TRAIL BLAZING EFFORTS OF COMMUNITY LINK ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMME (CLAP) IN OYO STATE

Community Link Advancement Programme (CLAP) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), founded by Chief (Mrs.) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, the wife of the Executive Governor of Oyo State.  It is a one Local Government, one product project, with a focus to provide solution to the problems confronting the people of Oyo State in the rural areas.

The mission of this people-centered NGO is to focus on sustainable poverty reduction schemes through agricultural development, financial empowerment, particularly soft loans, to deserving individuals or groups; sustainable potable water supply, environmental protection and educational development driven by CLAP's support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Seven-Point Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Community Link Advancement Programme (CLAP) since its formation in 2006 has amazed people in Oyo State with the trail blazing efforts of the Founder, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala.  The NGO was formally unveiled in 2007.

According to Chief (Mrs.) Alao-Akala, CLAP was founded in response to the myriad of needs and lack that abound among the majority of the people in the State; with the aim and objective to have a coordinated and effective intervention programme to provide succor to the helpless, particularly women and children.

So far, CLAP has brought joy and delight into many lives in Oyo State, especially with its unique innovation of “an area, a product” approach to meeting the needs of the less privileged in all the nooks and crannies of the State.  This is in addition to its help and assistance to individuals and groups.  The direct and prompt intervention strategy of CLAP at taking products directly to those in need of them, where they reside and live is an important strategy of inestimable value to the people in the State.  The delay and pilfering that often occur in the case of using middle organization or asking beneficiaries for much formalities are off the way.

Significant to mention here are landmark activities that CLAP has carried out within its short period of existence - feats unequalled by contemporaries in the history of the State.  CLAP is living after the maxim of the State by “setting pace” for others to follow.  Some of these achievements include:

(i) Provision of N5 million revolving loan for financial empowerment of women traders in Ogbomosoland, made up of five local governments of Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere, Oriire and Ogo Oluwa;

(ii) Empowerment of women farmers in Iwajowa Local Government through establishment of dynamic and cohesive cooperative groups and providing the groups with revolving loans for the benefit of their community;    

(iii) Disbursement of soft and interest free loans to 175 women under cooperative societies in Atisbo Local Government to encourage entrepreneurial activities in the area;

(iv) Promotion and enhancement of eco-system by cultivating a 10-hectare teak plantation at Saki West in collaboration with BATN;

(v) An integrated milling centre at Ayete in Ibarapa North to assist farmers with their agricultural produce;

(Vi) Animal husbandry in collaboration with BATN Foundation;

(vii) Distribution of drugs in collaboration with Fidson Pharmaceutical Company                 to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children round the State free of charge;

(viii) Empowerment of over 60 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Ibadan South East Local Government to make them self reliant and contribute to the society;

(ix) Construction of a Vocational Training Centre at Oluyole Lcal Government in collaboration with BATN Foundation;

(x) Training and distribution of Orange box recharge cards producing machines to people in Ibadan municipality;

(xi) Visits to prisons and charitable homes with gifts items such as foodstuff, cash, walking sticks, wheelchairs, crutches, computers and television etc.

(xii) Adoption of a family that was homeless.  The family was provided with a two- bedroom accommodation and the children registered in a school while the man and wife have been provided with jobs;

(xiii) Donation of a 16-seater school bus to Police Officers Wives Association (POWA).