CITIZENS COMPASS— Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Friday, disclosed that his administration has disbursed over ₦1 billion to Community Development Associations, Trade Councils, artisans, traders and cooperative societies across the state, reaffirming his commitment to grassroots economic empowerment and community development.
The governor also pledged to mobilise two million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, urging community leaders, traders, artisans and cooperative members to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) across board in the forthcoming general elections.
Abiodun made these declarations at the 2026 International Community Development Day and World Trade Day celebrations held at the Social Development Institute, popularly known as SHA SHA, in Iperu-Remo.
Explaining the financial interventions, the governor said ₦500 million had been provided through the Oko ‘Owo’ Irinse Dapo Soft Loan Initiative to support artisans, traders and small business owners, while more than ₦500 million had also been disbursed to cooperative societies through the state’s revolving loan framework.
He recalled that in December 2025, his administration announced financial support for more than 200 Community Development Associations, alongside interventions for artisans, trade associations and cooperative societies, to extend the benefits of governance to towns, villages and neighbourhoods.
Abiodun said the interventions were designed to strengthen grassroots enterprises, expand economic opportunities, create employment and improve the livelihoods of residents.
In a major commitment to the community development associations, the governor announced the immediate renovation of the Social Development Institute in Iperu, including the construction of a befitting multipurpose hall.
He also disclosed that he had directed the Director-General of Lands to identify a suitable and conducive parcel of land in Abeokuta for the construction of a secretariat for the associations.
“I have also instructed the Director-General of Lands to identify a suitable and conducive parcel of land so that you can build your secretariat in the state capital,” he said.
The governor further promised to facilitate an appointment for a nominee of the associations and assured them that other issues raised during the engagement would receive government attention.
On the 2027 elections, Abiodun urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu, describing the last three and a half years of the Federal Government as a period of significant economic and infrastructural reforms.
He cited falling food prices, the elimination of fuel queues, the introduction of student loans, foreign reserves rising above $50 billion and increased revenue allocations to subnational governments as indicators of progress under the current administration.
He also commended the Federal Government’s investments in major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Abeokuta-Sokoto Road and the Sagamu-Benin Road, among others.
“Nigeria is rising without a doubt. We see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we have a duty to ensure that this progress is sustained for the benefit of all of us,” he said.
The governor expressed confidence that Ogun would achieve the two-million-vote target with the support of grassroots organisations, urging residents to vote for all APC candidates, including the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and other candidates for legislative positions.
He also called for support for his senatorial ambition in Ogun East, maintaining that continuity in governance was important for sustaining the socioeconomic development taking place in the state.
Abiodun said his administration had complemented the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the implementation of its ISEYA development pillars, covering Infrastructure, Social Wellbeing, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture and Food Security.
He listed the Gateway International Airport, the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port, the dry port, emerging oil and gas investments, extensive road construction and housing projects among the major initiatives positioning Ogun as an economic and industrial destination of choice.
Addressing the importance of community participation, the governor said his administration’s planned feeder road intervention programme would ease the movement of agricultural produce, connect rural communities to markets and improve access to essential public services.
He urged community organisations, artisans, cooperative societies and private sector partners to expand apprenticeship programmes, vocational training, digital skills acquisition and mentorship opportunities for young people.
He also encouraged traders, artisans and local manufacturers to prioritise product quality, sound financial records, digital business practices and access to wider markets, describing their enterprises as essential to the economic strength of Ogun State.
On agriculture, Abiodun called for stronger cooperative action among farmers to facilitate access to inputs, shared equipment, improved storage, processing, packaging and better market opportunities.
He stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public interventions, urging cooperative leaders to protect members’ resources and community associations to maintain proper records and ensure inclusive participation, particularly for women, young people and persons with disabilities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Olasunkanmi Balogun, described Community Development Associations as indispensable partners in grassroots transformation through self-help projects, collective action and community-driven initiatives.
He assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to promote community participation and strengthen the partnership between government and residents.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Ogun State Community Development Council, Chief Adetayo Boyejo, commended Abiodun for giving community development a prominent place in his administration’s development agenda.
He said sustained government support for Community Development Associations, subventions to Area Community Development Committees and other interventions had strengthened grassroots institutions, encouraged community participation and facilitated development initiatives across the state.
Also speaking, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasak Adenugba, and the Osi of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha, commended the governor for what they described as his commitment to even development across Ogun State.
They urged members of the Community Development Council and Trade Council to participate actively in the 2027 elections and support the governor’s senatorial ambition in Ogun East.
Abiodun, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating its achievements and strengthening institutions that would sustain development beyond its tenure, declaring that the ultimate measure of governance was the lasting improvement it brought to the lives of the people.
