My Empowerment Activities Purely Humanitarian, Not Political – Raji
– Says Oyetola Didn’t Do Well To Him
An Osogbo born philanthropist, Engineer Kehinde Raji popularly called Aaraj, has declared that his empowerment programmes are to alleviate poverty in the society and ease the suffering of the people of Osun State.
Raji maintained that he has no political ambition, nor being sponsored by any politician, adding that he is committed to helping humanity as long as he lives.
He stated that the beneficiaries of his empowerment activities are majorly the less privileged, the needy, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties.
The civil engineer stated this on Saturday while distributing cheques of N1million each to beneficiaries who cut across various groups and local government, through his non-governmental organization, Aaraji Empowerment Foundation.
Raji said the foundation has between the first and second quarters of 2024 disbursed N50 million to residents and nano traders in Osun State to cushion the effect of hardship.
He disclosed that beneficiaries were selected across the state to benefit from the philanthropic gesture by foundation.
According to him, over 1,000 people have also been registered under Osun State Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), while mini-flat houses were built for aged vulnerable.
Raji disclosed that: “For this quarter, we programmed the vulnerable who are called Kejebu. In January, we gave out N10m to 200 beneficiaries who are nano traders to support their businesses. Since the removal of fuel subsidy, prices of things went up and many people started having challenges.
“In our own contribution in alleviating such challenges, we decided to give them money. The money is interest free and they do not need to pay for form. Within the last few months, the beneficiaries have been able to make repayment of 25 per cent. That was redistributed today to fresh 31 beneficiaries.
“We observe overtime that there are some aged politicians who have been in politics for over 40-50 years and they are living in abject poverty. Some of them don’t have a house; while the condition of the building and premises of those who have are nothing to write home about. So, we decided to support them, renovate their houses and built a self-con of a room and parlour for those who do not have.
“The Ajegunle spare part dealers were also supported. A lot of the people there had locked up their shops because of financial challenges; what some of them need is not more than between N200,000 and N300,000.
“The Winjobi youths at Oja Oba area were also supported. We have so far distributed about N50 million to direct and indirect beneficiaries.
“In as much as I am living and working, 20 per cent of my income is dedicated to humanity, 10 per cent as tithe and the remaining 70 per cent for myself.”
Raji dismissed the insinuation that he switched tent with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, saying he is not a cheap person.
“The government of Gboyega Oyetola in Osun State didn’t do well to me; they chased me how of this town. I built my office here since 2019, they didn’t allow anything to happen there. And you think they will just call and ask me to work with them? No. I am not cheap. I won’t stoop so low to that.”
Ismaeel Uthman is an Editor, Media Consultant with over 14 years experience in print journalism.
A consummate writer and reporter, Uthman has received accolades for his works, especially one that appeals for good governance and community development. He is a recipient of many laurels, including the Best Investigative Reporter (Print) Award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, in 2020.
