No fewer than eight cooperative groups, artisans, and hundreds of individuals in Ondo City have benefited from a N43m grant disbursed by the Agboluaje Kajola Foundation.

The event, which also featured the inauguration of 150 solar-powered lights at Moferere Market, was held in honour of the late Alhaja Falilat Agboluaje, mother of the foundation’s founder, Kayode Adegbulugbe.

The Vice Chairman of the foundation, Olusegun Akintade, in a statement on Sunday, said the grant was given to various cooperative and professional groups.

Akintade said the event was part of the foundation’s ongoing empowerment drive and commitment to uplifting underserved communities.

He disclosed that the foundation had spent over N500m on infrastructure projects and support initiatives across the country.

‎Akintade added that the programme was not politically motivated, adding, “We were not a political group yesterday, we are not today, and we will not be tomorrow.”

‎The ‎Chairman of Ondo North Local Council Development Area, Onidare Bunkunmi, commended the foundation for the initiative.

Describing the grant as impactful, he said, “What Agboluaje Kajola Foundation is doing is fantastic. I was surprised by the size and reach of the support. It is commendable and worthy of emulation.”

‎The Iyaloja of Ondo Kingdom, Mrs Oluwabukola Akinniyi, said the intervention would boost local commerce and improve safety in the market.

“This is unprecedented. Many women here will be able to expand their businesses with this support. The solar lights have already made the market safer and extended our trading hours,” she said.

‎Members of the Patent Medicine Sellers Cooperative and Barbers Association also expressed appreciation.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Azeez Lawal said, “It’s not every day people remember us in this way. We will put the money to good use. We thank the Foundation and pray for more strength for them.”

https://punchng.com/foundation-empowers-ondo-artisans-with-n43m-grant/