It was a moment of joy for residents of Lagos East Senatorial District, as the Senator representing the district, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA formally unveiled 48 cooperative societies with take-off grants of N480 million, and also distributed empowerment items to about 2,000 constituents and food packs to over 12,000 households across the 98 wards, in the 16 LGAs/LCDAs of Lagos East.

The event, adjudged as one of the largest empowerment exercises in the district’s history, underscored what many described as governance rooted in compassion, inclusion and tangible outcomes, which prioritised sustainable economic support, social intervention and a reaffirmation of people-focused leadership.

Senator Abiru, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, while addressing a cross-section of traditional rulers, political and community leaders, party faithful, women groups, youths and artisans, said the programme was a continuation of his commitment to delivering “greater good to larger number” of his constituents across Lagos East Senatorial District.

“Beyond the ceremonial, your presence here affirms our shared belief that governance must be responsive, compassionate, and firmly rooted in meeting the genuine needs and aspirations of the people,” he said, setting the tone for a programme.

According to the senator, since his election to the National Assembly, his leadership philosophy has remained consistent: translating public office into measurable value and lasting hope for ordinary people. He noted that the co-operative initiative was carefully designed to support women, farmers, artisans and traders with easy, flexible, affordable capital for sustainable economic empowerment.

“True empowerment is not all about handouts,” Abiru stressed. “It is about enabling people to unlock their potential, create wealth, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

The 48 cooperative societies span key economic and social groups, including market women associations, youth organisations, farmers’ groups, artisans and trade bodies drawn from different parts of Lagos East, each getting N10million, totalling N480 million.

The senator explained that cooperative societies remain powerful vehicles for grassroots economic inclusion, as they allow members to pool resources, access financing, build creditworthiness and expand their enterprises in a structured manner. He described the intervention as a deliberate effort to strengthen the grassroots economy and create a sustainable pathway to inclusive growth.

Beyond the cooperatives, about 2,000 constituents received empowerment items and starter kits aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. The items include Freezers, Generator, Grinding Machines, Industrial Sewing Machines, Head dryers, among several others.

“This empowerment items distribution programme is deliberately designed to empower our youths, women, artisans, farmers, traders and other hardworking constituents with relevant tools, starter kits and institutional support that promote self-reliance, productivity and sustainable livelihoods”, Abiru stressed.

In line with festive seasons support for families, the Senator also flagged off the distribution of food packs to 12,000 households across the district for the Christmas and New Year period, sustaining an intervention he said has been consistently delivered over the past three years to support constituents, particularly the elderly, unemployed youths, women and persons living with disabilities.

Senator Abiru further highlighted achievements under what he described as three pillars—legislation, empowerment and endowment—citing bills and motions on economic inclusion, financial system stability and governance, as well as investments in education, healthcare, road infrastructure and digital skills through the SAIL Innovation Lab. He said the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, translating national priorities into tangible grassroots outcomes.

Reaffirming his commitment to diligent, compassionate and results-driven representation, Abiru urged beneficiaries to deploy the grants and tools responsibly, noting that inclusive growth depends on disciplined use of public support and sustained community partnership.

The Paramount ruler of Ikorodu division, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, described the co-operative societies initiative, empowerment items and food packs distribution exercise as remarkable. He said the people of Ikorodu, and the entire Lagos East were very proud of his outstanding achievements.

The State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who spoke on behalf of political leadership , commended Senator Abiru for making the party proud, through his people-oriented and innovative programmes , like the co-operative societies, that have lasting impact in the lives of constituents.

“Thank you for helping to grow our party membership. We are extremely proud of your achievements. The innovations you brought into politics are very impactful. All you are doing is promoting the philosophy of our great party”, Pastor Ojelabi declared.

Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, the former deputy governor of Lagos State and the APC Apex leader in Ikorodu division, said has continued to advance the tenets of progressive politics since he he was elected as the Senator, urging other elected public officials to take cue from the innovation Abiru has brought into politics and representation. The Ikorodu division market leader, Deaconess Busola Isikalu, expressed profound appreciation to the Senator for creating a platform for economic emancipation for market men and women, artisans , women and youths across the district. She assured that beneficiaries will make judicious use of the empowerment tools and grants.

Dignitaries in attendance include, members of the Governance Advisory Council, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun, Alhaji Shakiri Seriki, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, others are HRM Oba Barrister Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya, The Olubeshe of Ibeshe Kingdom, HRM Oba Olukayode David Raji, JP, The Eweye of Isiu, HRM Oba Ahmed Ogunnaike, The Alagura of Agura, Alhaji Tunde Isiaq, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, Hon. Ganiyu Abiru, local government chairmen led by Hon Sesan Abdullahi Olowa, Ibeju-Lekki Chairman, who is the Conference 57 chairman., religious leaders, political and community leaders, among several others.