Hon. Dapo Kolawole Disburses N15m to Iloro Party Members, Women, Artisans Ahead of Ekiti Poll

Hon. Dapo Kolawole on Thursday disbursed N15 million in cash empowerment to more than 150 party members, women, artisans and loyalists in Iloro Ward A, Ekiti State, fulfilling the first phase of his N25 million grassroots cash empowerment initiative aimed at supporting livelihoods and boosting local economic activities.

The empowerment programme, held at the APC Iloro Ward A Secretariat, drew party leaders, members and residents, who welcomed Hon. Kolawole with songs of appreciation, describing him as a leader who keeps his promises and remains committed to grassroots development.

Hon. Kolawole said the N15 million represented the first tranche of the N25 million cash empowerment programme he promised, while the remaining N10 million would be disbursed in the coming days.

Beneficiaries were selected from the ward’s 11 polling units, with 10 members from each unit receiving a minimum of N100,000. Party leaders and loyalists also benefited from the exercise.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Kolawole said meaningful development requires collective efforts, noting that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji continue to implement policies that benefit Nigerians, political leaders at the community level also have a responsibility to directly impact the lives of the people.

He said the empowerment programme was designed to provide financial support for small businesses, artisanal work, farming activities and other income-generating ventures capable of improving household incomes.

“Government cannot do everything alone. Those of us who are privileged to serve and remain close to the people must also contribute our quota to improving lives and strengthening our communities,” Hon. Kolawole said.

He announced that additional empowerment packages worth N1 million and N2 million would soon be rolled out for selected beneficiaries as part of his commitment to expanding opportunities for residents across the ward.

Hon. Kolawole urged beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely by growing their businesses, strengthening their trades and improving their livelihoods, stressing that stronger local enterprises would translate into a healthier grassroots economy.

He also appealed to residents to support Governor Oyebanji in Saturday’s governorship election, saying continuity would consolidate ongoing development efforts across Ekiti State.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely support at a period of economic challenges. Many said the grants would enable them to expand their businesses, acquire tools, increase their working capital and improve their standard of living.

For many residents in Iloro Ward A, the cash empowerment was more than financial assistance. It reinforced Hon. Dapo Kolawole’s growing reputation as a grassroots leader whose interventions continue to reach ordinary people and strengthen local communities.