Melaye Gives Back to His Constituents

Senate Committee Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye, recently gave back to his people, a year after electing him to represent them at the senate. Yekini Jimoh writes

Senator Dino Melaye, Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory from Ijumu Local Government Council of Kogi State recently empowered the people of his constituency in a grand style. Hundreds of people trooped out to witness the occasion, which brought both the old and the new foxes to the gathering.

Melaye, who is a former member of House of Representatives some years back, believed that he needed to give back to his people that voted him as the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District of the state. His past record as a member of the lower chamber gingered him to do more for his people now that he is a Senator. Little wonder, the Emir of Okuta in Kwara State, recently gave him the title: ‘Jamar of Okuta.’

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the seven local government councils of Kogi West, including who is who in Nigerian politics and 26 Senators were at the occasion. Traditional rulers from all the seven local government councils also graced the occasion.

Some indigenes, who spoke with THISDAY on the initiative, commended Melaye for bringing dividends of democracy to his people. Some are of the view that the Senator, who is a grassroots politician, understands the feelings of his people and as such was ready to assist the people.

Over 1,000 grinding machines and a start off aid in the form of cash was also given to artisans. He donated computers to secondary schools to place the children in an advantaged position in the information technology world‎. Some loyalists drawn from the seven local government areas were also given 100 phones worth N100,000.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu, who was one time member of Kogi State House of Assembly representing Koton-Karfi constituency said Senator Dino was out to bring smile to the faces of his people.

According to him, Dino appreciates the people for voting him as Senator representing Kogi West, stressing that more of these will still come from the Senator.

He commanded the Senator for representing them well, adding that the people of Kogi West will continue to support him so that at the end of his first tenure as Senator, he would have recorded great some achievements.

Also speaking, Chairman of APC in Kogi State, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo thanked the Senator for empowering the people. He said what Melaye did by empowering his people was an indication that he appreciates the support given to him by the people of Kogi West during the last general election in the state.

He urged him to continue to do more for his people, stressing that the people of Kogi West are proud of his track record in the last one year as Senator from the State.

O his part, Senator Adefemi Keller representing Ekiti Central also described‎ Senator Melaye as a wonderful young man, who has no limit in his area of jurisdiction. He said even though he is serving Kogi West senatorial district, he stretches out beyond Kogi, adding that Melaye has been very active in the service of the nation and was optimistic he would go places.

Senator representing Delta Central, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege in his speech said Melaye has proved the essence of democratic representation.

“He is in Abuja not to represent himself but his constituents and in any event that God has showered blessings on you it becomes interesting when you shower blessings on those whom you represent. We should commend him for that.‎”
However, before the distribution of the empowerment items, there was a mild drama as Melaye, at the holy congregation of the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Oke-Ayo (Iluafon), wept during the thanksgiving service, saying he was tempted to seek diabolical solutions during preparations for the 2015 general election.

According to him, the several temptations were to ascertain his fate at the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He gave thanks to God for making his victory at the election possible adding that what God has done for him in his life time will make him not to forsake Him.

At the reception proper, Melaye said he was inspired to mediate or interject on their behalf for better tomorrow. According to him, “For artisans, I want to look back in the next few years and see my people who are bricklayers, hair dressers, plumbers tailors at the peak of their professional careers.

Melaye expressed the optimism that just as artisans are the well paid and recognised people in the developed world, he looks forward to when they would be well paid in Nigeria. The senator indicated that based on the injunction of the holy books to always assist the less privileged, he has been empowering his constituents since his hay days in the House of Representatives.

“I want to believe that God will provide for me to even do more because it is a show of appreciation to God, who is the Supreme controller of the universe.”
On his experience in the last 11 months in the upper chamber, he said he presented 18 bills out of which 3 have been moved.

“I have presented the highest number of motions in the National Assembly. As at now, I have 9 motions and 3 bills. The most important thing now is how to empower my people; how they will get their share of the national cake.”
He said he consulted with Dangote on the vexed issue of the Obajana/Kabba road, which has been awarded adding that the road from there to Ilorin was also captured in the budget. He said the less privileged should not be treated as lesser human beings or called less privileged.

“They are marginalised, sidelined, humiliated and kept away from all sources of rights and freedom,” describing empowerment as a process and mechanism by which people, organisations and communities gain mastery over their lives.
The Empowerment materials were distributed to widows from each ward of the senatorial district; primary and secondary schools children got scholarship for one year, while religious sects, council of Ulama and Christian Association of Nigeria were given brand new Toyota Haice buses. The National Association of Technician and Artisans (NATA) and Ijumu Development Union (IDU) also got buses.

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However, before the distribution of the empowerment items, there was a mild drama as Melaye, at the holy congregation of the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Oke-Ayo (Iluafon), wept during the thanksgiving service, saying he was tempted to seek diabolical solutions during preparations for the 2015 general election