Ajeromi Ifelodun: Ayoola Transforms Lives With N250M Worth Grant | ClipTV Online

The Executive Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, has set a historic precedent with the first-ever Women Summit and 4th Mega Empowerment Program, distributing N250 million worth of cash grants, grains, and empowerment items to 3,000 women. The groundbreaking event, held on July 1 and 2, 2024, at the Abayomi Awodiora Hall, Ajegunle, was themed “Empowering Women, Transforming Communities.”

In his remarks, Chairman Ayoola declared, “My administration terminates in 2025, and I will be leaving this Women Summit as a legacy. It is my fervent hope that my successor will see the positive side of this gathering and not only continue with it but also improve on it.”

The Women Summit is a landmark initiative that other local councils are expected to emulate. The two-day event combined educational seminars with substantial support for the women, aiming to replicate the success of the Lagos State Committee of Wives of State Officials (COWSOL) Conference on a local level.

Day one of the summit featured seminars and talk shows led by eminent speakers, focusing on self-development, mental health, safety measures, climate change action, and home improvisation. On day two, the 3,000 participants received cash grants of N500,000, N200,000, N100,000, and N50,000, along with 200 deep freezers, 1,000 units of 3kg gas cylinders, 50 generators, 50 hairdryers, 50 sewing machines, and 3,000 bags of 10kg rice.

Chairman Ayoola explained that beneficiaries were selected from diverse groups, including market traders, entrepreneurs, single mothers, wives of military and police officers, youth corps members, artisans, community development associations, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, religious bodies, community volunteers, people living with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. This approach ensured inclusivity and support for a wide range of individuals.

Highlighting the importance of the summit, Ayoola urged the women to make good use of the funds and items to collectively enhance the economic development of the local government and the state. He extended gratitude to corporate partners like Wema Bank, Dangote Salt, Smart Gas, Ajinomoto Foods, Global Medus Resources, and Venus Processing & Packaging Ltd, while calling for more corporate entities to collaborate with the government.

Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State, served as the Special Guest of Honour, praising the Chairman’s initiative and urging the women to pursue self-reliance and agricultural ventures. She emphasized that uplifting the community requires innovative solutions, which Ayoola has successfully implemented.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, commended the Chairman for leading by example and encouraged the women to take advantage of the state’s 19 Skills Acquisition Centres. She stressed the importance of self-development and eradicating domestic violence.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy & Community Affairs, Kikelomo Afusat Bolarinwa, praised Ayoola’s dedication to women’s development. Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi, lauded Ayoola’s transformative leadership, stating that the increased monthly allocations, a result of President Bola Tinubu’s policy changes, are being effectively utilized to benefit the people.

Hon. Ojelabi encouraged constituents to take part in the APC’s E-membership Registration exercise to strengthen their ties with the party and continue to benefit from its governance.

Valiant Samson Idowu-Alaba
Hon. Supervisor, Info, Strategy & Comms.
3rd July, 2024