The Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Dr Oluseyi Jakande, has marked his first year in office with an empowerment programme worth N500m, describing the initiative as an investment in the future of residents and a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods.

The empowerment items, unveiled at an inauguration ceremony in Lagos on Monday, included minibuses, catering equipment and apprenticeship tools, alongside a N250m loan facility designed to support residents and small businesses.

Speaking at the event, Jakande said the programme was a fulfilment of his administration’s promise to make government tangible in the lives of the people.

He said, “I stand before you today as we commemorate one year of purposeful service to Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA. One year ago, it was a time of promises because we know that government must be visible in the quality of life of our people.”

According to him, more than 600 residents who completed various three-month vocational and skills acquisition programmes were graduating and being empowered to start or expand their businesses.

The beneficiaries were trained in shoemaking, fashion designing, hairdressing, event planning, electrical and solar installation, as well as information and communication technology skills, including data analysis, graphics and animation, web development and desktop publishing.

Jakande said the empowerment programme was deliberately structured to move beneficiaries beyond training to actual economic independence.

“To all beneficiaries, I appeal to you to take this opportunity seriously. These are no jokes but investments in your future. It is not just about today; I want to turn you into persons who will empower others tomorrow,” he said.

The council chairman also highlighted his administration’s infrastructure interventions, saying 18 roads had been completed, while four others were under construction.

He assured residents that the first year was only the beginning, promising to expand the empowerment programmes and continue to respond to the needs of the community.

“To the people of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye, one year is just the beginning. More businesses will be built; more empowerment will be done, among others. Today, we are doing N500m worth of empowerment, but we will continue to listen to you and ensure that you reap the dividends of democracy,” he said.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, Tajudeen Olusi, commended Jakande for what he described as an impressive first-year performance, saying the achievement reflected the progressive legacy associated with the late former Lagos State governor, Lateef Jakande.

Olusi said he was particularly pleased with reports he had received about the council chairman’s performance and urged him not to relent.

“We are happy that you are flying the flag high. I must say that I’m proud of Seyi today, and those have been the reports I have been hearing about him. This shows the quality of my elder and leader who has gone to stay with the Lord, Lateef Jakande.

“Thank you for what you have done, and I can only ask that you maintain the tempo,” he said.

The member representing Mushin Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Nure Akinsanya, also praised the administration’s achievements, urging beneficiaries to treat the empowerment items and loan facility as opportunities that could transform their lives.

He said, “First, to the beneficiaries, please take ownership of anything you will be given today. If you also have a share of the N250m grants, take ownership of it and ensure that you make the best use of it.”

Akinsanya said the council’s road projects were equally noteworthy, particularly the completion of 18 roads within the chairman’s first year.

He said, “Now to the chairman, in just a year you have built about 18 roads. That is an impressive development stride. Believe me; you have only made us, the stakeholders, proud because this is what the progressive family stands for.”

Former Lagos State Commissioner and prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Ganiyu Solomon, described the event as evidence of what the progressive political tradition could achieve when government focused on the people.

“I must attest to the fact that the chairman has done well, and he has only done what the progressives are known for. I am particularly elated today with what I have seen here,” he said.

Solomon, however, urged beneficiaries to resist the temptation to sell the equipment they had received, stressing that the items were intended to provide sustainable livelihoods rather than immediate financial relief.

He appealed to market leaders and community stakeholders to monitor the beneficiaries and ensure that the empowerment materials were put to productive use.

“Don’t sell these materials, please. Make the best use of them. And when you also get loans, ensure you repay them. You can get another one, and other people too can benefit from such government gestures,” he said.

He said the success of the programme would depend not only on government intervention but also on the willingness of beneficiaries and community leaders to protect and sustain it.

“We must all agree to complement each other to ensure smooth forward advancement,” he added.