On the floor of the Senate, I am an active contributor to debates of motions and bills. In particular and pursuant of some of my electoral promises, I have so far presented two motions for the consideration of the Senate.

ADDRESS BY SENATOR SOLOMON ADEOLA CON, FCA, FCIT, FFPI AT THE FIRST TOWN HALL MEETING AND MEGA EMPOWERMENT FOR 10,000 TRAINED CONSTITUENTS AND OTHERS IN OGUN WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT ON MONDAY JANUARY 29, 2024 AT FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ILARO, YEWA SOUTH LGA, OGUN STATE.

Protocol

It is with great pleasure that I address you on this occasion of my First Town Hall Meeting, which coincides with our Mega Empowerment for the good people of Ogun West Senatorial District.

As you may be aware, the last of similar empowerment was done before I became the Senator representing the good people of Ogun West.

This Mega Empowerment Program is designed to RENEW THE HOPES of the good people of Ogun West, by providing much-needed startup grants, various empowerment equipment for selected constituents and institutions of government working for the welfare of my people and other Nigerians resident in Ogun West.

In preparation for this Mega Empowerment Program, I facilitated the training of many youths in the area of ICT, while sponsoring other men and women to acquire economically viable skills, and by the grace of God Almighty, we would equip them today with appropriate empowerment equipment for practicing their acquired skills and trades.

At this point let me apologise for the previous postponement of this Mega Empowerment Exercise. As you all are aware, last year was a transition year from one administration to another. There was need for the laying of a solid foundation for the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. I was fully involved in that foundation laying, particularly at the legislative arm of the government. Again, with my appointment as the Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations, I was fully engaged in national assignment relating to the passage of the 2023 Supplementary Budget and the recently passed 2024 Appropriation Act. These tasks precluded me from embarking on this important assignment for my constituents.

It is imperative for me to specially acknowledge our Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON for the monumental achievements he has accomplished in Ogun State in the last 4 and half years. His records of infrastructural development and human capital development remain unprecedented. Worthy of note in particular is the governor’s drive that have now placed Ogun State in the aviation map of Nigeria with private and commercial flights landing at the Ogun State Agro-Airport.

As this is my first Town Hall meeting with the people I am representing, it is appropriate for me to give a report of the journey so far in less than a year of representation in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Following my election last year, I joined the struggle for the enthronement of a new leadership for the 10th Senate and on inauguration day, I was on the winning side with me playing the unique role of the seconder of the nomination of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio. He eventually won and became the President of the 10th Senate alongside a ranking legislator, Senator Jubrin Barau as Deputy Senate President.

Shortly after, I was appointed the Chairman of the all-important Appropriations Committee of the Senate and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. I am also a member of eleven Senate Committees namely; Marine Transport, Ecology and Climate Change, Public Accounts, Works, Finance, Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Health, FCT, Upstream Petroleum, Constitutional Amendment, Agriculture Colleges and Institutions, SDGs, NDDC and Agriculture Production, Services and Rural Development.

On the floor of the Senate, I am an active contributor to debates of motions and bills. In particular and pursuant of some of my electoral promises, I have so far presented two motions for the consideration of the Senate namely;

(1.) “Motion on the Urgent Need to Suspend Restriction Order Placed on Supply of Fuel to Border Communities”

(2.) “Motion on the Urgent Need for Palliative Repairs and Total Reconstruction of Lagos -Ota- Abeokuta Express Road”.

The former was debated on the floor with a Senate Resolution while the later was considered alongside other similar motions on dilapidation of road infrastructures nationwide.

In the area of law making, I have presented 8 bills to the Senate namely:

(1) “Nigeria Railway Corporation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023” (SB.9),

(2) “Federal College of Geological and Cement Studies, Iselu, Yewa North, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill, 2023” (SB.109),

(3) “Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) Act (Amendment) Bill 2023” (SB.265),

(4) “Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, 2023”,

(5) “Bill for An Act to Amend National Commission for Women Act, CAP N23, LFN 2004”,

(6) “Bill for An Act to Amend the Niger Delta Development Commission Act No.6, 2000”,

(7) “ Bill for An Act to Establish the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria, 2023”,

(8) “National Institute for Border Studies, Imeko, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill” 2024.

Three of the bills have been read for the first time on the floor while the bill on Federal College of Geological and Cement Studies Iselu has passed Second Reading and is ready for public hearing at the committee stage. Others are awaiting listing for first reading.

In the area of infrastructural projects facilitation in the five Local Government Areas of Ogun West Senatorial District, we have embarked on construction of Roads, School Buildings, ICT Centres, Healthcare Facilities, Markets, Police Stations, Town Halls and Supply of Transformers.

On road construction, work have started in the following roads with most of them almost completed or about to be completed:

1. Afon Township Road, Afon, Imeko Afon LGA,
2. Imeko Palace Road – Immigration Junction, Imeko, Imeko-Afon LGA,
3. Oja Agbe Market Road Ayetoro, Yewa North LGA,
4. Foursquare Road, Oja-Odan, Yewa North LGA
5.Ebute Igbooro Township Road, Yewa North LGA,
6. Housing Road, Ilaro, Yewa South LGA,
7. Pahayi Moloni Road Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
8. Owode Market Road, Yewa South LGA
9. Ajilete Township Road, Yewa South LGA
10. Alapara-Alatan-Ago Egun Road, Owode Yewa South LGA
11. Ajegunle Township Road Ajegunle, Ipokia LGA
12. Tube Market Road, Ipokia LGA
13. Library/Iloro /Oja Ale, Ishaga Ado, Ado- Odo Ota LGA.
14. Maltina Road Ota, Ado-Odo Ota
15. Senator Akin Odunsin Street Ota, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
16. Ota- Itele Road, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
17. ICT Polytechnic Campus Road, Igbesa, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
18. Yayi Street Joga, Yewa North LGA
19. Aso Obowa/FPF Road to Campbel Arije Ota, Ado-Odo Ota LGA.

It is noteworthy that most of the road construction comes with drainages and culverts to guard against damages and erosion control.

For the educational development of our people and resident constituents, I have also facilitated the construction of additional 156 classrooms with other facilities in schools across the senatorial district as follows:

1.Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at Imeko Comprehensive College, Imeko-Afon LGA
2. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Boreholes at Community High School Afon, Imeko-Afon LGA
3. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Boreholes at Government Science College Ayetoro, Yewa North LGA.
4. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Boreholes at AUD Primary School Igbogila, Yewa North LGA
5. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at District High School Ipokia, Ipokia LGA.
6. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at Ipokia Local Government Primary School, Ifonyintedo, Ipokia LGA
7. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarised Borehole at Yewa Egbado College Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
8. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at C A C Primary School Abekoko Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
9. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at Area Community High School Owode, Yewa South LGA
10. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library at Methodist Primary School Ado, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
11. Block of 12 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized BoreHole at Iganmode Grammar School Ota, Ado-Odo LGA
12. Block of 9 Classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at Police Nursery and Primary School, Osuke, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
13. Block of 9 classrooms with Staff Room, Library and Solarized Borehole at Ejila Awori Community High School Ejila, Ado-Odo Ota LGA.

In addition, three Information, Technology Communication Centres (ICTs) have been constructed at:

1. Nazareth High School Imeko, Imeko-Afon LGA
2. School of Nursing Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
3. AUD Comprehensive High School Ota, Ado-Odo Ota LGA

Still under educational facilities, I facilitated the provision of School Furniture in terms of Desks and Chairs for the following 25 Primary, Secondary and Post- Secondary schools:

1. St. Jame’s Primary School II Oke Odan, Yewa South LGA
2. C.A.C Primary School, Oke Ela, Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
3. Methodist Primary School, Idogo, Yewa South LGA.
4. Area Community High School, Owode Yewa, Yewa South LGA
5. Itolu High School Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
6. School of Nursing, Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
7. St Joseph Roman Catholic Mission School, Oke Parde, Ado Odo, Ado Odo- Ota LGA
8. United Anglican Primary School, Konifewo, Ota, Ado-Odo- Ota LGA
9. Igbesa High School, Junior, Igbesa, Ado-Odo -Ota LGA.
10. Anglican Grammar School, Ota, Ado Odo Ota LGA
11. Unity High School Junior, Ijoko, Ado Odo -Ota LGA.
IPOKIA
12. Ipokia Local Government School, Ijofin, Ipokia LGA
13. Methodist Primary School, Odepata, Ipokia LGA
14. Community Secondary School Senior, Ipokia. Ipokia LGA
15. Iko Gateway Grammar School Junior, Ipokia LGA
16. MPS 1 Imeko, Imeko Afon LGA.
17. IALG Primary School, Atapele, Imeko Afon LGA
18. Muslim High School, Ilara Yewa, Imeko Afon LGA
19. Nazareth High School, Senior, Imeko Imeko Afon LGA
20. Community Comprehensive School, Idofa, Imeko Afon LGA
21. AUD School 1 Isale Araba, Ayetoro, Yewa North LGA
22. Community Primary School, Ilupeju, Oja Odan, Yewa North LGA
23. YNLG Primary School, Saala-Ayetoro, Yewa North LGA
24. Community High school, Ebute Igbooro. Yewa North LGA
25. Sawonjo High School, Sawonjo, Yewa North LGA.

In the area of Healthcare for the people, I have facilitated the construction of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) and Intensive Care Units (ICU) as follows for the use of our people:

1. PHC at General Hospital Imeko, Imeko-Afon LGA
2. OOU Primary Health Centre Ayetoro, Yewa North LGA
3. Primary Health Centre Okeodan, Yewa South LGA
4. Primary Health Centre, Pahayi Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
5. ICU, General Hospital Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
6. ICU, General Hospital Ota, Ado-Odo Ota LGA.

For the development of commerce and economic opportunities major market facilities are being constructed in various parts of the senatorial district as detailed herein:

1. 2 Lockup (40 units) and 3 Open Shop (60 units) Ijoun Market, Yewa North LGA,
2. 2 Lockup (40 units) and 3 Open Shop (60 units) at Igbo Aje Ilaro Market, Yewa South LGA
3. 2 Lockup (40 units) and 3 Open Shop (60 units) Agosasa Market, Ipokia LGA
4. 2 Lockup (40 units) and 3 Open Shop (60 units) Lusada Market, Ado-Odo Ota.

Furthermore, the following markets are beneficiaries of solar powered boreholes for provision of water:

1. Ilaro Market, Yewa South LGA
2. Owode Market, Yewa South LGA
3. Ayetoro Market, Yewa North LGA
4. Oja Odan Market, Yewa North LGA
5. Ipokia Market, Ipokia LGA
6. Tube Market, Ipokia LGA
7. Imeko Market, Imeko Afon, LGA
8. Owode Market, Imeko Afon LGA
9. Oba Titi Dada Market, Ota Ado Odo -Ota LGA
10. Lusada Market, Ado Odo- Ota LGA

To strengthen the security architecture of the senatorial district and in line with my electoral promises, three Police Stations have been constructed for the use of our police personnel as follows:

1. Iwoye Police Station, Imeko-Afon LGA.
2. Egua Police Station Igan-Alade, Yewa North LGA.
3. Pahayi Police Station Ilaro, Yewa South LGA.

In addition, under security, I facilitated the ICT Security Awareness Training and Capacity Building for 83 Royal Fathers from all LGAs in Ogun West.

Among my ongoing facilitated projects for community development under construction with some of them completed are:

1. Owode Ultra-Modern Hall, Owode, Imeko-Afon LGA
2. Ayetoro Ultra-Modern Hall, Yewa North LGA
3. Oja-Odan Ultra-Modern Hall, Yewa North LGA
4. Pavilion Ultra-Modern Hall Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
5. Idiroko Ultra- Modern Hall, Idiroko, Ipokia LGA
6. Construction of Ultra-Modern Pavilion Section 3 at Empire Ground Ilaro, Yewa South LGA.

For the provision of electricity in our communities, I have so far facilitated the donation of 28 Nos of 500kva Transformers to different parts of the senatorial district. This is in addition to over 50 that I gave out before and during the campaign as follows:

1. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Agbara Area CDC, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
2. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Ifesowapo CDA, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
3. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Itele Awori CDC, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
4. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Joint CDA, Koko Ebiye Atan, Ado-Odo LGA
5. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Pavilion ground Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
6. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Aregbeyo CDC Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
7. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Ifelodun CDC Ajilete, Yewa South LGA
8. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Oriolowo CDC Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
9. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Orelope CDA Idogo Road Ilaro, Yewa South LGA
10. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Boluwatife & Olokuta CDA Owode, Yewa South LGA
11. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Ayegbami Okerori CDA, Ayetoro, Yewa North LGA
12. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Igbogila CDC, Yewa North LGA
13. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Oke Ola Area CDA, Ebute, Yewa North LGA
14. Provision of 500kva Transfomer to Ilara Ogudo Central CDC, Imeko-Afon LGA
15. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Oke Ola Area CDC, Imeko-Afon LGA
16. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Wasinmi Okuta CDA, Imeko-Afon LGA
17. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Afintedo Community Imeko-Afon LGA
18. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Iyana Jide Owode Afon Development Association, Imeko-Afon LGA
19. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Ilupeju Community Association, Igbogila, Yewa North LGA
20. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Oke Alafia Community association Owode, Yewa South LGA
21. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Ilaro GRA, Yewa South LGA
22. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Akinleye Community Iju, Ado-Odo Ota LGA
23. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Koko Community Ipokia LGA
24. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Idosa Community, Ipokia LGA
25. Provision of 500kva Transformer to College of Agriculture, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ayetoro campus, Yewa North LGA
26. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Tube Central CDA Ipokia LGA
27. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Mede Orile Ajegunle CDC, Ipokia LGA
28. Provision of 500kva Transformer to Odan Ijaye CDA, Ipokia LGA.

Within the period of less than a year under consideration, I established a Scholarship and Bursary Board comprising of eminent academics for the senatorial district. Only a few days ago, the first set of awards of scholarships and bursaries were presented to students of tertiary institutions at the rate of N200,000 for university undergraduates, N180,000 for polytechnic undergraduates and N150,000 for colleges of education undergraduates for 1532 students.

Similarly, only yesterday, I empowered 5000 Market Women and Men in the Second Edition of my programme of Support Fund for our market traders with N50,000 each after a similar one last February, shortly before the election of 2023. In due course, I look forward to all members of Market Women and Men benefiting from this support fund scheme tagged “Oloja Yayi” .

In the area of employment at the Federal levels, I have facilitated employment for the following constituents:
Olaotan Adebisi
Adebiyi Adesegun
Odunaro Kayode
Akinroye Bolanle
Adekunle Adeyemi
Olaseni Koiki
Oyede Oke
Olusola Ojekunle
Seun Ademulegun
Adebare Abolurin
Babatunde Raj-Label
Niyi Ogunfadebo
Adeniyi Abubakar Sanusi
Solomon Bankole
Omolara Sanusi
Moyosore Mustapha
Adebowale Adeniyi
Olugbodi Babatunde
Lameed Muyideed Kola
Kehinde Akinlade
Obanla Rasheed
Adelakun Sunday Ademola
Abass Isiak
Samuel Bankole
Taiwo Oluwadamilare Afeez
Kehinde Oluwanishola
Taiwo Faruq Ayobami
Abiodun Ayo Olajide

In the weeks ahead I am expecting the facilitation of almost equal number of employments for constituents and more from some agencies in due course with ongoing recruitment process.

But as a stop gap measure to provide gainful self-employment and means of livelihood for our people, I have embarked on the training of women and youths in entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition and today we are going to empower all of them with equipment and start up grants to start practicing their skills and earning incomes.

The process for selection and training, started in the first week of October last year with collection and submission of forms by applicants and subsequent selection for various trainings in 11 different vocations. The trainings were brought close to the people as youths and women were trained at Ilaro, Ipokia, Imeko, Ado Odo Ota, and Aiyetoro representing the 5 LGAs in Ogun West.

As a legislator of over 21 years at state and federal level, I have made it of paramount importance to ensure that as many youths and women as possible are given requisite skills and empowered to establish them in gainful self-employment. In our present situation, in addition to good education, skills of various kinds are advantages in generating income and combating rising unemployment and under-employment.

Towards this end, many trainings for skill acquisition, entrepreneurship development and ICT as well as empowerment with equipment are ways that I achieve effective representation. To the glory of God, tens of thousands have benefited from these programmes facilitated by me and making a modest living out of their acquired skills and trades.

In this programme alone about twelve thousand beneficiaries are going home with requisite equipment worth over N2 billion as I promised during the last mega empowerment before my election while others will also get startup grants in cash ranging from N80,000 to N150,000 totaling over N1 billion.

Today, in conjunction with Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Technology and National Productive Centre, Abuja, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria, Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries, New Bussa, Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, Benin, constituents already trained in various skill and vocations will be empowered with equipment and startup grants as follows:

*Hair Dressing: Standing Hairdryer, Standing Hair Washing Basin and Startup fund.

*Fashion: Sewing Machine and Startup Fund

* Leather Work: Leather Sewing Machine and Seed Fund

*Makeup and Gele: Professional Make Up Kit and Seed Fund
*Confectionaries/Catering: Cooking Gas Cylinder, Double Face Gas Burner, Sets of pots, cooking utensils and Startup Fund

*Fish Production: Startup Fund to start Fishery Business

*Interior Decoration/Event Planning: Startup Fund to start business

* Agric Value Chain: Startup Capital to start Production of agro-allied products

* Solar Energy Business: Startup Fund to begin business

It is my hope that many of the participants to be empowered here will soon be in the business of producing locally made goods and services at the level of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Let me state that beneficiaries of these training programme and empowerment were selected devoid of any partisan considerations and major stakeholders were given opportunities to nominate beneficiaries as deemed fit. Public announcements on mainstream and social media were made for interested applicants to apply and selection was based on the indicated interests of participants on a first come, first serve basis. We also ensured that there was even spread across all the 5 LGAs of Ogun West based on indication of interest by participants.

It is also important to note that stakeholders like leader at various levels made additional input in terms of beneficiaries of these training and empowerment.

As earlier stated, some government institutions would also benefit from this empowerment program, in order to enhance their capacity to continue to render timely and good services to our people. These includes:

Five modern ambulances for the Ogun State General Hospitals at Ota, Ilaro, Ipokia, Imeko and Aiyetoro.

Three New Security Patrol Vans for the Nigerian Police Force Area Command at Ilaro, Ayetoro and Ota

Two Commuter Buses for School of Nursing, Ilaro and Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa.

Five Agro Tractors for Cooperatives in each of the five LGAs of Ogun West

30 Mini Buses (Korope) for distribution to as empowerment to selected constituents and institutions like Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, OOU Campus, Ayetoro etc.

50 Tricycles (Keke Napeps) for selected constituents across the senatorial district as empowerment for transport business.

Over 2000 bags of Fertilizers for distribution our farmers’ Cooperatives

As we move forward in the year 2024 many more projects facilitated by me with their contracts already awarded are slated for commencement shortly. They include:

Construction and Asphalting of Rural Farming Community, Orita Junction Road, Pahayi, Ogun State,
Construction and Asphalting of Rural Farming Community, Pahayi Police Post Primary Health Center Road, Pahayi.
Construction and Asphalting of Rural Road, Ilashe to Agbara Road Ado-Odo/ Ota, Ogun State
Construction and Asphalting of Iboro/Joga Acess Road for Agricultural Development.
Construction and Asphalting of Imasayi Township Road.
Construction and Asphalting of Yidi/Sabo Rural Road.
Construction and Asphalting of Ishaga/Orile Township Road.
Construction and Asphalting of Aferiko Street Police Barrack Rural Road.
Construction Market/ Open and Closed Stores in Ado Odo-Ota, Ilaro,YewaSouth LGA
Construction of Market /Provision of Bulldozers for Ado-Odo Ota and Yewa South
Construction of Market /Provision of Bulldozers for Ipokia and Yewa North
Fencing, Provision of Toilets, Solar Boreholes, Solar Lights and Flooring of Markets in Ilaro, Ipokia and Yewa North
Fencing, Provision of Toilets, Solar Boreholes, Solar Lights and Flooring of Markets in Ado-Odo Ota, Ilara and Imeko,
Construction of Imeko Iwoye Road Section A, Imeko Afon,
Construction of Imeko Iwoye Road Section B and othe facilities, Imeko Afon,

Construction of Ikoritameje Oke-Nla Road, Ifo,

Construction and Ashaltingof Ota-Lafenwa Road and Provision of Infrastructure Project,

Construction of Idogo and Ipaja Township Road and other Facilities,

Construction of Sawonjo and Ilese Township Road and other infrastructures

Construction of Oja Odan, Ebun-Igboro Road Section 1, Provision of Solar Light and other Infrastructure,

Construction of Babalawo Road and Provision of Infrastructure Projects

Construction and Asphalting of Ilaro Township Road to Union Bank Via Empire Pavilion,

Construction of Ejila to Awori Road

Construction of Primary Health Centre and Furnishing at Ejila and Ota,

Construction of Classroom Blocks and Furnishing and Borehole at Army Barrack School, Owode and Sango School,

Construction and Maintenance of Igbesa Township Road in Ota and Completion of Idofa Palace

Fabrication, Installation of VIP Seats and other facilities at VIP Ilaro Pavilion,

Provision of Solar Street Lights in Selected location in Yewa Division,

Construction of Maternity Home and equipping and Furniture in Itele,

Reconstruction of Bridge and Channelization, Road Work in Double Crown, Hossana, Ilaro

Reconstruction of Bridge and Channelization, Road work in Gbogiti Road

Reconstruction of Bridge and Channelization, Road Work in Oke- Ela Old Lagos Road

Reconstruction of Bridge and Channelization, Road work in Salami Bridge Oja Odan.

I will continue to deliver effective representation as a legislator in this era of Renewed Hope Agenda as I look forward to further service for the benefit of my people, my state and nation at large. I congratulate all the beneficiaries of this programme and urge them to diligently apply the skills learnt in course of their training for their socio-economic advancement of themselves and indeed the advancement in the society. The slogan is start small and grow big. Please shun the temptation of selling empowerment equipment for quick cash that will that will end up in unproductive frivolities and misplaced priorities.

Thank You all for your attention!

Senator Solomon Adeola CON, FCA, FCIT, FFPI.

Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations.