Hunpe Charges Cash Support Beneficiaries To Invest Wisely

By Saheed Afolabi

Chairman of Badagry LG, Mr Babatunde Hunpe has urged beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Asiwaju Cash Support to prudently manage their resources and deploy their funds to sustainable income.

Hunpe, on Wednesday disbursed ₦100,000 each to 200 new beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Asiwaju Cash Support Programme making it the fourth edition of the initiative.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Hunpe told them the money should serve as seed capital for their future and not be spent on consumption alone. He urged every beneficiary to invest it in their small businesses, whether as petty traders, artisans, or market women, so that it could multiply, create more jobs for their households, and become a source of lasting prosperity rather than a one-time relief.

The Renewed Hope Asiwaju Cash Support Programme, which the Chairman personally initiated during his 100 Days in Office celebration, is a monthly grassroots intervention designed to cushion the effect of current economic challenges. It is structured to run for approximately 20 months and reach a total of 4,000 residents across Badagry. Previous editions have already empowered widows, widowers, petty traders, artisans, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

Hunpe described the programme as the local government’s direct contribution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. He stated that with the increased federal allocation coming to local governments, there is a responsibility to ensure it reaches the people who need it most. He emphasised that governance must be felt at the grassroots, especially in these difficult times, which is why the council is stabilising households and growing micro-enterprises.

While noting that empowerment programmes often attract criticism, the Chairman insisted they remain necessary for immediate succour. He assured residents yet to benefit that the programme is inclusive and non-partisan, promising that more batches will be captured in subsequent phases.

Hunpe revealed that the council has established robust monitoring mechanisms. He added that the council will be tracking how these funds are used so that the impact can be measured and sustained.

The Chairman also used the occasion to announce two major upcoming interventions, a Renewed Hope Discount Market to be held ahead of the Ileya Festival, and the distribution of additional palliatives before the end of the month.

Council Manager, Mrs Abosede Oluwakemi Senami, commended the consistency of the programme and its positive effect on local economic activities, equally encouraging beneficiaries to make the cash support work for them.

Leader of the Legislative Arm, Mr Asokere Mautin Bankole, lauded Hunpe for the initiative and echoed the same call. He stressed that the real success of this intervention will be seen in how judiciously the people utilise the funds and that is where the true empowerment lies.