A non-governmental organisation, Youth Empowerment Foundation, has empowered young girls in junior secondary schools with vocational and other soft skills.
The event, which is part of its Goal Project in Nigeria, held at Onike Girls Junior Secondary School, Onike in Lagos.
The foundation’s coordinator, Mrs Iwalola Akin Jimoh, said the project focuses on teaching young girls some vocational skills, including bead and hat making, adding that they were also trained in reproductive health, rights, financial literacy, sports and leadership.
According to her, the young girls are expected to impact others with the skills they have learnt. She said: “The Goal Project is a girl empowerment project; and it has been in three states – Ibadan, Lagos and Abuja. We are celebrating six years of impacting the lives of over 80,000 young girls in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan in junior secondary schools.
“In Nigeria, we started the project with young girls unlike in India, working with those in Junior Secondary School (JSS I) in public schools. This year, our target is 832 girls that have been trained to reach out to 11,207, and as at yesterday they have reached out to 11,000.”
The project, she said, was established in India in 2006 as an international project, but started in Nigeria in March 2010 in Lagos, June 2010 in Abuja and 2015 in Ibadan. “Our aim is to start with the girls early and see them grow over the years. Over the past 10 years, we have graduated girls who are now in higher institutions,” she said.
Esther Chiamaka Chukwu, a student of Zumuratul Junior Secondary School, said the project taught how to save money. “After going for the trainings, I realised that I was spending money extravagantly. I am now saving virtually every day, and each time, I reflect on the amount of money I am saving. I am now cautious about the kind of friends I keep. And everywhere I go, I make sure I quickly adapt and assume the role of a leader. My academic performance has also improved: from ninth position I now take first. Even my parent and teachers are proud of me.”
One of the beneficiaries, Deborah Chikwendu, a student of Gbaja Junior Secondary School, described her experience with in the project as “fulfilling”, saying it turned out to be one of a surprise. Before she was involved in the project, she said, she was a shy person and lacked confidence in herself and her ability. But now her story has changed. She said: “I am talking to you now as an entirely different person. Compared to that time, today anywhere I find myself, I see myself as a leader and try to display those leadership qualities and charisma that I have discovered while being in the project. People now see me as a person who can lead others. But at the beginning of the programme, this was not what I expected, but I am glad it turned out this way.”
Favour Uhamagho Osagie noted that her experience with project was “fantastic”. “My academic performance has really improved to the amazement of my parents. I can now speak fluently in English. I now lecture people on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. I am becoming much neater, unlike before; and more confident and bold in asking question in the class,” she said.
Tag: Foundation
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Foundation empowers girls with skills
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Foundation delivers remodeled school
Nathan Nursery and Primary School, Surulere is wearing a new look thanks to the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation (BAF), which rehabilitated the school under its School Improvement Programme.
The school is the second to be fixed by the foundation established in memory of the late Bunmi Adedayo, the only son of the owners of Tastee Fried Chicken (TFC), Mr and Mrs Tunji Adedayo.
The first, Yaba Model Nursery and Primary School, located on the same premises, was inaugurated six months ago.
Chairman, Board of Directors, BAF, Mr Babatunde Akinleye, said rehabilitating Nathan Nursery and Primary School proved to be of greater challenge than Yaba because of the poor state of the building.
“Yaba Model College was in bad shape but we still had a structure to work with. But for Natha, we practically had to build from the scratch. What was left was just a wall. We put a new roof, borehole, toilets, and others,” Akinyele said in an interview after the inauguration last Thursday.
The new classroom block was furnished with classroom and teachers’ furniture, boards, cabinets, and others.
Akinleye said the foundation is also equipping an ICT laboratory for the school, which should be ready before the year ends.
Beyond rehabilitating both schools he said BAF is also investing in teacher training to improve learning outcomes of the pupils. And with elite private secondary schools coming up to provide scholarships as their partnership contribution to the foundation’s mission, Akinyele said the foundation is beginning to provide extra lessons to prepare the pupils to benefit from the scholarship.
“We are addressing the issue of content by running training programmes for teachers and have had to do exam preparatory classes for the pupils because some partners give scholarship and we have to prepare them to take advantage of it.
At the event, Mrs Adedayo, late Bunmi’s mother, donated 300 pairs of new school uniforms for pupils of the school; while Folakemi Akinyelure, Director of Queensland Academy announced the endowment of a secondary school scholarship worth N2.3million to the best Primary Six pupil of the school.
Chairman of the event, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin, who is the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), praised BAF for its determination in ensuring that pupils of public primary schools are provided with a befitting and an effective learning environment, describing it as a most welcome development for the progress and upliftment of education in Lagos State”
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, also thanked the foundation for the intervention.
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Foundation solicits stakeholders’ supports
Arm of Hope Foundation (AHF) is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. It has offices in various parts of the country.
The foundation is dedicated to the plight of the oppressed, indigent and neglected citizens, including victims of Boko Haram insurgency, Fulani cattle herdsmen, natural disasters as well as hunger/poverty-stricken individuals.
The foundation also carters for the sick who were abandoned in hospitals for lack of funds to pay their bills and innocent Nigerians that were wrongly charged and thrown into prison.
Over the years, the foundation has made significant contributions in some states, mostly in areas such as Borno, Niger and Plateau where activities of Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen are more devastating.
They also have over 1,600 students in various universities under their scholarship scheme among other philanthropic involvements.
According to the founder and sole financier of the NGO, Apostle Eugene Ogu, the organisation was formed in order to reduce the growing rate of poverty and hardship among Nigerians.
Ogu noted that activities of the organisation were part of his contributions towards building a peaceful and harmonious nation, mindful that government alone cannot provide all that the people need.
However, due to the current economic recession, it appears to be increasingly difficult for the foundation to meet its responsibilities and obligations to its beneficiaries.
In the circumstances, the foundation decided to visit The Nation Newspaper’s office in Port Harcourt to solicit partnership of benevolent Nigerians, corporate organisations and other NGOs to enable it to carry on with the task of alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians. The visit was also a platform to formally introduce the 14-year-old self-sustaining NGO to members of the public.
Apostle Ogu, who is also the founder of The Abundant Life, led four other members of the executive on the visit. They were received by the Regional Manager Southsouth Operation of The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Shola O’Neil.
During the visit, Apostle Ogu spoke on the interventions the NGO had carried out in various parts of the country since it began operation 14 years ago. He also spoke of some plans the organisation has towards taking some youths off the streets and make them less inclined to crime.
“We visited Maiduguri in 2006 when the insurgents burnt done 58 churches, 64 victims roasted and over 3,000 persons displaced. During that visit, we were able to assemble and rekindle hope in the victims. This, we did by rendering financial assistance to each of the victims. The least amount given to them was N30, 000 as majority of them received N50, 000 and above.
“Today, one of the outstanding victims, Mrs. Hannatu whose five children were roasted in the attack, is the Maiduguri coordinator of the NGO, in charge of the scholarship scheme of the foundation.
“Also in Dogo Nahawa community in Jos, Plateau State, 354 people were killed in an attack. AHF visited the community, saw the level of despicable act done to the community and its residents and decided to participate in the burial funeral of the victims.
“After the mass burial, we assembled the community and made a list of the dead victims and their families and later brought 28 of the women whose husbands were killed in the event to Port Harcourt where we camped and trained them in skill acquisition. We also provided grant of N150, 000 for each of the victims, even as we provided relief materials for them before returning them back to their home town to begin a new life.
“The foundation equally offered scholarships to all the children whose parents were killed in the mayhem from the level they were when the incident happened to the university level.
“Apart from the above, AHF built its first philanthropy school in the community, named Arm of Hope Memorial Grammar School. It was in commemoration of those that died in the attack. The school is still functioning and all the children that were affected by the attack attend school there free. But all the workers in the school, including the teachers, are our employees and receive salaries from us like every other school.
“We discovered that potable water was one of the major problems in Dogo Nahawa community. So, we decided to sink borehole to ease the problem.
“Currently, we are planning Hope Transport Scheme for youths of the community. We noticed that they are basically unemployed. So, we are planning to get empower at least 50 of them with tricycles and motorcycles to enable them to earn a living and assist their families.
“Also under AHF scholarship scheme, we have over 1,600 students in various universities across the country. These are children of poor widows who have no meaningful income to send them to school as well as brilliant but indigent students that have nobody to assist them.
“We also have a distinct widows’ support scheme where we train them on skill acquisition, give them start-off packs to begin a business to fend for their families. We also render assistance to indigent and sick people who were held hostage in hospitals after treatment for the inability of members of their families to pay their bills.
“Also the foundation’s legal department is on ground to provide free legal services to innocent but poor people who were falsely accused and imprisoned. Many people have benefitted from this as they have been released from prison,” he said.
Speaking further Mr. Ogu said the foundation is also involved in the provision of walking aides, artificial limbs to handicapped persons and amputees to enable them to move about and fend for themselves.
“However, as a result of the financial difficulties caused by the current economic recession, it is no longer easy for the foundation to cope with the burden of discharging its responsibilities to its beneficiaries. Nigerians are going through a lot of challenges that responsive religious organisations, NGOs and individuals that have the wherewithal cannot ignore.
“My appeal is that the rich in the society should help the poor around them. The gesture will enhance peaceful co-habitation and help in preventing people from committing suicide,” he said.
Responding, O’Neil praised the benevolence of the founder as he engaged in activities that impact directly on the lives of indigent public. He prayed God to continue to give him good health and substance to continue on the “difficult but possible task”.
He assured him of the readiness of The Nation Newspaper to partner with them in all their activities and outreaches.
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Rule of law as society’s foundation
Text of the Dignity of Man lecture by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter N. C. Umeadi during the Alumni’ Day of the Founder’s Day celebration of the University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka
•Continued from last week
Inter alia, “This is the premier Law Faculty in Nigeria established In 1961 (15 part of the University’s vision to restore the dignity of man by educating him on rights and duties in society”. The emergence of the Faculty of Law at the Enugu Campus of University of Nigeria with the acronym of UNEC heralded the opening of many such law faculties across Nigeria universities. of Lagos/Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo, all in 1962.
When I was sworn in as a Judge of Anambra State in 1997, I met my Law of Equity Professor on the bench. I shared time with Justice S. M. B. lbeziako. In his retirement he would be drafted back to the classrooms.
He went to Madonna University Okija where he assisted to build up the Faculty of Law as Dean and full-time teacher. He would tell me how the great Dr. Zik and Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria and the Sarduana of Sokoto enjoyed a close friendship.
The Sarduana, a visionary leader, prevailed on the great Dr. Zik to allow Justice Ibeziako to come to Zaria and use the same links to also establish the Faculty of Law at Zaria. Justice Ibeziako told me of his many trips and meetings with the Sarduana to accomplish that assignment.
Wikipedia puts it that the Rule of Law is the legal principle that should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials. Lexis Nexis says the Rule of Law in its most basic form is the principle that no one is above the law. It is intended to be a safeguard against arbitrary governance, whether by a totalitarian leader or by mob rule. Thus the Rule of Law is hostile both to dictatorship and to anarchy. Plato and Aristotle approved the Rule of Law,The Magna Carta of 1215 pointed to the irreversible way to go. Article 39 therein read as follows “No free man shall be taken or imprisoned or diseased or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land”, In modern times Albert Venn ‘A.V’ Dicey KC, a British jurist and Constitutional theorist, and Vinerian Professor of English Law at Oxford, it was who popularised the phrase Rule of Law. He established the three principles as follows (1) the absolute supremacy or predominance of the regular law as opposed to the influence of arbitrary power (2) equality before the law or equal subjection of all classes to the: ordinary law of the land administered by the ordinary courts and (3) the law of the Constitution as a consequence of the rights of individuals as defined and enforced by the courts”.
The courts translate to the Judiciary. The Judiciary in Nigeria has exhibited exceeding understanding of the jurisprudence of the Rule of Law.
In the beginning all of our legal practitioners trained in the Commonwealth especially Great Britain. Later many would attend universities in the United States of America and Continental Europe. In 1962 the Federal Government established the Nigerian Law School, which up till today, has a curriculum which provides the Nigerian law content for students with law degrees from foreign universities. In all the time, when the first Nigerian legal practitioners, arrived with their golden fleece to Colonial Nigeria, the members of the profession have set a mark which is widely acclaimed and resonates with genuine respect the world over. It is in this light that we should appreciate the Judiciary in Nigeria.
Our Judiciary have exhibited patriotism, erudition, lucidity, candour, and courage, in their work. Our Judiciary has kept in full view the expectations of prosperity, safety, well being, the respectability and dignity of our citizens. The work of our Judiciary are embedded in the respect and observance of the immutable, inevitable, inscrutable adherence and acquiescence and upholding of the Rule of Law. Suit No. SC/58/69 (1) E. O. Lakanmi (2) Kikelomo Ola (by her guardian and next friend E. O. Lakanmi) versus (1) The Attorney-General (west) (2) The Secretary to Tribunal (3) The Counsel to the Tribunal; came up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1969. I think of this as one monumental work, relevant to the topic of today which stand in good credit to the Nigerian Judiciary. The appellant was represented by Chief F. R. A. Williams assisted by K. A. Doherty Miss. For the Respondents, Dr. F. A. Ajayi, Attorney-General, Western State, assisted by Y. O. Adio, Principal State Counsel and S. A. Onadele, state Counsel appeared. My Lord, Hon. Justice Adetokunbo Ademota, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), delivered the judgment of the court, which panel constituted of Hon. Justice Ian Lewis, Hon. Justice Charles Olusoji Madarikan, and Hon. Justice Udo Udoma, Justices of the Supreme Court, on Friday, Apri1 24, 1970. In unraveling the matrix of the facts, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, exhibited uncommon commitment to work and dexterity when it elected, on its own, to delve into issues which arose in the matter but which the courts below did not deal with.
In the final analysis, the Supreme Court invoked its powers not to remit the matter “for hearing to the Court of Appeal but ended the suit’’, allowing the appeal and declaring both Edict No. 5 of 1967 and the Decree 45 of 1968 ultra vires, null and void. Let me set out kindred issues which appeared in both Edict No.5 of 1967 and Decree 45 of 1968 for ease of reference.
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Foundation brings hope to students
The Students’ Affairs Division of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held its Career Guidance Week, which afforded members of staff and students to engage in talks on leadership, entrepreneurship and career.
The event, which was organised by the Counseling Unit of the Students’ Affairs office, featured a contest, where students had an opportunity to display their leadership abilities. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes and take-off grants to start small-scale businesses. The prizes were provided by Salimo Wits Foundation, which partnered the organiser.
President of the foundation, Mr Dan Ekoko, represented by Mr Sunny Ikhioya, a member of Board of Trustees, said the foundation had the aim of empowering business-minded students and help develop next generation of leaders.
Ekoko said: “I am delighted to announce to you that Salimo Wits Foundation will work with students as partner and friend to provide them with adequate training, tools, business networks, guardianship, mentorship and other supports required to actualise their business ideas, dreams and ambitions.”
Over 150 students registered to be part of the foundation’s activities at the end of the event. Ekoko said opportunities remained open for others who wish to register.
He said the foundation’s vision was to build leaders and make change with global impact. The mission, he said, was to redeem the future of the nation by investing in youth through value, principle and character-based training.
Ekoko said the foundation had created a social network platform that would help like-minded youths, seeking change in the nation, to organise youth-based programmes. The platform, he added, would hold transformational programmes and projects that would improve the living standards and wellbeing of the people.
Gift items, including books on leadership and drug abuse, were given freely to the students. Other members present included Mr Roland Eyetu, Mr Kingsley Ewere, Mr Emmanuel Owoyemi, Mr Vincent Prosper and programme officer, Mr Akin Adelakun.
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Foundation prepares Kogi pupils for CBTs
Al-Azhar Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has rolled out its free computer based test training as part of its contribution to the overall development of education in the state.
The exercise, which held at Al-Azhar International College Lokoja, was to ensure that no less than 1,000 pupils in the state were CBT compliant during the first three days of its inauguration.
Founder and proprietor of Al-Azhar College, Dr Habeeb Yekeen, explained that his love for education, children, excellence, and the people of Kogi State inspired him to work on the exercise tagged: “Get them ready for CBT free training’ programme.”
His words: “Get it right first time and always’ is not my words; it’s a model, and that is what I take as my personal model. I want the pupils to write UTME once and pass it, so that they don’t have to sit for the examination over and over again.
“I want to use this training to build confidence in the candidates. I want them to get familiar with the functionalities of computer and the characteristics of JAMB examinations; and that is why we use past JAMB CBT questions to train them, and each of them will have hands-on experience to practically write the examinations.”
On the cost implication of the facility, he said aside personnel and power, 150KVA generator is being deployed for the exercise.
“Setting up the centre is about three or four phases; building the hall itself, the local area network (LAN), furniture and the fourth is the computer system (laptops). The last three will be roughly between N15 and N20 million, but I do this with joy, because I am always very happy when I impact the life of people positively. It is going to be sustained, we have no doubt”.
Director and Co-ordinator of the foundation Mrs Abiodun Johnson spoke more of the NGO’s activities.
“It is 100 per cent NGO, but we welcome collaborations from public spirited individuals and organisations. What we are trying to do will go a long way in lifting the children and our society, because it is the way to go and impact,” she said.
The Director Quality Assurance, Kogi State Ministry of Education, Mr. Babagbale Fehintoluwa, who stood in for the Commissioner of Education, Dr Tolorunleke Sunday, called on the beneficiaries and school principals to grab the opportunity.
Fehintoluwa assured of more government input for the training programme in subsequent outings.
He said, “We informed our area offices to bring 10 pupils from across the local governments. That was the initial plan. But we have decided to increase the number because of the facility on ground. What they have on ground can accommodate this.
“We want to use this forum to inform school principals never to joke with this opportunity. Many pupils fail not because they are not academically sound, but because they are not versed in the new examination technology.”
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Chibok: Foundation urges military not to relent
Following release of 21 Chibok girls, Global Excellence Foundation (GEF) has challenged the military to build on the success in the fight against Boko Haram and ensure that every Nigerian held captive by the terrorist group is freed.
Speaking with reporters yesterday in Abuja , GEF’s Country Director Prof Ola Yemi said there were people held by Boko Haram but have not enjoyed the media attention of Chibok girls.
Yemi hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling his campaign promise of securing release of the girls.
He said: “We, however, want to appeal to the military to remain focused on neutralising the threat posed by unrepentant Boko Haram terrorist – those that have refused being part of the talks with the government. The negotiations must not be allowed to become a cover for those patently evil to regroup while we are rejoicing the release of the captive girls.
“The reality is that the insurgency is not over until the last of the hardened terrorists has given up their weapons. Our challenge, therefore, is for the military to remain focused as victory is not secured until all is over.
“The military must, under the development, re-assess its promise to rescue the last person held hostage by the terrorists. We say this because there are people that are still held by Boko Haram that are not known to the public because they do not enjoy the kind of media attention around the released girls.
“This will be consistent with the more than 5,000 persons troops have freed from Boko Haram’s captivity
‘’We want to appeal to wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari to galvanise women support for her husband. Her recent interview in which she alluded to withdrawing support for President Buhari in 2019 is a distraction that is not needed at this moment. The hectic fallout from her interview detracted from the joy of the girls’ release.”
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Foundation brings hope to students
The Students’ Affairs Division of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held the 2016 Career Guidance Week, which afforded members of staff and students to engage in talks on leadership, entrepreneurship and career.
The event, which was organised by the Counseling Unit of the Students’ Affairs office, featured a contest, where students had an opportunity to display their leadership abilities. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes and take-off grants to start small-scale businesses. The prizes were provided by Salimo Wits Foundation, which partnered the organiser.
President of the foundation, Mr Dan Ekoko, represented by Mr Sunny Ikhioya, a member of Board of Trustees, said the foundation had the aim of empowering business-minded students and help develop next generation of leaders.
Ekoko said: “I am delighted to announce to you that Salimo Wits Foundation will work with students as partner and friend to provide them with adequate training, tools, business networks, guardianship, mentorship and other supports required to actualise their business ideas, dreams and ambitions.”
Over 150 students registered to be part of the foundation’s activities at the end of the event. Ekoko said opportunities remained open for others who wish to register.
He said the foundation’s vision was to build leaders and make change with global impact. The mission, he said, was to redeem the future of the nation by investing in youth through value, principle and character-based training.
Ekoko said the foundation had created a social network platform that would help like-minded youths, seeking change in the nation, to organise youth-based programmes. The platform, he added, would hold transformational programmes and projects that would improve the living standards and wellbeing of the people.
Gift items, including books on leadership and drug abuse, were given freely to the students. Other members present included Mr Roland Eyetu, Mr Kingsley Ewere, Mr Emmanuel Owoyemi, Mr Vincent Prosper and programme officer, Mr Akin Adelakun.
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Funmi Holder screens The Grudge, launches foundation
Riding on the of the media screening of her new movie, The Grudge, Nollywood actress, Funmi Holder, penultimate weekend held a VIP screening for selected audience.
Held at Sojourner Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, among guests who graced the VIP screening were members of cast such as like Richard Mofe Damijo, Ireti Doyle, Ijeoma Anieboh, Hon. Otunba George Oladele, a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Gbolahan Lawal, Commisioner for Works, Lagos State, close family and friends.
The screening proper took off around 6:30pm with introduction of guests by the master of ceremony who cracked our ribs before calling the woman of the moment; Holder for her speech.
The actress also used the night to launch her non- profit foundation; Funmi Holder’s Foundation, aimed at giving voice to victims of rape and widows. The unveiling was officially done by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Otunba George Oladele alongside Richard Mofe Damijo, the comic, educating and entertaining movie stars popular actors such as Odunlade Adekola , Ijeoma Aniebo and Ireti Doyle, Funmi Holder, Jaiye Kuti and others.
The Grudge focuses on the lives of two lovelorn couples connected by one lonely widow living separate lives. Their lives intertwine leading to the unraveling of a five year grudge. According to the producer, The Grudge highlights serious issues in dramatic and entertaining forms to hold the audience spellbound for the one hour, 30 minutes of the screening.
The Grudge will premiere on Sunday, October 23 and will hit cinemas across Nigeria from Friday, October 28, producers revealed.
Other guests at the screening which started with a red carpet include; Funlola Aofiyebi, Caroline King, Taiwo Obileye, Elvis Chuks, executive member of WIMBIZ, Yemi Morafa, and others.
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Foundation empowers groups with N25m
No fewer than 82 beneficiaries smiled home with cash and materials worth over N25million, last weekend at this year’s Remi Awode Foundation (RAF) empowerment scheme.
The event tagged: ‘2016 RAF Second Empowerment Service,’ saw over 35 startups carting away deep freezers/stabilizers, sewing machines, generating sets among other items.
While distributing the items and cash gifts to the lucky winners, the Co-Founder, Aderemi Awode, described the Foundation as a divine philanthropic assignment, aimed at teaching people how to fish and providing them the tools to fish.
He was however quick to admonish the beneficiaries to make effective use of the opportunity for a better life.
This, according to him, would go a long way in further motivating the initiators of the scheme to continue the divine assignment annually.
The RAF boss who lamented what he termed the ungodly attitude of some beneficiaries who collected the 2014 revolving loans worth N8million and refused to pay back, urged the prospective beneficiaries to tow the part of honour.
The business leader expressed optimism that this was the beginning of a new vista in the empowerment of God’s people, saying, “This is just the beginning. In fact, the best is yet to come. It will continue to multiply. In 2014, when we started, N10 million was given out at a free-interest loan. In 2015, N20million was spent to empower the people, and as God would have it this year, we are spending nothing less than N25 million for the second year of the empowerment scheme.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Chairman of the Foundation, Samuel Adeolu Akinsanya, said about 179 applicants applied for this year’s empowerment programme but only 82 met the criteria.
Akinsanya said the beneficiaries in this year’s programme were empowered with financial and other materials relevant to their professions and trades to boost their businesses, while some others were empowered to start up their businesses in order to meet financial challenges.
Corroborating Awode, Akinsanya recalled that no fewer than 20 beneficiaries, who benefitted from the empowerment programme, got over N20million cash and materials in 2015 edition of the programme.
The Foundation named after Special Apostle Emmanuel Aderemi Awode, was set up in January 2013 by a group of philanthropists, led by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Chemstar Paints Industry Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Finecoat and Shield brands of paint.