Sen. Mukhail Abiru (APC Lagos-East) on Monday reaffirmed commitment to serving Lagos-East Senatorial District with diligence, integrity, empathy.
Abiru made the reaffirmation during inauguration of 48 cooperative societies and disbursement of N10 million take-off grant to each of the societies to support market women, artisans and farmers in his constituency.
The event took place at his constituency office at Ikorodu.
Abiru also distributed empowerment items such as grinding machines, deep freezers, hair dryers, sewing machines and power generators, to 2000 members of his constituency.
Abiru is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the executives of the cooperative societies underwent structured training in financial management, sustainable lending and repayment systems, and transparency and record-keeping.
They were also trained in risk management and accountability.
Registration of the cooperative societies with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment was facilitated by Abiru’s constituency office.
“Cooperative structures remain powerful instruments for economic inclusion, allowing citizens to pool resources, access funding, build credit worthiness, and scale sustainable enterprises.
“Through this initiative, we are strengthening the grassroots economy and laying a solid foundation for inclusive growth,” he said.
He thanked the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, and Federal Cooperative College Ibadan for technical and funding support.
Abiru said that effective management of the funds would be rewarded with increased funding.
In his remarks, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, All Progressives Congress Chairman in Lagos State, commended Abiru for the gesture, saying that it demonstrated commitment to the wellbeing of members of his constituency.
Ojelabi called on council chairmen to key into such an initiative to tackle poverty.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the fund judiciously and ensure repayment.
On security, Ojelabi called on Lagos residents work against insecurity.
When you see something, say something,” he urged.
On behalf of the chairmen of local councils in Lagos East Senatorial District, Mr Sesan Olowa, Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, said that such economic empowerment would reduce unemployment.
Earlier, Dr Saheed Ibikunle, Chairman, Board of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, said that cooperative societies were critical vehicles for financial inclusion, collective growth, access to affordable credit, and long-term economic empowerment.
Ibikunle said that the gesture underscored Abiru’s commitment to reducing economic hardship faced by many families.
The Traditional Ruler of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, expressed gratitude to Abiru for the empowerment programme.
He remarked that Abuja did not neglect traditional rulers.
He appealed to members of the constituency to register for permanent voter cards and prepare to vote in the next general elections.
Mrs Busola Isikalu, the Leader of traders in Ikorodu (Iyaloja), thanked Abiru for the empowerment, saying that it would boost the beneficiaries’ businesses.
She promised that the fund would be properly used.
Truthng reports that the event featured distribution of food stuffs including rice and cassava flakes (garri) to 12,000 households in the 16 the council areas in the senatorial district.
