Osun PDP Chieftain empowers petty traders with N10m

Prince Dotun Babayemi, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, has empowered petty traders in Iwo Local Government Area of the state with N10 million.

The petty traders were empowered under the Atunto Osun Cooperative Society, launched by Babayemi on Dec. 8, 2023.

During the launch, the PDP Chieftain promised to double any amount paid by contributor into the cooperative.

Speaking during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries on Wednesday, the PDP chieftain said that the gesture was to assist petty traders at the grassroots to expand their business.

Babayemi said that the essence of the cooperative was to provide a platform for the small business owners at the grassroots in each of the local government area for economic growth.

“The object here is not something that was driven by myself, but something that came from the grassroots.

“They want a forum where they can express themselves. They want an avenue where they can seek for their betterment,” he said.

Babayemi said that the money, which would be giving to the petty traders under the cooperative, would be used to expand their business, adding that economy development of the grassroots was important.

On the present economy situation in the country, Babayemi urged Nigerians to continue to pray for those in power for wisdom to govern the country aright.

He said with prayers and cooperation of Nigerians with the government, Nigeria would overcome its challenges.

In his remarks, Mr Emmanuel Omoye, the President-General of the cooperative society, said that the N10 million was shared among the cooperators.

Omoye said that the money was aimed at assisting the petty traders in the face of the present economy realities in the country.

He said those who are willing to join the cooperative must have come together for 90 days before they can benefit, adding that it is a mutually assured cooperative.

Some of the beneficiaries, however, commended Babayemi for the gesture, stating that it would go along way in boosting their business.