The Egbeda/Ona Ara Concerned Youth (EOCY) have risen in strong condemnation of the recently flagged-off Five Hundred Million Naira (₦500,000,000) Micro Business Support Initiative announced by the federal lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency, Hon. Akin Alabi, describing the programme as disturbing, disgraceful, deceptive, and a calculated attempt to weaponise poverty in anticipation of his third-term ambition.
In a strongly worded statement issued on behalf of youths and concerned residents of the constituency, Egbeda/Ona Ara Concerned Youth (EOCY) expressed shock that such an initiative would suddenly surface only when election season is fast approaching and political lobbying for a third-term ticket has commenced, questioning the sincerity, timing, and true intention behind the programme.
“It is deeply disturbing and shameful that after years of silence and absence, it is only now when elections are around the corner that Hon. Akin Alabi suddenly remembers the people of Egbeda/Ona Ara.
This is not empowerment; this is desperation masked as benevolence,” the group declared.
While Hon. Akin Alabi claimed the initiative was designed to empower 5,000 micro business owners with ₦100,000 each, and that ₦50 million was disbursed to 500 beneficiaries at the January flag-off, EOCY insists that what played out on ground was a complete contradiction of the widely publicised narrative.
Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency is made up of two local governments, Egbeda and Ona Ara – each comprising 11 wards, making a total of 22 wards.
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According to EOCY, only 10 beneficiaries per ward received ₦100,000 each, amounting to ₦22 million in total, a figure that falls significantly short of the claimed ₦50 million disbursement.
Even more troubling, the group revealed that due to the alarming level of poverty in the constituency, the ₦100,000 meant for one individual was in several wards shared among five to ten people, leaving beneficiaries with insignificant sums incapable of starting, sustaining, or expanding any meaningful business.
“If ₦100,000 meant for one person is shared among five or ten people, how much is left for each individual? Can that amount empower anyone? This is laughable, insulting, and deeply unfortunate,” EOCY queried.
EOCY further described the situation as unacceptable, especially considering that Hon. Akin Alabi is a two-term member of the House of Representatives seeking a third term.
“Our constituency deserves dignity, not crumbs. A lawmaker who has enjoyed eight years in office should not be sharing peanuts with his people and calling it empowerment,” the statement read.
The group accused the lawmaker of being a “one-off representative”, alleging that he only surfaces during festive seasons and election periods, while remaining largely absent when it comes to sustained engagement, constituency development, and youth empowerment.
They recalled a similar incident during the Christmas period when ₦20 million was reportedly donated, yet only about ₦1,200 allegedly got to individuals.
“How does ₦20 million translate to ₦1,200 per person? How long can we continue to be insulted in the name of generosity?” EOCY asked.
In one of its most damning assertions, EOCY questioned the underlying motive of the micro business initiative, alleging that the programme may indirectly push youths toward patronising a betting company (NairaBet) linked to the lawmaker.
“Instead of establishing real investments that will employ our brilliant and hardworking youths, he introduced a chameleonic empowerment scheme that will only encourage gambling.
In the end, the little money shared will find its way back to his own business,” the group alleged.
They argued that such an approach does not build wealth, skills, or sustainable livelihoods, but rather perpetuates dependency and recycles poverty.
EOCY made it clear that the youths and residents of Egbeda/Ona Ara are now politically conscious and alert, insisting that no amount of gimmicks, tokenism, or last-minute handouts will earn Hon. Akin Alabi a third-term mandate.
“We are saying it loud and clear: we reject the politics of poverty weaponisation. We cannot be fooled again,” the group stated.
In conclusion, the Egbeda/Ona Ara Concerned Youth called for a new kind of representation, one rooted in vision, development, humanity, and genuine commitment to the people.
“We want a vibrant, brilliant, humane, and development-savvy representative who has the progress of Egbeda/Ona Ara at heart, not someone we only see during Christmas, election season, or when votes are needed.”
The group firmly declared its position:
“There is no amount of methods Hon. Akin Alabi can deploy to deceive us.
We are not giving him a third-term opportunity. Egbeda/Ona Ara deserves better.”
The statement was jointly endorsed by
Egbeda/Ona Ara Concerned Youth (EOCY).
