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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, in collaboration with Rotary Club International, District 9110, and Toleram Group, has donated N20 million worth of vocational tools to 102 beneficiaries in Lagos. This initiative aims to provide individuals with the necessary equipment to start their own businesses and alleviate the effects of the current economic situation.
The empowerment program was driven by the need to equip individuals with the tools they need to succeed after acquiring skills. The organizations partnered to provide start-up kits to individuals who may not have the resources to purchase the equipment themselves.
Beneficiaries received various tools and equipment, including sewing machines, grinding machines, plumbing kits, deep freezers, generators, industrial gas burners and cylinders, camp gas, barbers and hairdressers kits, and make-up artistry kits.
Ms Helen Ihonre, Unit Head, Other SME Products E-Business and Retail at FirstBank, emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting businesses through various initiatives that foster a robust business environment and stimulate economic growth.
“The bank has always supported projects of Rotary and other humanitarian organizations to better the lots of indigent Nigerians through the Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness (SPARK) initiative,” Ihonre said.
She encouraged beneficiaries to view this opportunity as a means to sustain their income and emphasized the bank’s dedication to sustainability, offering insights into financial management and economic discipline. Ihonre stressed the importance of maintaining records and accessing low-interest loans to support business growth and expansion.
She encouraged beneficiaries to prioritize saving from the inception of their businesses and to be prudent with their finances. “Start saving from the beginning of your business. Don’t wait till you sell and keep the money in your house,” Ihonre advised.
Rotary District 9110 Governor, Ifeyinwa Ejezie, highlighted the significance of economic empowerment in Rotary’s initiatives and called for government collaboration to effectively reach grassroots communities.
“We know that 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,” Ejezie said. “The best they can do is recognize Rotary for what it does and then partner with us accordingly.”
She added that the N20 million worth of items distributed was the largest the district had done in one empowerment initiative in recent times. The Rotary Club of Singapore also donated funds to support the initiative.
Rotary International District Governor Nominee Designate, Bukola Bakare, spoke about the process and challenges of raising funds for the project and how they incorporated Rotary from Singapore to mitigate the impact of inflation.
Bakare emphasized that the community intervention project included beneficiaries from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, drawn from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, as well as other tribes.
“Everything that was distributed here today is free for the beneficiaries,” Bakare said. “They got some of them from the Rotary Vocational Centre in the Igbobo-Ikorodu area of Lagos State who have acquired skills to benefit other communities.”
She added that First Bank was a major sponsor for the project and that the 102 beneficiaries were chosen based on a needs analysis from Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba communities residing in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.
“First Bank is our major supporter for this program, we have a 10-year plan,” she said.
Mrs Kemi Kalesanwo, Director of the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, stated that 22 of the 102 beneficiaries were from the agency’s vocational training centres.
Kalesanwo said that the state government believed in public-private partnerships and was happy with the collaboration with Rotary and First Bank.
She listed projects donated by Rotary, including the construction of one of the eight vocational training centres owned by the agency in the Igbogbo area of Lagos.
Kalesanwo urged other Nigerians to support government programs.
Mr Babatunde Adewale, Permanent Board Member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education, commended the empowerment program and highlighted Rotary International’s contributions and projects to schools in the state.
“We really appreciate Rotary, and SUBEB will always continue to collaborate with them,” Adewale said.
Otumba Wemmy Osunde, Chairman of the Illisan Development Association, Ogun State, pledged a personal commitment to ensuring beneficiaries utilize the items for economic gain.
Adekunmi Adeniyi, an industrial gas burner and cylinder beneficiary, expressed gratitude to Rotary International and First Bank for the empowerment scheme. He acknowledged the impact it would have on their respective vocational trades and crafts.
