By Aderemi Bamgbose
Mr Igbekele Akinrinwa, Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA), Ondo State, and staff on Friday expressed appreciation to Dr Jimoh Ibrahim for donating N10 million during the EndSARS crisis in 2020.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibrahim, the All Progressives Congress candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, gave the donation early this year for the renovation of the burnt LGA secretariat.
NAN also reports that the secretariat was burnt by protesters against Police brutality (EndSARS), and the LGA workers resumed to the renovated secretariat in March, two years after the EndSARS protest.
Akinrinwa said the visit to Ibrahim at University of Fortune, Igbotako became necessary to express appreciation for his donation.
The chairman, who was represented by Mr Ola Iwaeni, the Vice Chairman, Okitipupa LGA, added that the donation of Ibrahim “aided the renovation of the LGA secretariat”.
“The magnitude of the EndSARS destruction was so much, but Ibrahim gave us assistance when he became aware of our plight without even appealing to him for assistance.
“We promise to work for you, support and vote for you as you are going for Ondo South Senatorial election next year,” Akinrinwa said.
Also speaking, Mr Niyi Adesokan, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Okitipupa Branch, said NULGE would take Ibrahim’s senatorial campaign to all the six LGA’s in the district.
“Your unparalleled sense of community development and patriotism is well documented and appreciated by the people in the LGA and beyond.
“The foot prints of your humanitarian interventions in the society is visible and underscores the love you have for your people at large,” Adesokan said.
Responding, Ibrahim, billionaire business mogul and founder of University of Fortunes, Igbotako, who took the visitors round the institutions’ facilities, commended Akinterinwa and his staff for showing appreciation for the support he gave to the LGA.
He noted that his decision to donate to the LGA was not for political aggrandisement, but rather the realisation that the government could not do everything.
Ibrahim also promised to support the LGA by organising special trainings for the staff members through the University when it was completed.
“I, therefore, solicit your support in next year’s general elections, for Ondo South to wear a new look through quality representation.
“This is where I grew up and I am familiar with the people’s challenges, I will ensure these challenges are solved one after the other to provide a new lease of life for our people.
“By God’s grace, with your support and the entire people of Ondo South, when I get to the Senate, I will ensure the Federal Government will take a step on treating the issue of power supply challenges in our district.
“Just ensure you get your Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC’s) ready so that you can decide who represents you at the Senate in 2023,” Ibrahim added. (NAN)