…….. Inaugurates Sports Fiesta Season 5
Emmanuel Clement
It was joy and excitement in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA on Friday as the Executive Chairman, Hon. Dr. Seyi Jakande, officially flagged off the disbursement of the N250 million Ilé-Òwó interest-free loan and handed over nine JAKO Care mini-buses to residents across the nine political wards.
The empowerment programme, held at the council secretariat, is designed to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship and provide affordable capital for market women, artisans and small business owners who are often shut out by commercial banks due to high interest rates.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Jakande said the Ilé-Òwó scheme, which translates to “Money is at Home,” is a fulfilment of his campaign promise under the HEWA Agenda to promote wealth creation and inclusive growth at the grassroots.
According to him, the initiative is not a national cake-sharing exercise but a revolving empowerment tool that must be sustained through responsible use and prompt repayment.
He charged beneficiaries to invest the funds in productive ventures, keep proper records and adhere strictly to the repayment schedule so that other waiting residents can also benefit.
The Council Treasurer, Mr. Rufai Mujitaba, disclosed that beneficiaries will repay the loans bi-weekly within a period of six months to one year, with an opportunity to reapply for higher amounts upon successful repayment.
Representative of Anchor Microfinance Bank, Mr. Ayodeji Oyedotun, who is managing the loan portfolio, explained that the disbursement and monitoring framework was structured to ensure transparency, accountability and sustainability of the fund.
In her remarks, the Head of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Department, Mrs. Adekunle Modupe Adeboye, said the scheme would particularly empower women-led households to support their families and improve their standard of living.
She advised beneficiaries to resist the temptation to divert the funds to non-productive purposes and to properly maintain the buses for long-term income generation.
In a bid to ensure fairness and eliminate favouritism, the nine JAKO Care buses were distributed through an open public raffle draw involving 142 qualified applicants across the LCDA, producing one winner from each ward.
The lucky winners are Obawolu Akinwale (Ward A1), Ahmad Oladimeji (Ward A2), Sanni Gaafar (Ward B1), Oguntayo Adedokun (Ward B2), Saheed Olamilekan (Ward C1A), Olubi Janet Olufunmilayo (Ward C1B), Afolabi Samuel (Ward C2), Sulaimon Fasasi (Ward C3) and Zacheus Adelabu (Ward L).
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to the Chairman, describing the gesture as timely and life-changing.
A visibly elated Olawale a trader from Ward C1B who won a bus, said the vehicle would transform his business, promising to maintain it diligently.
Another beneficiary, Obawolu Akinwale from Ward A1, said the bus would end his years of working as a hired driver and make him a proud owner, while loan beneficiaries pledged to channel the funds into expanding their inventories.
Earlier,the Chairman inaugurated the Sports Committee for Sports Fiesta Season 5,they include;Chairman Supervisor for Sports Shotanwa Hammed,Secretary: Head of Department, Agriculture, Hon Bode Adeosun,Hon Lekan Adeyi,Hon Haruna Adeosun, Hon Adisa Rahmon, Hon Tosin Mabinuori, Hon Jaiyesimi Damilola, Hon. Olayiwola Omowunmi,Hon Ifeoluwa Jimoh,Mayowa Ayenimelo,Hon Elijah Martin,Hon Abubakar Ilyas.
Others are Shola Azeez,Azeez Mustapha,Onoshe ThankGod,Mr Williams, Gbolahan Ajala and Moses Egunjobi as Members.
The event was attended by top council officials, including executive members, legislators and management staff, alongside political and community leaders such as the Odi-Olowo APC Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Ismail, Iyaloja of Odi-Olowo, Alhaja Mufuliat Olubunmi, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams, market women and youth groups.
Stakeholders described the dual empowerment as a clear demonstration of responsive local governance focused on job creation, transport improvement and economic opportunities for the people of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye.
