The Voices for Community Development Foundation (VCDF) has empowered 50 petty traders, mostly widows, and 20 vulnerable youths in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to boost their businesses and livelihoods. This initiative aims to strengthen their livelihoods, expand small-scale businesses, and promote economic self-reliance. The beneficiaries were selected from rural communities across the 10 wards of the area council.
Comrade Abdulkadir Lukman, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of VCDF, disclosed this during the empowerment programme in Abaji. He explained that each of the 50 petty traders received N30,000 to support their existing businesses and entrepreneurial activities. This financial assistance is intended to provide additional working capital, improve household income, and enable the beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
According to Lukman, the programme is the third phase of the foundation’s empowerment initiative since its establishment. The prevailing economic challenges in the country informed its decision to embark on this humanitarian intervention. The VCDF founder also disclosed that 20 vulnerable youths received N20,000 each as immediate financial assistance to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.
Lukman urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purposes for which they were provided. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support vulnerable members of society, particularly widows, orphans, and the less privileged. The foundation’s goal is to empower vulnerable people, support local entrepreneurship, promote social inclusion, and contribute to sustainable community development in Abaji and beyond.
The empowerment programme is part of VCDF’s efforts to make a positive impact in the community. By providing financial assistance to petty traders and vulnerable youths, the foundation aims to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. The programme also highlights the importance of supporting local entrepreneurship and promoting social inclusion.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to VCDF for the support. They acknowledged that the financial assistance would go a long way in helping them to improve their businesses and livelihoods. The programme has also created a sense of hope and optimism among the beneficiaries, who are now more confident about their ability to contribute to the local economy.
VCDF’s initiative has been commended by stakeholders, who see it as a step in the right direction. The foundation’s commitment to empowering vulnerable people and promoting sustainable community development is seen as a positive development. The programme is expected to have a lasting impact on the community, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Key points
- 50 petty traders and 20 vulnerable youths in Abaji Area Council of FCT receive financial support from VCDF.
- The financial assistance aims to promote economic self-reliance and support local entrepreneurship.
- VCDF reaffirms its commitment to empowering vulnerable people and promoting sustainable community development.
