Senator Abiru Launches 48 Cooperatives with N480m Grants

Sunday Ehigiator

It was a moment of joy for residents of Lagos East Senatorial District, as the Senator representing the district, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, formally unveiled 48 cooperative societies with take-off grants of N480 million, and also distributed empowerment items to about 2,000 constituents and food packs to over 12,000 households across the 98 wards, in the 16 LGAs/LCDAs of Lagos East.

The event, which prioritised sustainable economic support, social intervention and a reaffirmation of people-focused leadership, was largely judged by beneficiaries as one of the largest empowerment exercises in the district’s history.

In his address, Senator Abiru, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, said the programme was a continuation of his commitment to delivering “greater good to a larger number” of his constituents across Lagos East Senatorial District.

 “Beyond the ceremonial, your presence here affirms our shared belief that governance must be responsive, compassionate, and firmly rooted in meeting the genuine needs and aspirations of the people,” he said, setting the tone for a programme.

According to the senator, since his election to the National Assembly, his leadership philosophy has remained consistent: translating public office into measurable value and lasting hope for ordinary people.

He noted that the co-operative initiative was carefully designed to support women, farmers, artisans and traders with easy, flexible, affordable capital for sustainable economic empowerment.

“True empowerment is not all about handouts. It is about enabling people to unlock their potential, create wealth, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

“The 48 cooperative societies span key economic and social groups, including market women associations, youth organisations, farmers’ groups, artisans and trade bodies drawn from different parts of Lagos East, each getting N10million, totaling N480 million.”

The senator explained that, “cooperative societies remain powerful vehicles for grassroots economic inclusion, as they allow members to pool resources, access financing, build creditworthiness and expand their enterprises in a structured manner.”

He described the intervention as a deliberate effort to strengthen the grassroots economy and create a sustainable pathway to inclusive growth.

Beyond the cooperatives, about 2,000 constituents received empowerment items and starter kits aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

The items include Freezers, generators, Grinding Machines, Industrial Sewing Machines, Head dryers, among several others.

“This empowerment items distribution programme is deliberately designed to empower our youths, women, artisans, farmers, traders and other hardworking constituents with relevant tools, starter kits and institutional support that promote self-reliance, productivity and sustainable livelihoods,” Abiru stressed.

In line with festive season support for families, the Senator also flagged off the distribution of food packs to 12,000 households across the district for the Christmas and New Year period, sustaining an intervention he said has been consistently delivered over the past three years to support constituents, particularly the elderly, unemployed youths, women and persons living with disabilities.