In a move aimed at supporting grassroots economic development and reducing hardship among small-scale entrepreneurs, the Executive Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Hon. Warri Ovoke Friday, has disbursed a total of N11 million to 55 petty traders across the council area.
At a brief but impactful ceremony on Monday July 14, 2025, to Mark his one year in office, the council boss presented N200,000 each to the beneficiaries, who were drawn from all 11 wards in the LGA, with five persons selected per ward.
Addressing the recipients, Hon. Ovoke urged them to judiciously invest the funds in expanding their existing businesses rather than misusing the financial support on non-essentials.
“Please, do not spend this money on things that won’t grow your business. If you’ve been selling just a basket of garri, this is your chance to buy a full bag and increase your stock,” the chairman advised in Pidgin English, striking a chord with the traders.
He emphasized the importance of discipline in money management and reminded the traders that the support was meant to serve as a seed for future growth.
He also hinted at the possibility of more rounds of empowerment, depending on how well the current beneficiaries utilize the grants.
“If we see good results from this support, we’ll consider extending similar assistance to more traders,” he said, adding that a monitoring team would track the progress of each beneficiary.
Hon. Ovoke encouraged the beneficiaries to treat the funds with seriousness, noting that many people had hopes riding on them.
“Some of us see money in our pockets and feel like spending it all, but true financial wisdom is when you have money and still choose not to spend it because you have a goal,” he remarked.
The initiative was lauded by community members and observers as a practical step toward alleviating poverty and promoting entrepreneurship at the local level.
With this intervention, the Isoko South Council demonstrates a commitment to inclusive governance and economic empowerment, especially in a time of widespread economic challenges across the country.
