It was a carnival of some sort at Ikorodu senatorial office of Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA where he formally unveiled 48 cooperative societies with a take-off grants of N480 million, and also distribution of empowerment items to about 2,000 constituents along with food packs totalling 12,000 also to households across the 98 wards, in the 16 LGAs/LCDAs of Lagos East Senatorial district.
In a Press release made available and signed by the Media Aide to the Senator, Mr. Enitan Olukotun to Universal News, the empowerment programme was adjudged as one of the largest exercises in the district’s history.
The humanitarian event underscored what many described as governance rooted in compassion, inclusion and tangible outcomes, which prioritised sustainable economic support, social intervention and a reaffirmation of people-focused leadership.
The effervescent Senator who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, in his address which cut across a coterie of traditional rulers, political and community leaders, party faithfuls, women groups, youths and artisans at the epoch making event, explained that the programme was a continuation of his commitment to delivering “greater good to larger number” of his constituents across Lagos East Senatorial District.
Speaking in a tone laced with unspeakable joy, he said, “beyond the ceremonial aspect, 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”.
Speaking further, ” since my election to the National Assembly as your representative, my leadership philosophy has unassailably remained consistent, translating public office into measurable value and lasting hope for ordinary people. This co-operative initiative was carefully designed to support women, farmers, artisans and traders with easy, flexible and affordable capital for sustainable economic empowerment”, he explained.
“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 key economic and social groups, including market women associations, youth organisations, farmers’ groups, artisans and trade bodies drawn from different parts of Lagos East, each getting N10million, totalling N480 million.
The senator explained that cooperative societies remain powerful vehicles for grassroots economic inclusion, as they allow members to pool resources together, access financing, build credit worthiness and expand their enterprises in a structured manner. He described the intervention as a deliberate effort to strengthen the grassroots economy and create a sustainable pathway to inclusive growth and governance.
Aside the cooperatives, about 2,000 members of the senatorial district received empowerment items and starter kits aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. The items include Freezers, Generators, Grinding Machines, Industrial Sewing Machines, Head dryers, among several others artisans’ tools.
“This empowerment items is deliberately designed to empower our youths, women, artisans, farmers, traders and other hardworking people of this constituency with relevant working tools, starter kits and institutional support that promote self-reliance, productivity and sustainable livelihoods”, Abiru said further.
In line with festive seasons support for families, the Senator also flagged off the distribution of food packs to 12,000 households across the district for the Christmas and New Year period, sustaining an intervention which has been consistently in practice over the past three years to support constituents, particularly the vulnerables, the elderly, unemployed youths, women and persons living with disabilities.
Senator Abiru further highlighted achievements under what he described as tripod pillars legislation, empowerment and endowment—citing bills and motions on economic inclusion, financial system stability and governance, as well as investments in education, healthcare, road infrastructures and digital skills through the SAIL Innovation Lab. He said the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, translating national priorities into tangible grassroots outcomes.
Reaffirming his commitment to diligent, compassionate and results-driven representation, the amiable Senator enjoined all the beneficiaries to deploy the grants and tools responsibly rather than frivolously, noting that inclusive growth depends on disciplined use of public support and sustained community partnership.
The Paramount ruler of Ikorodu division, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, described the co-operative societies initiative, empowerment items and food packs distribution exercise as remarkable. He said the people of Ikorodu, and the entire Lagos East were very proud of Abiru’s outstanding achievements.
The State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Popularly called “onilegbale of Lagos who spoke on behalf of political leadership , commended Senator Abiru for making the party proud, through his people-oriented and innovative programmes , like the co-operative societies, that have lasting impact in the lives of constituents.
“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”, Pastor Ojelabi declared.
Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, the former deputy governor of Lagos State and the APC Apex leader in Ikorodu division, said Abiru has continued to advance the tenets of progressive politics since he was elected as the Senator, urging other elected public officials to take cue from the innovation the Senator has brought into politics and representation.
The Ikorodu division market leader, Deaconess Busola Isikalu, expressed profound appreciation to the Senator for creating a platform for economic emancipation for market men and women, artisans , women and youths across the district. She assured that beneficiaries would make judicious use of the empowerment tools and grants.
Dignitaries in attendance included, members of the Governance Advisory Council, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki Bamu, Asiwaju of Epe and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, others are HRM Oba Barrister Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya, The Olubeshe of Ibeshe Kingdom, HRM Oba Olukayode David Raji, JP, The Eweye of Isiu, HRM Oba Ahmed Ogunnaike, The Alagura of Agura, Alhaji Tunde Isiaq, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, Hon. Ganiyu Abiru, local government chairmen led by Hon Sesan Abdullahi Olowa, Ibeju-Lekki Chairman, who is the Conference 57 chairman., religious leaders, political and community leaders, among several others.