ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Adetokunbo Abiru, has launched 48 cooperative societies with take-off grants amounting to N480m.
A statement released by his media aide, Enitan Olukotun, explained that the senator also handed out various empowerment tools to roughly 2,000 residents and distributed food packs to more than 12,000 households across the 98 wards within the 16 local government areas of Lagos East.
According to Olukotun, the event described as one of the most extensive empowerment programmes ever held in the district highlighted a model of governance centred on compassion, sustainable economic upliftment, and leadership focused on people’s needs.
While speaking to an audience that included traditional rulers, political figures, community stakeholders, party members, women’s groups, youths, and artisans, Abiru who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions said the initiative reaffirmed his dedication to delivering “greater good to a larger number” of constituents across the district.
“Beyond the ceremony, 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,” he said.
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The senator stated that ever since he was elected to the National Assembly, his leadership approach has remained consistent ensuring that public office is translated into tangible value and enduring hope for ordinary citizens.
He added that the cooperative scheme was thoughtfully structured to assist women, farmers, artisans, and traders by providing simple, flexible, and affordable access to capital for long-term economic empowerment.
“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 cover a broad range of economic and social groups from market women and youths to farmers, artisans, and trade associations across Lagos East with each group receiving N10m, amounting to a total of N480m.
Abiru noted that cooperatives are effective tools for driving grassroots economic inclusion, as they allow members to pool funds, secure financing, build credit profiles, and grow their businesses in an organised way.
In addition to the cooperative support, around 2,000 individuals received empowerment materials and starter kits aimed at fostering independence and sustainable income generation.
These included freezers, generators, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, head dryers, and several other items.
“This empowerment items distribution programme is deliberately designed to empower our youths, women, artisans, farmers, traders, and other hardworking constituents with relevant tools, starter kits, and institutional support that promote self-reliance, productivity, and sustainable livelihoods,” Abiru said.
The statement further revealed that the senator also kicked off the distribution of food packs to 12,000 households across the district for the Christmas and New Year festive season.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, described the cooperative support, empowerment programme, and food distribution exercise as highly commendable.
He noted that both the people of Ikorodu and the wider Lagos East community were pleased with the senator’s accomplishments.
Similarly, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, speaking on behalf of party leaders, praised Abiru for elevating the party through his innovative initiatives.
“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,” Ojelabi said.
A former deputy governor of Lagos State and APC Apex Leader in the Ikorodu division, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, also commended Abiru for consistently advancing the principles of progressive politics, urging other elected leaders to follow his example.
The Ikorodu division market leader, Deaconess Busola Isikalu, expressed gratitude to the senator for creating a viable avenue for economic upliftment for market men and women, artisans, and youths throughout the district.