The Plea of the Ondo Artisans

More than 25,000 artisans in Ondo State are crying out for help. They are begging the Federal Government to include them in various empowerment programmes under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to a statement issued by the Chairman and General Secretary of the Artisan Defender and Empowerment Foundation, Engr. Ogundipe James and Adebayo Olugbenga, respectively, the group has been neglected despite their support for the President's re-election.

The statement read, 'The deteriorating situation of artisan welfare, particularly in Ondo State, is why the body is seeking immediate attention, mostly empowerment and skills upgrading from the primary concerned government agencies—the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Directorate of the Office of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Presidential Amnesty Programme, among others.'

The artisans claim that their neglect will lead to disagreement and affect political support that comes from this coalition group. They are calling on the concerned Federal Government agencies to consider their proposals and enhance the support of their members for the President's administration.

### The Artisan Defender and Empowerment Foundation

The Artisan Defender and Empowerment Foundation is a registered organisation that promotes the interests of Niger Delta artisans and skilled workers. The group was founded by Engr. Ogundipe James and Adebayo Olugbenga, who are also the Chairman and General Secretary of the organisation.

### A History of Neglect

The artisans have been neglected for a long time, and their welfare has been deteriorating. The group claims that their neglect will lead to disagreement and affect political support for the President's administration.

### The Demand for Empowerment

The artisans are demanding empowerment and skills upgrading from the Federal Government. They want the government to consider their proposals and enhance the support of their members for the President's administration.

### A Threat of Protest

The artisans have issued a public warning and general awareness that failure to listen to their demands will lead to a national protest. They are also warning that their neglect will have huge political consequences for the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come the 2027 election.

### Key Facts

  • Over 25,000 artisans in Ondo State are appealing to the FG to include them in various empowerment programmes under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
  • The artisans say they have been neglected despite their support for the President's re-election.
  • The group has been promoting the interests of Niger Delta artisans and skilled workers since its founding.
  • The artisans are demanding empowerment and skills upgrading from the Federal Government.
  • Failure to listen to the demands of the artisans may lead to a national protest and have huge political consequences for the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come the 2027 election.

We call on the concerned Federal Government agencies to consider our proposals and enhance the support of our members for the President's administration.