Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo marks three years in the House of Representatives, the lawmaker representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II says his stewardship has delivered infrastructure projects, educational support, healthcare interventions and economic empowerment programmes across Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje local government areas.

The anniversary comes amid growing scrutiny of elected officials’ performance nationwide, with constituents increasingly demanding measurable results from their representatives.

Since assuming office in 2023, Hon. Akinlayo has facilitated several constituency projects, including solar-powered boreholes in Iye and Osi Ekiti, streetlight installations in communities such as Ire Akari and Eda Oniyo, and improvements to healthcare facilities across the constituency.

At the General Hospital in Otun Ekiti, the lawmaker facilitated the construction of walkways and the provision of medical equipment aimed at improving service delivery. Primary healthcare centres in Ikosu and Eda Oniyo also benefited from refurbishment projects.

Road infrastructure has equally featured prominently in his constituency interventions. Residents have witnessed grading works on several roads, while the lawmaker facilitated progress on the Otun-Osan Road and Osan Township Road projects, both considered vital to transportation and commercial activities in the area.

Education remains one of the defining areas of his constituency engagement. More than 1,500 prospective candidates received support through the provision of JAMB registration forms, while over 700 students benefited from bursaries and scholarship awards.

Hon. Akinlayo also expanded opportunities in the technology sector through training programmes in artificial intelligence and software development targeted at young people. The establishment of ICT centres within the constituency further reflects efforts to prepare youths for emerging opportunities in the digital economy.

In healthcare and social welfare, free medical outreach programmes organised under his office have provided consultations, medications and screenings for residents across the constituency. Widows, elderly citizens and victims of natural disasters have also received financial assistance.

Women entrepreneurs have benefited from empowerment programmes involving the distribution of sewing machines, grinding machines and hair dryers to support small businesses and household incomes.

Farmers across the three local government areas have received fertilisers and farming tools to improve agricultural productivity, while artisans and small business owners have benefited from the distribution of generators, spraying machines, roofing sheets and motorcycles.

Beyond constituency projects, the lawmaker has maintained an active legislative presence at the National Assembly. Among initiatives linked to his office are efforts to facilitate the establishment of a School of Nursing in Ikosu Ekiti and the advancement of a School of Agriculture in Otun Ekiti.

He has also sponsored motions on issues relating to public accountability and human rights, while facilitating federal employment opportunities for qualified constituents.

Political leaders and community stakeholders within the constituency say the projects have strengthened public confidence in representative governance, particularly in communities that previously had limited access to basic infrastructure and social interventions.

As Hon. Akinlayo enters the last year of his tenure, expectations remain high among constituents who are looking forward to additional investments in infrastructure, employment creation, youth development and community-based programmes across Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.

Barely days to the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s Special Adviser, Princess Adetoun Agboola, has empowered 50 small business owners and vulnerable residents in Ijero Local Government Area with Point of Sale (POS) machines, startup funds and cash grants, while urging residents to remain united behind the governor’s re-election bid.

The empowerment programme, held in Ward A, Ijero-Ekiti, attracted party leaders, community stakeholders, youth groups and residents, many of whom described the intervention as a timely boost for struggling small-scale entrepreneurs.

Twenty-two beneficiaries received POS machines alongside operational cash support to enable them begin agency banking businesses, while another 28 residents got direct financial grants to expand their existing enterprises.

Princess Agboola also extended support beyond party members by distributing clothing materials to non-members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the community. Female youths, male youths and elders’ groups present at the event equally received N50,000 each to support their activities.

Addressing attendees, the governor’s aide linked the empowerment initiative to the Oyebanji administration’s commitment to inclusive development and economic growth at the grassroots.

She noted that Ijero Local Government had benefited significantly from appointments into strategic positions across government and urged residents to reciprocate by supporting the governor’s second-term ambition.

“Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji remains a symbol of peace and unity within our party and across the state. As we approach the June 20 election, we must remain united and work together to deliver overwhelming support for his re-election,” she said.

Princess Agboola called on voters in Ward A and across Ijero to turn out in large numbers on election day, expressing confidence that the area would contribute substantially to the vote target set for the governor.

The event also drew commendations from APC leaders and political stakeholders, who praised the Special Adviser for what they described as consistent efforts to improve the welfare of residents.

The APC Chairman for Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Jekoyemi Raphael Bankole, said Princess Agboola had justified the confidence reposed in her by Governor Oyebanji through her contributions to community development and youth empowerment.

“When government appoints you into office, the real test is how much impact you make on the lives of your people. Princess Adetoun has continued to demonstrate that commitment through programmes like this,” Mr Bankole said.

He also commended her for facilitating employment opportunities for indigenes of Ijero and for maintaining strong engagement with community groups, religious bodies and non-political stakeholders.

Other speakers, including Ward A Chairman Kole Ogunleye, Ijero Local Government Vice Chairman Bose Jalo and former council chairman Adeola Adeyemo, described the intervention as another example of the governor’s grassroots development agenda reaching local communities through dedicated public office holders.

They noted that Princess Agboola had consistently used her position to attract opportunities and support for residents across Ijero Local Government, regardless of political affiliation.

Community leaders, artisans and youth representatives who attended the programme pledged their support for Governor Oyebanji’s re-election and expressed optimism about the continuity of ongoing development projects across the state.

More than 25,000 women in Ekiti State are set to benefit from a major economic empowerment initiative after the Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank and the Ekiti State Government, launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) and disbursed N234.3 million to 142 women groups in Efon Local Government Area.

The fund, released through the programme’s Community Investment Fund, marks the official commencement of the intervention in Ekiti and forms part of a nationwide effort aimed at expanding financial inclusion, supporting women-owned businesses and reducing poverty among vulnerable households.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and seeks to empower about five million women across Nigeria.

She said the programme was designed to tackle long-standing barriers that limit women’s access to finance, productive assets, technology and market opportunities.

“No economy can afford to exclude the majority of its productive force,” the minister said, noting that women constitute more than half of Nigeria’s population and remain critical contributors to agriculture and the informal economy.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that the first phase of the programme empowered about 450,000 women across participating states, while the scale-up phase would deepen enterprise development, strengthen entrepreneurial capacity and support community-based economic organisations through Women Affinity Groups.

According to her, Ekiti has emerged as one of the leading states in the programme, with over 1,500 Women Affinity Groups already established and more than 25,000 women actively participating in economic activities.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the state met all eligibility requirements for participation after paying a counterpart fund of N450 million in 2024.

Mr Oyebanji described the programme as a practical intervention capable of transforming businesses, increasing household incomes and improving living standards across communities.

He urged beneficiaries to channel the funds into productive ventures and business expansion rather than personal consumption.

“When this money is invested properly, it will help businesses grow, create prosperity and improve the welfare of families,” the governor said.

He also called for the programme’s expansion to all 16 local government areas of the state, citing its potential impact on poverty reduction and economic growth.

The Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, described the intervention as a significant boost for women across the state, saying economic empowerment remains one of the most effective tools for strengthening families and communities.

She noted that women who earn sustainable incomes are better positioned to support education, healthcare and household welfare.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Olapeju Babafemi, said the programme had already created 215 jobs in Ekiti and expanded economic opportunities for thousands of women.

She disclosed that each of the 142 Women Affinity Groups in Efon Local Government Area received N1.65 million after successfully completing the programme’s six-month operational requirement.

The World Bank Task Team Leader and Senior Social Development Specialist, Michael Ilesanmi, said the intervention adopts a broad approach that combines access to finance, business training, leadership development and social empowerment.

He explained that the groups provide women with opportunities to save collectively, access loans, build enterprises and participate more actively in household and community decision-making.

Several beneficiaries shared stories of how access to group loans had transformed their livelihoods.

Wosilat Akande said she invested funds obtained through her group in farming and later acquired her own farmland, where she now cultivates maize and plantain.

Another beneficiary, Deborah Ategbero, said support from the programme helped her establish a successful ponmo business, while Juliet Iyanuoluwa credited the initiative with helping her expand her enterprise through savings and affordable credit facilities.

The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up is currently operating in Efon, Moba, Gbonyin/Ayekire, Ado, Ijero and Oye local government areas, with additional communities expected to join as more women groups qualify for support.