Barely four days after the Ogun State House House of Assembly acknowledged the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s request for the N1.5bn CBN credit facility to finance the Anchor Borrowers Programme, the Assembly today granted the Governor’s request to participate in the Programme at a single digit interest rate for land clearing, other logistics requirements and support.
The approval of the Assembly was consequent upon the passage of a resolution titled ” HR No. 029/2019- Approval for Ogun State Anchor Borrowers’ Programmes” through a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by Sikirat Ajibola and supported by the Whole House through a voice vote at a plenary presided over by Speaker Olakunle Oluomo in the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Supporting the participation of the State in the programme, lawmakers including Olakunle Sobukanla, Abayomi Fasuwa, Adegoke Adeyanju, Oludaisi Elemide, Modupe Mujota and Akeem Balogun explained that the State’s access to the CBN coordinated programme would create employment opportunities, ensure redistribution of wealth, boost food security through improved farming activities as farmers would be provided with fertilizers, seedlings and modern farming mechanisms.
Stressing the importance of agricultural practices to national development, they explained that the fund, when approved would provide financial relief to farmers who often found it difficult to access loan facilities from commercial banks, just as it was aimed at improving social security through active participation and engagement of youth in the programme.
In a related development, the Assembly also passed another resolution calling on the State Government to consider allocating 35% of political appointment positions women and 10% to youth with special consideration to people with special needs in the State.
The Passage of the resolution titled “HR NO. 031/ OG/ 2019- Need for the Adoption of the 35% women representation in all political appointments, 10% for youth, as well as special consideration for people with special needs in Ogun State”, followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by Amosun Yusuf and supported through by all members through a voice vote.
The Sponsor, Latifat Ajayi, thereafter called on his colleague-lawmakers to support the motion calling for the proportionate allocation of at least 35% of elective positions to women, 10% to youth and special consideration for people with special needs.
Contributing to the passage of the motion, other members including Modupe Mujota, Sikiratu Ajibola, Wahab Haruna, Oludaisi Elemide, Ganiyu Oyedeji and Deputy Speaker, Oludare Kadiri described youth and women in the State as capable, experienced and energetic with required competence in different field thst could contribute effectively to the transformational agenda of the present administration, with a charge on them to always get ready to engage their male counterparts on issues of development, especially grassroot politicking and community development.
