Group empowers 517 Yewa North residents

The Ogun Economic Development Group (OGEDG), Yewa North chapter, has empowered 517 residents of the local government area with cash support and aprons for market women.

The programme, held at the Omidokun Ultra-modern Hall, Ayetoro, also featured civic sensitisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

Community leaders, traders, youths, artisans and other residents attended the event.

The lead speaker, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, urged beneficiaries to use the support productively and participate actively in the democratic process. Salako, in a statement by the council’s Zonal Information Officer, Lateef Akintunde, said economic empowerment and civic participation were essential to grassroots development, urging citizens to understand their responsibilities and take part in choosing their representatives.

He added that the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ISEYA Development Agenda of the Ogun State government.

Community leaders, including Alhaji Bisiriyu Popoola, Alhaja Yemisi Abass, Iyaloja-General of Ogun State, and Senator Kola Bajomo, commended OGEDG for combining economic empowerment with civic education.

The guest lecturer, Dr Yemisi Bamigbose, said sustainable grassroots development required economic empowerment, human capital development and proper civic education.

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Two beneficiaries, Mrs Alice Olaleye and Alhaji Mukaila Awojobi, expressed appreciation, describing the support as timely amid current economic challenges.

The planning committee chairman, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Akinyemi, said the programme was aimed at strengthening grassroots participation and supporting small businesses and informal-sector operators.

He disclosed that similar initiatives had been held in Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Ado-Odo/Ota and Ijebu-Ode.

The organiser, Mr Lukumon Oladele, who joined the event online from abroad, urged beneficiaries to invest the support in income-generating activities. The event also featured political mobilisation, with APC supporters urging support for President Bola Tinubu, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.