No fewer than four hundred and two indigenes of Kwara state have benefited from the multi-million naira annual empowerment scheme of Saliu Mustapha Foundation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The founder and sole financier of the foundation, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, who spoke through the Director-General of the foundation, Alhaji Adebayo Ambali, said over forty-two million naira was splashed on petty traders to jump-start their businesses, which were ravaged by COVID-19 pandemic.
He disclosed that some indigent people were also assisted to ameliorate the economic hardship facing them.
Giving the breakdown of categories of the funds disbursed, Mustapha noted that the money ranges from fifty thousand to five hundred thousand naira for each of the beneficiaries.
According to him, the annual empowerment scheme was aimed to lift the poor out of poverty and empower unemployed youth across the three senatorial districts of the state devoid of party affiliation.
Also speaking, the guest of honour at the programme, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, described the empowerment scheme as a welcome development now that the outbreak of COVID-19 has negatively affected the nation’s economy.
He said the scheme should be encouraged among wealthy Nigerians, adding that it would enable the beneficiaries to be independent financially in the long run.
In his pep talk, a Community Development Advocate, Mr Lawal Olohungbebe, admonished the beneficiaries of the scheme to make judicious use of the funds provided to expand their businesses
Olohungbebe cautioned them to draw a thin line in between family and business matters and refrain from spending such empowerment funds on either Aso-Ebi or food.
On his part, a motivational speaker, Mr Nas Abdulquadri, who described Mallam Saliu Mustapha as a detribalised Nigerian with remarkable political antecedents, said that his empowerment scheme should be emulated by well-meaning individuals to reduce poverty.
He also stressed the need for the beneficiaries to maximize the funds for the benefit of their businesses.
Some of the beneficiaries that spoke to Journalists acknowledged the support of Mallam Saliu Mustapha in ameliorating the suffering of the people, noting that he has distinguished himself in all ramifications despite not occupying any political office.
Funds distributed ranged from N50,000, N70,000, N100,000, N150,000, N200,000, N250,000 and N500,000.
Zainab Sa’id
