The Adeola Azeez Community Care Foundation (AACCF), in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Neighbours Shop, launched a groundbreaking solar-powered kiosk initiative aimed at empowering women and fostering sustainable economic growth. The commissioning ceremony, held at the Bishop Ayo Awosoga Hall in Ijebu-Ode, marked the delivery of 35 kiosks to local women entrepreneurs.
The event, attended by notable figures, including the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun (represented by Mrs. Bolanle Alake Oduyale), underscored the transformative potential of the project. In her keynote address, Mrs. Abiodun praised the initiative as a beacon of progress and resilience, urging stakeholders to collaborate further in bridging socio-economic gaps. “Empowering women is an investment in the prosperity of our society,” she remarked.
The solar-powered kiosks are equipped with renewable energy systems, digital inventory tools, and refrigeration units, addressing critical needs in informal retail sectors.
Adeola Azeez, Founder, Adeola Azeez Community Care Foundation
AACCF’s founder, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, described the project as aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “These kiosks are not just business hubs; they are platforms for innovation and empowerment,” she said, emphasizing the initiative’s potential scalability across Nigeria.
Mrs. Azeez extended gratitude to BOI for their N97 million grant and to Neighbours Shop for their operational expertise, calling on traditional leaders, government officials, and private entities to support similar initiatives nationwide.
Mr. John Akinde, representing BOI, highlighted the institution’s focus on gender equality and sustainability, lauding the initiative’s role in addressing energy deficiencies and promoting entrepreneurship. “Women are pivotal contributors to households, communities, and the national economy,” he noted, underscoring the economic necessity of empowering women.
BOI’s funding enabled the kiosks’ integration of renewable energy, reducing operational costs while ensuring sustainability. Mr. Akinde called for continued collaborative efforts to expand the program’s reach.
Neighbours Shop founder, Mr. Muyideen Sanwoola, elaborated on the initiative’s innovative profit-sharing model. Beneficiaries retain 60% of profits, with the remainder reinvested, while advanced monitoring systems ensure transparency. After three years, successful entrepreneurs will gain full ownership of their kiosks, promoting long-term commitment and self-reliance.
Additional measures, such as daily restocking, insurance, and anti-theft mechanisms, safeguard the kiosks’ sustainability. Field officers will also maintain the solar panels to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The program’s impact extends beyond entrepreneurship, with youth benefiting from access to digital tools. Hon. Adeyemi Titi Julius, Vice Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, praised the project as a collaborative success, pledging ongoing government support for similar initiatives.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, commended the project as a scalable solution to local challenges. Representing the AACCF Board of Trustees, Ruth Diyan Ebe-Emordi emphasized the foundation’s broader mission to foster empowerment and sustainability across underserved communities.
The ceremonial handover of the kiosks symbolized a new chapter for the 50 beneficiaries, who now have tools to drive economic inclusion and uplift their communities. This initiative reflects AACCF’s commitment to creating lasting change through community-focused programmes.
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