Lawmaker launches cooperatives with N480m take-off grant

A file photo: Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru

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The lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Adetokunbo Abiru, has unveiled 48 cooperative societies with take-off grants of N480m.

A statement issued by his media aide, Enitan Olukotun, noted that the lawmaker also distributed empowerment items to about 2,000 constituents and food packs to over 12,000 households across the 98 wards in the 16 local councils of Lagos East.

Olukotun said the event, adjudged as one of the largest empowerment exercises in the district’s history, underscored governance rooted in compassion, prioritising sustainable economic support and people-focused leadership.

Abiru, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, while addressing a cross-section of traditional rulers, political and community leaders, party faithful, women groups, youths, and artisans, at the event, said the programme was a continuation of his commitment to delivering “greater good to a larger number” of his constituents across the senatorial district.

“Beyond the ceremony, your presence here affirms our shared belief that governance must be responsive, compassionate, and firmly rooted in meeting the genuine needs and aspirations of the people,” he said.

According to the senator, since his election to the National Assembly, his leadership philosophy has remained consistent: translating public office into measurable value and lasting hope for ordinary people.

He noted that the co-operative initiative was carefully designed to support women, farmers, artisans, and traders with easy, flexible, and affordable capital for sustainable economic empowerment.

“True empowerment is not all about handouts,” Abiru stressed. “It is about enabling people to unlock their potential, create wealth, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

The 48 cooperative societies span economic and social groups, including market women associations, youth organisations, farmers’ groups, artisans, and trade bodies drawn from different parts of Lagos East, each receiving N10m, totalling N480m.

The senator explained that cooperative societies remain powerful vehicles for grassroots economic inclusion, allowing members to pool resources, access financing, build creditworthiness, and expand their enterprises in a structured manner.

Beyond the cooperatives, about 2,000 constituents received empowerment items and starter kits aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. The items included freezers, generators, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, and head dryers, among several others.

“This empowerment items distribution programme is deliberately designed to empower our youths, women, artisans, farmers, traders, and other hardworking constituents with relevant tools, starter kits, and institutional support that promote self-reliance, productivity, and sustainable livelihoods,” Abiru said.

The statement added that the lawmaker also flagged off the distribution of food packs to 12,000 households across the district for the Christmas and New Year period.

The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, described the support for the cooperative societies, empowerment items, and food pack distribution exercise as remarkable.

He said the people of Ikorodu and the entire Lagos East were proud of the senator’s achievements.

The Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who spoke on behalf of political leaders, commended Abiru for making the party proud through his innovative programmes.

“Thank you for helping to grow our party membership. We are extremely proud of your achievements. The innovations you brought into politics are very impactful. All you are doing is promoting the philosophy of our great party,” Ojelabi said.

A former deputy governor of Lagos State and the APC Apex Leader in Ikorodu division, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, said Abiru had continued to advance the tenets of progressive politics since his election, urging other elected public officials to emulate him.

The Ikorodu division market leader, Deaconess Busola Isikalu, appreciated the senator for creating a platform for economic emancipation for market men and women, artisans, and youths across the district.

Gbenga has been covering Metro, politics and education beats for two years as a print and digital journalist

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