***Tunji-Ojo support fuels GMT grassroots market outreach in Ondo – Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye
The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State chapter, on Tuesday extended its grassroots engagement drive to major markets in Ondo West Local Government Area as part of its Asiwaju Tiwantiwa Market Outreach programme, popularly tagged E-Lo-So-Loja.
The programme, which attracted hundreds of market women, traders and community stakeholders, is designed to showcase the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration while supporting small-scale businesses through financial empowerment.
At the various markets visited, beneficiaries received cash support to boost their businesses, a gesture that elicited excitement and appreciation from traders who turned out in large numbers.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the Director-General of GMT, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the outreach is part of a broader plan to engage grassroots communities across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
“We are in Ondo West today and intend to visit major markets across the state. Our goal is to empower market leaders—Iyalojas, Babalojas—and traders, enabling them to sustain and grow their businesses,” he said.
Yusuf-Ogunleye explained that beyond economic empowerment, the initiative also serves as a platform to sensitise citizens on the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration.
“We are reaching out to the grassroots to inform them about what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been doing since assuming office. As a group, we support the government by adding value through impactful programmes such as this. We organise both market and medical outreach initiatives,” he added.
He disclosed that the second phase of the group’s medical outreach programme, Jingi Asiwaju, is scheduled to commence on April 15, with plans to cover all local government areas in the state.
According to him, the initiatives are funded by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whom he described as committed to mobilising grassroots support and ensuring that the administration’s achievements are widely felt.
“All our programmes are financed by the Minister of Interior. He is passionate about galvanising support for the president and ensuring that people at the grassroots are not left out,” he said.
Yusuf-Ogunleye maintained that the group’s efforts are driven by its belief that the Tinubu administration has stabilised the nation’s economy and set it on a path to recovery.
“We believe President Tinubu has performed well in the last three years. He has steered the country away from the brink of economic collapse. Though challenges such as security remain, we are confident he is addressing them,” he stated.
Some beneficiaries and market leaders also commended the initiative and expressed support for the president.
Mrs Josephine Akinduro, a member of the market committee, said traders turned out in large numbers due to their positive perception of the administration.
“Market women came out en masse because things have improved since this government came in. Our businesses are doing better, and prices of goods that had risen are beginning to stabilise. We believe the president will perform even better if given another opportunity,” she said.
The Babaloja of Ondo Kingdom and Chairman of the Moferere Committee, Otunba Temitope Akinton, said market leaders in the area remain supportive of the president.
“Members of the Oloja-in-Council fully support President Tinubu. Beyond being a Yoruba leader, he has redefined governance in Nigeria. Wherever he goes, we will go with him,” he declared.
He added that the country was in a difficult state prior to Tinubu’s emergence but expressed confidence in the president’s ability to sustain ongoing reforms.
“Things were in bad shape before he came in, but he is doing his best to fix them. We believe he will continue to improve,” Akinton said.
Other dignitaries at the event included Hon. Rasheed Badmus, GMT State Secretary; Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, former commissioner and APC chieftain; Deaconess Olufunke Adesida, GMT Iyaloja in Ondo State; Chief Felix Akinsuroju (Engr. De Felisco), APC leader in Ondo West; Mrs Ayodeji Ogunjimi, APC Iyaloja in Ondo West; and Alhaji Khaleed Akinbami, GMT Coordinator in Ondo West.
