Rotary International, District 9110, in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria, has empowered 102 Nigerians across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states with various vocational tools.
Governor of District 9110, Rotarian Ifeyinwa Rita Ejezie, shed more light on the initiative recently, stating that economic empowerment is a continuous effort in Rotary.
“We want the beneficiaries to be able to put food on their table. They don’t need to sell it; we are going to monitor them and see how the beneficiaries have handled it,” she said regarding the equipment.
ALSO READ:We’re committed to sustaining, growing energy sector business — PETAN
She added, “You must be passionate about whatever you are doing. If you utilize this, it may bring more equipment for them.”
The start-up kits distributed to the beneficiaries included sewing machines, grinding machines, plumbing kits, deep freezers, generators, industrial gas burners and cylinders, camp gas stoves, barber’s and hairdresser’s kits, and make-up kits, among others.
“We know that the government cannot do it alone, and that is why we are assisting them in no small way in doing what they are supposed to be doing in our communities,” said the district governor.
She added that the items distributed, worth N20 million, represented the largest gesture the district had carried out in one empowerment initiative in recent times.
The Rotary Club of Singapore also donated funds to aid the initiative.
Ms. Helen Ihonre, the unit head of Other SME Products E-Business and Retail at First Bank, said the bank was dedicated to bolstering businesses through a range of initiatives aimed at fostering a robust business environment and stimulating economic growth.
“The bank has always supported projects of Rotary and other humanitarian organizations to better the lot of indigent Nigerians through the Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness (SPARK) initiative,” she explained. She also promised to give them tips on how to succeed in small business.
Rotary International district governor nominee designate, Bukola Bakare, highlighted the process and challenges of raising funds for the project and how they incorporated Rotary from Singapore to absorb shocks from inflation.
Bakare said the community intervention project had beneficiaries from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, drawn from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, as well as other groups.
Additionally, Bakare, who doubled as the project coordinator, emphasized that everything that was distributed was free for the beneficiaries. “First Bank is our major supporter for this program. We have a 10-year plan,” she said.
and then