By: Lateef Akintunde

The Ogun Economic Development Group (OGEDG), Yewa North Chapter, has empowered 517 residents of Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State with cash support and Apron for market women as part of efforts to alleviate economic hardship and promote grassroots development.

The group also used the occasion to sensitise residents on civic responsibilities and the importance of active participation in the democratic process.

The empowerment and voters’ sensitisation programme, held at the Omidokun Ultramodern Hall, Ayetoro, attracted community leaders, political stakeholders, youths, market men and women, artisans and other residents from across the local government.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who was the lead speaker at the event, stressed the importance of grassroots mobilisation, responsible citizenship and sustained participation in governance.

Salako urged the beneficiaries and other residents to remain actively engaged in the democratic process, noting that meaningful development required citizens to understand their civic responsibilities and participate in choosing their representatives at various levels of government.

He also encouraged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the opportunities provided through empowerment initiatives, saying that economic support should translate into improved livelihoods and greater self-reliance.

The Minister's position was echoed by some community leaders at the event, who called for stronger grassroots engagement, responsible civic participation and empowerment programmes capable of improving the economic well-being of residents.

Among those who commended the initiative were Alhaji Bisiriyu Popoola, the Iyaloja-General of Ogun State, Alhaja Yemisi Abass, and Senator Kola Bajomo.

They commended OGEDG for combining economic empowerment with civic sensitisation, describing the approach as an avenue to address both economic and civic challenges at the grassroots.

The leaders stressed the need for more interventions capable of supporting small businesses, petty traders, farmers, artisans and other residents whose livelihoods depend largely on informal economic activities.

One of the community leaders and guest lecturer, Dr Yemisi Bamigbose, said grassroots development should encompass both human capital development and civic education.

“Empowerment and political sensitisation are important components of grassroots development. When people are economically empowered and properly informed about their civic responsibilities, they are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to society,”  Bamigbose said.

The beneficiaries, Mrs Alice Olaleye and Alhaji Mukaila Awojobi, expressed appreciation for the cash support, describing the gesture as timely, particularly against the backdrop of economic challenges confronting many households.

The Planning Committee Chairman of OGEDG, Yewa North Chapter, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Akinyemi, said the programme was designed to strengthen grassroots participation while providing practical economic support to residents, particularly those operating small businesses and within the informal sector.

According to him, similar programmes had previously been organised in Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Ado-Odo/Ota and Ijebu-Ode local government areas.

The organiser, Mr Lukumon Oladele, who is based abroad spoke online, urged the beneficiaries to regard the cash support as an opportunity to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their economic activities rather than merely as temporary financial relief.

The programme ended with calls for greater collaboration among community leaders, development organisations and other stakeholders to promote economic empowerment, civic awareness and inclusive grassroots development across Yewa North, Ogun West and Ogun State.

Participants and organisers also used the occasion to discuss political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) calling for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's second-term bid, the party's Ogun State governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and other APC candidates.

The political appeals were made in the context of the organisers' broader mobilisation and civic sensitisation activities at the grassroots.