By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS— The Senator representing Lagos-East Senatorial District, Tokunbo Mukhail Abiru (APC Lagos-East) on Monday, reaffirmed his commitment to continue serving the District with diligence, integrity, empathy and results-driven leadership.
Abiru made the promise during the formal unveiling of 48 Cooperative societies and award of N10million take-off grants each to support market women, Artisans and farmers at his constituency office in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The Citizens Compass reports that Cooperative executives underwent structured training in financial management, sustainable lending and repayment systems, transparency and record-keeping, risk management, and member inclusion and accountability
The 48 cooperative societies registration were facilitated by Abiru’s office and anchored by the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry
“Cooperative structures remain powerful instruments for economic inclusion allowing citizens to pool resources, access funding, build credit worthiness, and scale sustainable enterprises, ” he said.
“Through this initiative, we are strengthening the grassroots economy and laying a solid foundation for inclusive growth,” he said.
He appreciated Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria(CRIN), Bank of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and Federal Co-operative College, Ibadan, Oyo State, adding that their technical and funding support has significantly deepened the impact of this programme across LagosEast.
Abiru, Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions said on sustainability and discipline, the fund would undergo a performance review of governance and effective management would be rewarded with increased funding as future every six months.
In his remarks, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Lagos State, commended the traditional leaders and appreciated what Abiru is doing by demonstrating commitment and remembering the son whom he is.
Ojelabi said that the initiative is a testament to Abiru’s commitment and responsibility to the people of his constituents and called on council chairmen to key into the initiative as a way to banish poverty and encourage development.
He appealed to beneficiaries and residents of the constituency to reciprocate the kind gesture, vote for APC in the coming election and urged market executives to ensure proper monitoring in disbursement and pay back.
On security, Ojelabi appealed to everybody to unite against insecurity” when you see something, you say something” and encourages youths to build a career in the Army or Police as the Federal Government announced that 20,000 personnel will be recruited.
Speaking on behalf of the East senatorial district chairmen, Mr Sesan Olowa, Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government commended Abiru for the gesture adding that empowered Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) would grow the economy and reduce unemployment.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Dr Saheed Ibikunle, Board of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) said that cooperatives are critical vehicles for financial inclusion, collective growth, access to affordable credit, and long-term economic empowerment.
Ibikunle, stressed that the exercise underscores Abiru’s commitment to releasing the economic pressure faced by many families and ensuring that no one is left behind.
In his remark, traditional ruler, Oba Kabir Shotobi,(Ayangburen of Ikorodu) expressed gratitude to Abiru for his empowerment programme as well as not neglecting the traditional rulers in his programmes.
Ayangburen appealed to residents to go out enmasse and register for Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and vote for the second term of President Bola Tinubu as well as advocating for Ikorodu to produce the next governor of Lagos state.
Mrs Busola Isikalu, iyaloja of Ikorodu acknowledged and expressed profound gratitude to Abiru for his timely intervention over the grant which she said would boost their business especially during the yuletide.
She urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants promising that it would be properly disbursed without fear or favour to members who actually needed it for the growth of their businesses.
Citizens Compass also reports that the event also included distribution of empowerment items and food packs to 12,000 households to vulnerables in 16 local government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) that make up the district.
The empowerment items includes, Grinding machine, Deep freezers, Hair dryers, Sewing machines, and Generators among others while the foodpacks contain rice and gari.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the lawmaker and promised to make use of the grant to boot their businesses.
Dignitaries at the events were APC party stalwarts including Akani Seriki(Bamu), Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, Bashorun Olorunfunmi and all council chairmen of East Senatorial district among others.
