Ehi Centre for Social and Economic Development, a newly established Non-Governmental Organisation, says it will begin to donate on monthly basis food items to vulnerable persons in Edo.
The NGO was founded by Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO).
Speaking at the inauguration of the centre in Benin on Tuesday, Ehigiamusoe said the initiative aimed to provide relief to the vulnerable as well as to help scale up 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 to set up their businesses as well as create jobs. Also, business seminars would be organised to focus on business management, business plans, and budget and business growth.
Chairman of the event, 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 scale up their businesses.
“Ehi Centre is the new milestone to happen in Nigeria. Transforming small businesses to big businesses is a step that will take the nation to a greater height”
Ms Tessa Anota, Executive Director of the Centre, said 50 persons were currently benefiting from the programme for October with plans to increase the number of beneficiaries in the coming months.
She said that the safety net programme included provision of food, clothing, and support for medication, calling on Nigerians to support the initiative.
Some of the beneficiaries commemded the centre, saying that it had brought happiness to their lives.