21 Cooperative Societies Empowered with 240 Million Naira by a Foundation in Osun State
Naija CooperativeNews
Twenty-one cooperative societies, consisting of artisans and farmers in Osun State have been empowered with over N240 million to boost socio-economic activities in the State.
The cooperative societies drawn from Olorunda, Osogbo, Atakumosa-West and Ilesa-West Local Government Areas of the State were given money ranging between N2.5million to N10million each for the use of their members mostly petty traders, artisans and farmers.
Speaking at the cheque distribution ceremony held at Ataoja’s palace, Oja-Oba Osogbo, the Vice Chairman of Agboluaje Kajola Foundation, sponsors of the event, Mr Olusegun Akintade said the major objective of the foundation is empowering the people to attain self-sufficiency.
“Our major objective, as agreed by myself, the Chairman, Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe is to stay clear of politics, empower our people and boost the socio-economic activities of our various communities. Another set of cooperative groups would be given checks too at Ilare and Ilesa respectively.
“We, hereby, urge beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds to become economically liberated and reduce rthe ate of poverty in our society. Poverty does not discriminate politicians from the masses, hence, our decision to remain apolitical”, he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Biyi Odunlade disclosed that the Adeleke-led administration would partner any group or individuals with the ambition of raising people out of poverty.
“Our administration has expended over N2 billion to cooperative groups intending to boost economic development through microeconomic activities. This can only be achieved through the empowerment of petty traders, artisans and farmers among others. This is why as a government, we are proud to associate with the foundation”, he said.
Also, the Patron of the foundation and ex-Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, represented by Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, commended the founder of the foundation for their commitment to tackling poverty in the society, saying the government must not be left alone to raise people of poverty.
