Mr Sylvester Ogunkelu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II, has distributed N5 million and rice to traders and constituents in the area.
The lawmaker gave out N50,000 each to traders at events held at Eredo and Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) on Thursday, in Epe.
Ogunkelu said the gesture was aimed at empowering the residents to either start up small-scale businesses or expand their existing ventures for sustainable livelihoods.
The lawmaker, who also distributed five kg bags of rice and N5,000 cash gifts to residents, said the development is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, many families benefitted from the distribution of the five kg bags of rice and cash gifts and it would help them cushion the effects of the current economic hardship.
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to continuously deliver dividends of democracy to his constituents.
He said beyond financial empowerment, his office is working on vocational training opportunities and other sustainable initiatives that would further enhance productivity in the communities.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the support given to them, stressing that his long-term goal was to build self-reliant communities in line with the socio-economic transformation agenda of the state government.
A community leader, Mr Adegoke Elujoba, lauded the lawmaker’s initiative, describing it as a demonstration of true grassroots representation.
Mrs Yejide Adekoya, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude, noting that the support would enable her to expand her petty business.
Another beneficiary, Mr Wasiu Adetola, said the intervention was timely, stressing that “it came when many traders were struggling with low sales and high costs of goods.”
He added that such empowerment would go a long way in restoring hope among residents and trades.
