A SPEECH DELIVERED BY SENATOR RAFIU ADEBAYO IBRAHIM PhD, FCIB ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ANNUAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME AND LAUNCHING OF HIS #RIB FOUNDATION TO MARK HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY ON THE 11TH DECEMBER, 2016 AT THE ODU HALL, OFFA



Protocol:



My journey of fifty years has been eventful. I give honour and adoration to God Almighty who has given me the opportunity to go this far in life.


What could I have done without the benevolence of the almighty that has favoured me amongst my peers. Indeed, it is a blessing and I appreciate God's wonders in my life.


The journey would not have been this smooth without the support and prayers of my family members. I sincerely appreciate the home support that has kept me going this far. To every member of my family, I pray we have the cause to celebrate many more of this together as a family.


It is quite unfortunate that my parents are not here with us today but the legacy you left behind still linger. Continue to rest in peace and may almighty Allah grant you Aljanat Fridaus..Amin.


My appreciation goes to the entire Saraki family for the uncommon favour and benevolence that have been bestowed upon me in my entire political career. My mind goes directly to Baba Oloye, the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, may God almighty increase His blessings on him and grant him Aljanat Fridaus as his last abode, Amin. 


 My appreciation is not complete without acknowledging the mentorship and support of our Leader, the Nigerian Political Tiger, the political juggernaut, the Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki [CON]. His leadership prowess has been a source of inspiration to me. 


All my teachers, friends and everyone who has played one role or the other in my life, I say thank you. May God reward you all abundantly.


As the past is the key to the present, so does the present remain the key to the future. My 50th year is a mark of fulfilment but the years ahead promise to be better as I remain more committed to touching lives and giving inspiration to the entire humanity most especially the people around me.


My story could best be described as fortunate. I started my life from a humble background, in an area where farming was predominant. I started my schooling in my immediate and remote environment, though with a dream but never knew what destiny had in plan for me as a young lad.


Growing up was difficult but I remained focused and determined to achieve greatness. My journey into politics began in 2009 when Baba Saraki, the great Oloye, endorsed me for the Kwara State House of Assembly to represent Oke-Ogun Constituency. That day, Baba Saraki told all the stakeholders from Oyun LGA that I was one of the most trustworthy persons he had met in his life time. I was moved to tears and vowed never to disappoint my destiny which had brought me this unimaginable favour from such a man of unquantifiable and unequalled greatness.


Behold, with his endorsement, I was elected a Member of Kwara State House of Assembly for Oke-Ogun Constituency of Oyun Local Government Area in a re-run election in 2009 after the demise of Raufu Lambe. (RIP)


As destiny would have it, my election in to the state Assembly was just a precursor that shot me into the National politics. In 2011, I was elected into the National Assembly, as a Federal Honourable of the House of Representatives to represent Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency.



Four years later, despite the hullabaloo in the polity of our country, our Leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki gave me the nod to consider the seat for the Kwara South Senatorial District.


To the glory of God and the support of the Saraki political family in Kwara, we became victorious. Today, I represent the entire people of Kwara South at the Nigerian Senate in the 8th National Assembly under the Chairmanship of our Leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.



Many thanks to the Saraki Political Dynasty, that discovered the prowess in me, a young man from Ojoku, a serene and quiet town in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.



As a seasoned banker, I do not consider politics a business venture but an opportunity to invest in humanity. Hence, I want to dedicate the rest of my life to God Almighty and service to humanity.



At this juncture, I call on everyone present here today to please join me as I call on almighty Allah to increase His protection, divine guidance on Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. May God strengthen and fortify him against all adversaries. It is my prayer to God almighty to actualise all his heart's desires. I pray to Almighty God to let me be part of the journey to the end. He remains our watchword in Kwara and we are always happy to follow in his footsteps. 



What we are witnessing here today is what we have been doing for many years but has another dimension with the birth of RIB FOUNDATION as it will be discussed fully during the official launch. RIB FOUNDATION is targeted at giving back to my community either while in office or out of office. We are also in partnership with the recently launched Saraki Employment and Empowerment Centre for Skill-acquisition, Training Empowerment Programme (SEEC-STEP) of our Leader, Distinguished Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to provide jobs for 40 thousand Kwarans. In my own capacity, Kwara South-STEP, as part of our programme under RIB FOUNDATION, targets eight thousand Kwara Southerners in four years to reduce poverty and unemployment in line with the current economic reality in the country now. This and many other programmes under RIB FOUNDATION and our regular empowerment, bursary, scholarship awards, business financial supports, health bills, provision of school fees and books for our students etc are what I pray to continue to do for the rest of my life. I pray this should not be the end of it, Amin.


I thank you all for coming and may almighty Allah continue to guide and guard us all, Amin.

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