By Chidi Ugwu
The lawmaker representing Akoko North-East / North-West in the Federal House Representatives, Hon Ifeoluwa Babajide Ehindero, has described the media as a key partner in driving national development, and assured to work with the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE).
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships and Higher Education Financing said this while receiving the Association of Corporate Online Editors in his National Assembly office on Wednesday. He commended the ethics and values ACOE upholds, especially in the online media space and pledged to partner with the activities of the association going forward.
The lawmaker reflects on his journey to the National Assembly, says the journey would not have been easy save for the immense support he enjoyed from journalists, at the state and national levels.
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“Let me welcome you once again to the National Assembly, House of Representatives under the leadership of Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives. I will say that the leadership of the House is such that a young person like me has been given a responsibility. It shows that the leadership of the House is actually one that nurtures young people and allocates responsibilities to them.
“And looking at the responsibilities we have as lawmakers, as politicians, there is no way we can do this job successfully without partnering with the media. Basically, I do not like to be out there in the media space, but with my work relationship with the likes of Shola Akingboye and the support I’ve gotten from the media space during my election and the build-up to the election, it has been wonderful.
“And I really appreciate it and it has actually given me another perspective on the wonderful things that the media can do. And that is why I’ve pledged my support to your program anytime, and 100%, you will always have my support.
“I want to also commend you, because the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), I see it as a very noble organisation. The name itself shows a kind of innovation, because I think this is the first time, we would be having a group of people come together as online editors and have this kind of association. Which I think is extremely important, and also the ethics and values that you uphold. I think that is highly commendable as well. I am still looking forward to partnering and working with you.
“Since I became a member of the House of Representatives, I have done quite a lot of things that God has used us positively to do for our constituency Akoko North East and West Federal Constituency. We have been able to employ more than 60 young people in various parastatals and agencies.
“In our first 100 days, we have been able to renovate about 6 to 7 Primary Healthcare Centres, and we have provided medical equipment as well. God also used us to provide delivery gifts to pregnant women, over 350 of them. All these happened within 100 Days. Quite unprecedented. These are things we’ve been able to achieve within a short period of time. And we still have a lot of vision.
“Now we are planning our empowerment, and I’m thinking now that I have this kind of relationship with your association we will carry you along, so you can have an idea of what we are trying to do. And see how you come in and to also help us put out content out there on the program. This relationship is a working relationship, it will continue to build up and grow. The empowerment we would be having in the next 2 months thereabouts will be like the first major work that we will be doing together and I’m looking forward to it, he assured”.
The Chairman of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), Comrade Shola Akingboye, in his address thanked Hon. Ehindero for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and the welfare of journalists, describing him as a friend of the media.
Shola stated that Hon. Ehindero has done a lot to assist journalists and has given lots of opportunities to a lot of young people to attain quality education and build a sustainable future through his contributions to quality legislation and empowerment programs.
He opined that partnering with the media, especially ACOE would help to project and amplify the impact of the lawmaker’s contributions in the House, his legislative oversight and empowerment initiatives.
And assured that ACOE will continue to promote the good work Hon. Ehindero is doing in his future aspirations.
The highpoint of the courtesy visit was the presentation of the “Champion of Journalists Award” to Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, for his outstanding contributions to the upliftment of Nigerian journalists, and the empowerment of women, youths, and the vulnerable in society.
Hon. Ehindero was also adorned with a symbolic “Muffler” of ACOE, signifying love for the association.
