A humanitarian organisation, the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has empowered 40 beneficiaries in Borno State with business starter packs and cash grants of N81,000 each to help them become self-reliant.
The beneficiaries comprise 20 de-radicalised minors and 20 vulnerable women who head their households. They were selected from four districts in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area.
The empowerment programme was carried out in partnership with ICAN and held on Saturday at Anwar Town Grill Pizza along Polo-Jiddari Road, Maiduguri.
Before receiving the support, the beneficiaries underwent business and livelihood training in different vocational skills chosen according to their interests.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Allamin Foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, said the programme was designed to help vulnerable people rebuild their lives through sustainable means of livelihood.
She explained that the participants received practical training before being provided with the tools and equipment needed to start their businesses.
According to her, the 20 women beneficiaries are heads of their families and are responsible for caring for their children. She added that each of the 40 beneficiaries also received a cash grant of N81,000 to support their businesses.
The Foundation’s Livelihood Officer and Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Malam Hamza Maigari, said the beneficiaries were selected through a transparent process based on a baseline survey and the project’s guidelines.
He urged them to make good use of the starter packs and cash support instead of selling the items, stressing that the assistance was meant to improve their living conditions and create lasting sources of income.
Several dignitaries and stakeholders commended the foundation for its efforts in supporting vulnerable groups and promoting peace and economic recovery in Borno State.
Among those who delivered goodwill messages were representatives of the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Chairmen of MMC and Jere Local Government Councils, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and community leaders.
The event featured an inspection of the empowerment items before the symbolic presentation of the starter packs and cash grants to the beneficiaries by government officials, community leaders and representatives of partner organisations.
The programme ended with prayers, group photographs and the distribution of the livelihood support items to all beneficiaries.
