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Tag: empowers

  • Sa’adatu Musa empowers 100 persons with disabilities in Niger East

    Sa’adatu Musa empowers 100 persons with disabilities in Niger East

    Founder of the Future Pathways Foundation, Sa’adatu Sani Musa, has empowered 100 persons with disabilities in the Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State.

    Each beneficiary was given ₦50,000 in cash and a 25kg bag of rice by the philanthropist.

    For years, Sa’adatu has been known for her humanitarian work, but the initiative reaffirmed her philosophy of empowerment as a right rather than charity.

    “In our foundation, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, to dream, and to participate fully in society,” she said during the presentation.

    Nigeria has more than 25 million persons with disabilities, according to the National Population Commission, with most living in rural and semi-urban areas where access to services is scarce.

    Although the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act was signed into law in 2019, implementation has remained slow.

    Beneficiaries at the event shared how the support offered relief.

    Ibrahim, a visually impaired father of three, said the ₦50,000 would help revive his small provisions stall.

    For Aisha, who uses a wheelchair, the rice meant her household would not go hungry for weeks.

    Observers say the testimonies underline the importance of such interventions, which reaffirm the humanity of groups often overlooked.

    The Future Pathways Foundation has, over the years, organised women’s empowerment drives, youth training programmes, and scholarship schemes.

    “What Sa’adatu is doing is not just giving rice or money. She is reminding us that every life matters,” a community leader said at the event.

    Sa’adatu has indicated that the foundation will seek partnerships with public institutions and private stakeholders to scale its reach.

    For the 100 beneficiaries, however, the gesture was not only about material support but also recognition and hope.

  • Stanbic IBTC empowers youths

    Stanbic IBTC Bank is promoting financial literacy among the youths. The scheme is part of its commitment to the 2018 Financial Literacy Day meant to mark the Global Money Week slated for March 12  to 18.

    The bank moved the full apparatus of its mobile Automated Teller Machine (ATM) van from Lagos to Ibadan Grammar School, one of the 31 allocated schools across the country where its senior executives, including its chief executive, made presentations to students on financial literacy.

    Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Demola Sogunle, while making a presentation entitled: Money Matters, Matter at Ibadan Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, stated that exhibiting exemplary financial discipline and independence as adults can only be possible if students and young adults inculcate the indispensable fundamentals in financial knowledge while still in the mouldable stage of life.

    He said the importance of financial literacy cannot be over-emphasised and went further to advise the students on the need to have a good understanding of basic money management skills such as living within a budget and to always define and differentiate their needs and their wants, which undoubtedly will put them in good stead for better management of finances and future success. The school principal, Oyeade Ajani, commended Stanbic IBTC for going far and above the basic requirements for the Financial Literacy Day in organising what he described as the best the school has hosted, describing it as a priceless gesture.

  • Adamawa empowers 10,000 youths

    Adamawa State Governor Mohammed Bindow has said that his administration had empowered 10,000 youths in various ways of economic life.

    Bindow said this at the training of tricycle operators on safety.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by the Simba Group of Companies, manufacturers of TVS tri-cycles.

    Bindow said his administration had supported youths in various areas of economy to create wealth and reduce restiveness among youths.

    He said the youths were trained in various areas of agriculture and provided with loans to boost agricultural production.

    The governor advised the tricycle operators to desist from taking illicit drugs and alcohol, adding that such acts could shorten their life span.

  • Stanbic IBTC empowers start-ups

    Stanbic IBTC Blue Lab, a facility that gives start-ups and small  businesses opportunity thrive has been launched.

    Inauguration of the innovation platform took place in Lagos last week  Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Demola Sogunle, declaring that constant innovation is imperative to secure the future of any enterprise.

    He noted that new technologies alone will not guarantee future success, as the ever changing demands of today’s highly informed consumers make continuous innovation inevitable.

    Located at Yaba, the emerging innovation hub in Nigeria, the facility boasts of meeting and open areas where techprenuers could network, brainstorm, research and nurture innovation and ideas, under a setting that ensures full concentration and support from Stanbic IBTC experts.

    “As a member of the Standard Bank group with over 154 years of existence, it is clear that we are here for the long term. We are on a marathon, not a sprint. And we understand the importance of Innovation in sustaining the tempo that is required to remain in business.

    This is why we have invested in the Stanbic IBTC Blue Lab, an innovation hub that will serve as an incubator for our young thinkers with great ideas. It is a hub that will help to nurture the ideas that will re-write our future. The hub is part of our strategy to lead with innovation,” Sogunle stated

    He  emphasised that a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to harnessing innovation and technology to build communities is underscored by its pervasiveness on several social media platforms; including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, as well as the establishment of an all-digital branch in Lagos, all designed to make financial products and services easily accessible to a wide array of clientele, including the youth.

  • ITF empowers 300 youths, women in Zamfara

    ITF empowers 300 youths, women in Zamfara

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has empowered 300 youths and women with various vocational skills in Zamfara State, under its National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

    Agency reports say ITF also supported the beneficiaries with tools as part of its efforts at reducing unemployment.

    At the closing of the three-month programme and presentation of the empowerment tools in Gusau, ITF Director-General Sir Joseph Ari said the NISDP was initiated by the ITF in line with the Federal Government policy on job/wealth creation and poverty reduction.

    Ari, represented by the Director, Technical and Vocational Services Department, Mr Isiyaku Yusuf, said the programme was aimed at equipping a large number of youths with vocational skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

    According to him, the over 11,000 trainees are expected to benefit from the programme across the 36 states of the country and Federal Capital Territory.

    “Three hundred youths and women were selected from the 14 local government areas of the state for the training,” he said.

    In his remarks, the state’s Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, commended the ITF for initiating the programme, saying that it was a timely and welcomed development.

    Wakkala said: “What ITF has done is in line with the state government’s policy to partner the Federal Government, organisations and private partners on training of youths in various skills acquisition to empower them to become self-reliant.

    “We are ever ready to partner and provide enabling environment to any organisation to improve the future of our youths.’’

    He urged beneficiaries of the programme to utilise all the skills learned from the programme for their future development.

    Earlier, the state ITF Area Manager, Alhaji Yakubu Umar, said the trainees were trained in tailoring and fashion design, welding and fabricating as well as plumbing and pipe-fitting.

    Umar said the training was carried out at the four ITF zonal centres in Gusau, Gummi, Kaura-Namoda and Talata-Mafara.

    He commended the co-operation given to the programme by the state government, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

  • ITF empowers 300 youths, women in Zamfara

    ITF empowers 300 youths, women in Zamfara

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained and empowered 300 youths and women in various vocational skills in Zamfara State under its National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ITF also supported the beneficiaries with empowerment tools as part of its efforts to assist in reducing unemployment in the country.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three months programme and presentation of the empowerment tools in Gusau yesterday, the Director-General of the ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, said the NISDP was initiated by the ITF in line with the Federal Government policy of job/wealth creation and poverty reduction.

    Ari, represented by the Director, Technical and Vocational Services Department, Mr Isiyaku Yusuf, said the programme was aimed at equipping large number of the Nigerian youths with vocational skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

    According to him, the over 11,000 trainees are expected to benefit from the programme across the 36 states of the country and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    “300 youths and women were selected from the 14 local government areas of the state for the training,” he said.

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, commended the ITF for initiating the programme, saying that it was a timely and welcomed development.

    Wakkala said: “What ITF has done is in line with the state government policy to partner with the Federal Government, organisations and private partners on training of youths in various skills acquisition to empower them to become self-reliant.’’

    “We are ever ready to partner and provide enabling environment to any organisation to improve the future of our youths.’’

    He urged beneficiaries of the programme to utilise all the skills learned from the programme for the future development.

    Earlier, the state ITF Area Manager, Alhaji Yakubu Umar, said the trainees were trained in Tailoring and Fashion Design, Welding and Fabricating as well as Plumbing and Pipe-fitting.

    Umar said that the training was carried out at the four ITF Zonal Centres in Gusau, Gummi, Kauran-Namoda and Talata-Mafara.

    He commended the support and cooperation given to the programme by the state government, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

  • AXA Mansard empowers Corps members

    AXA Mansard empowers Corps members

    AXA Mansard, member of the AXA Group, one of the world leaders in insurance and asset management, has demonstrated its commitment towards empowering youths.

    Its Group Head, Strategy and Marketing, Kola Oni, in a statement, said the company achieved this through an awareness campaign to youths at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps on various solutions available for their financial security, health and  well-being.

    Earlier, he said the company officials had visited the Lagos, Abuja and Rivers NYSC Orientation camps to enlighten the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course (Stream II) Corps members on solutions available from AXA Mansard, which include the right investment vehicles for them, insurance for their valuables and loved ones, pensions to start saving for their retirement and health insurance for access to quality healthcare.

    In addition to the awareness drive at the camps, AXA Mansard Health Insurance provided free basic medical services to Corps members, such as medical consultation, basic medical check-up, BMI and blood pressure.

    He said: “Youth empowerment is important to us because it affords us the opportunity to enable and propel youths to become effective drivers of change and societal transformation.

    “Nigeria’s total population in 2016 was projected to be 193,392,517. Youth population was estimated at 61,306,413 or 31.7 per cent of the total population. This is one of the highest percentages of youth in any country. In fact, Nigeria is said to have the largest youth population in the world within the framework of this definition.

    “It is important for us to connect with the youth, empower, mentor and enable them become the key change agents for Nigeria’s development. They should be provided with opportunities to build and secure the future they desire. At AXA Mansard, we are passionate about empowering people to live a better life. One way to achieve that is to empower our youths on the importance of early planning to secure for their future, using solutions available within their reach,”he noted.

  • Total E&P empowers 57 SMEs with micro credit loans in A/Ibom

    Total Exporation and Production (E&P) has empowered 57 Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Akwa Ibom State  with microcredit loans.

    The Deputy Managing Director of Total E&P, François Le-coco, said the loans were aimed at improving the socio-economic development of its host communities.

    Speaking  during the official launch of the loan scheme held at the Governor’s Office Annex in Uyo, Le-coco said the exercise was in line with the sustainable corporate responsibility policy of Total Group and a key part of the principles of the NNPC/TEPNG Joint Venture activities.

    He said the company has over the years identified with many potential entrepreneurs and businesses that have challenges due to lack of seed capital, or credit facilities, saying  the NNPC/TEPNG is poised to supporting them.

    He said   most of them  suffer early attrition within the local economy, ststing that this has created its own challenges in terms of developing potentials of the people and sustaining their nuclear families.

    ‘’It is therefore our desire to stimulate the growth and development of viable small and medium size enterprise within the state by instituting this Micro-credit facilities to support both existing and upcoming entrepreneur,’’Le-coco stated.

    He said to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, Total sought the partnership of an experienced Professional financial service provider, GUFAX Micro- Finance Bank to assess, evaluate and advice on the enterprise with the greatest potentials for success.

    Hr said the beneficiaries emerged  as result of the identification process done by the company, ading, “we have confident that they will achieve their full potential’.”

    While congratulating all the beneficiaries, the Total E&P chief enjoined them to make proper use of the facility.

  • Lawmaker empowers 350 youths with N7m in Sokoto

    A member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki (APC- Sokoto), representing Tambuwal and Kebbe Federal Constituency on Sunday disbursed N7 million to 350 unemployed youths.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disbursement was flagged-off under the empowerment programme of the lawmaker in Jabo town of Tambuwal local government area.

    Speaking at the occasion, Dasuki said the gesture was part of his efforts to empower the unemployed youths to enable them establish small scale businesses for self-reliance.

    He said, “it is based on that today we are selecting 350 youths as a pilot programme in order to support each with N20,000 to become self-reliant.

    “Our aim is to support the unemployed youths and create jobs and entrepreneurial activities will continue to be our priority.

    “So, we have been on all major tracks to ensure that we can help our people, most especially youths and women.

    “This is because supporting them is key to improving the living standard of the society,” Dasuki said.

    He called on youths to shun any kind of violence to ensure sustainable peace and unity for the overall development of the country.

    He further commended the people of his constituency for their continuous support towards ensuring the success of all his programmes.

    In his remarks, the District Head of Jabo, Alhaji Aliyu Garba commended the lawmaker for his contributions towards the development of the area and the society in general.

    He called on the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the money tp improve their living standard.

  • SMEDAN empowers 160 in Anambra, Kebbi

    SMEDAN empowers 160 in Anambra, Kebbi

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has begun the empowerment of 160 young business owners in Anambra and Kebbi states.

    Kicking off the exercise in Awka, the Anambra State capitalko Umaru Radda, said the empowerment has two components – enterprise management training and payment for workspaces for one year.

    According to the him, the two components are part of the solutions designed by the agency to mitigate business failures recorded by young business owners.

    He noted that the training would sharpen the business management skills of the beneficiaries which would enhance their performance while the payment for workspaces would reduce their financial burden and free some funds for daily operations.

    Urging them to make the best of the window of opportunity opened by SMEDAN, Radda, who was represented by the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr. Levi Anyikwa, stressed that sustenance of the Young Business Owners in Nigeria (YBON) initiative was imperative for addressing the unemployment situation in Nigeria, which has reached a crisis level.

    The target beneficiaries of the programme are youths between 20 and 45. The goal is to create new opportunities for enterprise growth for start-ups and for employment.

    Selection criteria for beneficiaries include: technical capacities of the promoters, available raw materials, markets, available skills, access to appropriate technologies, among others. Needs assessment was conducted, which formed the basis for the design of the empowerment package.

    Furthermore, the delivery of a tailored Business Development Services (BDS) package would include mentoring, linkages to markets and sources of equipment and provision of workspace.

    For sustainability of the programme, small business advisors would be assigned to each beneficiary/group to provide critical hand-holding supports to ensure the realisation of the set goals prior to the agency’s project-exit.