…As Adeleke, Aregbesola, Ataoja
urge wealthy Nigerians to invest in society
No fewer than 21 cooperative societies of farmers and artisans in Osun State have been empowered by the Agboluaje Kajola Foundation with over N120 million.
This is in addition to commissioning solar streetlights worth over 100 million naira in Osogbo, Ilare Ijesa, and Ilesa towns, as well as newly built lockup shops for kolanut sellers at the Atakunmosa market in Ilesa.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commended the foundation’s efforts, urging wealthy Nigerians to invest in the people and give back to society.
The duo represented by Commissioner for Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade, and Chairman, Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji emphasised the need for the well-to-do to initiate programmes that will benefit the less privileged.
They commended efforts of Agboluaje Kajola Foundation in bringing smiles to the faces of the people, urging it to consolidate on its achievements to better the socio-economic landscape of Osun.
Adeleke expressed pride in the foundation’s initiative, which complements his administration’s efforts to empower youth, women, and artisans.
Adeleke said, “What is happening today is commendable. My administration has been at the forefront of worthy policies that has centred on empowering the youth, women and artisans. That is why I am proud to be where one of those things that complements our efforts in developing our people and their capacity to transform our economy is strengthened. We will continue to support this laudable initiative.”
Aregbesola who is the Grand Patron of the foundation noted that, “It is gratifying to note that these set of philanthropists have continued to put smiles on the faces of the people. What they have done in the last four years is laudable and commendable. The crux of economic transformation begins with the local economy. I am glad that Agboluaje Kajola foundation is looking in this direction and executing it in accordance with the Omoluabi ethos.”
Also speaking at the event held at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Vice Chairman, Agboluaje Kajola Foundation, Asiwaju Olusegun Akintade who spoke on behalf of the Chairman, Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe said the mission of the foundation is to make local businesses thrive.
Akintade who said the empowerment programme is apolitical called on privileged individuals in the society to partner the foundation in reaching more artisans, traders and other members of the business community in Osun State.
“We are not giving out 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 enterprising and are interested in making a legal living but are cash strapped. That is why we are putting the money in a pool to be managed by the people themselves.
“We started with 7 initial cooperatives. We have now expanded it to 21. We will continue to do more. We are throwing a challenge to well-to-do indigenes of Osogbo and across the state to come back home and give our people hope. Our inspiration is the joy we see on the faces of the people. That in itself is enough for us,” Akintade held.
Earlier in his remarks, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji lauded the founders of Agboluaje Foundation for putting smiles on the faces of the people.
Oba Oyetunji also called for more collaboration between the government and philathropic organisations to mitigate the effect of the current economic hardship as well as enhance community development.
The event featured the distribution of cheques to beneficiaries of the empowerment programme as well as a reception in honour of the grand patron of the foundation.
