In recognition of her unrelenting efforts towards citizen empowerment and social intervention in Nigeria and beyond, Nigerian-American Business Icon and Founder/Chief Executive officer of Silicon Valley-NED Cooperative, Ibeju Lekki , HRH Queen Mother Temitope Ajayi has been named the Philanthropist of the year 2020 at the Citizen Leadership Excellence Award held at Nigeria’s Commercial capital city, Lagos.
When asked what inspired her action towards citizens empowerment and social intervention, Ajayi said “As a Mother and Nigerian, my heart bleeds when I see people suffer; especially the indigent and Unemployed young adults that participated in the End SARS protests at the Lekki tollgate. “Initially when we started the support scheme, most people said the beneficiaries were going to abscond with the money but I was never bothered nor discouraged, I was determined to put smiles on the faces of the unemployed youths and the women in Nigeria.
“My Partners supported the scheme because they saw the sincerity of purpose and genuineness of my efforts”, Ajayi emphasised.
In an Exclusive interview with Citizen NewsNG, Ajayi charged Nigerian Youths to stop seeking for white collar jobs but create jobs for themselves, be the employer of labour. She urged young adults to reawaken the hidden skills and talents in them for self-actualization and development. She cited the Enterprenuership skills of the Chinese and the population strength which Nigeria also has, that can be explored maximally to develop the cottage industries in the country.
As at the last count, over three hundred people across the length and breath of Nigeria have been empowered with interest free credit facility, startup trade and business items.
“I must commend the numerous efforts of the Federal Government designed to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, promote the growth of the small and medium scale enterprises and economic prosperity for all”, Ajayi told Citizen NewsNG.
Speaking further, the international Business Consultant and member of Silicon Valley United States urged the Federal and state Governments to partner with Private companies to provide technical and Training supports for young Adults with skills to develop the cottage industries in the country.
Ajayi however reiterated the her plan to continue to empower, support and lift as many Nigerians out of hardships particularly the youths, women, less privileged citizens, commercial motorcycle operators and the upcoming Journalists across the country.
THE SUCCESS STORIES OF SOME OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME
One of the Beneficiaries, simply identified as Johnson said: “Durung the empowerment programme, Mummy empowered me with N1.5m to construct a Modern 3,500 capacity, 5-Chamber fish pond. The Business has been flourishing since we started”
The Fish Pond Manager, Johnson also said “The daily demands are high as such i needed to put into my best to ensure a seamless operations to meet our targets. One day in the month of November, we made a sale of N700,000”.
A Lekki Petty Trader, Mrs. Mariam Oladi Kolawole narrated how she learnt about the support scheme which led to the transformation of her life. “While roasting corns for sale on the street along Lekki-Epe road, A neighbour, worried by the stress I go through on daily basis and the huge loss I incurred due to low patronage and
spoilage of the produce, recommended Mama Diaspora to me for assistance”.
Kolawole enrolled with the Lekki Silicon Valley-NED Cooperative after which a sum of Twenty thousand naira loan was issued to her. Subsequently, after full repayment of the initial credit facility, a sum of forty thousand naira was presented to her at the Lagos Office.
One of the Protesters against police brutality (tagged EndSARS) and misgovernance at the Lekki tollgate, Miss Anyanwu Callista Uchechi was also a beneficiary. During the first phase of the programme, a sum of Twenty thousand naira was issued to her but after remitting the total sum, an interest free loan of Forty thousand naira was presented to her to support and expand her Fast food Business.
“I make an average sales of twenty thousand naira daily and a profit of seven thousand naira, Mama Diaspora has really changed my story for good.” Uchechi said.
Uchechi eulogised the virtues of Ajayi. She however urged well meaning Nigerians to emulate her gestures as this will make positive impacts on their lives.
An Arewa group member in Lekki, Mallam Mohammed Tijani also shared his business success story with Citizen NewsNG.
As a Security Guard, he operates a mini kiosk where he sells provisions and other consumables to support his monthly salary.
“When I discovered that Mama Diaspora was organising empowerment programme for the people in Lekki, I decided to attend, got enrolled and within a short period of time, my Bank account was credited with a sum of Twenty thousand naira to support my business”, Tijani said.
“I decided to invest in instant Noodles and carbonated drinks Supply and distribution business. At the moment, I have become a major distributor of these products, the Traders on Lekki axis now buy from me”, Tijani boasted.
No doubt, Ajayi’s recognition as the Philanthropist of the year 2020 is well deserved.
By Olabode Adeyeri
@CitizenNewsNG