“This Is More Than a Handout – It’s Livelihood Support” – Okada, Maruwa Riders Hail Dr. OTOPE’s Free Fuel Initiative in Egbeda
...“With the 10 litres of fuel provided, many of us can generate between ₦50,000 to ₦60,000, depending on our daily sales. This is more than just a handout, it is a real investment in our livelihoods.”
Commercial motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Maruwa) riders in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State have expressed profound appreciation to Dr. Temitope Oladimeji, popularly known as OTOPE, for his recent free fuel palliative initiative. The beneficiaries described the gesture as a timely and impactful intervention that has significantly boosted their daily income and improved business operations.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Akeem Agesin Olaitan and Ogbeni Habeeb Oriyomi remarked; “With the 10 litres of fuel provided, many of us can generate between ₦50,000 to ₦60,000, depending on our daily sales. This is more than just a handout, it is a real investment in our livelihoods.”
The fuel distribution, which took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, benefitted over 300 commercial riders across Egbeda LGA. The initiative was organized by the Otope Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded by Dr. Temitope Oladimeji, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This intervention in Egbeda follows a similar outreach previously conducted in Ona-Ara Local Government Area, further reinforcing Dr. Oladimeji’s ongoing commitment to grassroots empowerment and sustainable community development across Oyo State.
Beneficiaries praised Dr. OTOPE not only for his generosity but also for his responsiveness to the real economic challenges confronting local transport operators, particularly in the wake of rising fuel prices and inflation. They described the gesture as a rare and commendable example of people-focused leadership.
As hope rises for future initiatives, many community members are calling on other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate the impactful, grassroots-driven model exemplified by the Otope Foundation, in order to support vulnerable populations and stimulate microeconomic growth across the state.
