The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Yunus Akintunde, will on Wednesday commence the distribution of a N25 million empowerment fund to traders and marketers across parts of Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones of Oyo State as part of efforts to support small businesses and promote grassroots economic development.
The empowerment programme, which is expected to benefit traders and marketers across 11 local government areas and five federal constituencies, is designed to provide financial support for small-scale entrepreneurs.
Beneficiaries will be drawn from Oyo Federal Constituency, Akinyele/Lagelu, Egbeda/Ona Ara, Oluyole, and Ogo Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency.
According to the programme schedule, the distribution will begin in Oyo on Wednesday, July 15, before moving to participating local government areas in Ibadan and concluding in Ogo Oluwa and Surulere local government areas in the Ogbomoso axis.
Speaking on the initiative, Senator Akintunde described the programme as part of his commitment to ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach people at the grassroots.
”This empowerment is another demonstration of our resolve to make democratic dividends permeate every stratum of Oyo Central Senatorial District, especially among traders and marketers who are the backbone of our local economy,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that the intervention was aimed at helping beneficiaries strengthen their businesses and improve their means of livelihood. He urged recipients to make prudent use of the funds, saying, “I encourage every beneficiary to invest this support in expanding his or her business. If properly utilised, the fund will not only improve individual livelihoods but also contribute to the economic growth of our communities.”
Akintunde noted that the N25 million traders’ empowerment scheme is one of several intervention programmes he has implemented for constituents since assuming office.
He reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining initiatives that improve the welfare of residents, stressing that “Our responsibility as elected representatives is to continue initiating programmes that positively impact the lives of the people and strengthen economic opportunities across the senatorial district.”
The senator expressed optimism that the empowerment programme would enhance the capacity of small businesses, create more economic opportunities and improve household incomes across the district.
