Ogunkelu Empowers Agbowa–Ikosi Ejinrin Traders with Cash Support, Palliatives
Atume Terfa
Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, popularly known as Sketel, has taken another step toward strengthening grassroots businesses in Agbowa–Ikosi Ejinrin by distributing cash support and palliatives to residents, with a special focus on small-scale traders and entrepreneurs.
The initiative, valued at about ₦18 million, benefited nearly 2,000 households across the constituency. Beneficiaries included market women, artisans, youths, and the elderly, who received food items and cash grants designed not only to cushion the rising cost of living but also to provide working capital for small-scale ventures.
During the distribution, Hon. Ogunkelu explained that cash-based assistance gives recipients freedom to address their most pressing needs — from food and medicine to business capital. He assured residents that the intervention was part of a broader, ongoing plan to support education, youth empowerment, and enterprise development in the LCDA.
For many small traders, the intervention was timely. Market women and young entrepreneurs expressed relief, saying the support would help them restock goods, stabilize their businesses, and cope with price surges in the market. Community leaders, while appreciative, called for sustained programmes such as microcredit schemes, vocational training, and improved infrastructure to ensure lasting economic growth.
Experts also note that cash-driven palliatives are becoming increasingly preferred in economic empowerment initiatives, as they allow individuals to make choices that strengthen both livelihoods and household resilience. They, however, stressed the need for transparency and accountability to ensure fairness in beneficiary selection.
Hon. Ogunkelu closed the outreach by reaffirming his commitment to grassroots development, urging residents to connect with constituency offices for updates on upcoming training and empowerment opportunities. He emphasised that his ultimate goal is to ensure governance delivers tangible benefits to small-scale business owners and families at the community level.
