The Executive Chairman of Epe Local Government, Hon. Princess Surah Animashaun, has put smiles on the faces of Epe residents through her several innovative welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of residents and providing a safety nest, especially for the most vulnerable members of the Local Government Area.
The Chairman, while reeling out her various social welfare programmes to newsmen in her office recently at Epe Local Government Secretariat, said two of such programme is the Epe Food Bank Initiative, which provides quarterly food supplies to over 5,000 low-income households and healthcare outreach, which offers free medical services, including screenings and treatments to rural communities.
On the empowerment scheme for residents, the Chairman said she has provided skills training and entrepreneurship support to women, men and young people, helping them to become economically independent.
“The aim of these programmes is to break the cycle of poverty and improve the overall well-being of residents and has earned the leadership widespread commendation, awards, and acceptance across the State”, she said.
According to Animashaun, “The Local Government under my watch has also provided practical hands-on skill training and empowerment for 500 participants with the presentation of starter packs, distribution of farming tools to 200 farmers in Epe LGA. This is in addition to ‘Itoju Awon Agba Food/Health Package’ initiative for the elderlies, food palliative for market men and women, cash palliative for all the aged women in Epe Local Government and soft loans and equipment for youths to kickstart their businesses and cash palliatives for the venerable women in Epe”.
Other social welfare programmes, she said, include the presentation of official vehicles to all the Executive, Legislative and Special Advisers and all the four Obas in Epe Local Government. Presentation of 18 seater bus to the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), training for Political Office holders at International First Aid Exhibition Seccour 2024 in Paris, France; Councilors and Supervisors training retreats in Turkey to expand their network, knowledge and professional expertise, among others.
The Local Government has equally been recognized as a model for effective governance and social welfare provision, resulting in significant reductions in poverty, hunger, and health disparities.
“My commitment to grassroots development has fostered a sense of community and social cohesion, with residents expressing gratitude and appreciation for our various programmes. As a result, I have received numerous awards, including the Best Welfare Oriented Chairman award, and I have been invited to share best practices at national and international forums”, Animashaun said.
The Chairman promised to implement effective, unconditional and excellent humanitarian service to her community as more palliative programmes are expected to be rolled out as part of the deliberate commitment of her administration to ameliorate the economic challenges of the people.
