Osun State First Lady, Kafayat Oyetola, has commended Olori Janet, CNN-award winning journalist and Queen of Apomu kingdom, for supporting market women with interest-loans through Apomu Women Cooperative launched on October 2nd.

“I appreciate Olori Afolabi for her efforts at ensuring the take-off of this project. I have no doubt that it would help to lift many women and homes out of poverty and enhance the standard of living in their homes. I call on other communities in the state which may not have this type of economic development mechanism to emulate Apomu women by floating their own cooperative bodies,” the First Lady said.

Olori Janet said she initiated the project because “after Covid-19 lockdown, many women were unable to resume their trading businesses. Many of them had spent their capital. A lot of them tried to borrow money from families, friends and neighbours but it was very difficult.

“To help these women start again, I came up with Apomu Women Cooperative as my flagship empowerment project to give interest-free loans to market women to be paid back over five months.

“The women were randomly selected, shortlisted and interviewed by experts from LEAD Transformation Initiative. The first batch of the beneficiaries were announced at the event.” In her response, the Osun First Lady, who was the Guest of Honour, said she was “delighted to have attended the unveiling of Apomu Women Cooperative.” The importance of women cooperative at this period, she observed, cannot be over emphasised.

She was accompanied to the event by a large entourage, including the Deputy Governor’s wife, Commission for Women Affairs, wives of Secretary to State Government, Commissioner for Finance, APC State chairman, Special Adviser on Local Government, Special Adviser on Health and Special Adviser on Education among other dignitaries.

The event had over 500 women in attendance. The Iyaloja of Apomuland, who is the market women leader, said this is the first time a project like this is launched in Apomu.

Apomu is the headquarters of Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State. It was one of the earliest towns that made up the old Oyo Empire. It was founded in the 16th Century.