Residents of the Lagos East Senatorial District were in celebratory mood at the weekend as Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, launched 48 cooperative societies with a combined take-off grant of N480 million, distributed empowerment tools to 2,000 constituents, and rolled out food packs for 12,000 households across the district’s 98 wards.
The large-scale intervention—described as one of the most extensive empowerment initiatives ever witnessed in Lagos East—focused on strengthening economic inclusion and delivering tangible support to families across the 16 LGAs and LCDAs in the district.
Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, youths, artisans, and women groups, Senator Abiru, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, reaffirmed his commitment to delivering what he called “the greater good to the larger number.”
“Your presence here reinforces our collective conviction that governance must remain responsive, compassionate, and rooted in addressing the real needs of the people,” he stated.
According to the senator, his approach since assuming office has remained grounded in transforming public office into measurable benefits for ordinary citizens. He explained that the cooperative scheme was deliberately crafted to provide women, farmers, artisans, and traders with affordable, flexible capital to grow sustainable enterprises.
“Empowerment is not merely about handouts,” Senator Abiru said. “It is about giving people the tools to unlock their potential, create wealth, and contribute to national development.”
Each of the newly inaugurated 48 cooperative societies—cutting across market associations, youth groups, farmer clusters, artisan groups, and trade bodies—received N10 million, amounting to a total disbursement of N480 million.
Beyond the cooperatives, about 2,000 beneficiaries received various work tools and starter kits including freezers, generators, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, and hair dryers—items targeted at boosting productivity and self-reliance.
To support vulnerable households during the festive season, Senator Abiru also commenced the distribution of food packs to 12,000 families, an intervention he noted has been sustained for three consecutive years, with special attention to the elderly, unemployed youths, women, and persons with disabilities.
The senator highlighted his achievements under three core pillars—legislation, empowerment, and endowment. He referenced his contributions to bills and motions on economic inclusion and financial stability, as well as investments in education, healthcare, roads, and digital skills development through the SAIL Innovation Lab. He added that his interventions align closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, translating national priorities into local impact.
He urged recipients of the grants and tools to deploy them responsibly, stressing that inclusive growth can only be sustained through prudent use of public support and strong community cooperation.
In their goodwill messages, prominent leaders across the district commended Senator Abiru’s efforts. The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, described the initiative as “remarkable,” noting that the entire Lagos East remains proud of the senator’s accomplishments.
The APC State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, praised Abiru for uplifting the party through impactful, people-oriented programmes. Former Lagos State Deputy Governor and APC Apex Leader in Ikorodu Division, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, lauded the senator’s progressive leadership style and urged other public officials to emulate his model.
Market leader, Deaconess Busola Isikalu, speaking on behalf of market men and women, expressed gratitude for what she termed “a platform for economic liberation,” assuring that beneficiaries would put the resources to good use.
The event drew an impressive list of dignitaries, including members of the Governance Advisory Council—Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe—and several royal fathers across the district. Also in attendance were local government chairmen led by Hon. Sesan Abdullahi Olowa, religious leaders, and community stakeholders.
