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Tag: Empower

  • Foundation empowers youths, supports elderly in Lagos, Osun, Oyo

    Foundation empowers youths, supports elderly in Lagos, Osun, Oyo

    The Okanlomo Foundation has concluded its multi-state empowerment and humanitarian intervention across Lagos, Osun, and Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable community development, social inclusion, and the promotion of human dignity.

    Speaking at the event, the founder of the Foundation, Oluwatosin Akinyemi, said the initiative combined youth skills empowerment with elderly welfare support, addressing economic vulnerability and social care needs in underserved communities.

    According to her, the programme was designed to create long-term impact through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support, and targeted humanitarian assistance.

    Akinyemi said, “Okanlomo Foundation is a non-governmental organisation focused on empowering individuals and communities through skills development, entrepreneurship promotion, and social welfare initiatives.

    The Foundation programmes are aimed at providing sustainable solutions that improve livelihoods, support vulnerable populations, and contribute to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

    “As part of the empowerment programme, the Foundation implemented a four-month intensive training in fashion design and makeup artistry, during which eight beneficiaries were trained and certified.

    “The training was delivered in collaboration with Phitos Glam and Anike Clothings, providing participants with hands-on, industry-relevant skills targeted at self-employment and economic independence.

    “To further strengthen sustainability outcomes, beneficiaries also participated in a comprehensive entrepreneurship and business development session facilitated by Temitayo Adewole, National Business Development Service Provider (NBDSP).

    “The session covered enterprise structuring, customer acquisition, pricing strategies, and business growth, equipping participants with practical tools to successfully launch and manage their businesses.”

    Akinyemi thanked partners, facilitators, volunteers, and supporters for their contributions to the success of the programme.

    She emphasised the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development, noting that the Foundation remained open to partnerships with government institutions, corporate organisations, individuals, and other non-profit bodies to scale its impact.

    “Beyond youth empowerment, the Foundation also extended its humanitarian outreach to elderly citizens. In partnership with Omojolagbe Geriatric Care Foundation, Ibadan, food items and essential gift packages were distributed to 90 elderly persons across Lagos and Ibadan.

    “The intervention was aimed at providing immediate relief while promoting dignity, care, and social inclusion for senior citizens.”

    In her remarks, the Founder of Omojolagbe Geriatric Care Foundation, Dr. Ojo Florence, expressed gratitude for the support received and commended Okanlomo Foundation for its commitment to elderly welfare.

    She prayed for the organisation and expressed hope for continued collaboration in serving the aged population.

    The Foundation noted that the initiative aligned with several SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

    One of the beneficiaries, Ogunowo Valentina, described the programme as life-changing, stating that it enabled her to acquire her desired skill despite financial limitations.

    She, however, said the training has positioned her for self-reliance and economic empowerment.

  • Mentorship programme to empower more startups

    Mentorship programme to empower more startups

    Grooming Endowment Trust in partnership with Kick-off Africa have launched their third GETAccelerated programme, which nurtures innovation and drive economic growth.

    Building on success of the last cohorts, which gave 20 startups N150 million, this year’s aims to mentor and invest in 10 promising founders.

    Nigerian startups are invited to apply for the third cohort, with applications open from now till August 11.

    The programme is a transformative force in the startup ecosystem, empowering early-stage ventures to contribute to the economic landscape.

    Read Also: RCCG empowers 27 widows with N2.7m

    It supports, equips and provide financial aid, mentorship, and access to industry leaders. This has produced success stories, such as Smallchops.ng, in the finger foods industry.

    Others include ALARRT, My Food Angel, Agrodemy, and Regxta, all doing well.

    The programme kicks off with a three-day bootcamp, followed by a 12-week virtual accelerator, where startups showcases their achievements to investors and partners.

    Michael Adoghe, Operations Manager, noted previous achievements showed GETAccelerated is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs.

    “Since inception, the initiative has yielded results. Founders have shared stories of scaling up businesses into substantial enterprises, even expanding into new markets and regions.

    Uche Ukonu, founder of Smallchops.ng, said it took his business from an idea to a thriving reality.

    “My experience with GETAccelerated was enlightening. GET … is one of the first people to see we were creating jobs for people and they backed us.”

  • Presidency to empower vulnerable citizens through community outreaches

    Presidency to empower vulnerable citizens through community outreaches

    The Presidency has launched a new initiative to empower vulnerable citizens through community engagement with a focus on grassroots development and humanitarian growth.

     The Presidential Community Engagement Office created by President Bola Tinubu, aims to bridge the gap between the government and local communities, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

    Speaking to journalists during the launch of the South West Initiative For Transformation (SWIFT) Project, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu, said the office will serve as a “super facilitator” between government agencies and local communities, ensuring that citizens are aware of government policies, programs, and projects that can improve their lives.

    “Basically, humanity is behind the face of leadership. President Bola Tinubu is so passionate about growth and development, he’s so passionate about restoring the confidence of Nigerians and ensuring that Nigeria is on the pathway of success and efficient progress,” Ojudu said.

    According to Ojudu, the empowerment initiative will focus on five key areas: agriculture, education, enterprise development, health, and primary healthcare restoration.

     By engaging with local communities and providing them with the necessary resources and support, the presidency hopes to restore trust and confidence in government and promote efficient progress.

    “Empowering communities is key to the President. Community engagement is the biggest tool the President is using to take back his policies, his projects, and his programs and ensure that these people have that renewed sense of hope,” she emphasised.

    The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to renew hope and empower citizens, particularly those in rural and disadvantaged areas. 

    By taking development back to the grassroots, she said, the Presidency hopes to create a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens, and promote sustainable growth and development.

    “When you empower communities, you first of all have to communicate, and that’s the core of community engagement. You have to sensitize them. Many communities are disengaged, they don’t even understand what we’re doing, and government is doing so much for the people,” Ojudu noted.

    The Presidential Community Engagement Office will work closely with development partners, implementation partners, and funding partners to achieve this goal, and ensure that citizens are empowered to take control of their lives and communities.

    Read Also: Soldier killed in home state Abia after surviving five years fight against terrorists

     Also speaking at the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, applauded the efforts of the Presidential Community Engagement initiative in fostering collaborative solutions for sustainable development across the country.

     Idris who was represented by his Special Assistant, Research & Strategy, Saidu Ahmed commended the leadership role such grassroots engagements play in re-orientating moral and socio-political values.

    He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” was carefully crafted to tackle development challenges through an inclusive approach harnessing knowledge, foresight in leadership, and understanding of the nation’s unique political economy.

    The minister revealed that his ministry is currently hosting Ministerial Sectoral Briefings to facilitate democratic exchange of information between cabinet ministers and the populace, redefining engagement on service delivery.

    “There is already a geopolitical consensus that President Tinubu has successfully maintained a path where today, we are assured he will deliver this Renewed Hope Agenda to the next generation,” Idris stated.

    Highlighting recent multi-stakeholder collaborations like the High-Level Dialogue, the minister said such efforts underscore why cooperation across sectors is crucial for sustainable development goals.

  • Foundation to empower 1m people

    Foundation to empower 1m people

    A non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Whitefield Foundation, plans to train and empower one million Nigerians by 2025.

    Its founder Mrs.  Funmi Johnson,  made this known  at the 20th anniversary of the group at The Capstone Resource Centre, Yaba, Lagos.

      She said the NGO had empowered over 500,000 people.

     Johnson said the foundation had  empowered 162,500 Nigerians; given educational support to 5,771 students; grants to 5,771 women and youths.

     The group, she said, also supported 30 MSMEs.

     In all, she said they have covered the 36 states of the federation. In Kano State, the NGO trained and empowered 2,200; Delta, 2280 and Anambra, 8,779. For her effort in Kano, she noted, she was conferred with a chieftaincy title by a community in the state.

     The NGO also gave vocational training and empowered 114,000. A total 1,000 got sewing and industrial machines, tools and laptops.

    During the #ENDSARS protests, it supplied medical relief materials to people.     At the event, the foundation gave out grants to some youths.

      Johnson thanked its sponsors and her husband/founder Capstone Church, Pastor Beulah Johnson for standing by her.

    Read Also: UHC Day: Tinubu unveils plan for massive investments in health sector

    She praised Sterling One, and The Coca Cola Foundation, among others, for their support. Through the partnership, she stated that they executed vocational skill programme in acting, photography, cinematography  and video editing. Also, through their SHAPE 2020 and EQUIP 60000, they deepened skills acquisition.

     She added that  their training covered financial literacy, entrepreneurship, communication and digital proficiency and money-making skills.

     The Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon Adejare Omiyale, stressed importance of NGOs in nation building. He said the economic crunch is affecting not only Nigeria but also every part of the world.

    He thanked the NGO for its giant strides over the years, saying that it has touched lives.

  • Germany, Tony Elumelu Foundation to empower African entrepreneurs

    The German Government and Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) have reached agreement to train and support young African entrepreneurs as part of efforts to scale up the development of the African economy.

    The TEF and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, German Government’s  Agency for International Cooperation, will empower 210 young African entrepreneurs, focusing specifically on female entrepreneurs and tech-enabled businesses.

    The joint partnership will equip more African entrepreneurs with the skills needed to build strong and sustainable businesses, while providing them with access to seed funding. The partnership will be implemented by Make-IT in Africa, a programme GIZ is implementing on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

    Make-IT already works in close collaboration with more than 20 corporate and financing partners, social enterprises, hubs, and networks to support an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs, to enable better access to finance, markets, and skills.

    Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Parminder Vir, said the partnership with GIZ ensures that more entrepreneurs across Africa will access seed capital, as well as the world-class TEF proprietary online training and mentoring programme.

    “Since the launch of the programme, we have received over 300,000 applications, and we are actively looking at leveraging our success, so we can greatly exceed our own commitment to 1,000 entrepreneurs annually over 10 years,” Vir said.

    Country Director, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Dr Thomas Kirsch noted that employment is the key measure for socio-economic development in Nigeria.

    According to him, entrepreneurs and start-ups have the capacity to facilitate job creation in a way that was not imaginable 10 years ago.

    “We have entered a new era where initiatives by the German government, such as Make-IT in Africa, could be instrumental in empowering youth by addressing the skills gap and connecting them to markets, corporates, and financing opportunities. We are encouraged by this partnership with TEF and the opportunity to create lasting impact in the lives of many,” Kirsch said.

    The partnership is coming ahead of the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs – The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum – which will hold on October 25, 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria. The Forum will celebrate the 2018 cohort of the Foundation’s beneficiaries.  The entrepreneurship programme of TEF was launched in 2015, having supported more than 4,000 entrepreneurs with seed capital pan-African wide.

    The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is the $ 100 million flagship programme of the Foundation. It identified 10,000 African start-ups and entrepreneurs with ideas that have the potential to transform the African continent in the last 10 years. For TEF, the goal is to invest in the generation of at least 1,000,000 new jobs and to contribute $ 10 billion in new annual revenues across Africa.

    The Foundation’s investment and commitment to advancing entrepreneurship is predicated on the belief that Africa’s entrepreneurs hold the key to unlocking the potential of the continent and to facilitating its transformation.

  • I ‘ll continue to empower my constituents, says Senator Tinubu

    The senator representing the Lagos Central Senatorial District, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated her commitment towards empowering members of her constituency.

    Tinubu, who spoke at the 26th edition of her town hall meeting in Lagos yesterday, noted that there were no jobs and unemployment was at an all -time high. As a result, she said: “There is a lot of anger which is expressed in the rapid upsurge of crime rate, indiscriminate killings and perceived acts of terrorism across the country.

    “This is why I have stayed committed to empowering as many of our constituents as possible, bearing in mind that every job is honourable and there is dignity in labour. We cannot continue to wait for perfect conditions or hand-me-downs. We must start to look inwards to see what we can offer.”

    Tinubu was not happy that whenever there were job opportunities, “we were unable to field candidates to take advantage of them because our youths have failed to meet the pre-requisite requirements”.

    She cited a case where her constituency was requested to nominate three youths for enlistment in the Nigeria Police. According to her, “we were able to find only one nominee who had completed the online application form before the deadline”.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, said the time we live in require that we embrace technological advancements because most modern jobs require online application. “I must urge us all to be prepared, stay informed and move with the times. Check for the many opportunities that abound online  as this will prevent waste of similar opportunities.”

    In pursuance of her commitment to ensuring that the youth are gainfully employed, the senator stated that under her Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Scheme (YESAS), “31 youths selected from the 13 local government and local council development areas (LCDAs) that make up the Lagos Central Senatorial District were presented with tricycles and the cash gift of N50,000 each.

    She told the audience that names of 300 youths were forwarded to the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) through the slot given to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The beneficiaries, she said, have started acquiring skills, ranging from cosmetology to mobile phone repairs.

    Tinubu also reported that the construction of drainage at Jebara Close, off  Ijora Causeway, which was facilitated by her through the Ministry of Environment had been completed. She said the completion of the project would prevent water accumulation, particularly in the rainy season and promote healthy living of people in that environment.

    The high point of the event was the presentation of 255 GCE forms to LGs and LCDAs chairmen for distribution in their areas and the distribution of power generators and N50,000 cash to each of 19 youths.

    The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC ), Lagos Central, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, commended the senator for her penchant in lifting the people in her constituency through various empowerment programmes. He implored the beneficiaries not to sell the equipment, but to make use of them to earn a living.

    Lagos APC Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, said he was not surprised with what Senator Tinubu was doing to alleviate poverty in her constituency because when she was the First Lady of Lagos State, she brought succour to many families that had lost hope through her New Era Foundation.

    Prominent people that attended the meeting were the Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Oba of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi; Deputy Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Esinlokun; former APC Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale;  Lagos APC Woman Leader, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas;  APC  Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola; and members of the House of Representatives: Hon. Jide Jimoh and Hon. Ayodeji Joseph.

  • US, firm empower techpreneurs in fisheries

    The United States Embassy in collaboration with Andela, a global training organisation, has gathered designers, developers and other experts in Lagos, Benin, Ibadan and Abuja for training in fishery, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Techpreneurs are successful because they bridge the gap between businesses and consumers with innovative solutions. One way to get these solutions is through hackathon, a forum where people come together and use technology to transform ideas into reality.

    Fishackathon is a public-private partnership, which uses digital solutions to address fishery challenges.

    The United States government in collaboration with Andela, a global trainer, assembled designers, developers, and experts to provide tech solutions to fisheries’ problems.

    The event was held in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Lagos and Ibadan.

    Fishackathon organiser, West Africa Andela, Anuoluwapo Onifade, said the event was organised by the US Embassy to inspire the creation of digital solutions to address sustainable fisheries and marine challenges.

    According to him, the challenges involved providing solutions to problems in areas, such as overfishing, pollution, and other hazards threatening the extinction of marine species.

    He said mentors help teams bring their ideas into execution that will solve problems.

    The winning team, he explained, would receive $5000 and top teams would move on to the regional and global finals.

    HackerNest is the Managing Partner for Fishackathon, a global hackathon series, launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State that advises the president and leads the country in foreign policy issues.

  • Cleric to give scholarship, empower 500 widows, others

    A cleric at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Mountain of Mercy, at Erio-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, has empowered 500 widows and artisans at Ido-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state.

    Indigent secondary school pupils and students of tertiary institutions are also to get scholarship to pursue their education under the annual scheme.

    Alo said the beneficiaries will be selected at the church’s programme, tagged: Adamimogo Outreach Ido/Osi Open Air Crusade, which will hold from December 3 to 7.

    Addressing reporters at Erio-Ekiti, the cleric said the power-packed programme will hold at Oganganmodu Grammar School’s playground at Ido-Ekiti.

    Alo said the theme of this year’s programme is: Prophet in The City.

    The cleric said it will feature revival, scholarship for Senior Secondary School (SSS) III pupils and tertiary institutions’ students, youth empowerment for artisans and welfare package for the aged and widows.

    He said: “They said a prophet doesn’t get honour in his town, but my own is different. Last year, when I organised this programme at Ido-Ekiti, my country home, the crusade attracted a mammoth crowd.

    “I am a man of God and my own philosophy of evangelism is taking concrete steps by giving to the needy. The widows, the aged and students from poor homes are feeling the current economic heat in the country. This step will help in ameliorating their sufferings.”

  • Osun, World Bank empower 1,131 youths

    Osun, World Bank empower 1,131 youths

    The Osun State government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has empowered 1,131 less-privileged youths.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on International Relations, Dr. Michael Odugbile, who spoke at an orientation and training programme for beneficiaries at Ede, noted that the World Bank supported the initiative under the state’s Youth Employment and Social Support Operation.

    According to him, the programme is one of the bank’s projects for supporting Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s agenda to banish unemployment and poverty.

    He said: “YESSO programme is supporting the poorest of the poor unemployed youths between ages 18 and 35 years, especially those who do not have more than the Junior Secondary School Certificate (JSSC).”

    Also, Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement Mrs. Foluke Adegboyega said the YESSO is the  offshoot of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme  (O’YES).

    She said the programme was designed to rescue the underprivileged.

    The commissioner said beneficiaries, with lower certificates or none, were those who demonstrated outstanding character.

    Mrs Adegboyega said the 1,131 were selected by their communities.

    She said: “The beneficiaries will be entitled to a stipend of N7,500 per month and this will be based on their participation in activities of the programme.”

    The commissioner added that the deployment of YESSO beneficiaries will be based on needs of communities.

  • NGO to empower women, fight immorality

    NGO to empower women, fight immorality

    A group, under the aegis of Glorious Women International (GWI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has been launched penultimate weekend at Victoria Island Lagos. Its aim is to complement government’s efforts in making life better for the people.

    The event was attended by businessmen and women from all walks of life. It featured singing, dancing and presentation of awards, among others.

    Commenting on the establishment of the Ngo, Lady Ekwuefi said GWI is a service organisation and has been doing its best in providing for the less-privileged people since its inception last year.

    She further said a dream she had five years ago informed the establishment of the NGO, adding that it was aimed at building women for the future that would impact positively on every sector of economy.

    She said: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,’’ and that women are to build a solid home with their husbands, train children in the way of the Lord, that would make them not to depart from it when they grow old.

    She said GWI would continue to organise seminars for women on how to be supportive to their husbands to build stronger homes and making positive impacts to the society.

    She said the dream might have not become a reality if she had failed in bringing women of like minds together.

    She noted: “A dream alone is a dream but through togetherness, dream becomes reality.’’

    Lady Ekwuefi said the journey to forming the group began as friends chatting but as the time went by, they began to look beyond that and formed a committee of friends.

    She said GWI has 28 members both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, noting that they are married women with the same focus to impact lives, mentor the younger ones, cater for the less-privileged and the more vulnerable in the society, maintain physical fitness, grow Godlily women and to reach out to those that are in need of help.

    Lady Ekwuefi further said membership of the NGO is open to all women who are 40 years and who are married irrespective of ethnic background, adding that they must be employed or self-employed.

    Chairman of the occasion, Mr Bob Okonyia, praised the women for living their dream. He appealed to them to remain united. He urged them to know how to resolve any dispute that might occur among them to enable them to achieve their goals.

    The Secretary, Mrs Anajekwu, Treasurer, Lady Chinemelu and Social Welfare, Mrs Ken Okoli said GWI would soon begin training on skills such as bead accessories, liquid soap-making, hat-making and adire fabrics, among others for the youth and women to enable them to remain productive and self-reliant.