Govt empowers vulnerable groups with training, economic tools

By Stanley Onyekwere

No fewer than 60 members of different vulnerable groups, mainly people living with HIV/AIDS in Abuja, the nation’s capital city received economic empowerment skills and tools from the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS).

While 30 vulnerable persons received brand new motorised grinding machines, another 30 members from the selected vulnerable groups received the sum of N50,000 empowerment gift to assist them in their petty trade and small scale businesses.

It was gathered that the distribution of the empowerment tools to the vulnerable, aims at enabling them to start living more meaningful and purposeful driven life through income generation.

The Mandate Secretary for SDS, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir, performed the official distribution during the event tagged “Empowerment Through Seed Funding for Petty Trading and Income Generating Activities”, for selected groups, said Kabir recalled that the Secretariat had on in February commenced training and skills acquisition programs for the beneficiaries nominated through the Network of people Living with HIV/AIDS, community based organisations and various support groups.

She said:“ I am trilled to inform you that one of those empowered last month has been able to maximize his profit from his starter pack to the level of empowering another colleague as we speak.

“This shows that what we are really doing well and the results are beginning to manifest for everyone to see and accept that we are into serious business”.

Also speaking, the Head of HIV/AIDS, Dr. Okoro Ene thanked the SDS Secretary for coming through to the rescue of one of the vulnerable and stigmatised groups in the society.

He noted that since the Secretary’s appointment, this category of the vulnerable in the FCT’s happiness has increased tremendously as several empowerment programmes and activities have being organised for their empowerment and self sustenance, including the provision of relevant nourishing drugs for them.

On her part, Mrs. Priscilla Nwachukwu, spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the FCTA for the initiative, which help provide a sustainable means of livelihood for those in need.

Nwachukwu, therefore thanked the FCTA through the SDS Mandate Secretary, who since assumption of office has affected their lives positively and brought about unimaginable smiles on the vulnerable in the city.

Also, there were goodwill messages from Directors of Departments of Administration & Finance, Arts & Culture, Planning, Research & Statistics, Social Welfare, Sports, Tourism, and Youth respectively.