Government establishes forum to address needs of indegenes in North

                                
The Ondo State Government on Thursday said a forum that would address the needs of its indigenes living in the northern part of the country had been established.

The State Liaison Officer in Abuja, Mrs Oluwatoyin Aladegbami disclosed this at a programme organised to welcome lawmakers representing the state in the National Assembly.

She said that the programme was also organised to bring together the indigenes of the state residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to her, the essence of the gathering is to avail all the indigenes of the state the opportunity to meet and know one another, exchange views on vital issues, discuss initiatives and actions that can have positive and lasting impact on the society.

Aladegbami said that the forum was to update the data of indigenes in Abuja and other states in the North as well as introduce them to their representatives in the National Assembly.

“I realised that when I assumed my job that there appeared to be disconnect between the people here in the northern region and the people at home."

"And I also realised that some people for whatever reasons don’t go home often, they don’t even know what is going on there. So one needed to create a forum where we can meet, talk and address the needs of our people."

"Apart from all these, I also love to share whatever knowledge; whatever I have that I can share, so I felt I could share and showcase the activities going on in the state to the people here so that they will have reasons to go back home."

According to Aladegbami, the forum which is the fifth get-together of its kind has been able to assist the people in one way or the other.

She said that the forum had been able to update the data of the indigenes living outside the state, especially in the northern region and interactions with some of the people who were having challenges.

"The forum is able to assist the indigenes who are facing security challenges as a result of the activities caused by the insurgency. We have been able to assist some of them who were displaced by the activities of the insurgency, through this forum, a lot of people got jobs because we always give out forms to people who are in need of jobs."

"We announced it during the programme for job seekers and we assist those with special skills and talent. So, we have both direct benefit and indirect benefits,’’ she said.

She, however, commended the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, for his encouragement and support toward achieving the mandate of the state.