Presenting cheques to the beneficiaries over the weekend, Karimi said the facility was meant to alleviate poverty in the area and promote self reliance among the people.
Karimi, who was represented by the council chairman of Yagba East, Mr Funsho Ibrahim, urged the beneficiaries to embark on small scale businesses that could enhance their economic status.
According to him, the loans were interest-free to enable beneficiaries repay easily. A new set of beneficiaries would be selected in January when the second phase of the empowerment programme kicks off.
He said in this first phase, over 4,000 people in about 200 cooperative societies applied for the loans, with 120 societies recording success.