FCTA distributes empowerment kits to vulnerable groups

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Social Development Secretariat (SDS) has distributed economic empowerment tools to no fewer than 60 members of different vulnerable groups, mainly people living with HIV/AIDS in the Territory.
In particular, while 30 vulnerable persons received brand new motorised grinding machines, another 30 members from the selected vulnerable groups received the sum of N50,000 empowerment gift to assist them in their petty trade and small scale businesses.
Speaking during the event tagged “Empowerment Through Seed Funding for Petty Trading and Income Generating Activities”, for selected groups, the Mandate Secretary for SDS, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir, said the distribution of the empowerment tools to the vulnerable, aims at enabling them to start living more meaningful and purposeful driven life through income generation.
She recalled that the Secretariat had on 17th of February commenced training and skills acquisition programs for the beneficiaries nominated through the Network of people Living with HIV/AIDS, community based organisations and various support groups.
“I am trilled to inform you that one of those empowered last month has been able to maximize his profit from his starter pack to the level of empowering another colleague as we speak.
“This shows that what we are really doing well and the results are beginning to manifest for everyone to see and accept that we are into serious business”, she stressed.
Earlier in her remarks, the Head of HIV/AIDS, Dr. Okoro Ene thanked the SDS Secretary for coming through to the rescue of one of the vulnerable and stigmatised groups in the society.

He noted that since the Secretary’s appointment, this category of the vulnerable in the FCT’s happiness has increased tremendously as several empowerment programmes and activities have being organised for their empowerment and self sustenance, including the provision of relevant nourishing drugs for them.
Not left out, Mrs. Priscilla Nwachukwu, spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the FCTA for the initiative, which help provide a sustainable means of livelihood for those in need.
Nwachukwu, therefore thanked the FCTA through the SDS Mandate Secretary, who since assumption of office has affected their lives positively and brought about unimaginable smiles on the vulnerable in the city.
Also, there were goodwill messages from Directors of Departments of Administration & Finance, Arts & Culture, Planning, Research & Statistics, Social Welfare, Sports, Tourism, and Youth respectively.