A senator on the platform of the All Progressives Congress representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, on Sunday empowered 5,000 market men and women in the senatorial district with grants.

In his address at the empowerment programme held in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state, Mr Adeola explained that it was important to contribute to the socioeconomic development of communities and the nation at large.

He noted that the concept, tagged, “Oloja Yayi” which signified his regular support fund for market men and women, had come to stay in the senatorial district.

He stated, “I noted the serious economic challenges of our market women and men in their trading activities, particularly in the area of cash flow to sustain and expand their businesses. While empowering the traders, I have noted that their only succour was Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commendable programme, tagged “Oko Owo Dapo,” which provided our market women and men some finance.’’

Mr Adeola, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, noted that he facilitated the programme in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research with start-up grants for the traders.

The lawmaker added that the grant was to boost the business of market men and women, saying that it was not a loan but a grant to bring succour to a critical sector of the people.

“Beneficiaries are drawn from the five local government areas that constitute Ogun West senatorial district. In all, 5,000 market women and men will benefit from financial grants to the tune of N50,000 each,” he said.

Mr Adeola added that his vision was to further impact directly on critical sectors of society in ways to cushion the effects of the downturn of the economy on vulnerable persons.

He appealed to the traders to judiciously apply the grants to increase their various trades.

Earlier, the Iyaloja General in Ogun State, Yemisi Abas, appreciated the lawmaker for the gesture, saying that it was the second year the market men and women would be benefiting from the grant.

“He doubled what we received last year and he has continued to keep to his promises,” she said. 

(NAN)