More than 21 farmers and artisans cooperative societies in Osun State have received over N120 million in funding from a group of philanthropists through the Agboluaje Kajola Foundation.
This came as the group commissioned solar street lights worth over N100 million at Igbona market in Osogbo, Ilare Ijesa and Ilesa towns as well as the newly built shuttered shops for Kolanut vendors at the Atakunmosa in Ilesa.
In their separate remarks at the event, Governor Ademola Adeleke and one of his predecessors, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, challenged wealthy Nigerians to invest in the people and contribute to the society.
Represented by the Commissioner for Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade, and the President of Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji respectively, the duo stressed the need for the rich to initiate programs that benefit the less privileged.
They commended the efforts of the Agboluaje Kajola Foundation in making people smile, urging it to consolidate its achievements to improve the socio-economic landscape of Osun.
Adeleke said: “What is happening today is praiseworthy. My administration has been at the forefront of valuable policies that have focused on empowering youth, women and artisans. That is why I am proud to be where one of those things that complement our efforts in the development of our people and their ability to transform our economy is strengthened. We will continue to support this laudable initiative.”
Aregbesola, a major sponsor of the foundation, said: “It is gratifying to note that this group of philanthropists has continued to put smiles on people's faces. What they have done in the last four years is praiseworthy and commendable. The crux of economic transformation begins with the local economy. I am glad that the Agboluaje Kajola Foundation is looking in this direction and executing it in line with the spirit of Omoluabi.”
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At the event held at the Ataoja Palace in Osogbo, the Vice President of Agboluaje Kajola Foundation, Asiwaju Olusegun Akintade, spoke on behalf of the President, Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe said the mission of the foundation is to prosper local businesses.
Akintade, who said the empowerment program is apolitical, called on privileged people in the society to partner with the foundation to reach out to more artisans, traders and other members of the business community in Osun State.
“We are not giving loans. We are providing support in terms of empowerment and cooperatives so that people can benefit and allow others to benefit. We have seen that our people are entrepreneurial and interested in earning a living legally, but they have liquidity problems. That is why we are putting the money in a common fund for the people themselves to manage.
“We started with 7 initial cooperatives. We have now expanded it to 21. We will continue to do more. We are issuing a challenge to the well-off indigenes of Osogbo and across the state to return home and give hope to our people. Our inspiration is the joy we see on people's faces. This alone is enough for us,” Akintade said.
Earlier in his remarks, Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Oyetunji commended the founders of Agboluaje Foundation for bringing smiles to the people.
Oba Oyetunji also called for greater collaboration between government and philanthropic organizations to mitigate the effect of the current economic difficulties and enhance community development.
The event included the distribution of checks to the beneficiaries of the empowerment program and a reception in honor of the foundation's great patron.