Ilorin East Local Government, established in 1991 with its headquarters at Oke-Oyi, constitutes one of the 16 LGAs in Kwara State. Comprising 12 wards and boasting a population of 204,310 as per the 2006 census, notable towns include Iponrin, Apado, Oke-Oyi, Panada-Agbeyangi, IIe-Apa, Lajiki, Elesin-Meta, and Eudo Are.
Despite its diverse populace, featuring languages like Yoruba, Hausa, and Fulani, recent development within the local government has been sluggish, save for sporadic state government interventions.
While some areas enjoy amenities such as accessible water supply, good roads, and quality education, much of the local government remains deprived, hindering its growth potential.
Recognizing the limitations of state resources, the community emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts involving both governmental and private stakeholders to address these deficiencies.
In this context, Hon. Arinola Fatimoh Lawal, the local government’s representative in the tenth Kwara Assembly, has taken proactive steps to address these challenges.
Leveraging her experience as a former commissioner of Water Resources in Kwara, she spearheaded the construction of six motorized boreholes across strategic locations within the local government. These boreholes, strategically drilled in both urban and rural communities, aim to alleviate the water supply challenges faced by residents.
The boreholes were drilled in three urban (Igboro) and three rural (Agboole) communities in the local government. The boreholes were drilled in Oke-Oyi ward, Gurumo, Zango Ward, Ajia-Ode Ibagun Ward, Karumo Gambari Ward 2, Maya village Maya Ile-Apa Ward, and Kure-Oja Marafa-Pepele Ward.
The commissioning of these projects elicited expressions of satisfaction from beneficiaries, who highlighted the transformative impact on their communities, particularly during the dry season.
Prior to the boreholes’ construction, residents endured arduous journeys to access water sources, often of questionable quality. The provision of potable water not only enhances their health but also reduces the risk of waterborne diseases.
Furthermore, Hon. Arinola’s commitment to education is evident through her provision of scholarships to 120 students across the local government’s twelve wards. These scholarships, covering WAEC fees and first, second, and third term tuition, aim to encourage academic excellence while easing the financial burden on parents.
On October 1, 2023, she granted the scholarships to students, with approximately 75% of them performing exceptionally well in the Continuous Assessment Test for the first term.
In 2022, she extended the same scholarship to 110 students, with about 70% of them excelling in their exams and aspiring for admission into their preferred higher institutions in the upcoming academic session.
Responding to the lawmaker’s decision to provide scholarships, Twitter user @Onward_wale expressed gratitude for the gesture, highlighting its significance as an investment in the future of the local government.
Another user, @@GesindeFreg, characterized the initiative as a means to alleviate poverty and corruption in society, stating, “Best Wishes. Investing in education is the most effective strategy to alleviate poverty and corruption in our society. Alhamdulillah.”
Additionally, her medical outreach program, offering free healthcare to about 500 people, underscores her dedication to improving community well-being.
The Medical Outreach offered free eye care services, including glasses, surgery, and medication, benefiting the local community. More than 200 individuals received free glasses, enabling them to restore their vision, while 59 patients underwent corrective surgery for their eye conditions.
Beyond improving healthcare accessibility, the outreach contributed to bolstering the community’s workforce by enabling participants to actively engage in various activities such as farming, trading, and other endeavors, now that their vision has been restored.
Since assuming office in June 2023, Hon. Arinola has emerged as a catalyst for development in Ilorin East, championing essential amenities, education, and healthcare initiatives.
Her tangible achievements within a short timeframe through the project (Construction of six motorized boreholes in six strategic locations, provision of eye care, surgery, and glass to about 500 patients, and scholarship to 120 students) underscore her pivotal role in fostering the local government’s growth and prosperity.
Join our twitter community :