More than 200 residents of Ward 13 in Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State, received financial assistance totalling N1.5 million under an empowerment programme organised by Councillor Toyin Bankole to support household incomes and small businesses.
The initiative covered several parts of the ward, including Olorunda, Keesan, Ilogun, Gbegbinlawo, Tibo Falekan, Ijale Papa, Ijale Orile, Seriki Ogboye, Akiegun Iwofin, Fapote, Akiliyi and Idi Ori.
Speaking at the presentation on Tuesday, Bankole said the project was part of his effort to give back to the community and improve residents’ welfare. He said people at the grassroots should experience tangible benefits from democratic governance.
He explained that the recipients included petty traders, owners of small enterprises and other residents earning livelihoods through different forms of work. In his view, the funds could provide important relief for individuals and families.
Bankole asked the beneficiaries to handle the money responsibly and use it to improve their financial circumstances. He specifically encouraged them to invest in productive ventures capable of generating lasting benefits, rather than spending it on non-essential items.
Hon. Ayoola Oluajo, the former vice-chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, praised the councillor’s intervention as an example of returning public benefits to the community. He said Bankole had helped deliver the dividends of democracy to Ward 13 and had not forgotten the grassroots voters who elected him.
Oluajo also told the recipients that every amount could be valuable if applied wisely. He urged them to invest the support in something useful that they could look back on as a lasting outcome of Bankole’s empowerment project, noting that no sum should be considered too small in Nigeria’s current economic climate.
Hon. Idowu Fakorede, a Ward 13 leader and member of an Ogun State board, described the programme as encouraging. He said it represented the kind of grassroots action that leaders had repeatedly urged earlier councillors to undertake, adding that he was pleased Bankole had responded to those appeals.
Fakorede similarly advised the beneficiaries to spend the funds carefully and said Ward 13 remained among the peaceful wards in Abeokuta North.
One of the event’s most emotional moments came when Fakorede offered further assistance to Aduragbemi Ogundeji, a physically challenged beneficiary who said he wanted to train as a barber. Impressed by Ogundeji’s determination to gain a vocational skill and become self-sufficient, Fakorede pledged support for the training as a route to a sustainable livelihood.
Kabiru Yusuf, chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ward 13, thanked Bankole and called the programme a major development for the area. He said the ward had not previously witnessed an initiative of that nature and prayed that God would increase the councillor’s resources so he could undertake even more in the future.
Yusuf urged recipients to put the money into worthwhile activities, including the expansion of their businesses, because the purpose of the scheme was to strengthen their ability to earn a living.
He also called on ward residents and APC members to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 general election. The appeal covered President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Hon. Olumide Osoba and Hon. Babatunde Tella. Yusuf said the ward was ready to mobilise its members for the party during the elections.
The gathering also featured the formal movement of several people from other political parties into the APC. Ward leaders and members welcomed the defectors, giving the welfare programme an additional political dimension.
Mrs Funke Obasami, assistant auditor of the Abeokuta North Local Government APC, described the intervention as unprecedented in Ward 13. She said residents had generally seen little from previous councillors after elections, claiming that many stopped appearing in the ward once voting ended.
Obasami added that Bankole had supported residents privately even before the public presentation. She said the latest effort was the first of its kind in the ward and praised him for assisting leaders, executive members and other residents without always publicising his earlier contributions.
Several beneficiaries thanked the councillor, describing the assistance as timely and useful for strengthening their businesses and meeting urgent financial obligations.
Those present included Ward leaders Hon. Akintade Semiu, Hon. Abegunrin Idowu, Hon. Sunday Afolabi, Hon. Abel Olusegun, Hon. Victor Olusola, Hon. Waheed Akomolafe, Hon. Sefiu Olatunji and Hon. Sotunde Oladapo.
A related newer item was listed as “Newer Ogun Councillor Empowers Over 200 Abeokuta North Residents With N1.5m,” while an “Older” entry also appeared alongside the report.
