I gave my constituents goats, cash as empowerment - PDP lawmaker

Adedeji Olajide, a House of Representatives member representing Ibadan Northwest/Southwest federal constituency has explained why he gifted his constituents with money and goats.

Olajide, a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told journalists that he made the move because the constituents consisting of aged women, widows, and underprivileged persons asked for the livestock, The Nation reports.

The lawmaker noted that the women pleaded with him to provide them with the female goats because they produce about three to four offspring twice in one year and thus become a source of income.

His words: “I did this in conjunction with the department of animal husbandry services, federal ministry of agriculture and rural development. I empowered majorly women/widows and the indigenous females within my constituency with breeding and caring of animals.

“We carefully selected the participants having identified their area of interest and needs. It is also worthy to state that this project was facilitated based on request, as I have always promised that any request from my constituents shall be given high consideration and within my capability/capacity it shall be done.”

Earlier, Olajide caused outrage on social media after doling out goats for an empowerment project.

In a post on his Facebook page on Saturday, February 20, Olajide, popularly known as Odidi Omo, announced that he carried out the project for "women and widows" interested in breeding and caring for animals.

The lawmaker also disclosed that the project, which was partnered with the department of animal husbandry services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development, was facilitated based on request.

He said: "We prepare them with the basic required skills through training and later handed the participants with live goats and financial back up for full engagement."