An Abuja based non-governmental organisation,Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja, has empowered no fewer than 85 vulnerable women and youths with working tools as part of activities to mark the 2019 International Youth Day celebrations in Abuja.
The Foundation also used the occasion to dole out food items to widows drawn from selected clusters across the six area councils of the territory to mark the Muslims festival of El-Kabir.
Speaking during the empowerment programme, Saturday in Abuja, president and founder of the foundation Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the programme was organised in partnership with Right Care Empowerment Foundation and Make a Difference for the Needy Foundation.
She said the working tools were donated by FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA.
The president also tasked government at all levels and relevant organisations to go beyond funfairs that characterized every festivities and used such occasions to empower the vulnerable in the society, just as she identified youth empowerment as the only antidote to crime reduction.
“It has been our tradition for over 17 years to seize every opportunity and occasion to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged especially women and youth. We have been consistent in assisting the vulnerable and this year International Youth Day, we decided to empower some youths in various skills to grow their business.
“It has been our philosophy and our slogan that “nobody is too poor to give and nothing is too small to give”. In that token, we approach our partners to put something together for our women and youths for this year International Youth Day. We should move beyond funfair to empowerment of the vulnerable in the society. And I think it is the right way to go,” Ahmadu stated.
In his remarks, a motivational speaker and head, news department Independent Television (ITV), Abuja station, Comrade Ikharo Attah tasked the beneficiaries to judiciously put the working tools to effective use, warning that it is ungodly not to make maximum use of such items.
While commending the foundation for its consistency in assisting the less privileged in the society, he also drew biblical references on the need to continue in the path weakness and generosity.
Some of the items distributed include sewing machines, tool boxes for both mechanics and electricians, grinding machines among others.
