1st November, 2010
Mrs Anike Disu, a resident of Alimosho Local Government was full of joy. Her joy knew no bounds because she had just received a free grinding machine so that she could eke out a living for herself and her children.
Since her husband died, she had gone through much suffering and abject poverty until succour came her way last week when she was listed among the 700 women to benefit from the women empowerment programme of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, Princess Sarah Sosan.
At the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat last week, Disu received her grinding machine. She was very bright on that day because something new had happened in her life.
“I will use this griding machine to grind pepper and other things so that we can eat. I am very happy; I thank the government for this. Since my husband died, things have been very difficult. They should not forget us widows,†she pleaded.
Disu’s story or variants of it were repeated by several other women who were empowered by Sosan so that they could ‘fish and catch fish’ instead of depending on others to make ends meet.
Over 2,000 residents in Alimosho had thronged the secretariat to witness the distribution of assorted items to the beneficiaries. The items include sewing machines, grinding machines, coolers, bags of rice, packs of toilet roll, cartons of Indomie noodles, bottled water and drinks, crates of soft drinks, hair driers and  beverages, among others.
The empowerment programme is part of government’s move to empower the less-privileged and reduce the high rate of poverty in the society.
Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN gubernatorial candidate in Osun State, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, was present at the occasion which also had in attendance, council chairmen, party leaders and others in Alimosho.
According to Sosan, “we will continue to empower the people as long as our government is in place; the PDP has nothing to show. With this empowerment, we are teaching you, the beneficiaries, to fish so that your life and the country can be touched.
“Make good use of these items, these are the dividends of democracy. We believe in making people have something solid to do. We don’t give money because you will spend it,†she stated.
Sosan also said that government had plans to empower the youths, but appealed to them to be of good behaviour, adding that “if you have anything, go to your leaders. We need to still sensitise our youths more.
“They should appreciate what our leaders are doing.  Our party is a party of discipline and we want our youth to be upright,†she said.
Speaking at the event, Engr. Aregbesola commended Sosan for the gesture, describing her as dedicated, humble and committed, stressing that gesture showed that government truly cares for the people.
“The beneficiaries must strive to use what they get as means of economic revival.  With the money you get from your trade, you can turn your life around.  This exercise will be a continuous one,†he said.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Bolanle Adewunmi, a 57-year old widow, who was given a grinding machine thanked the state government for the gesture, saying that she would use her equipment to make money and feed well.
