Foundation Empowers 30 Entrepreneurs, Supports 200 Sickle Cell Warriors, Others

About 30 market women have benefitted from cash gifts of N500,000 each by the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation to support and expand their businesses.

This was part of the activities marking the birthday celebration of the EMT founder, Esther Tonlagha.

Also, the Foundation extended its humanitarian support to 200 sickle cell warriors, granting each beneficiary the sum of N100,000, amounting to N20 million.

The presentation was held in Warri, during a special programme organised to celebrate and encourage children living with sickle cell disorders.

The foundation’s team embarked on a market-to-market outreach, moving from stall to stall across both locations.

Tonlagha thanked God for life and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate with the children.

She urged the warriors to remain strong in faith and to adhere strictly to medical advice, noting that proper care is essential to their wellbeing.

She explained that the Foundation was created to provide young people with the support, training, and financial assistance needed to build sustainable livelihoods, noting that, many young entrepreneurs have innovative ideas but lack the capital to turn them into viable ventures.

The empowerment programme, she emphasised, aims to give young adults the opportunity to implement promising business concepts or expand existing enterprises limited by inadequate resources, reaffirming that the Foundation remains committed to investing in the ambition and potential of youths across the region.

Emotions ran high as beneficiaries expressed their gratitude through songs, prayers, and heartfelt appreciation. Many described the support as timely, thoughtful, and deeply impactful.

One of the beneficiaries, Onochie Elvis, expressed appreciation to EMT Foundation for the kind gesture.

He said, “I am one of the students who was empowered for the small scale business program. It’s really impressive and it’s a very huge something. This is not small, and at least for someone who is starting a small scale business, this is a strength and I believe it will boost everything I am going to do in my business.”

At the General Hospital Warri, Tonlagha received a warm welcome from the children and their families upon arrival.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Matron Ese Omegwe expressed appreciation to the EMT Foundation for its ongoing support for sickle cell warriors.

One of the beneficiaries, Alero Efi, described her selection as a life-changing opportunity. She recounted how she came across the programme unexpectedly and expressed deep appreciation for what she described as a transparent and impactful initiative.

Tonlagha assured that the Foundation will continue to widen its reach, with plans to enable more young people to create opportunities, scale up their businesses, and contribute meaningfully to community development in the years ahead.