Residents of Kosofe LGA, Lagos, on Monday commended council chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, for sustaining the Kosofe Cares Renewed Hope Mega Empowerment initiative.

The council will launch the second phase of the N200 million scheme for 2,000 residents, following the first phase implemented in 2025.

Residents spoke in separate interviews on Monday after the announcement of the second edition of the empowerment programme.

They urged the council to ensure fairness and transparency in selecting beneficiaries.

Mr Sola Adeyemi, a trader at Ketu Market, described the initiative as a laudable intervention supporting many struggling residents.

He urged the council to prioritise people who genuinely need assistance.

“This programme is very good, and we appreciate the chairman for thinking about residents. But we appeal that the selection should be fair so those who truly need the money can benefit,” he said.

Funke Adebayo, a trader at Mile 12, said the empowerment would help small business owners expand their businesses if properly implemented. She urged organisers and community leaders to avoid favouritism in selecting beneficiaries.

“Many small traders are struggling because of the economic situation. If the process is transparent and those who deserve it are selected, this empowerment will help many families,” she said.

Another resident, Tunde Balogun, a commercial motorcyclist, praised the chairman for expanding the programme but urged previous beneficiaries to allow others to benefit.

“We thank the chairman for bringing this support to Kosofe. What we appeal for is fairness, so people who have not benefited before can also be considered,” he said.

Chief press secretary to the chairman, Oluwole Obisanya, said the council expanded the initiative after the success of the first edition.

According to him, the programme demonstrates the administration’s commitment to improving residents’ economic well-being.

“Building on the success of the inaugural programme, which distributed N100 million to 1,000 residents in 2025, the chairman has approved an expanded second edition,” he said.

Mr Obisanya said the programme would run from the third week of March to December 2026 and be implemented in ten phases.

“This edition will distribute N200 million to 2,000 residents who were not beneficiaries in the first edition, with each receiving N100,000,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflected Mr Ogunlewe’s resolve to ensure development and economic opportunities reach more residents.

“This initiative remains a testament to Ogunlewe’s resolve to ensure that no Kosofe resident is left behind,” he said.

Mr Obisanya described the programme as progressive governance aimed at improving residents’ welfare.

“It is part of the administration’s broader efforts to empower residents and strengthen livelihoods across Kosofe,” he added.

(NAN)