, who has  exhibited Integrity, Godliness, patriotism and selflessness”.

Governor Ajimobi urged other lawmakers to emulate Senator Sunmonu, adding that every responsible and responsive representative must make the welfare of their people paramount on their minds.

Also, in their separate  remarks, Prince Kunle Sanda, S.M Akindele and Mr Sunday Adewale who spoke on behalf of Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones of the senatorial district respectively  paid a glowing tribute to the lawmaker for her unprecedented achievements and strong commitments to the welfare of her constituents.

They further appreciated her for being a better example of good representative.

In a related development , Olufunmilayo Philips, a beneficiary of Sunmonu’s scholarship appreciated the lawmaker for her support, which covered his education and all other external examinations.

Philips, who is currently undergoing a Masters Degree in Mathematics at WUHAN University of Technology, China disclosed that the lawmaker also facilitated international scholarship for him.

He was the best performing student at a Mathematics Competition organised by National Association of Oyo Students (NAOS).

Beneficiaries.

Earlier in her address at the epoch making event, Senator Sunmonu explained that the work of a legislator exceeded dishing out cash gifts to constituents but involved facilitation of projects and ensure the executive does their jobs.

Enumerating her achievements, Senator Sunmonu said she had primarily sponsored four bills (4), co-sponsored ten (10) bills, primary sponsor of seven (7) motions, co-sponsored/supported many motions and have efficiently and effectively carried out several oversight functions.

Her sponsored bills are: Ammendment of the Electoral Act, Ammendment of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Ammendment of Federal Road Safety Act and Ammendment of Criminal Code Act.

Speaking further, the lawmaker said that she had executed several community projects among which was the provision of twenty five (25) transformers across the senatorial district, which would be inaugurated in February.

She stressed, ”apart from the empowerment materials distributed today, I have provided exercise books to students, revolving loans to market women and empowered people living with disabilities.

“I have facilitated both national and international scholarships/ bursaries  for no fewer than 30 students from the district and have presented over 300 JAMB forms to indigent students”

“I have provided ICT centres across the district and market facilities at Egbeda market.”

Continuing, the lawmaker said she facilitated resumption of work at the new Oyo-Ogbomoso expressway, repair of Adegbayi axis of Ibadan-Ife expressway, repairs of Sawmill-Owode Oyo road and Akobo bridge in Ibadan.

The former speaker added that she has maintained regular interactions with her constituents through town hall meetings.

While commending  the governor  for his continual support towards her success at the National Assembly, she  equally appreciated the royal fathers across the state, who have always offered foresight and advice on dealing with wide-ranging issues.

Senator Sunmonu, however promised to do more towards satisfying the  yearnings of her constituents.

By Idowu AYODELE.