Over 200 people, including aged, less privileged individuals, and local farmers, among others have benefitted from the N100 million empowerment programme in the Isanlu Isin community, Isin local government area of Kwara state.
The empowerment programme, powered by Erelu Adebola Phillips of the Erelu Adebola Foundation involved the distribution of items such as sewing machines, grinding machines, farmers’ inputs, food items, and cash, among other items.
Speaking with journalists during the programme held at the playground of the Baptist Primary School, Isanlu Isin, Erelu Adebola said that the programme aimed to complement government efforts at combating poverty and improving the socio-economic lives of people in the state.
She said that 25 selected people benefitted from cash donations of N500,000 each, while 50 beneficiaries got N250,000 each for business empowerment.
Erelu Adebola, who is a businesswoman and philanthropist also said that a total number of 141 elderly people received N10,000 each with food items, adding that farmers in the area got farm inputs like sprayers, etc.
She enjoined beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity and gift received, while the philanthropist also thanked the Igbomina traditional rulers in the Kwara South district, government officials, political leaders and indigenes of the area for the support, saying the people stood by her, irrespective of her gender.
The event also saw the conferment of traditional titles on two non-indigenes of the community for their exemplary contributions to humanity in their different areas of endeavours.
Namely, Otunba (Dr.) Isaac Amao was conferred with the title of Otunba Mayegun of Isin land, while Chief (Mrs.) Olayinka Latinwo got the title of Iya Oba general of Isin land and diaspora.
In his speech at the occasion, the traditional ruler of Isanlu Isin, Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede, charged the sponsor of the empowerment programme and the traditional title recipients to continue to be of service to humanity and the society.
The traditional ruler, who said that the righteous people don’t lack, prayed that they would never begin their lives.
“You have brought the empowerment programme to the needs and they are appreciative. The beneficiaries are happy with your donations and their spirit is praying for you,” he said.
Oba Oloyede, who admonished the beneficiaries to put items and cash donations to proper use and not to sell them, said that they should ensure that the donations have a good impact on their lives.
Olupo of Ajase Ipo, Oba Ismail Mohammed Alebiosu, led other royal fathers such as the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Olupako of Share, Onirese of Irese land, Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba of Obbo Ile and Oba of Owu Isin, among other traditional rulers to the event.
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