Rotary International District 9111 has just empowered 134 skilled men and women from across Nigeria.
This empowerment program which started last year with the empowerment of 104 beneficiaries is in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited and is intended to last for 10 years.
The beneficiaries were on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 presented with startup tools which include grinding machines, plumbing kits, deep freezers, sewing machines, generators, gas burners and cylinders, barbers and hairdressers' kits, hairdryers, oven, vulcanizing machines, makeup kits, among many other items.
During the presentation exercise, the pioneer District Governor, Rotary International District 9111, Rtn (Dr) Oluwole Kukoyi thanked First Bank for ensuring that this is collaborative program is extended while disclosing the 10 years partnership between the two organizations.
According to DG Kukoyi, “Empowerment is one of the key areas of focus of Rotary. As we empower 134 people, we are empowering 134 families, the society and our nation.
He further appreciated the bank saying, “When you talk of Small-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, First Bank comes first”, he while charging the beneficiaries to use the items purposefully and diligently and to the best of their ability so as to multiply it and also be able to help others in the nearest future.
The District Governor Nominee, Rtn Bukola Bakare, who is also the Project Coordinator revealed that the partnership which kicked off successfully last year with 104 beneficiaries motivated First Bank of Nigeria Limited to increase the fund this year which was added to by the District Governor.
She revealed that over 300 candidates from various Rotary clubs across the district were screened before the final 134 beneficiaries were selected instead of 132 beneficiaries which was initially proposed by the project committee.
“We will surpass the bank’s expectations and reaffirm commitment that every kobo received will go towards executing this project to promote humanity", she asserted.
The Head of First Bank SME Banking and Money Transfer, Mr Abiodun O Famuyiwa who represented the MD, Mr Olusegun Alebiosun on his part stated that the MD is very passionate about SMEs.
“This is one of the greatest joy in my heart, to see the actualization of one of the dreams of first bank. First bank is the oldest and first indigenous bank in Nigeria having been in existence for 131 years. First Bank is a household name”, he said.
He stressed the bank’s commitment to continue to partner with the Rotary district in doing this for humanity, adding that seeing more women being presented the startup tools than men is a testimony that women are doing great in business.
“SMEs are the backbone of many economies being the largest employer of labour. Our partnership will not stop here”, he added.
Mrs Olaide Oladunjoye representing both the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr Waheed Kasali and Director, Lagos State agency for Mass Education, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo in her remarks noted that the empowerment is not just a gift, it is an investment in the future of our people. “To the beneficiaries, the impact of this empowerment goes beyond just you, it is also about your family, the economy and the future generation”, she said.
She stressed that the agency has been partnering with the Rotary district and Rotary clubs for over 10 years during which the vocational centre in Igbogbo was established by the then Rotary District 9110. “This is what Rotary have been doing and is still doing. We thank the Rotary club for this laudable effort.
“We encourage First Bank to also partner with the agency. We pray that our partnership will continue to yield more beautiful fruits now and, in the future,”, she said.
23 of the beneficiaries, some of which are physically challenged were selected from the Rotary Vocational Centre in Igbogbo.
The Vocational Centre Coordinator, Mrs Mosun Otitoloju was also present.
Also present was the Chairman of the District Economic Empowerment Program (DEEP), AG Gbenga Sunmonu, members of the project committee, and other district leaders.
