The Abeokuta Premium Lions Club has launched a N10 million empowerment scheme aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and tackling unemployment and poverty among youths in Ogun State.
Launched as part of activities marking the International Youth Month, the initiative saw the club disbursing an initial N1 million to selected beneficiaries to expand their small-scale businesses.
Speaking at the club’s second business meeting of the 2026/2027 service year in Abeokuta on Sunday, the club’s president, Lion Lukman Abiose, said the scheme comprises non-refundable grants and interest-free loans designed to cushion the economic challenges facing young business owners.
According to Abiose, beneficiaries will be allowed to repay the loan component over a 12-month period, giving them the opportunity to expand their businesses without the burden of interest.
He said, “In commemoration of International Youth Month, we are empowering some of our youths to grow their businesses through a mix of non-interest loans and grants.
“Part of the money given to them is a non-refundable grant, while the other portion is a non-interest loan payable within 12 months.
“Our goal is to make life better for the youths, improve society, and raise productive young individuals who contribute meaningfully to the economic ecosystem and the nation’s economy through our humanitarian drive.”
Abiose said the empowerment scheme represents the first phase of the club’s broader N10 million empowerment project.
He added that the club would monitor and mentor the initial beneficiaries to ensure that the funds are properly utilised and that the businesses become sustainable.
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Highlighting the activities of Lions Clubs International, Abiose said youth empowerment is one of the association’s eight major areas of focus, alongside sight conservation, childhood cancer, diabetes awareness, environmental protection, hunger relief and peace initiatives.
He said Lions Clubs around the world support young people through training, funding, placements and mentorship.
“All over the world, Lions Club engages in various youth empowerment initiatives through training, endowments, placements and mentorship. This month, we are focusing on childhood cancer, after which we will move to sight and vision projects,” he said.
Abiose assured that subsequent phases of the N10 million empowerment fund would be rolled out progressively.
Also speaking at the event, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, commended the club for its commitment to humanitarian service and its support for vulnerable members of society.
Babaseyi said targeted community interventions such as the empowerment scheme could contribute to crime prevention by addressing some of the social and economic conditions that expose young people to criminality.
“Where you help the downtrodden and show service to humanity as a core focus, it directly impacts our ability to fight crime,” he said.
“Prevention is always better than cure, and proactive humanitarian drives are helping keep youths off the streets and away from criminality.”
He added that community outreach programmes that address social challenges could help ease the burden on law enforcement by tackling some of the root causes of crime before they escalate.
In his remarks, the club’s Charter President and Chairman of the Empowerment Fund, Lion Shafi Amusa, disclosed that three successful applicants received a total of N1 million from the first phase of the scheme.
He said nine proposals were received, but only three applicants met the selection criteria.
According to Amusa, the beneficiaries received between N200,000 and N300,000 each, depending on their specific business needs.
He added that the application window remains open for other interested Leos to submit their proposals for consideration.
Amusa said the initiative was designed not only to provide financial assistance but also to help build financially independent young people who can contribute to their communities and eventually transition into full-fledged Lions.
He emphasised that beneficiaries would receive structured mentorship, guidance and professional support to help them develop sustainable businesses and create positive social impact.