An American-based Ibadan socio-cultural Association, the Ibadan Descendants Union, (IDU), Dallas Forthworth Metroplex is experimenting a novel idea of empowering hardworking but financially handicapped Ibadan Small Business Owners to grow their trade.
The programme is being run in collaboration with Ona Ara Development Forum (IDU).
Insideoyo.com reports that the first beneficiary, Mrs Marufat AbdulJeleel, a widow and pepper seller at Alase, Amuloko in Ona Ara local government area of Oyo state received a cash donation of fifty thousand naira to boost her trade on Friday.
Presenting the money on behalf of IDU, the President of Ona Ara Development Forum, Alhaji Kola Bolomope expressed deep appreciation to members of the American based Ibadan Descendants Union for their continued support to the ODF in its efforts to improve the quality of life of the people.
Alhaji Bolomope who threw some highlights into the genesis of the programme recalled that the daughter of the Beneficiary of the programme, Fodilat Jelili has been enjoying scholarship of the IDU for the past three years through the Ona Ara Development Forum.
He stated that two months ago, the chairman of the American Based Union came to Nigeria and decided to have direct contact with Fodilah’s family. It was during the interaction that Mrs AbdulJeleel, a widow with three other children to cater for revealed that her only source of livelihood is pepper selling. According to her, with a capital of N5,000, she would go to the market in the morning buy five thousand naira worthy of pepper, which she would display infront of the house. At the end of the day, she makes little profit.
When asked what could be done to assist her boost her business, she said if she could get enough money to buy a whole bag of pepper at N35,000.
Two weeks ago, Alhaji Bolomope said he received N50,000 from the Ibadan Descendants Union, Dallas, Forthwith with a promise that if Mrs AbdulJeleel makes a success of the investment, money has been set aside to empower another batch of at least 30 people.
Alhaji Bolomope therefore appealed to the beneficiary to fulfil her promise of making a success of the investment so as not to block the chances of would-be beneficiaries.
He added that Ona Ara Development Forum is to closely monitor her business and if there is clear evidence of progress in the next two months, more people will benefit.
Meanwhile, while speaking shortly after receiving the cash donation, the beneficiary, Mrs AbdulJeleel thanked the Ibadan Descendants Union, Dallas Forthworth Metroplex.
She promised to make judicious use of the money for the business in mind adding that she will not deny other people who need this kind of opportunity from getting it.
She also thanked the Ona Ara Development Forum.
