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From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Umueleagwa Onicha Community in Ezinihitte council of Imo State was agog recently when the Thelema Lion Foundation, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC), empowered no fewer than 220 vulnerable women, as part of the foundation’s annual celebration of International Women’s Day.
As part of the two-day programme, the foundation engaged resource persons who taught the participants about modern agricultural practices, financial education and basic management.
Dr. Ifeoma Lilian Agu, CEO/founder of the Thelema Lion Foundation, said what it has done at Umueleagwa Onicha Community of Ezinihitte council in Imo State was the first of its kind outside Abuja, its operational base, where the foundation has been doing the same thing for years.
“What we did here today is one of the programmes we do annually in commemoration of the International Women’s Day. We have been doing this for years in Abuja. But this year, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, we decided to bring the programme to the South East and we chose Onicha community because of our partnership with the National Human Rights Commission whose executive secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, is from this community. After this, we will be going to other states.”
Dr. Agu further disclosed that, in 2025, the foundation gave out grinding machines, sewing machines, hair dryers and power generating sets to 250 women in Abuja, as well as cash grants to beneficiaries to enable them fend for themselves and their families.
“We had training sessions for the women of this community, which included effective farming, and financial literacy on how to manage their money and business. We don’t just buy equipment and hand it over to them, because you have to teach them how to effectively manage it. We handed over 220 items to the beneficiaries, which included new sewing machines, grinding machines, generators, hair dryers, spraying machines and drilling machines. We also gave them improved seedlings like maize, okra seeds, yellow peppers and organic fertilizers. We will be back in three months’ time as a follow up, to see how the beneficiaries are doing.”
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She advised the beneficiaries to put into practice what they have been taught and, if they do, they will be economically strong to care of their families.
“We believe that, when you empower the woman, you have empowered her family and she can contribute meaningfully to the family’s economy. We have been doing this in Abuja where we have built houses for the vulnerable women and given scholarships to children. We have also been training women, in partnership with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, after which those women are given starter packs. This is exactly what we have done here in Onicha Mbaise Community.”
Ojukwu, executive secretary of the NHRC, represented by the state coordinator, Dr. Valentine Madubuko, advised the beneficiaries to put to good use what they have received from the foundation. The commission also educated the women on their rights and told them to always report to the commission when their rights are violated.
“The foundation gave the items based on the artisanship of the women, as you can see. They are very happy because they weren’t expecting it. I am happy too because it is happening here in Imo State. I want them to make good use of the items, whether it is the improved seedlings, the grinding/sewing machines or the new generators. If they do that, it will further encourage the foundation to do more,” he said.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Onicha Nweorie Community, Eze Jude Alozie, who expressed gratitude to the foundation over its compassion for the vulnerable people in his community, advised the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity given to them on the occasion to improve their lives and that of their families.
One the beneficiaries, Mrs. Chinonso Onwuegbule, a widow and mother of two little children, was close to tears after receiving a new grinding machine. She said: “I was very surprised when my name was called. I wasn’t expecting anything. I thank them. My God will continue to remember them. I just lost my husband three months ago. May God bless them.”
