By Milcah Tanimu
Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, a lawmaker representing the Ondo West Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, has donated ₦7.5 million in grants to small-scale businesses in his constituency. This initiative aims to bolster local economic growth and support entrepreneurs during challenging economic times.
At the presentation ceremony held on Friday in Ondo, Ogunwumiju highlighted that this publicized donation is part of a larger effort, noting that he had already provided at least ₦10 million in economic assistance over the past year. “This is not government money; it is my personal contribution,” he emphasized.
In addition to the financial grants, Ogunwumiju has distributed cooking gas to 500 constituents to alleviate some of the economic hardships faced by his community. He urged recipients to invest the grants wisely in their vocations and skills to improve their well-being and reduce dependency.
The lawmaker encouraged his constituents to engage in various trades such as farming, herding, and carpentry, which would help retain wealth within the local economy. “By engaging in these trades, we can ensure that our hard-earned money circulates within our community, benefiting us all,” he said.
Ogunwumiju also spoke about his legislative achievements, including the presentation of the Anti-Land Grabbing Bill to address the issue of forceful dispossession of landowners. He has successfully lobbied for the inclusion of specific road projects in the 2024 state budget, which will benefit Ondo town.
As the chairman of the House Standing Committee on Works, Ogunwumiju played a key role in rehabilitating the dilapidated Owena/Akure road through the intervention of the Ministry of Works Direct Labor Department.
To enhance communication and service delivery, Ogunwumiju inaugurated his Constituency Office, which will serve as a hub for addressing the needs and concerns of his constituents. He solicited their continued support to extend the dividends of democracy further. “This office will ensure that your voices are heard and your issues promptly attended to,” he added.