One Year In Office: Over 1000 Residents Benefitted From Jakande Large Scale Empowerment
By Saheed Afolabi
Over one thousand residents have benefitted from the large scale empowerment worth Five hundred million naira done by the chairman of OdiOlowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Dr Seyi Jakande at the council secretariat.
Political leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and residents gathered to witness what many described as fresh dividends of democracy.
Addressing the crowd, Jakande said government must be visible and accessible to create an impact in the community.
“Government must be visible, accessible and impactful. Our commitment was, and remains, to improve the quality of life of our people, create opportunities, develop infrastructure and build a community where prosperity is accessible to all.”
The centrepiece of the celebration was a wide-ranging empowerment package. One thousand residents received cash grants to support livelihoods and small businesses, while the Ile-Owo interest-free loan scheme was unveiled to provide accessible financing for traders and entrepreneurs.
“At the heart of our ₦500 million Mega Empowerment Programme is the ₦250 million interest-free loan scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals within the LCDA, tagged ILE-OWO,” the Chairman explained.
The JAKO Bus Empowerment Scheme also took off, with nine mini-buses allocated one per ward to beneficiaries in the transport sector. Healthcare received a boost with the commissioning of the newly constructed Kayode Primary Health Centre and the donation of an ambulance to strengthen emergency response.
Youth empowerment featured prominently as 600 vocational trainees graduated. Each received start-up kits tailored to their trade: sewing machines for tailors, hair dryers for hairdressers, shoemaking kits for cobblers, makeup kits and ring lights for artists, catering equipment for food vendors, and full toolkits for solar installation engineers.
“We have completed 18 roads and drainage projects, with four additional roads ongoing. Infrastructure must be functional, and it must serve the people.”
Security and community development were also prioritised. The administration inaugurated 302 Street Assistants to support neighbourhood safety and orderliness, complementing broader security measures that include CCTV installations at strategic locations such as Ogunmokun Bridge and the deployment of personnel to public schools.
Closing his address, Jakande urged beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunities: “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.”
Jakande’s performance over the past year has drawn widespread recognition. In the Lagos Reporters’ independent ranking of all 57 LGAs and LCDAs, his council rose from 5th after 100 days, to 2nd at the half-year mark, and now ranks 1st at the one-year milestone.
