A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Connak Foundation has given cash worth N40m to over 50 traders and artisans in Abia State as part of its own palliatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
The NGO explained that the gesture was aimed at putting recipients back to business after the COVID-19 disaster, pointing out that if they make judicious use of the money they received their businesses will flourish again.
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Presenting cheques to some of the beneficiaries, the chief executive of the Foundation, Mrs Carol Emeka Sunday disclosed that the recipients were first trained in various vocations such as information and communication technology (ICT), leather works and foot wears,
fashion designing, auto mechanic, furniture making, confectionery, and food processing before qualifying for the grants.
She stressed that the amount was given, not because the NGO has excess funds, but because the foundation saw it as a civic responsibility to save lives and assist in enhancing the economy of the state.
“This is our little way to put people back to business after the pandemic. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, we’ve trained many youths in Abia State, particularly youths from Ohuhu in Umuahia North LGA under our Connak Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative Grant Disbursement Scheme.
According to her, the foundation which was founded in 2012 has assisted widows and indigent women in various ways in the past, adding that it later started an intervention programme such as skill acquisition, award of scholarships, free Medicare, drilling of boreholes and women empowerment to enhance the welfare of the people.
“Even in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, we’ve made reasonable impact on traders there to reduce the biting effects of COVID-19”.
Two of the beneficiaries who spoke during the event, Chares Organ and Ego Kalu said with the grants, they would begin a new life and equally expand their businesses.
THE SUN, NIGERIA
