I have the pleasure of delivering this keynote address on the 5th edition of the gathering of our hardworking men and women engaged in contributing their quota to the socio-economic development of our state, and indeed our nation in the area of commerce. In the last two days, I was in Abeokuta, Ogun Central and Ijebu Ode, Ogun East respectively, where I was engaged in similar exercise. Today is the turn of Ogun West to complete all the senatorial districts of Ogun State. I am indeed happy that pursuant of my electoral campaign promises and repeated assurances, I am again able to fulfil a pledge I made to a critical section of my constituents and now reaching out to our people across Ogun State.
It is on record that on February 6, 2023, during the campaign for office of the senator of Ogun West, I gathered women and men in our various markets to empathize with their situation in the face of economic downturn of the time. At that event for the empowerment of market women and men, I noted the serious economic challenges of our market women and men in their trading activities, particularly in the area of cash flow to sustain and expand their businesses.
While empowering the traders then, I had noted that their only noticeable succor was the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s commendable programme tagged “Oko Owo Dapo” which provided our market women and men some finance in trying times as well as the then Trader Monie from the Federal Government. Without those programmes and my facilitated empowerment for 5000 market women and men with the sum of N25,000 each on two occasions, our market women and men would have been left in limbo without any support from government or at the mercy of loan sharks. This marked the beginning of my own concept of “Oloja Yayi” signifying my promised regular support fund for market women and men in Ogun West Senatorial district.
After my election as Senator of Ogun West Senatorial District and in less than a year in office, precisely on January 28, 2024, I facilitated the third edition of cash grant directly to another set of “Oloja Yayi” to the tune of N50,000 for 5000 traders for the five Local Government Areas of my senatorial district. As attested to by the leaders of the Market women and men, these support fund remains a veritable impulse for growth for the micro and small businesses in the various markets.
Once again on Sunday April 27, 2025 on the 4th edition of the programme, I facilitated the empowerment of our Market Women and Men with beneficiaries drawn from the 5 Local Government Areas of Ogun West Senatorial District namely, Ado Odo Ota, Yewa South, Yewa North, Ipokia and Imeko Afon. Significantly, and based on strong solicitation from our market women and men from other senatorial districts, a substantial number of traders from other senatorial districts of our state were added to beneficiaries during the empowerment programme. In all, 5000 market women and men benefitted from the financial grant to the tune of N75,000 each in the edition. As stated earlier the “Oloja Yayi” is now for all Ogun State Market Women and Men.
Going forward in this 5th edition that is now divided into our three senatorial districts with Ogun West taking up their slot today, I am facilitating the programme of empowerment in partnership with the National Productivity Centre. This is a micro financing scheme in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on the economy to boost the businesses of our market men and women. As I have stated previously, this is not a loan but a grant to bring succor to a critical sector of our people and thereby stimulate economic growth. A total number of 4000 market women and men from Ogun West will receive a grant of N75,000 each to further boost their economic viability.
I am aware that in our midst today are many members that are not included today’s beneficiaries. Let me assure you that in the next edition of the programme coming up by God’s grace after my election in 2027, all of you will be beneficiaries as the “Oloja Yayi” will be a programme of my administration.
My vision here is to further complement the economic reforms of Mr. President to propel our economy on the path of steady and sustainable growth as well as the succor provided by our governor, Prince Abiodun. It is my target to directly impact on this critical sector of the society in ways to cushion the effects of the downturn of the economy on vulnerable persons and businesses.
Complementary to this initiative, I have also facilitated infrastructural development targeted at our market women and men to further boost their commercial activities. I have facilitated the construction of 43 modern markets and other ancillary projects in the last three and half years. Predictably as my primary senatorial district, Ogun West is a major beneficiary of these infrastructure.
I have facilitated the construction of modern markets as follows:
2 Lockup (40 units) and 3 Open Shop(60units) at Lusada, Ado-Odo/Ota LGA,
2 Lockup (40Units) and 3 Open Shop (60 Units) at Agosasa, Ipokia LGA,
2 Lockup (40 Units) and 3 Open Shop (60 Units) at Ijoun, Yewa North LGA,
2 Lockup (40 Units) and 3 Open Shop (60 Units) at Igbo Aje Market Ilaro, Yewa South LGA.
I have also further facilitated the construction of the 2 Lockup (40Units) and 3 Open Shop (60 Units) at following 5 Markets namely, Sayedero Market, Ilaro, Yewa South LGA, Farmer’s Market, Ilobi, Erinja, Yewa South LGA, Obada Market, Imeko Afon LGA, Ilara Market, Imeko Afon LGA and TT Dada Market, Ota, Ado-Odo /Ota LGA.
In addition, I have also facilitated the construction and installation of 10 Solar Powered Bore Holes in the following Markets: Ilaro Market, Owode Market, Ayetoro Market, Oja Odan Market, Ipokia Market, Tube Market, Imeko Market, Owode Market, Oba Titi Dada(Ota) Market and Lusada Market at the rate of one boreholes in two markets per LGAs in the senatorial district.
To enhance more productive hours of trading and security I have also facilitated the installation of solar power street lights in the following markets with each market getting at least 20 poles namely, TT Dada Market, Lusada Market, Atan Market, Owode Market, Tube Market, Koko Market, Sayedero Market, Oja Odan Market, Ijoun Market, Ayetoro Market, Imeko Market, Ilara Market, Iwoye Market, Obada Market, Owode Market, Sabo Owode Market, Ijoko Ota Market, Agosasa Market, Ado-Odo Market and Igbo Aje Market, Ilaro. Without doubt these facilities are pursuant of better environment to enable greater economic activities and growth.
Let me state clearly that beneficiaries of all my programmes do not know me personally and there is no favoritism of any sort in selection process. The programmes are for the people of our state without discrimination. I want to encourage and appeal to our market women and men to judiciously apply the grant to increase their various trades and not divert it to other uses unrelated to their marketing activities. Well invested, the grants will ultimately yield increase and profits for their businesses to improve their standard of living.
Let me conclude by saying that this programme by God’s Grace will still continue in the future as we work to better the lots of our people come May 29, 2027, after the gubernatorial election.
On this note, I congratulate all the beneficiaries of today while looking forward to future editions in the years ahead.
Thank you all and God Bless.
Senator Solomon Adeola CON FCA, FCIT, FFPI, FYCT.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations.
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