THE House of Representatives member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Alhaja Kafilat Ogbara, has distributed vehicles, work tools and business equipment to constituents as part of a large-scale empowerment programme aimed at boosting livelihoods and economic self-reliance of residents.

The event, tagged a Mega Empowerment Programme, held at the Centre for Management Development, Shangisha, Magodo, Lagos, had in attendance political leaders, party officials, traditional rulers, market leaders and residents from across the constituency.
Items distributed included mini buses, tricycles, electric motorcycles, generators, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, makeup kits, mechanic tools, popcorn machines and other vocational equipment. Beneficiaries cut across different age groups, professions and communities within Kosofe.

Speaking at the event, Ogbara said the programme was part of her commitment to ensuring that development “comes home” to the people she represents, rather than remaining only in policy documents or legislative debates.
She said: “I stand here today not to boast, but to render an account of the journey you have given me so far. You trusted me with the mandate to represent you, and I promised that your voices will not only be heard in the National Assembly, but that tangible development will come to our streets, schools, markets and homes.”

The lawmaker noted that the empowerment initiative was a continuation of several constituency interventions carried out over the past two and a half years, including grants, vocational training, education support and infrastructure projects.
According to her, over N100 million had previously been disbursed as grants to women and youths in the constituency, with beneficiaries receiving N200,000 each alongside financial literacy training to ensure proper use of the funds.

“It is not enough to give grants; people must also be taught how to manage and grow the money,” she said, adding that some beneficiaries had gone on to become employers of labour.
Ogbara also listed other interventions such as free cooking gas distribution to households, drug abuse awareness campaigns, donations of textbooks and exercise books to schools, construction of a secondary school in Agboyi Waterside, installation of transformers, solar street lighting projects and the provision of toilet facilities in public schools.
She said beneficiaries of the empowerment programme were carefully profiled to ensure that items matched their actual needs and skills.

“We did profiling to know their age, status, profession and what they truly need. We don’t want to give a generator to someone who needs a sewing machine. I personally went through the stories behind the selections to ensure the support would be impactful,” she said.

The lawmaker added that the programme was not limited to members of her political party, stressing that all beneficiaries were verified residents of Kosofe Federal Constituency through their voter cards.
She disclosed that about 1,000 constituents were being empowered in the current phase, with more items, including electric tricycles, expected to arrive in subsequent batches.

“This is a continuous process. Those who have not benefited today should be assured that more opportunities are coming,” she said.
Some beneficiaries who spoke at the event described the initiative as impactful, particularly those who had earlier received training under the programme.

Emmanuel Olubenga, an auto mechanic and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Lagos State, said he had benefited from a compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion training sponsored by Ogbara before receiving tools under the empowerment scheme.

“This is not the first time. We did CNG training last year, and they promised empowerment after the training. What we are seeing today is a promise kept,” he said.
Olubenga explained that the training, which involved theory lessons in Lagos and practical sessions in Abeokuta, Ogun State, had improved his skills and expanded his services.

“She sponsored our transportation and accommodation. Now, I can conveniently convert vehicles from fuel to gas, and it has improved my work already,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Balogun Jimoh Kayode, also an auto mechanic, said the training exposed him to new technical knowledge that had strengthened his professional capacity.

“Before the training, I was just hearing about CNG. Now I understand what compressed natural gas is and how the conversion works. Once you understand the basics, you can work professionally,” he said.

Kayode urged other lawmakers to replicate similar initiatives in their constituencies, noting that skills-based empowerment was critical at a time of economic hardship.
In her remarks, Ogbara said her priority areas remained education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic empowerment, stressing that public office must translate into real benefits for citizens.

“If you cannot serve the people, you have no business being there. Leadership is not about occupying offices; it is about improving lives,” she said.