Ajimobi increases interest-loan to artisans to N150m
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved an additional N100 million interest-free loan for members of the state chapter of Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria.
He gave the approval while speaking at a special prayer for the sustenance of peace and progress in the state, organized by the association at the House of Chiefs, Ibadan on Friday.
The governor said that the decision to add to the N50 million earlier approved for the association was based on the expanded membership of the association coupled with the determination of his administration to improve the socio-economic activities in the state.
He said that his administration would not relent in its efforts at supporting and maintaining cordial relationship with tradesmen and artisans as well as those engaged in legitimate businesses for their immense contribution to the economic development of the state.
Governor Ajimobi assured that his administration would not play politics with the various supports being given to traders, adding that he remained the governor of the people of the state and not that of a particular party.
“Oyo State is a state of traders and these are the people contributing to the economic development of the state. We must encourage them as much as possible, even if we give them more than that (N100 million), it is not too much; they have 80 different associations with each association having about 5,000 members.
“They have to be supported; we must encourage people to contribute to the economic development of the state. We must improve Oyo State; Oyo State must develop and we have started already,’’ he said.
Governor Ajimobi appealed to members of the association to continue to maintain the existing peace in the state by desisting from any form of criminal activities.
Earlier in his address, the President of the association, Alhaji Hamzat Yisau said the transformation agenda of the Ajimobi administration had brought about peace, progress and abundant resourceds which he said would be sustained through prayers.
He said that Governor Ajimobi had accomplished in less than three years what other past administrations could not accomplish in 12 years in the state.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Mr. Tunde Akinola expressed the readiness of the artisans to support the transformation agenda of the Ajimobi administration.
Highlight of the event included the decoration of Governor Ajimobi as the Grand Patron of the association.