The Agboluaje Kajola Foundation has distributed N43 million in grants to eight cooperative groups and hundreds of individuals in Ondo State.
The empowerment event was held alongside the commissioning of 150 solar lights installed at the Moferere Market.
It was gathered that the two-in-one humanitarian programs were put to celebrate the legacy of the late Alhaja Falilat Agboluaje mother to the NGO’s founder and chairman, Agboluaje Kajola Foundation, Engr Kayode Adegbulugbe.
The groups which benefitted from the N43m grants include, Moferere Market Co-operative, Sabo Market Co-operative, Keke Napep Co-operative, Okada Rider Co-operative and Patent Medicine Sellers Co-operative.
Others are Barber’s Association, Caterers Association and young men and women groups.
Speaking at the colourful event, Vice Chairman of the Agboluaje Kajola Foundation, Asiwaju Olusegun Akintade said the projects in Ondo are aimed at extending the organization’s works to the city of birth of Engr Adegbulugbe, stating that the Foundation has spent over N500m on projects, grants and empowerments.
Reflecting on the life of late Alhaja Falilat Agboluaje, Akintade described her as the first person to start the programmes aimed at emancipation of younger generations by bringing about liberation, mentorship and support to young people in Oja Oba market in Osogbo.
He said the foundation’s goal is also to venture into empowerment of young people in Ondo State through agriculture and technology.
“Our organization has spent over N500m to support businesses, improve infrastructure and empowering people. This event marks our number 5b and we feel like bringing it to Ondo City.
“This programme is in remembrance of Alhaja Falilat Agboluaje, who was the late mother of Engr Koyode Adegbulugbe. We want to plead with you to manage the funds very well and we believe that it will only get better with us. The money is a grant and has zero interest on it.”
Akintade informed the gathering that “this forum is not a political group. We were not a political Forum yesterday, we are not today and we won’t be tomorrow. It’s just our commitment to the development of people.”
Chairman of Ondo North Local Council Development Authority, Mr Onidare Sunday Bunkunmi described the projects of Agboluaje Kajola Foundation as “fantastic jobs”.
He said he was really surprised and enthralled by the grants made available for different market groups by the nongovernmental organization.
While urging beneficiaries to make good use of the grants, Bunkunmi assures the organization of his readiness to partner with them towards actualizing its dreams for Ondo people.
Chief Mrs Oluwabukola Akinniyi, the Iyaloja of Ondo Kingdom told journalists that the grants was unprecedented, added that it will boost the local businesses in Ondo City.
Akinniyi also said the solar panels installed in the market have not only increased the patronage but also boosted the income of market women.
Also speaking, a market woman, Mrs Alabi said the solar lights work perfectly, comes up at 7pm and goes off at 7am.
“The lights are working perfectly. Before 7pm, it has gone up and illuminates everywhere. For those of us who have reasons to come around in the midnight, the solar lights are really helping us. We thank those who made them for us. May Almighty God continue to bless them”. Mrs Alabi said.
