....... pledges unwavering support to less privileged,urged Nigerians To support Tinubu,Sanwo Olu.
Emmanuel lkpeama
In a bid to providing financial aid to small petty traders in Somolu Local government so as to expand their businesses, the Executive Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu ‘Dullar,’ has dole out the sum of N 50million Naira in grants to 1,000 petty traders in the area. 
The event tagged “Phase 1V traders money”which took place at the old Somolu Local Government Secretariat, Wednesday 14th August,2024,witnessed a large turnout of beneficiaries carefully selected and coordinated by Comrade lsiak Buna led Human Rights Monitoring Agenda(HURMA) where Hon. Dullar handed out the N50,000 business grant to each beneficiary, personally overseeing the distribution.
In his welcome address,Hon Salawu stated that this initiative is a testament of his unwavering belief in supporting those who drive the local economy with dedication to alleviating poverty in Somolu, noting that his decision to support the petty traders is to give financial aid so as to reduce the challenges faced by small traders in terms of expanding their businesses.
He said,”We are gathered to give due assistance as our collective commitment to empowering the backbone of our local economy,the petty traders,. previously this administration has expended Sixty-million Naira (N60,000,000) to this sector with the aim of expanding the scope of their businesses.
” We have been able to do this in three consecutive times in which about Three thousand (3000) residents benefitted,today we are proud to announce that another 1,000 residents who are petty traders would be benefitting from this cash relief where Fifty million naira (N50,000,000) will be injected into Somolu’s Local economy as each beneficiary will be getting N50,000 business grant.”
“Our decision to inject this funds comes from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by small traders especially in terms of financial capability to expand their businesses which is always a barrier to the growth of their businesses.”he stated
The local government helmsman went further to state that his administration is not just providing financial aid to the people but also investing into the future of the community and the economy while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the State Governor of Lagos State,Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu for their various actions and programmes to support the upliftment of the economy by ameliorating the suffering of the people.
He urged the beneficiaries who have been carefully supported by the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) to make good use of the fund as earmarked so that the purpose of giving it out would not be defeated
Hon. Dullar took the opportunity to provide a progress report on several key infrastructure projects under his administration which nclude the soon-to-be-commissioned Alade Market, Olaleye Market, Somolu’s new administrative and legislative complexes, Somolu Fire Service Station, and Bashua Police Station.
While appreciating the cooperation of the people of ljebutedo/palmgrove on the Dabira Emmanuel Albert road construction, noting that his administration has been able to embark on some roads and some like Jabita, lbrahim Alli,Owolabi Balogun street,Oyedele ,Ariyo,Tola Oduntan,Asubiaro, Vincent and Obiwunmi streets are completed.
Investigator news gathered that the new roads are done with interlock paving stones, alongside solar powered lights to illuminate the streets in the night
Speaking to newsmen,the former Sole Administrator of Bariga LCDA, Hon Sanya Oshijo praised the Executive chairman for the initiative stating that the program is highly commendable.
“He said,”This programme is highly commendable, l am impressed with the local government chairman,Dullar, for keeping the tempo ,we all know that the federal government can not do it all alone and with this initiative, which is actually the the fourth phase it will go a long way in alleviating the economic hardship faced by the people,l want to implore the beneficiaries to make good use of the money giving to them “he stated
Hon Oshijo who was the former Chairman of Chairmen Conference 57 lagos state urge Nigerians to exercise patience with President Tinubu as he is doing everything possible to renewed the hope that the country prays for.
Lending his voice,the Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Development,Mr Hector Ayo Coker, thanked the Hon Dullar for the sustenance of the traders money initiative which he said has assisted the petty traders in enhancing their businesses.
He appealed to all the LGA Chairmen in the state to follow the footprints of Hon Dullar in assisting the petty traders,the less privileged in their locality as this will go a long way in reducing the economic hardship being faced by the citizens, while calling on the beneficiaries not to use the fund giving to them for entertainment rather to invest it into their little businesses so as to yield more profit.
One of the beneficiaries,Mrs Ogunlade Funke thanked the chairman for the gesture. According to her, the money came to her at the right time as she would use add it to her unused clothes (Okirika) business
Another beneficiary,Mrs Moreneike Adisa said the cash award would bring relief to her,as she has praying for God to touch a man to bless her.
“I am a beneficiary of the cash, and I want to thank the chairman,l am most grateful for such an initiative,l am tomato and fresh pepper seller, with this money,it will boost my business,she said ”
Highlight of the event was the presentation of cash award of N50,000 to 1,000 beneficiaries and a one-minute silence in memory of recently deceased councilors, including Hon. Lateef Muibi, Hon. Folarin Adegbite, and Hon. Oyewole Diya led by Hon Salawu as religious, community, and political leaders,Prince Kehinde Ibrahim Oladega, Comrade Opeyemi Alabi (SSA on Youth Mobilization to Governor Sanwo-Olu), and Hon. Toyin Aremu, the SSA on Transportation,APC Apex Leaders led by Alhaji Fatai Bakare while Hon. Bosede Ogunlaja represented the women’s wing. Other prominent figures included Hon. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe, Hon. Lateef Otufowora, and Vice Chairman, Hon. Adekunle Ekiyemi-Odujobi thronged the venue to show support, including Iyaloja General of Somolu, Chief (Mrs.) Modupe Olufojude, and representatives of people living with disabilities in the area
The Somolu Legislative Council was led by Hon. Yomi Osunkoya, and the Executive Council was represented by Hon. Ayodele Afolabi (SLG) and Hon. Folarin Olubiyi. Former Sole Administrator of Bariga LCDA, Hon. Dapo Osijo, was also in attendance, adding further prominence to the high-capacity event.
