Abiodun Empowering Residents To Strengthen Local Businesses, Approves Soft Loans For Artisans (+photos)

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – In a move aimed at grassroots empowerment, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the disbursement of low-interest loans to artisans across the state.

This initiative is part of his administration’s broader efforts to support and uplift citizens at the community level.

The Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Balogun, revealed the governor’s approval during the closing ceremony of a 4-day ‘Citizenship and Leadership Advanced Training Course’.

The programme was organized for community leaders from all 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

Hon. Balogun emphasized that the loan disbursement is designed to empower residents and enable them to grow and improve their businesses.

He added that, the training was to equipping the community leaders with various leadership skills, including tips against banditry and kidnapping, flood prevention and curbing drug abuse, expressing confidence that insights and knowledge gained would not only broaden their perspectives but also equip them with tools to inspire and change their various communities.

Hon. Balogun, in a statement signed by the Information and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Ms. Yemisi Fashola, reiterated the unwavering commitment of Gov. Abiodun towards improving the welfare of residents, emphasising that the training would strengthen grassroots governance and build capable community-based leadership that would champion the cause of development.

“In fact, this training is not about acquiring new knowledge, rather, it is a call to action, a call to lead with vision, integrity and compassion. As community leaders, you are the heartbeat of development, the voice of the people, and the bridge between government and grassroots,” Balogun stated.

He said that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration recognised the critical role of community leaders in nation building, hence the appointment of four community representatives into the Amotekun Corps Board, hinting that plans to upgrade the infrastructure at the Social Development Institute, Shasha, for more effective training and engagements were underway.

A Course Coordinator, Mrs. Abolanle Ajayi represented by her deputy, Mr. Jamiu Jimoh, said the essence of the course was to equip participants with necessary skills and knowledge that would enhance effective and efficient running of various communities, as well as execution and maintaining of self-help projects.

He revealed that a total of 687 community leaders drawn across all Local Government Areas, participated in the training, admonishing them to make good use of the knowledge acquired in the course of the training.

On behalf of others, Pastor Kolawole Idowu and Dr. Abdul Adeniran, appreciated the state government for organising the training as it had exposed them to new teachings on conflict resolution and management, peaceful co-existence with others, promising to cascade the acquired knowledge to members in their various communities.

Other activities at the training included; road walk/jogging, football competition, camp fire, and cultural dance, among others.