Olowo pledges scholarships, N50,000 elderly stipends in Reps bid
With promises of scholarships for youth, stipends for the elderly, and robust legislative engagement, Rotimi Olowo has declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives. Olowo, who represented
With promises of scholarships for youth, stipends for the elderly, and robust legislative engagement, Rotimi Olowo has declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives.
Olowo, who represented Somolu Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly for 16 years, said he would ensure more democratic dividends for the people should he get the opportunity to represent them at the federal level.
According to him, there will be sustained infrastructure upgrades in Shomolu, and youths will be gainfully engaged to keep them away from vices.
The ex-lawmaker said he possessed the requisite experience to deliver tangible benefits to his constituents, stressing that his priorities would be to place all eligible students from Shomolu and Bariga in tertiary institutions on scholarships and to introduce a monthly stipend of N50,000 for residents aged 70 and above.
“I don’t think they are up to 500 students from Shomolu and Bariga who are in a university or institution. Why not just put them on a scholarship for the rest of their stay in school?, he said, adding that elderly residents also deserved structured welfare support.
Olowo anchored his campaign on projects he implemented while in the state assembly, particularly road construction initiatives, which he said improved connectivity and significantly increased property values in Shomolu by developing arterial road networks.
READ ALSO: I’d rather be single than settle for bare minimum – Diiadem
He also cited the free school transportation scheme he initiated, noting that it remained operational years after his exit from office.
Highlighting his record as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Budget during the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Olowo said he ensured strict compliance with appropriations and effective monitoring of public spending.
“If I could do that at the state level, reenacting it at the federal level is not something out of the blue,” he said.
The aspirant further referenced his poverty-alleviation programmes, which included year-long vocational training for beneficiaries before the distribution of equipment such as sewing machines, salon tools, grinding machines, deep freezers, and 16 commercial minibuses popularly known as korope.
He said the structured training approach was adopted after earlier interventions showed that beneficiaries who lacked skills often disposed of the equipment.
Olowo described himself as the most experienced and responsive candidate in the race, expressing confidence in grassroots support and pledging to be an active representative if elected.
“I will not be a sleeping member of the House of Representatives. I will lobby effectively for the betterment of my constituents,” he added.
The Nation reports that more than a thousand supporters were present at the field opposite Shepherdhills Baptist Church, Obanikoro, where the event was held on Tuesday evening.
