Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, on Friday, empowered residents with the sum of N140 million to support businesses and households.

The event, which was held at the council’s secretariat, was attended by the management staff and all elected officials of the local government.

A total of N140 million was distributed to residents, businesses, market affiliates and youths.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Obasa said that each beneficiary would receive the sum of N100,000 as business support.

He said that the initiative was designed to support small businesses and households and to cushion the effects of ongoing economic reforms in the country.

According to him, beneficiaries were drawn from all seven wards, markets, businesses, youth and women groups within Agege.

He urged beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously to boost their businesses and livelihoods.

“This is not politics as usual; this is about dignity, about a mother in Dopemu who can restock her shop without borrowing, about a young welder in Oke-Koto who can buy his first machine.

“It is about a graduate who can start small, and grow big right here in Agege,” the chairman said.

He said that monitoring would be carried out after a period of time to track business growth.

Mr Obasa reaffirmed his commitment to residents’ welfare and vowed that Agege Local Government would continue initiatives that would reduce hardship and promote economic growth.

He appealed to those not selected to be patient, as the cash empowerment programme was continuous and more residents would benefit.

One of the beneficiaries, Toyin Gbadegesin, commended the chairman, describing the empowerment as timely and impactful for livelihoods in Agege.

“I am so happy with this opportunity, it is like a dream,” Gbadegesin said.

Another beneficiary, Oluyemisi Agbaje, said that the money would help her business to grow. 

(NAN)