Lagosians laud Idimogu as they receive POS machines empowerment

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

As the distribution of Point of Sale(POS) machines attracted by Hon Jude Omobowale Idimogu to empower his constituents get on the way, many of the recipients speak gleefully stating they can’t thank God enough for giving them hope through him.

Some of the recipients who were students said rather than being idle while the strike lasts the POS has obviously come handy as a means of income for them now and even when they return to school. Saying God will continue to take Idimogu higher and higher.

Hon Idimogu sorting out forms during the registration process for the POS distribution at Ejigbo mini- field

Not long ago, Hon Idimogu, lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II attracted a reputable commercial bank in the country to his constituency on an empowerment of thousands of Lagosians through POS machines gift which many at that time thought was a ruse and political gimmicks.

Speaking to newsman on Monday at his constituency office in Ejigbo area of Lagos at the commencement of the ongoing distribution of the machines, Idimogu said the motivation to him was geared towards the economic emancipation of his constituents in particular and Lagosians at Large.

According to him, the empowerment had been a continuous process he started some months ago. He said, “Today they are giving out 200 machines to my constituents and other Lagosians.

“The idea is, as an honourable member who have my constituents who are applicants, Lagosians and Nigerians, we have to try as much as we can to empower them economically.

“As you know, I represent my good people of Oshodi/Isolo II constituency as thier servant, and as the only non-indigene in the state house of assembly, I speak and represent the interest of all other non-Yorubas as: Hausas, Igbos, South-South and others.

”I am using my position to appeal to even other banks who can also assist to ensure that these people put food on the table for their various families who are caught up in the present economic hard times” Idimogu said.

He expressed appreciation to the bank for its benevolence, goodwill and support to make this dream a reality.

According to the lawmaker, the economy of every country is measured by the income of individuals that live therein.

He added that If the individuals were not empowered, the economy is invariably dying but when they are empowered, things get easier.

“These machines are given in batches. After this 200, more will be coming in batches. They are giving out about 2,000 machines.

“The distribution has just started today Monday, will continue tomorrow and thereafter. The bank started by opening account to most of the people that have applied, they will configure the machines, before they can give out to the applicants, its first come first serve.

“It’s a three way thing, it’s give and take. The operator is benefitting, the customer is benefiting and the bank is also benefiting.

“Like I said at the commencement of this POS empowerment early last month, the machines could be operated anywhere even outside Lagos. I had encouraged people outside my constituency to come and apply because if all the machines are concentrated in Oshodi/Isolo alone it wouldn’t make for good business for the beneficiaries, the area ‘ll be saturated with it.

In the words of some of the recipients like Latifat Agbeniga, a student, she was full of gratitude to Hon Idimogu, she said:

“I have collected my own POS. I am happy and excited and grateful to God for a foresighted person like Hon Idimogu. This POS will help me in many ways. As a student, I will use the POS in my hostel, instead of my fellow students going outside to get POS services, they will now do it with me.

I will use it to make some money for myself while at the same time save them the stress of going outside. What that means is that I will not be disturbing my parents for money all the time again.

“With this, my parents are now relieved in terms of spending money on me. Even when I graduate, I will still be using it to make some money before I secure a job.

“I will say God continue to bless him, God continue to bless him, and God continue to bless him! Because he makes us happy, God will surely make him and his family happy,” she said.

Other beneficiaries as Helen Etu a hair stylist at Ire-Akari area of Isolo said she will no longer lose customers who do not have cash to pay. Stated that the machine will serve her dually as means of payment by her customers and other transactions.she prayed to God to continue to take Hon. Jude higher and higher.

Some of the recipients at the second day of the distribution exercise in group photo with Hon. Idimogu

Nicholas white, a businessman, expressed gratitude to Idimogu for his numerous people oriented services to his constituents in particular and Lagosians in general.

Some of the POS machines at the Constituency office Ejigbo

For Nik White, popularly known as Jumping Lion he expressed his unreserved gratitude to Hon Idimogu, ” am very excited today seeing this kind of thing Hon. Idimogu has done. This shows that there are politicians who always wake and sleep only being buried in the thoughts of what to do to bring the masses out of poverty, he is a rare being, may God bless him,” he said.