BRANDPOWER reports that the gesture was part of the Village’s intervention to cushion the effects of the current economic challenges in the country.
The beneficiaries, drawn from across five communities of Ogun East Local Government Area (LGA), are members of 12 different Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
Each cluster or group of women was presented with symbolic N10 million cheques by the Children’s Village, which is a care-giving home in Owu-Ijebu.
The home’s National Director, Eghosa Ehosa, said the principal focus of the intervention was to foster economic self-dependence on each of the beneficiaries.
“This will enable them adequately cater for future needs of their children, and it will prevent child abandonment in their respective communities,” he said.
Ehosa, who was represented by the NGO’s Chief Programme Officer, Ayodeji Adelopo, explained that the benefitting vulnerable members of VSLAs were those who succeeded with their proposal.
He stated that the N10 million “seed funding” was to support their entrepreneurial initiatives and strengthen the support system policy of the organisation.
Ehosa added that the support was also an investment in the education, health and well-being of children, their livelihood and the overall stability of the benefiting communities.
“As we look forward to a more favourable economic situation, it is crucial that these groups are supported and equipped with the necessary tools and resources to bring progress to them.
“The grants being awarded are designed to empower them, serving as a strategic measure to foster economic growth and enhance the livelihood of vulnerable community members.
“This initiative also aims to strengthen social cohesion and develop collective problem-solving skills within these communities,” he said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, commended the donors for the initiative, adding that the state government would monitor it to ensure compliance with the grants’ terms.
Adeleye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Adejumoke Adewole, said the intervention aligned with the state government’s initiative on women empowerment.
She urged benefitting individuals and organisations to partner with government to lift women and vulnerable members of the society out of poverty.
