By Our correspondent in Lokoja.
Amb.Hamzat Lawal,second roll( middle) during the occasion.
Connected Development,CODE, reputed to be one of the leading Civil Society Organizations,CSOs, in Africa, has empowered over 500 women in Kogi State, north central Nigeria with N5 million,so far,to enable them boost their social and economic activities.
Our correspondent gathered that the programme took place in Adavi, Kogi-Koton Karfe, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas of Kogi State recently.
The Founder/ Chief Executive Officer of CODE, Amb Hamzat Lawal, said the gesture represents effort of the CSO to put smile on the faces of the people at the grassroots.
According to him,the programme was also part of the post election sensitisation advocacy of the organization to the grassroots, aimed at raising their political consciousbess and sustaining the existing peace in the state.
He added that it was equally to set agenda for the incoming administration in Kogi State was organized by one of the leading Civil Society Organisation , ‘Connected Development’.
The online publication reports that Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC,won the election and will be sworn-in on January 27,2024 in Lokoja..
Addressing the beneficiaries during the post election sensitisation and advocacy in Okene Amb.Lawal, said the empowerment was a token of to the CSO to appreciate women for coming out enmasse to cast their votes peacefully during November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship election in Kogi State.
Our Kogi State Correspondent further reports that Amb. Lawal, who is also an international election monitor,noted that as a philanthropist, it became imperative for him to complement the effort of the state government in eradicating poverty at the grassroots.
He, therefore, urged other spirited, well to do individuals and corporate organizations in the society to consolidate on what government had been doing to ameliorate the suffering of the less privileged in the state.
“Recently, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, launched Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs,started with palliative and empowerment programme.
” I think that as CSO, individual and private sector,we should consolidate on what government is doing to eradicate poverty, especially at the grassroots.
“This cash empowerment which is N5,000 per recipient targets 500 persons in different wards across the state.
“We have reached out to 100 vulnerable people in Koton-Karfe at Ohimeyge Igu’s palace, 200 persons at Oboroke in Ihima, 100 beneficiaries at Abuga Ozuja ward in Okengwe and 100 persons at Onyiukoko ward in Okene.
“This empowerment is mainly meant for women, because they are peace builders and represent the fabric of the society,”the Ambassador said.
The Founder/CEO, however, appealed to women to prioritize the education of their children and wards.
‘I am here today because of how much my mother has invested in me through education and I want every parent to do same” he advised.
One of the highlights of the occasion was the holding of post election advocacy for the people at Onoziomi central mosque, Adavi LGA, where
Ambassador Lawal urged Muslims faithful to remain peaceful.
He advised that even in the face of provocation, Muslims should remain peaceful, reminding them that “Islam is a religion of peace.”
One of the beneficiaries of the empowerment,Mrs Hafsat Suleiman; from Oboroke in Ihima community , described the gesture as a big relief to women at the grassroots.
“This is the first time an individual will come to the ward for post election advocacy and also present cash to the people,”she recalled.
She thanked the Ambassador for the gesture and urged other well meaning Nigerians to emulate his foot step.
