Over N240 million has been given to 21 cooperative organisations in Osun State, which are made up of farmers and artisans, in order to support the state’s socioeconomic operations.
For the benefit of its members, who were primarily farmers, craftsmen, and minor traders, the cooperative societies selected from the State’s Olorunda, Osogbo, Atakumosa-West, and Ilesa-West Local Government Areas were each awarded funds ranging from N2.5 million to N10 million.
The Agboluaje Kajola Foundation’s Vice Chairman, Oja-Oba Osogbo, spoke at the cheque distribution ceremony at Ataoja’s palace. Mr. Olusegun Akintade, one of the event’s sponsors, stated that the foundation’s main goal is to enable people to become self-sufficient.
“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.
According to Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by Mr. Biyi Odunlade, Commissioner for Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Adeleke-led administration would collaborate with any organisation or person that aims to lift people out of poverty.
“Our administration has expended over N2billion to cooperative groups with a view to boost economic development through micro economic activities. This can only be achieved through empowerment of petty traders, artisans and farmers among other. This is why as a government, we are proud to associate with the foundation”, he said.
Additionally, the foundation’s patron and former Internal Affairs Minister Rauf Aregbesola, represented by Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, praised the foundation’s founder for their dedication to combating societal poverty and stated that the government cannot be left to raise people out of poverty on its own.