No fewer than 50 women have been empowered in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State with cash grants to boost their businesses and strengthen grassroots support for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola’s 2027 governorship ambition.
The empowerment was executed by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Titi Fagbote, popularly known as Ayoka.
The empowerment programme, which held at Omidokun Hall, Ayetoro, targeted hairdressers, fashion designers and elderly women.
It also served as the official inauguration of the Ayoka Women for Yayi support group.
In her speech at the event, Fagbote explained that the initiative was inspired by the leadership style of Senator Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and the need to complement his empowerment efforts at the grassroots.
She revealed that Senator Adeola’s developmental interventions across Yewa North have already earned him the trust of residents, even before emerging as governor.
‘Even before becoming Governor, it is evident that Yayi has done so much, brought a lot of development and touched so many lives in Yewa North Local Government Area of this state. Our people see it, they feel it, and they know that Yayi is exceptional,’ Fagbote said.
She tasked members of Ayoka Women for Yayi to intensify door-to-door mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election by projecting Adeola’s achievements as Senator representing Ogun West.
According to her, ‘What I know is that Yewa women are hardworking, industrious, and supportive of their husbands. It means therefore that when we empower our women folks, we are actually building our future.’
While representing Senator Adeola’s wife, Yeye Aremo Temitope Adeola, the Convener of West-to-State APC Women’s Wing and President of Dynamic Diamond Sisters, Olori Adebisi Olaotan, dismissed claims questioning Senator Adeola’s state of origin, describing it as a campaign of calumny by political opponents.
Olori Olaotan reiterated that Senator Adeola is an indigene of Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area and not from Ekiti State as being rumoured.
‘Over time, we have had situations whereby they keep attacking the personality of Yayi. They told us on several occasions that he’s from Ekiti. But tell them to tell us exact area he’s from in Ekiti. Nobody has done that.’
She attributed the attacks to anxiety over Adeola’s community projects and infrastructure interventions across Ogun West and Ogun State.
On her part, the Iyaloja of Ayetoro, Chief (Mrs) Yemisi Abbas, declared total support of market women for Senator Adeola, describing him as a marketable candidate whose achievements speak for him.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rafiu Fausat, who spoke on behalf of others, commended Fagbote for the intervention, saying the cash support would help expand her business capital.
She called on Ogun residents to support Senator Adeola in 2027.
‘My message to all the people of Ogun State is that we should work together and support our incoming governor, Olamilekan Solomon Yayi,’ she said.