The Chairman of Eso-Obe Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Moses Ayeni Bankole, has empowered 250 residents with business equipment, financial support and food assistance, in a move aimed at strengthening livelihoods while rallying support for the re-election of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The empowerment programme, held at the LCDA Secretariat, attracted community leaders, traditional representatives, artisans, farmers and beneficiaries from communities across the council area.
Among the items distributed were generators, solar lighting systems, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair clippers, hair dryers and agricultural sprayers. More than 50 artisans and farmers received work tools, while 150 other beneficiaries got financial support to strengthen their businesses.
Mr Ayeni also unveiled “Operation Light the Farmstead”, an initiative that will provide solar-powered electricity to farm settlements across the Eso-Obe axis. He said the project would improve security, support agricultural activities and increase productivity in rural communities.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ayeni said the intervention formed part of his commitment to improving the living conditions of residents and supporting small businesses.
He said the programme also reflected the local government’s determination to complement Governor Oyebanji’s development agenda while rewarding artisans and farmers for their continued support.
“This is our way of giving back to the people. We will continue to invest in programmes that improve livelihoods and create opportunities for our communities,” he said.
Mr Ayeni, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ijero Constituency seat in the 2027 Ekiti State House of Assembly election, noted that the latest intervention was his fourth major empowerment initiative. He recalled that previous programmes focused on educational support through his “Back to School” initiative for pupils and students.
The Olukoro of Ikoro-Ekiti, Oba Olarewaju Adebanji Adeleye, was represented at the event by his wife, Eyesorun Veronica Iyabo Adeleye.
Speaking on behalf of the monarch, Mrs Adeleye commended both the LCDA chairman and Governor Oyebanji for implementing projects that directly benefit ordinary residents.
She said the Ikoro community had resolved to support Governor Oyebanji in Saturday’s election and urged the state government to sustain its development programmes if returned to office.
The Secretary of the LCDA, Aremu Olaitan, said the council remained committed to policies that improve residents’ welfare while supporting the development agenda of the state government.
Several beneficiaries said the intervention would have an immediate impact on their businesses.
Ojo Temitope, an aluminium fabricator who received a generator, said the equipment would improve his productivity and reduce the challenges caused by unreliable electricity supply.
Hairdressers, Alade Adeola and Ajewole Bola Mary, who received hair dryers and other salon equipment, said the support would help them expand their businesses and serve more customers.
The empowerment programme ended with renewed political mobilisation across the council area, as Mr Ayeni expressed confidence that Governor Oyebanji would secure a convincing victory in Saturday’s election.
