Dare Babalola
The member representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has dismissed allegations that beneficiaries of recent international training sponsorships to China, Taiwan, and South Africa were selected based on tribal considerations, insisting the process was transparent and merit-driven.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Onuakalusi said it became necessary to address comments suggesting that ethnicity influenced the selection of participants for the programmes.
He explained that the overseas training opportunities were not constituency projects financed through statutory government allocations, but personal goodwill initiatives designed to empower residents of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II.
“These international sponsorship opportunities are not constituency projects funded through any statutory allocation. They are goodwill initiatives personally facilitated to support the growth, exposure, and empowerment of residents of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, the initiative was created to provide residents with access to global knowledge, skills, and experience that could be used for personal growth and community development.
“The objective has always been simple: to create opportunities for our people to gain global knowledge, skills, and experience that can be brought back home for personal and community development,” he stated.
Onuakalusi further noted that the first batch of beneficiaries was selected strictly from applicants who responded when the opportunity was announced, while the second batch was chosen based on merit, qualification, and readiness to maximise the programme.
“For transparency, the first batch of beneficiaries was selected strictly from the pool of applicants who responded and submitted their interest when the opportunity was announced. The second batch was equally chosen based on merit, qualification, and readiness to maximize the programme,” he said.
The federal lawmaker firmly denied claims that tribe, ethnicity, or personal affiliation played any role in the process.
“At no point was ethnicity, tribe, or personal affiliation used as a basis for selection,” he added.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive representation, Onuakalusi said he remained dedicated to serving all residents of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II fairly, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or background.
“My commitment remains to serve every resident of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II fairly, regardless of background, religion, or ethnic identity,” he said.
He also urged residents to reject divisive narratives and focus on opportunities that bring progress to the constituency.
“I strongly believe leadership should be measured by impact, access, and opportunities created for the people, not by divisive narratives intended to distract from genuine progress,” he said.
Onuakalusi assured constituents that more opportunities would be created and encouraged qualified residents to apply whenever new openings are announced.
