By Towncriernews
Ehi Centre for Social and Economic Development, a newly established Non Governmental Organisation on Tuesday began its monthly donation of food items to vulnerable persons in Edo.
Founder of the body, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), said this on Tuesday in Benin City, capital of Edo State.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ehigiamusoe, said the initiative is also aimed at providing relief to the vulnerable as well as help scaleup small businesses.
He said “we are a human development organisation committed to enhancing the quality of life through enterprise development and support for vulnerable members of the society.
‘The coming of the Ehi Centre is not only timely but also relevant to address the current national challenges.
“While the Government is addressing the economic challenges with a set of policies and reforms, the vulnerable members of the society require support to be able to meet their basic needs.
“Ehi Centre will be providing some food items to selected persons on a regular basis.
“Care will be taken by using eligibility criteria to ensure that food items are only given to those who truly need them.
“However, beneficiaries shall not be on the programme forever. Arrangements will be made to graduate beneficiaries out of the programme.
He said the enterprise development would focus on programmes and initiatives that would enable entrepreneurs scale up their businesses as well as create jobs.
He said that business seminars would be organised to focus on business management, business plans and budget and business growth.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr Matie Obazee, Founder of Echos Hospital, said entrepreneurship was a model for Nigeria’s economic development.
Obazee said that Nigeria should harness its potentials of growing its economy via helping young entrepreneurs scaleup their businesses.
“Ehi Centre is the new milestone to happen in Nigeria. Translating small businesses to big businesses is a step that will take the nation to a greater height”
Mr George Omondiagbe, Executive Director, Next Generation, a NGO, commended the Ehi Centre gesture, calling it laudable.
Omondiagbe noted that such gestures were needed at a time when the country was going through economic challenges.
He added that his organisation had benefited from LAPO’s capacity development and donation of office equipment.
Ms Tessa Anota, Executive Director of the Centre, said 50 persons were currently benefiting from the programme for October with plans to increase the numbers of beneficiaries in coming months.
Anota said that the safety net programme included provision of food, clothing and support for medication, calling on Nigerians to support the initiative.