The administration of the Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olufemi Akanbi Okeowo, has continued to attract commendation from past political leaders and stakeholders within the council area, who described his style of governance as innovative, compassionate, people-driven, and directly impactful on the lives of residents.
The commendations came during the commencement of the next phase of the monthly Renewed Hope Palliatives and Okemoney Support Programme, where the council announced a N528 Million intervention package scheduled for disbursement to residents over the next 24 months.
The initiative, being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is designed to provide direct economic relief, food support, and empowerment opportunities to vulnerable residents, petty traders, unemployed youths, senior citizens, and small-scale entrepreneurs across the seven wards of Ifelodun LCDA.
Speaking at the event, the first Chairman of Ifelodun LCDA and leader of the G17, Taiwo Adenekan, stated that the Okeowo administration introduced fresh ideas into local governance while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people despite difficult circumstances.
According to him, Mayor Okeowo demonstrated uncommon dedication to the programme even during his period of serious ill health.
“Okeowo’s administration brought new ideas into the governance of Ifelodun, and he is deeply passionate about the people. Even while on a hospital bed, he insisted that these programmes must not stop,” Adenekan said.
He further observed that women consistently constitute a larger percentage of beneficiaries because of their proven ability to multiply economic opportunities and strengthen family welfare.
Also speaking, former council chairman, Fatai Orombo Ajidagba, popularly known as AJIFAT, described the monthly intervention programme as laudable, impactful, and genuinely beneficial to ordinary residents struggling under prevailing economic realities.
He urged beneficiaries to make prudent and productive use of the support provided by the council administration.
The Leader of the 6th Legislative House, Hon Ilesanmi Elijah Oluwatosin, expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of residents and commended Mayor Okeowo for conceiving and sustaining the initiative consistently over the past five years.
He expressed confidence that the intervention programme would continue to grow beyond the current phase because of its visible impact on the grassroots.
Chairman of the organising committee, Abdullahi Titilope, disclosed that the initiative was conceived to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the accompanying economic hardship faced by residents.
According to him, the programme initially commenced with 100 beneficiaries receiving N50,000 support grants before expanding significantly in both value and coverage.
He revealed that all beneficiaries were carefully selected across the seven wards of the LCDA, adding that an additional 400 students would soon benefit from forthcoming N100,000 bursary awards.
The Council’s Information Officer and programme moderator, Lanre Olarenwaju, described Mayor Okeowo as a “talk-and-do chairman” and a man committed to peace, inclusiveness, and progressive governance.
He explained that the intervention programme has recorded remarkable growth since its inception.
According to him, the initiative started with N50,000 grants for 50 beneficiaries, N10,000 stipends for 100 elderly residents under the OkeAged scheme, and another N10,000 support package for 100 unemployed youths under the OkeYouth initiative.
He added that the food palliative programme initially commenced with 1,000 packs distributed to 1,000 residents for about two years before increasing progressively to 1,500 beneficiaries, then 2,000, and now 3,000 beneficiaries across the council area.
Olarenwaju further disclosed that the business support grants, earlier pegged at N50,000, have now been increased to N100,000, while the number of unemployed youth beneficiaries has risen from 100 to 700 persons.
Under the current phase of the programme, selected petty traders across the council area will benefit from the Okemoney Business Support Scheme aimed at strengthening and expanding small businesses.
In addition, unemployed youths captured under the OkeYouth initiative will begin receiving monthly financial support designed to encourage productivity, self-development, and economic inclusion, while elderly residents will continue to benefit from the OkeAged scheme, specifically structured to provide relief and social support for senior citizens.
Furthermore, over 3,000 food palliative packages will be distributed to carefully selected beneficiaries across various wards as part of efforts to improve food security and living conditions within the LCDA.
Addressing residents during the event, Mayor Okeowo attributed the success of the intervention initiative and other programmes of his administration to divine grace, institutional continuity, and the solid foundation laid by previous administrations.
“I must always praise God because I was dead but brought back to life,” the chairman said emotionally, while appreciating former chairmen Adenekan and Ajidagba for laying the foundation of peace, unity, and administrative harmony within the council.
He reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Palliatives and Okemoney Support Programme remains a reflection of his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare, empowerment, and socio-economic advancement of residents.
The atmosphere at the venue turned celebratory as several beneficiaries reportedly received instant credit alerts during the programme and burst into dancing, while artisan groups and market associations also confirmed receipt of their support funds.
Among the beneficiaries who spoke with Lagos Focus News at the event was Morilli Amoke Rasaq, a petty trader who deals in slippers for both children and adults. She narrated how officials of the council unexpectedly visited her shop and informed her that her business had been selected for support under the Okemoney scheme.
According to her, she initially found it difficult to believe because she was not accustomed to seeking financial assistance from politicians or government officials.
“I was shocked when they said they wanted to support my business because I did not even know them before then. At first, I thought I didn’t hear them properly because I am the kind of person who struggles on her own rather than going around asking people for help,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Sherifat Bukola, who sells drinks, sachet water, and soft drinks, described the intervention as timely and unexpected.
She explained that she had been ill on the day council officials visited her shop and almost did not open for business.
“I am not a politician, so when they came and said Mayor Okeowo wanted to support my business, I thought they were joking. I was lying down inside my shop because I was sick that day and only managed to open briefly in the evening. Later, they collected my details, and today I have truly received the money. I pray that he returns for another tenure so he can continue helping people,” she said.
Also speaking, Rukyat Kehinde, expressed appreciation for the N100,000 support grant, saying it would significantly improve her business operations.
She offered prayers for the council chairman, wishing him a complete recovery and good health.
“This support will go a long way in helping my business. I pray that God continues to strengthen and heal Mayor Okeowo completely,” she stated.
Similarly, Omotebi Owolabi, who runs a small drinks business from her residence, recounted how officials visited her street and inspected her business setup before informing her about the support package.
“They came to our street and called me outside. When I explained the kind of business I do, they checked my freezer and crates of drinks and told me that Chairman Okeowo wanted to support me with money to expand the business,” she explained.
Representatives of the Master Bakers Association in Ajeromi-Ifelodun particularly expressed appreciation to the council chairman for consistently carrying their members along in the administration’s welfare and empowerment programmes.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Council Manager, Saaid Abiodun Azeez, Hon Kolawole Taiwo, and Hon Luqman Saad Olumoh.
Others are members of the G17, all seven councillors, supervisory councillors, community stakeholders, the CAC group, ethnic associations, including Ndi Igbo, Arewa, and Nupe representatives, as well as the Vice Chairman, Ojora Adejinyan.
