Mixed Reactions Trail ₦100 Million Kosofe Empowerment Initiative
By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the ₦100 million empowerment initiative recently announced by the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe.
The programme, scheduled to begin on November 17, targets widows, artisans, youths, and other vulnerable residents within the local government area as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the current economic hardship.
While many residents and stakeholders have described the initiative as laudable, others have raised questions about transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of the funds.
Oloye Salami Oluwaseun, one of the commentators, commended the chairman’s intention but stressed the need for integrity in the implementation process.
“It is not about reeling out figures on social media. Full implementation, transparency, and accountability should not be compromised. Integrity is a vital component of leadership and must not be traded for personal gains,” he said.
“The ₦100 million must be judiciously utilized to benefit deserving citizens irrespective of political affiliation. Civil society groups should be engaged to monitor the disbursement process.”
Similarly, Taiwo Lasisi, President of Ta’awun Humanitarian Forum, applauded the programme as a welcome socio-economic intervention but urged the council to make it continuous and non-partisan.
“Let this social welfare be institutionalized, not seasonal or politically influenced, so the grassroots can truly benefit,” he noted.
However, not all residents share the same optimism. Ayinde Adesola, a Kosofe resident, expressed skepticism, alleging that such initiatives often favour party loyalists.
“All these empowerment programmes are for their members, not for citizens like us. It’s just a game,” he said.
In a follow-up statement, Oloye Salami reiterated his call for openness and inclusiveness.
“The money is public fund and must be disbursed without barriers. Youths, market men and women, and community associations should be given priority,” he added.
Also reacting, Àare Fatoki Ayobode Kehinde from Ikosi-Isheri LCDA commended the initiative but called for better coordination to prevent favoritism.
“In many councils, the same beneficiaries are selected year after year. To ensure fairness, councils should maintain reliable databases of residents and require valid identification such as voter or LASRA cards,” he advised.
On the other hand, Adeniyi Adefemi (Royal), a supporter, praised Hon. Ogunlewe’s leadership, describing him as a visionary focused on grassroots welfare.
“It’s only during Hon. Moyo’s tenure that we’ve had consistent palliatives and empowerment of this scale. He remains focused despite distractions and deserves commendation,” he said.
As preparations continue for the November 17 rollout, expectations remain high among Kosofe residents. Observers note that the success of the ₦100 million empowerment initiative will depend largely on the transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability maintained throughout the implementation process.