By Vivian Onyebukwa
A group of women called Mbaise United Ladies Club (MULC) recently organised an empowerment programme where they gave out N.7 million to 10 women to support their businesses.
The event, which took place at Saints Peter and Paul Hall, Ejigbo, Lagos, was aimed at bringing hope to some deprived women.
Speaking on the occasion, which also served as the annual general meeting of Mbaise United Ladies Club (MULC), the president of the association, Dorcas Iwu, stated that the empowerment programme was enshrined as the core value of onye aghala nwanneya, which was very dear to their hearts.
She said: “This empowerment programme is our modest effort to bring hope, alleviate our indigent, deprived sisters who may have lost hope. We must rekindle their spirits with these small gestures.”
She urged all to share in their dream as they pursue it tenaciously until they reach their goal and aspiration.
“We must come together in the spirit of love and unity to mould a better society, and we believe some of us here share this philosophy,” Iwu said.
She recalled that the association was an enormous collective effort, which began in November 21, 2021, when it was inaugurated in Lagos. “What we are witnessing today would not have been possible without the benevolence of our first landlord and his beautiful wife that happened to be our founder, who accommodated us for four years in the days of our humble beginnings, Chief and Lolo Martins Nwamadi,” Iwu said.
She further extended gratitude to Eze Nicholas Njoku for his advice to embark more on empowering women as it would go a long way in eradicating poverty and social ills.
She lamented the difficulty in raising funds for the empowerment, saying: “Though as it may seem simple, the idea of empowering women, but raising the funds is a herculean task in today’s Nigeria. Hence our special thanks to our ever-supportive patron who guided us on the idea of crowdfunding the project, in the person of Chief and Lolo Jude Njoku.”
Also speaking, Engr. Jude Onyebu, chairman on the occasion, described the programme as an expression of the Igbo spirit: “Igbos are known for standing in the gap for their brothers and sisters. This is what we are known for, and this is what brought us to where we are. This is what sets us apart from other regions of Nigeria.”
He urged the members to keep up with the spirit, and pleaded for moral and financial support for the organisers to move to a higher height. “With the little they have they were able to embark on this programme. It’s a wonderful thing. I felt touched when I learned that these ladies were able to organise such empowerment programme”.
Engr Onyebu also urged the organisers to extend the hands of fellowship to those in the South East considering the bad economic situation, noting that Nigeria today is of hardship.
He promised to identify with the group always, and prayed that the recipients will put to good use the gesture so that others will also benefit from the program.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organisers for extending the hands of fellowship to them.
Chidimma Onuoha expressed joy to the group on how the programme was organised. “It was really unique. At this hard time, the group remembered those who are doing small scale business. Despite the high cost of things in Nigeria, the token was an encouragement. I pray that God will bless them for remembering us at this hard time. They should keep doing the good work”.
Mama Onyeka, as she is simply identified, said: “I appreciate them. It was good. I pray for them. God bless them for empowering us.”
Eugenia Nnachi also prayed for abundant blessings for the organisers. “They really helped me for the empowerment. Only God will reward them”.
Royal Father and Mother of the Day were Eze Nicholas and wife, Ugoeze Chibuzor Njoku.
Special guests of honour included Kelechi Chiemenem and wife, Pascal Njoku and wife, Siixtus Okoroji and wife.