The lawmaker representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo in the National Assembly, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has empowered market women and traders with grants, equipment, and food items.
The disbursement was done on Wednesday during the Annual General Meeting of the Àjọje Microcredit Scheme in Awo, Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun.
Speaking with newsmen, Rep. Bamidele Salam said the Àjọje empowerment initiative was started three years ago to provide an avenue for women to have access to soft loans at interest-free rates.
He noted that the initiative has achieved its aims by supporting petty traders, artisans, and women in emergency financial need.
The lawmaker affirmed that the microgrant, which took off with ₦1.5 million in Ejigbo, has reached a ₦40 million capital base with a ₦100 million turnover within a few years.
Rep. Bamidele appreciated the women for keeping faith with the vision with a high level of return compliance, describing them as good managers of resources, dependable, and faithful.
He reiterated his commitment to further expanding the Àjọje initiative to support more market women in his federal constituency as a long-term tool for economic inclusion and poverty alleviation.
In his remarks, the Senior Legislative Aide to Rep. Bamidele Salam, Akintayo Jimoh, explained that the items distributed were rewards for diligence, honesty, and commitment to building better lives. He emphasized that the initiative was designed to uplift hardworking individuals and support community development.
He further announced that an additional ₦10 million would be injected into the Àjọje scheme before December 2025, noting the impressive performance and integrity of beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the overall constituency coordinator of the Àjọje initiative and coordinator for Ejigbo Local Government, Alhaja Bola Olayiwola, commended Rep. Bamidele Salam for fulfilling his promises to the people.
She noted that the programme was not partisan, as women from APC, PDP, and other political parties benefited from the initiative.
Olayiwola highlighted the growth of the scheme from ₦1.5 million to ₦5 million, and now ₦100 million in total impact, while urging other politicians to emulate this inclusive approach to grassroots development.
The beneficiaries, drawn from Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, and Egbedore Local Governments, received sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, food items, cash, among others.