The Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization, demonstrated its commitment to economic empowerment by awarding a grant of N10 million to small-scale entrepreneurs in Abuja as part of its Economic Empowerment Programme for the vulnerable sections of society.
Promoted by former Presidential Candidate Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the Foundation provided fifty thousand naira to each of the 200 beneficiaries.
In his address at the event, Olawepo-Hashim clarified that his philanthropic gesture is unrelated to his political aspirations. He stated, “I have been doing this for decades. I have a passion for making society better… What I can do at this time when things are really bad is to show love to underprivileged people in particular.”
He emphasized the continuity of such initiatives, citing past engagements in youth training and digital acquisition programs, which have benefitted over 1000 individuals.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, Luka Dakwoyi urged the affluent in society to emulate Olawepo-Hashim’s example, noting the widespread need for assistance amid the challenging economic conditions.
The gesture comes amidst alarming statistics on poverty in Nigeria. According to Statista.com, an estimated 88.4 million people in Nigeria lived in extreme poverty in 2022. The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) puts the figure even higher, at 133 million. These numbers underscore the urgency of initiatives aimed at uplifting the socio-economic status of vulnerable populations in the country.
