The non-governmental organization, SOS Children’s Village Nigeria, has provided N120 million in grants to empower 250 vulnerable rural women in Ogun State. The initiative is designed to help these women scale up their income and cushion the effects of the economic challenges currently facing the country.
Speaking during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries, the National Director of SOS Children’s Village Nigeria, Eghosa Ehosa, highlighted that the focus of the grant is to promote economic self-reliance among the beneficiaries. Ehosa, represented by the NGO’s Chief Programme Officer, Ayodeji Adelopo, stated that the women, members of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), received the grant after submitting successful proposals. The N10 million seed funding is meant to support their entrepreneurial ventures and improve the economic well-being of their families.
Ehosa emphasized that this intervention is part of the organization’s family-strengthening support system, which seeks to invest in education, healthcare, and livelihood stability. He added that empowering these women will contribute to the overall stability of the communities they come from.
Hon. Adijat Adeleye, Commissioner for Women Affairs, commended the initiative, noting that it aligns with the state government’s efforts to empower women. She stressed that the government will closely monitor the beneficiaries to ensure they adhere to the terms of the grant and encouraged them to partner with the government in further alleviating poverty among women and vulnerable groups.
This initiative not only aims to foster economic growth but also strengthens social cohesion by equipping women with the necessary tools to address collective challenges within their communities.
