Oyo lawmaker adopts four-year-old girl, pledges lifetime education support

2026-03-08 - 10:28

...commissions projects By Adeola Badru Oyo State lawmaker representing Ibadan North Constituency I, Olufunke Comforter Adeniyi-Olajide, has adopted a four-year-old girl from her constituency and pledged to sponsor the child’s education for life. The adoption was announced during a constituency empowerment and project commissioning programme organised by the lawmaker in Ibadan. The emotional moment occurred after the lawmaker was informed about the child, whose mother reportedly could not afford proper clothing for her despite the girl’s remarkable performance at a previous community event where she won a children’s race. Moved by the child’s situation, Adeniyi-Olajide immediately pledged to take responsibility for her educational future, assuring that the girl would receive full academic support throughout her schooling. The event, held at Mount Olivet Grammar School, Ashi-Bodija, attracted government officials, political leaders, community stakeholders, market leaders, youth groups and residents from across Ibadan North Constituency I. Beyond the adoption, the programme featured the commissioning of several community development projects and a large-scale empowerment initiative. Among the projects commissioned was a newly constructed office for the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, located at Ashi-Bodija to strengthen security operations within the area. The lawmaker also facilitated the renovation of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) shops at Yemetu, which were recently destroyed by fire. In addition, boreholes with generating sets were installed at Yemetu, Oje Market and Ashi-Bodija to improve access to potable water for residents and traders. Solar-powered lights were also distributed across strategic locations within the constituency to enhance public safety and improve night-time visibility. As part of the empowerment programme, over 200 trained young entrepreneurs received start-up grants and vocational tools to support their businesses. Traders affected by a recent market fire were also presented with cheques totalling ₦700,000 as financial support. Food items and gas cookers were distributed to vulnerable residents across the constituency. In support of education, the lawmaker announced free JAMB and NECO registration forms for 20 outstanding students of Mount Olivet Grammar School. Speaking during the event, Adeniyi-Olajide said the initiative was part of her commitment to celebrating with and supporting the people she represents. “We are reaching out to the needy because today marks both Valentine’s Day and my birthday. I feel it is important to celebrate with the people that I represent, my constituents,” she said. She added that the projects reflect her dedication to bringing development directly to communities within the constituency. “All these projects are about comfort, which my name represents, Olufunke Comforter Adeniyi-Olajide. Christ has come to comfort us.” “I promised to bring development to their doorsteps, and I am fulfilling that destiny. They should expect more dividends of democracy,” she stated. She further assured residents that more developmental projects would be delivered if given another opportunity to continue serving the constituency. Speaking after commissioning the projects, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Dayo Ogungbenro, commended residents of Ibadan North for their political maturity. He stressed that the projects were meant for the benefit of all residents irrespective of political affiliation. “The boreholes and all the great projects are not for the use of PDP members alone, but for everyone in the constituency. Residents should ensure the facilities are protected and properly maintained,” he said. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Toyin Balogun, who was also present at the event, praised Adeniyi-Olajide’s commitment to women and community development. Other dignitaries at the programme included Folajimi Oyekunle (Fola DON), representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency; the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Seun Olufade; and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Adeniyi Bibiire. The ceremony concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting session led by the former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ademola Babalola, marking the lawmaker’s birthday celebration with residents of the constituency.