NGO empowers widows, youths with skills, grants in Lagos

ANon-Governmental Organisation, Triumphant Foundation, on Sunday in Lagos empowered 100 people with new skills and supported them with grants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries included women, widows and youths, who were trained in tie and dye, making of pastries, soap, air fresheners and cement.

The participants were part of a three-day skills acquisition programme organised by the NGO.

The Founder, Mr Patrick Tinka, commended the turnout of participants and said there was hope for the future of the country, seeing that people were still interested in personal development.

He urged the participants to take advantage of the skills they had acquired as it was a rare opportunity that should be cherished.

“In the past, we had embarked on skills acquisition but never had we made it this elaborate by delving into empowerment.

“The reason for this is because in the last five to six months, a lot of transformational events occurred in the country.

“Events like the Naira redesign, cash crunch and fuel hike, among others, of which widows and orphans were mostly affected.

“Who cared for them, who checked up on them, who saw the need to alleviate their sufferings? These are the questions that come to mind.

“If they are empowered, if they are given an opportunity to fend for themselves and their immediate families, life would be easier, crimes will reduce tremendously and poverty will be at its barest minimum.

“Nigeria is blessed with rich resources and our human capital is one of them, that is why you are here today,” he said.

He urged the participants to take the trainings very seriously and remain focused on the goals and the reasons for the training.

Tinka said the training was free but charged the participants to approach it as though it was being paid for.

He advised the participants never to look down on themselves but to only forge ahead as this was the only way they could achieve their goals.

“Never think that you are not enough to be self reliant or to be great in life, push and you will win.

“I hope and pray that this will be the beginning of greater things to come,” he said.

A participant, Mrs Grace Taiwo, a widow, expressed appreciation for having the opportunity to take part in the skills acquisition programme.

She commended the organisers and prayed for continuity to enable other people benefit from the initiative.

Another participant, Onaolapo Oladoja, said it was a special day for him, having been opportuned to participate in the peogramme as a form of enlightenment.

“This has enlightened me in some aspects of life and opened the eyes of many youths like me to see that there is need for hard work.

“There is also need for creativity and the need to do something great, especially with our talents, to make our country better,” he said.

He further commended the organisers for a job well done, adding that he was overwhelmed with the love and hospitality shown by the organisers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 participants who showed more commitment and passion, were given a token of N10,000 as start-up capital.

Meanwhile, mechanisms were put in place to monitor and ensure that the monetary assistance was channeled to the purpose for which it was given. NAN

The National Population Commission (NPC) has reassured the public of the safety of its server and data as they prepare for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

Dr Isiaka Yahaya, Director, Public Affairs Department (PAD) said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a staff of the Commission and Comptroller of Chanchaga LGA, Niger State, Mr Sanusi Maigida had earlier claimed that the NPC server was hacked.

Maigida had cited this development as the reason for the postponement of the LGAlevel training of the Supervisors and Enumerators for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

Gen. Abdulsalam calls for tolerance among Nigerians

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliation have been asked to give peace a chance to enhance rapid socio economic development of the country.

Former Head Of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, stated this after observing the two rakaat’s prayer for Eid el fitr, at the Minna Central prayer ground that was attended by thousands of Muslims faithful.

Abdulsalami maintained that peace is the pre requisite for any meaningful development without which, he said the much needed quest for Nigeria’s economic and political development would continue to elude us.

According to him, elections have come and gone let’s try and see how we can support the incoming administration while saluting the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and World over for celebrating eid el fitr also advised them to imbibe the tenants Islam and put into practice what they have learnt during Ramadan fast.

On his part, Niger State Governor, Alh Abubakar Sani Bello, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker Niger State House of Assembly Alhaji Jibrin Ndagi Baba prayed Allah to accept all our deeds to attract his blessings for maximum benefits.

Also, in his remarks, former Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, stressed the need for Muslims to be thankful to Allah for his mercy and prosperity.

Aliyu also charged wealthy Muslims to make sure that their neighbours are happy which was the reason for given out the Zakkatil Fitr as ordained by Allah to assist poor Muslims, who cannot feed themselves and their families.