…Donates Laptops
It was an atmosphere filled with joy and gratitude at the cradle of journalism as the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaib Salisu, on Friday, commissioned a 12KW 48V/200A 24hours Solar Power System and Street Lights donated to the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, Ogun State council secretariat, Iwe-Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
The Projects was in fulfillment of his promise made during an interactive session with leadership and members of the Ogun NUJ state council a few months ago.
Senator who also donated 20 brand new laptops to Ogun NUJ for onward distribution to different chapels under the council described the projects as a turning point in his legislative journey, admitting that he had previously downplayed the significance of formally inaugurating constituency projects.
He explained that as a first time senator at the red chamber, he had moved several motions and sponsored bills that has direct impacts not only on the people of his constituency but Nigeria at large.
The eloquent senator further stated that core mandate of a legislator is to make laws, sponsor bills that will drive and move Nigeria and Nigerians while empowerment and others are secondary though very important.
While enumerating his achievements so far, he enjoined journalists to always project the country in good light, enlighten the populace on the need to be more supportive to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration and ensure that they balance their stories at all times.
“This is the first time I am commissioning any of the 10 people-oriented projects I have executed since assuming office in 2023,” he said.
“I have handled road construction, solar-powered boreholes, street lighting, educational materials like laptops and math sets, but I used to treat them as personal or religious efforts that didn’t require publicity.”
He lamented that several of his completed projects had been wrongly attributed to others due to his reluctance to make them public
“I have now realised the importance of proper documentation and public engagement,” Salisu added. “From today, I am a convert — I do and I tell. And I’m starting here at the NUJ Secretariat.”
Some of the projects undertaken by the Senator include the rehabilitation of the road leading to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), installation of street lights in communities such as Ewekoro and Agbado train station, and a Community Learning and Development (LCD) Centre at the Technical College in Idi-Aba.
He assured that the solar power system will be regularly maintain , describing the intervention as “a long-lasting solution that goes beyond immediate applause.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ogun State NUJ, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, appreciated the Senator for prompt fulfillment of his promises, noting that the intervention was a significant milestone in the history of the union being the cradle of journalism.
While assuring the senator that the union will make good use of the projects and continue to support him, tadded that the 24 hours solar power system will no doubt enhance the duties of journalists as stories can be packaged or published with ease.
“This is the first time in the 37 NUJ councils across Nigeria that such a sustainable energy solution is being provided,” Olanrewaju said. “It will go a long way in addressing the challenges of epileptic power supply at our secretariat.”
Other leaders of the union, APC stalwarts and stakeholders present also extended gratitude to the Senator especially on his commitment to grassroots development.
The senator was accompanied to the brief ceremony by top chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the member representing Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Hon. Moruf Afolabi Afuape; Chairman of Odeda Local Government, Hon. Folasade Adeyemo; and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Works and former Obafemi-Owode local government Chairman, Akeem Adesina among other top dignitaries.
