_……..Empowers 1000 Residents, Graduates 600 Youths In One Year.
Emmanuel Ikpeama
*MUSHIN, LAGOS* — The courtyard of Òdì-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA was aglow with prayers, music and gratitude on Monday, August 17, 2026, as Executive Chairman, Dr. Jakande Oluseyi Lawal marked one year in office with a celebration that many residents described as “history repeating itself.”
Amid chants of “JAKO! JAKO!”, the Chairman was conferred with the royal title *“JAKO Omo Baba Kekere”* — meaning _the son who walks like his father_ — in recognition of his leadership style that mirrors the legendary legacy of his late father, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State.
The anniversary was not just symbolic. It was backed by action: a ₦500 million Mega Empowerment Programme that put cash, buses, skills and healthcare directly into the hands of the people.
With emotion in his voice, Dr. Jakande told the crowd that his administration came in with one promise: to make government visible.
“One year ago, we assumed office with a clear conviction that leadership must go beyond promises. Today, we are not merely celebrating one year in office; we are celebrating one year of action, service and measurable impact,” he said.
Guided by the “HEWA Agenda”— Health, Education, Works and Security, and Agriculture, Tourism and Culture — the Chairman said every project was designed to touch lives at the grassroots.
The biggest cheer came when 1000 residents received cash grants to support their businesses, livelihoods and personal needs.
“As part of the empowerment package, 1,000 residents of Òdì-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA received cash grants. This is part of our broader commitment to providing direct financial assistance and expanding economic opportunities at the grassroots,” Dr. Jakande announced.
Investigator news reports that other empowerment scheme include 9 brand new mini-buses commissioned, with one allocated to a qualified beneficiary from each of the 9 wards.,a ₦250 million interest-free loan scheme for SMEs and individuals, managed through a microfinance bank,302 Street Assistants inaugurated — one from every street — to strengthen security and community order and Special Support Grants for residents not captured in other categories, ensuring “no street is left behind.”
In a proud moment, 600 youths graduated from a 3-month intensive vocational programme. They received full start-up kits: cooking burners for caterers, hair dryers and mannequins for hairdressers, sewing machines for tailors, makeup kits and ring lights for makeup artists, shoemaking machines for cobblers, and ICT tools for graduates in graphics, web development, data analysis and AI.
All trainees wrote exams before receiving their tools.
“This empowerment must be intentional. We trained them, tested them, and now we are equipping them so they don’t sell the tools but use them to build their future,” the Chairman said.
It will be recalled that the administration commissioned the newly reconstructed Kayode Primary Health Centre and an ambulance bus to improve emergency response. It also launched free health insurance for 1,500 residents and introduced Electronic Medical Records.
In schools, pupils got free bags and materials, while the ako Jollof Initiative now feeds children nutritious Jollof rice every Friday. Free GCE forms and bursaries were also given.
On infrastructure, 18 roads and drainage projects have been completed, with 4 more ongoing, they nclude Ibadan, Muibi, Danmegoro, Alhaji Kola Oseni, Ade Akinsanya, Ladipo Sode, Industrial Crescent, Akala, Adedoja, Igabrere, Adewusi, Adegboyega, Adesakin, Isijola and Olapade Streets. including Ibadan, Muibi, Danmegoro, Alhaji Kola Oseni, Ade Akinsanya, and Industrial Crescent
The highlight of the day was when GAC Leader, Bashorun Olorunfunmi, stood up and declared: “Today we call you JAKO Omo Baba Kekere. The child lives by the standard of his father and performs as his father does.”
The title drew thunderous applause. Alhaja Sikirat Jakande, the Chairman’s mother and wife of the late Alh. Lateef Jakande, was visibly emotional.
In their goodwill messages,the Member representing Mushin Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly,Hon. Nurani Akinsanya, OSMAK, praised the “people-oriented projects and purposeful leadership,” urging beneficiaries to “maximize the tools and repay loans so others can benefit.”
He noted that the programmes reflect the _legacy of service_ of Alh. Lateef Jakande, while praying that Almighty Allah will continually sustains him with His grace and divine wisdom to serve the people.
Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon said: “Ile-Owo, buses, cash grants — these are ideas you’ve not heard of before. He has touched every sphere of the community.”.
“Any project he lays his hands on will be a success because he has the passion to deliver and I am so proud of him.”
The Member representing Mushin Constituency 2 at the National Assembly,Hon. Yemi Ali added: “Words are born out of execution. For you to assemble these youths, train them and give them tools to practicalize it — it’s a laudable achievement. Once they are self-employed, we are reducing unemployment.”
Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, concluded: “We have seen what has been recorded in one year. We will continue to partner with him.
Ojelabi noted that it is glaring that the party has a chairman that knows his onions and he knows why he’s put there.
“He’s going to deliver a lot to them. If you go by what he has done in one year, then you can know that he’s going to do a lot.”
He opined that the empowerment is going to have a great impact on the constituents because it’s a mega empowerment, noting that the chairman has thought that after infrastructure,he needs to empower the people.
“For example, the chairman is actually giving out empowerment tools to the three-month vocational training, skill acquisition training. He’s also giving out buses to residents of the community, and also giving them, empowering them and allowing them to have a means of income. So that is a great empowerment for the community.”
“And it’s not only doing that, it’s also the first of its kind in Lagos State opening *Ile-Owo*. That is a platform where residents of the community can come and take a loan at a 0% interest fee. That is a great stride for the chairman.
That is something that will empower everybody—residents, artisans, traders. So this will go a long way.”he said
He appealed to the beneficiaries to make good use of what they are given.”it’s not given to you to go and change or to go and do whatever you want to do with it because you’ve gone through training before they were given.
“So it’s not the one that you just come and collect something that you don’t know about but you are equipped with that trade after 3 months of intensive training so hold dearly to it.
Speaking with newsmen,the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Digital Media and Public Affairs, Honorable Damilola Jayesimi described the empowerment as an opportunity.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is rare for you to see a political leader that would go out of his way to make funds available to you, make empowerment tools available to you. So this is a way for you to make sure you get focused, make sure you do what is right, and make sure you make the best of it because the sky is just the limit.”
Other dignitaries who gave their good will messages included Dr. Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Hon. Aremo Adeyemi Alli, Hon. Rasak Olusola Ajala, Oba Fatai Aileru, Oba Sikiru Olamide Williams, Mrs. Adebimpe Jakande, Hon. Ismail Babatunde Tunkaz, Iyaloja General Alhaja Adebunmi, and Hon. Lekan Fatodu.
Speaking with newsmen after the event,Dr. Jakande said the empowerment was “intentional and genuinely impactful.” He explained the strict process for buses and loans to prevent abuse, and said beneficiaries will later be engaged to train the next set.
“To all our beneficiaries, use these opportunities wisely. These are not merely gifts; they are investments in your future. Our goal is not only to empower people today, but to create people who will, in turn, empower others tomorrow,” he said.
“It is our belief, taking them through this process, we believe that whatever tool that they have gotten and received today is knowledgeable to them and they can put those tools to good use, rather than to just sell it off or abandon those equipment.”
Commenting on the commercial buses,he said “during our research, we have seen that most times people receive empowerments of this nature, they just give it out or sell it off for people that probably need it. So what we have done is to go through the grassroots, sensitize our people about this program, and lay out the modalities for people to qualify.”
“We had a pre-qualifying stage where we invited all of the applicants within Orile Agege. The basic requirement is that you must be a resident of Orile Agege. And the other requirement, which is also fundamental and important, is that you must be in that line of business. Right? It is not a trial-and-error business.
The fact that the vehicles are free does not mean that we’re going to give it to you when you don’t understand how it operates.”
“So we look at your background, we ask for references from people that can testify that you are in that line of business, and then we have also asked for guarantors, for people that can guarantee and speak well that you can manage and maintain these buses. And that is how we have been able to arrive at specific numbers.”he’submitted.
He promised more in year two: “More roads will be constructed, more businesses will be empowered, more youths will be trained, more women will be supported and more opportunities will be created.”
The event attracted both top political and traditional leaders,among them were GAC Chairman, Dr. Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi; GAC Leader, Bashorun Olorunfunmi; Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Hon. Aremo Adeyemi Alli; Hon. Nurani Akinsanya, OSMAK; and former LCDA Chairman, Hon. Rasak Olusola Ajala.
Also present were Alhaja Sikirat Jakande, mother of the Chairman and wife of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alh. Lateef Jakande; Mrs. Adebimpe Jakande; Hon. Ismail Babatunde Tunkaz; Olu of Mushin, Oba Fatai Aileru; Oba of Òdì-Olowo, Oba Sikiru Olamide Williams; and many others including Hon. Deji Jakande, Hon. Lekan Fatodu, Iyaloja General Alhaja Adebunmi,Comrade Ademola Taiwo,Alhaji Olowolagba, Engr. Sholabi, Hon. Bunmi Obakoya, Hon. Adedeji Owoeye, Hon. Femi Odusote, Chief Adekunle Adebayo, among several others.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of equipments to the beneficiaries, presentation of bus and cutting of birthday cake of Hon Ajala, immediate past chairman of the council.
The day ended with prayers,beneficiaries clutching their tools, buses and grant alerts — a clear sign, residents said, that “Service to the People… Prosperity for All” is already in motion in Òdì-Olowo/Ojuwoye.
