By Matthew Johnson

Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Mrs. Muhibat Rufai-Adeyemi, on Monday said her administration had empowered over 1,000 women with N100,000 each to boost their small-scale businesses within her first 100 days in office.

Rufai-Adeyemi disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos to present her scorecard, noting that the intervention was part of efforts to improve livelihoods and stimulate grassroots economic growth in the council.

She said her administration was guided by the WHACES Agenda, Work, Health, Agriculture, Capacity Development, Education and Sustainability, adding that concrete actions had been taken across key sectors since assuming office.

According to her, major rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads have commenced across the local government to improve connectivity and ease of movement.

“In the area of water supply, we have upgraded several boreholes to ensure access to clean water in Ojo Town, Ira, Tedi, Muwo and other communities,” she said.

The chairman said the council had constructed and equipped primary healthcare centres in Taffi and Ajangbadi, while an e-birth registration system was launched to enable seamless collection of birth certificates.

She added that over 500 women had benefitted from breast cancer screening, while polio vaccination teams were currently deployed across communities to protect children.

Rufai-Adeyemi also said widows, senior citizens and vulnerable families had been supported through targeted relief programmes, alongside the introduction of a back-to-school initiative across the council.

In the education sector, she said the administration launched a free feeding programme in all primary schools, provided free GCE forms for indigent students, and organised free ICT and digital literacy training for over 100 youths.

“We sponsored spelling bee competitions and screened indigent students for bursary awards. Successful beneficiaries will soon receive their funds directly into their bank accounts,” she said.

Outlining activities lined up to mark the 100 days celebration, the chairman said a free medical outreach would hold on Tuesday at the council premises.

She said Wednesday would feature the graduation ceremony for ICT and skill acquisition trainees, where beneficiaries would receive certificates, tools and gadgets, while Friday would witness the inauguration of the Taffi Primary Health Centre, a new classroom block in Taffi and the unveiling of a utility boat for riverine communities.

According to her, Saturday is scheduled for a Walk for Fitness and the final matches of the council’s Sports Fiesta football competition.

She added that the grand finale, slated for December 22, would feature the inauguration of the Ajangbadi PHC, presentation of bursary awards, distribution of Renewed Hope food packs and the disbursement of funds to over 500 business owners.

Rufai-Adeyemi commended the legislative council, led by the Council Leader, Mr. Rahmon Teslim, for its support, describing its partnership and oversight as critical to the administration’s early achievements.

She also appreciated council staff, community leaders, royal fathers and residents, saying the accomplishments recorded so far belonged to the people of Ojo Local Government.