In clear alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s move to cushion the excruciating pain of economic realities confronting Nigerians the Executive Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mayor Dele Oshinowo has lifted a total of 3600 petty traders through the “WeLift initiative” in the council area.
The young and innovative council boss (Oshinowo) revealed the summation on Monday, at the monthly empowerment programme where another set of no fewer than 400 petty traders got empowered with N50,000 each to bolster their businesses.
Over N20 million grant was disbursed to mitigate the current socio-economic hardship through the council’s monthly “WeLift 400 Petty Traders Initiative” as Oshinowo harped on the fact that grassroots governance should be all about empowering the people and making life better for them.
The Lagos State Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and other party stalwart in the state all witnessed the direct transfer of N50,000 cash support to 400 traders selected from various markets in the council area.
“The WeLift400 initiative is designed to empower 400 residents of Agboyi-Ketu by providing them with a grant of 50,000 naira each, this financial support aims to enhance their means of livelihood, alleviate their burdens, and pave the way for greater economic stability.
“This is what I have been doing in the last five years. Our “WeLift Empowerment Programme” has just taken a new dimension now with better methodology to ensure transparency.
“The rational behind it is to lift people from abject poverty and alleviate their suffering. We have decided to help them with token we believe will have multiplier effects on their trade,” Oshinowo said.
Commenting on the criteria used in selecting the beneficiaries of the gesture, the council chief said that his team went round markets and streets to do on-the-spot assessment and market values of some traders, and those who met the criteria, were selected to enjoy the gesture.
According to him, the council partnered with Sterling Bank in the May Edition of the initiative which empowered 450 traders with N50,000 each, but decided to partner with Providus Bank in June gesture.
He said that all the beneficiaries had received the N50,000 bank alert right from the event and the ATM issued to them for withdrawal.
Oshinowo added: “Let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of every member of our community.
“Our administration will continue to be a pillar of support, fostering an environment where opportunity knows no bounds and every individual has the chance to realize their full potential.
“We will continue to do this, empowering our people is very important especially during this difficult time that our President is trying to put the country on the path of sustainable prosperity and progress.
“This is what we are doing and we are going to continue to do that till the end of my tenure. We will continue to empower our people, build infrastructure, improve on grassroots healthcare, helping our youths, elderly people, building our security and community.”
The council boss added that his team always engaged the community development associations CDA, so no political motivation behind the gesture as it really cuts across the divide.
The Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi showered encomium on Oshinowo for the laudable gesture while also recounting all his worthy developmental feat and populist programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the residents.
Ojelabi said that everyone including the party’s state executive had been watching Oshinowo’s initiatives for the betterment of the people, adding that the party was not disappointed in the council boss.
“You as truly serving the people with all your strengths, and complementing the efforts of the state government, promoting and expanding the goodwill of our party. You are growing the economy and putting food on the table of the vulnerable.
“With these you are doing, you are securing a better future for yourself. Continue to do what you know how to do best, you shall be rewarded,” he said.
While advising the beneficiaries to make the best use of the grant, Ojelabi urged Oshinowo to do more to make life better for the people at the grassroots.
Urging the people to persevere the more with the Federal Government in its efforts to right all wrongs, Ojelabi assured the people that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.
Also speaking, Chief Jumoko Okoya-Thomas, the APC Women Leader in Lagos State, applauded Oshinowo for prioritising the people above personal and political interest, she also was quick to state the chairman’s track records as it pertains helping the less privileged impressed her greatly.
Okoya-Thomas advised all the beneficiaries to see the N50,000 as a seed and turn it around and create wealth with it, ” it is not for party or social functions. The chairman has done very well and he deserves to go further politically, ” She said.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke glowingly about the empowerment initiative, note that their businesses would receive a boost and survive the present economic predicament.
Mrs Yemisi Ayeni from Ward G, who commended Oshinowo for the gesture, added that it would go a long way to alleviate the current economic challenges.
Also expressing her joy about the initiative, Mrs. Yinusa Adejoke a food vendor said, ” Oshinowo is doing well. He is always surprising us. May God reward him.”
Alhaja Kadijat Badejo said that the multiplier effect of the gesture would go beyond her trading activity as the daily sustenance of her immediate family better assured through the gesture.