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A nongovernmental organisation, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED) has empowered adolescents with vocational tools in Aivoji, Badagry Lagos State.
In its partnership and local rights programme, (P&LRP), the civil society group in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, in a bid to protect women and girls from violence, create opportunity for economic independence and decision making, made the tools available to give hope to the adolescents as the Nigerian economic situation bites harder.
While Aivoji community continues to battle land grabbing issue with the state government, the local right programme has remained in solidarity, working round the clock for social justice.
The LRP through the community sponsorship initiative considered supporting the vulnerable youths who have made demand for vocational tools in order to get out of poverty.
However, on 16th September 2022, the local right programme through community sponsorship initiative visited Aivoji community to hand over five sewing machines, four standing dryers and a power generator set to support ten trained adolescents who are expected to utilize the materials to boost their economic operations.
The Baale of the community, Chief C. Aivoji, however expressed gratitude to LRP saying that the project will never be forgotten anytime soon. The elated chief was appreciative of HUFFPED’s gesture in the community which he said would go a long way to support the beneficiaries in particular and by extension, the community.
A popular nollywood actor, Damola Olatunji, at the event showed his support to the initiative charging residents to remain focus and break boundaries. While relating personal life hurdles, he considered beneficiaries lucky and role models.
The Director programmes, HUFFPED, Mr. Henry Adenigba applauded the shortlisted youths in their resilience to breaking whatever barriers confronting them.
Adenigba emphasised on the need to give adequate support to the staff members who show dedication while delivering on behalf of the implementing team and organisation.
HUFFPED’s Director of Finance and Admin, Mrs. Adekemi Adeyeye also encouraged beneficiaries to break the poverty chain and see themselves as change facilitators.
Also at the event, Communication Advisor, ActionAid Nigeria, Oluwakemi Akinremi, advised participants to imbibe the act of giving to enhance sustainability. “Community sponsorship initiative is a home grown activity, so we should consider the beauty from the little people in the country donate to add value to lives,” Akinremi said.
Meanwhile, Program Officer, HUFFPED, Adebowale Keinde, enjoined beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the ‘’terms and conditions’ agreed to.
According to him, such terms and conditions include that the items donated to them would not be sold or transferred to a third party without due processes. The beneficiaries are also to ensure safety of the donated tools for durability.
“You must ensure to remain goal getters and work in unity for better result,” Adebowale said.
Main decisions taken at the forum included that the community should take ownership and assure the safety of equipment.
However, beneficiaries agreed to the terms and conditions and were committed to reporting condition of tools and ready to train other interested residents.
While the ten adolescents got empowered with vocational equipment, the brand ambassador however pledged support in the area of free seminars and helpful links to interested drama groups in the grassroots.
To aid the distribution of the empowerment tools, the community
played front role in selection process which was monitored by LRP team to ensure transparency of the process.
According to HUFFPED, one of the challenges of the exercise was the hike in pries of the equipment as against the budget due to inflation. The organisation said it was able to surmount the challenge to deliver the empowerment tools to the beneficiaries.
