Hon. Afolabi Bamisile Kazeem, popularly known as ABK and former Executive Secretary of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has lauded Mayoress Semiat Bada for her administration’s ambitious empowerment program that equipped 500 residents with tools and resources. Speaking at the “Empowerment of 500 Residents and Grand Finale of Projects Commissioning” event held at the council secretariat on Wednesday, ABK described the initiative as a game-changer for the community’s economic growth.
The empowerment program distributed practical items such as tricycles, vulcanizing machines, hair dryers, barbing kits with generators, grinding machines, sewing machines, POS machines with start-up capital, popcorn machines, and coolers with soft drinks. ABK hailed these as “instruments of independence,” noting their potential to empower youths and women by providing them with the means to start and sustain small businesses.
During the event, ABK reflected on his week-long participation in the commissioning of various projects across Ikosi-Isheri. “I’ve been going along with them right from last week Monday, commissioning like 19 or 20 routes, including the Isheri Area Office, block of offices, shopping complex, and roads,” he said. “Today, the grand finale, features the legislative quarters, legislative assembly for our council house, a magistrate block, and a major primary health center.”
ABK emphasized the practical benefits of the empowerment tools, explaining how they lower barriers for aspiring entrepreneurs. “For instance, if I am a barber or not, I can learn how to barb. Instead of looking for a generator, there are kits they can use,” he said. “Those with soft drinks and coolers can sell them, and that’s just a starting point to make money and grow their businesses.”
He urged beneficiaries to resist the temptation to sell the tools, encouraging them instead to leverage the resources to build wealth. ABK’s endorsement of the program aligns with his own legacy of grassroots development during his tenure as Executive Secretary, making his praise a strong testament to Mayoress Bada’s leadership. His remarks highlight a shared vision for uplifting Ikosi-Isheri residents through economic empowerment and infrastructure improvements.
