By Babalola Gafar
In a historic move to deepen financial inclusion and empower small-scale traders, the Executive Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, has announced the introduction of a single-digit microcredit scheme for market women as part of the council’s one-year anniversary celebrations.
Speaking during a press conference held at the local government secretariat Akomoje Abeokuta on Tuesday, Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo described it as a practical response to the growing call for financial inclusion, aimed at strengthening families and improving livelihoods in the local government.
“In the history of local government administration, this is the first time a single-digit microcredit will be made available to our market women in Abeokuta North.
“Everybody talks about financial inclusion , this is our own response to it. It’s not a grant, it’s a credit ,and beneficiaries will apply for it.
According to him, 1,500 market women have been identified for the first phase of the scheme, organized into 500 clusters of three women each.
He added that the credit will rotate among members of each cluster on a monthly or two months basis, with clear modalities for repayment and accountability.
“We’ve already carried out the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. “We can tell who these market women are, what they sell, and where they operate , from Lafenwa to other key markets in Abeokuta North.”
The Chairman also revealed that as part of the anniversary celebrations, the council will commission three new markets, including the Itaoshin Mall and the ultra-modern Lafenwa Shopping Complex.
Oyegbola added that the local government has completed work on a 240-store Computer Village at Olomore, designed to attract major telecom and technology brands.
The market, he said, will be solar-powered, ensuring uninterrupted electricity for all occupants.
“Every occupant will have access to 24/7 power supply through mini-solar systems. This is part of our one year anniversary celebration”he said.
In furtherance of the administration’s commitment to youth development, 100 young residents are set to commence training in soap making, while earlier beneficiaries trained in adire and paint production are already executing commercial projects worth millions of naira.
“The people we trained to make adire have completed three major projects already. Those trained in paint production are now producing and applying our own local brand called ‘OGO Paint,’ used in various local projects,” he explained.
These initiatives, he noted, are being consolidated under the newly established OGO Multipurpose Venture, designed to attract new projects, create jobs, and generate sustainable income for young people in Abeokuta North.
Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo also commended the role of the Amotekun Corps in enhancing security intelligence across Ogun State.
He said the local government remains committed to initiatives like the Safe Road, Safe Passenger, Safe Rider programme, which complements state-level security architecture.
As part of the one-year celebration, the council has lined up visits to first-class traditional rulers including the Agura of Gbagura, Olowu of Owu, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, and the Omala of Imala.
The week-long celebration will culminate in a Juma’at Service at Kobiti Central Mosque and a Thanksgiving Service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikereku on Sunday.
Reflecting on his first year in office, Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo expressed confidence in the progress made across all sectors , from education and health to staff welfare and infrastructure while reaffirming his commitment to the local government’s development blueprint.
“In just 12 months, we have demonstrated what is possible through vision, planning, and commitment. By the grace of God, in the next two years, Abeokuta North will be a reference point comparable to what you can find anywhere in the world.We want everyone from Abeokuta North to be proud of their local government.”
