For artisans and traders in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State, penultimate Saturday was a happy one as Jandor Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) held an empowerment programme during which work tools and money were distributed to them.
Market leaders, traders, tailors, barbers, food grinders, mechanics, hair-dressers, vulcanisers, photographers, printers and many others were all present at the empowerment programme, singing and rejoicing over the gesture by the NGO.
The founder of Jandor Foundation, Olajide Adediran said the programme was aimed at helping people, promising the gesture would be extended to other local government areas in Lagos.
“The programme is designed to help people that we know need support in their day-to-day lives. We have been to Alimosho, we are now in Ikorodu. What we are doing is called local government community tour of Lagos. The people we are empowering cut across several trade, and we are doing the little we can to help them.
On what informed the carrying out of the philanthropic projects, Mr. Olajide said. “The best thing Nigerians should sincerely do is to see how we can embark on a national convocation, embark on a journey of redemption and reclamation of our lost ethos and that includes lifting the poorest of the poor.”
In a chat with Southwest Report on the foundation’s contributions to the welfare of the downtrodden, Olajide lamented the level of poverty in the land despite that the country is so much blessed in both human and natural resources.
He said: “The condition of the poor in the society bothers me as it also bothers everyone else. Nigeria is a rich country peopled by a majority poor. But I do tell people that the plan of God for this country is a big one. We are destined to be a great country peopled by great individuals. The problems we encounter are simply man-made. With the grim realities on ground and with the realisation of that fact, people are now coming together to ask questions on why the situation has been so and when will it end. But it is not enough to be bothered but enough to proffer solutions.”
On what the well-to-do should do to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, he said it is a thing of the mind.
“Those who are rich but care less about those in their environment should have a change of heart because for the rich to live peaceably, they must seriously and sincerely work for the peace of the poor. This is so because, the rich man in Ikoyi is awake not because he does not want to sleep. He is awake because the man in Ajegunle who has nothing to eat is awake, hungry and angry.
“So, the wealth and welfare of the poor is in the hands of the rich, but the peace of mind of the rich is in the hands of the poor.”
Commenting on the level of assistance or collaboration from individuals or government in running the foundation which helps the poor, he said: “Jandor Foundation is funded from my personal purse; I don’t have any corporate support. I’m driven to help people because when one receives some blessings from God, it’s time for one to extend such blessings to others. To whom much is given, much more is expected.
The General Secretary of Nigerian Union of Tailors (NUT) Ijede branch, Owoyale Shukurah who received a sewing machine expressed joy as she thanked and prayed for Jandor Foundation.
“I feel so elated. I wasn’t expecting this. My Chairman called me a day to the event to inform me about this programme. I was unwilling to come because nothing positive had come my way in the various empowerment programmes I’ve attended. I am so elated; I really appreciate the founder of the NGO, Mr. Olajide. If we have up to five people like him in our society, we’re good to go. I was so touched by his gesture. I pray that God will continue to guide, guard and enrich him more, his volunteers and family,” she said.
An official of the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) Imota branch, who spoke to Southwest Report in confidence said: “I am delighted to be part of this programme. It is a wonderful one. You can perceive that everyone is enveloped in joy. We have been given a lot of things to help us improve our businesses.”
Mrs. Kafayatu Tayo of Nigerian Association of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists (NASHCO) was joyful over Mr. Olajide’s generosity, even as she prayed for God’s blessings on the initiator of the programme.
She said. “In fact, I am dumbfounded. I can only pray that Jandor Foundation keeps on advancing.”
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