Foundation Give Grants to 500 Widows, Physically Challenged in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

No fewer than 500 persons comprising persons living with disabilities, widows, students, businessmen and women have received food items, cooking materials and undisclosed amounts of money courtesy of Caridad Ernesto Empowerment Foundation.

The beneficiaries were drawn from five local government areas of Edo North senatorial district, namely Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Akoko-Edo and Owan East.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West local Government Area of Edo State, the Director General of the foundation, Tijani Muhammed said the event was the fourth in the series, adding that the man behind the gesture chose to remain anonymous.

According to him, the foundation had previously extended the gesture to Edo Central and in future would cover the entire state.

His words: “The Foundation has been funded by somebody who does not want to see people suffering or want people around him not to be happy so he decided to establish The Caridad Ernesto Empowerment Foundation to help the needy. 

“This is our fourth effort in putting smiles on the faces of many.  Today’s event is in four phases, one to give donations to those who are physically challenged and widows. Then grants for education and business.”

Muhammed noted that the man behind donations came from a very humble background, saying what he “is trying to do is to give back to his people across the three senatorial districts of Edo State, to identify their need and support them.

“We gave food items and other materials to widows and physically challenged; then grants for business and education to other less privileged persons. This is our fourth and very soon we will design the next programme.”

The Chairman of People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) in Etsako Central Local Government Area, Okhakumhe Moses said: “I am short of words. What I saw today, is something I cannot just explain. I am overwhelmed, but I say thank you and may God reward our benefactor.”

Also, an Igarra indigene in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Gabriel Ukanah said: “I want to thank the organiser of this programme. On behalf of my colleagues, we pray God will continue to replenish his purse and in all his endeavours. God will continue to be with him. We quite appreciate this.” 

Another beneficiary, Alasa Deborah said: “We are very grateful and appreciate the man that has done this. We pray for all those that he has also used to reach us. God will continue to enrich him for all the things he has given us. We will never forget.”