Engr. Abiola Olowu Empowers Petty Traders in Ibeju-Lekki

Ekohotblog reports that on Friday, Engr. Abiola Olowu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, took an important step to support petty traders in Ibeju-Lekki. The program aimed to help small business owners and reduce poverty in the area, in line with the goals of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Engr. Olowu, also known as OKL, focused on small traders selling everyday items like roasted corn, plantains, groundnuts, sugarcane, smoked fish, eggs, snacks, cooked rice, palm oil, and pepper. These traders are spread across markets in Elerangbe, Ibeju Agbe, Abule-Panu, Bogije, Awoyaya, Abijo, Eleko, and Magbon-Alade.

Understanding that many of these traders don’t usually get help from government programs, Engr. Olowu used a simple but effective approach. He visited some shops, bought all the goods, and then gave them out to local residents for free. On top of that, he paid the traders twice the value of their goods as a grant.

This immediate support helped the traders restock their businesses and provided financial relief. The program also gave grants between N50,000 to N100,000 to pre-selected women traders in each town.

Engr. Olowu emphasized the importance of small businesses in local economies, especially those run by women. He noted that these grants will help traders grow their businesses and improve their lives.

“Today, we have given hope to women petty traders who had no hope of getting support. Changing the lives of women means changing families and the nation,” Olowu said.

He also encouraged other Nigerians and companies to support the efforts of Governor Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat in fighting poverty.

This empowerment program is expected to make a big difference in the lives of many small traders in Ibeju-Lekki, helping them continue to support their communities.