A non- governmental organisation Miteda Wellness Initiative has empowered 39 artisans with various items in Ikaram-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The items distributed through the initiative include 6 industrial machines, 6 butterfly taloring machines, 2dryers, 2 washing basin, 5 grinding machines, and herbicides,
Others are 10 spraying machines, 2 garri processing machines, and 6 garri frying pots.
Coordinator of the initiative, Dr. Adefunmilola Williams-Dauda, , said that the annual programme was the 8th edition.
She explained that the gesture was intended to help the less privileged in the society.
“Before now, more than 200 people used to benefit with free surgery and medical attention while 295 volunteers outside the Country usually attended but this year, due to Covid-19, they could not attend.
“For this year, we could only have 39 beneficiaries. Initially, I had suggestions to distribute food, but I wanted something that would help people in the future.
“We aim to do more next year, and pray that the Covid-19 pandemic, which has limited the number of beneficiaries from 200 to 39, will be gone by then,” she said.
The coordinator, who noted that the items would serve as a source of livelihood to the beneficiaries.
He therefore urged them to see the gesture as a privilege and make good use of the items.
Earlier in his speech, Oba Andrew Momodu, the Akala of Ikaram-Akoko, appreciated the coordinator for the initiative used to empower people of the community and beyond.
He urged the beneficiaries to learn their trade well in order to lift themselves completely out of poverty.
“May God reward you and your family. Any good deed not used well will be asked by God because the items were given freely and are blessings from God.
“As you receive these items, make sure you use it well and multiply its proceeds. If you know your trade well, people will patronise you well,” he advised the beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Kayode Banfe, from Ikaram-Akoko, thanked the coordinator for the usual empowerment programme in the community.
He said the items given out would go a long way to change the life of the beneficiaries, and lift them from poverty to become self-employers.
