The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for Saki West State Constituency in the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election, Hon. Salaudeen Kabeer Adebayo (SKA), has commenced the distribution of Point of Sale (POS) machines to 200 residents across the 11 wards of Saki West Local Government Area as part of efforts to promote grassroots economic empowerment.
The initiative, which began on Thursday at the Saki West Legislative Chamber, is aimed at supporting petty traders, youths, women and other residents engaged in small-scale businesses by providing them with additional income-generating opportunities and expanding access to digital financial services within their communities.
The first phase of the programme produced 50 beneficiaries, while the remaining beneficiaries are expected to receive support in subsequent phases.
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, Adebayo explained that the prevailing economic situation had made it increasingly difficult for many residents to raise the modest capital required to establish or expand their businesses.
He said the prevailing challenges informed his decision to commence the empowerment programme before assuming a higher elective office, rather than waiting until after the 2027 election.
“I’m not waiting to assume office before empowering my people,” he declared, stressing that leadership should be measured by the willingness to identify the challenges facing the people and provide practical solutions.
Adebayo, who also serves as the Majority Leader of the Saki West Local Government Legislative Council, described the POS machines as more than just physical equipment, noting that they could serve as economic tools capable of laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods when properly managed.
He urged the beneficiaries to regard the opportunity as a responsibility and make effective use of the machines to develop their businesses, rather than treating the intervention as a one-off benefit.
The APM candidate also assured residents that the programme would be sustained and expanded to accommodate more people across the constituency in subsequent phases.
According to him, beneficiaries who successfully manage their businesses could eventually expand their operations and create employment opportunities for other residents.
He added that his broader vision was to promote economic inclusion and strengthen the capacity of youths, women and small-business operators at the grassroots.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Adeniyi Olabode Adebisi, the APM candidate for the Saki East, Saki West and Atisbo Federal Constituency, commended the initiative, describing it as a practical demonstration of grassroots-focused leadership.
The former commissioner noted that Adebayo’s decision to begin empowering residents before assuming a higher elective office underscored the importance of addressing the immediate economic realities of constituents.
Adebisi further assured that the programme would continue in phases to enable more residents to benefit from the intervention.
The resource person at the programme, Mr. Araromi Olumide, explained that the beneficiaries would receive appropriate training to enable them to operate the POS machines effectively and maximise the economic opportunities they offer.
The event attracted prominent party and community stakeholders, including Comrade Olanrewaju Lawrence Olawale, Mrs. Kazeem Saidat, Hon. Waheed Yekeen Olanrewaju and Hon. Jinaad Adenike.
Others in attendance included ward chairmen, women leaders, secretaries, youth leaders, deputy legislative council leaders and supervisory councillors.
The initiative forms part of Adebayo’s grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election, with the programme’s organisers positioning it around the message of “service before office” and placing economic empowerment at the centre of the candidate’s engagement with residents of Saki West.
