To alleviate poverty in Kwara State, a non-governmental organisation, Yahaya Seriki Foundation has released the sum of N250 million to 1,800 artisans, students and traders across the state.
The foundation said it was in fulfilment of its mandate anchored on poverty reduction, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women in line with United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals.
At an event on Saturday, the foundation’s founder, Yahaya Seriki, a major player in the minerals sector, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for the support they have given him over the years.
He said the sector is capital intensive, a situation that led his company, KURSI Investment Ltd, a leading mining company in Nigeria to embark on exploration activities for over 15 years, expressing gratitude to the government of Kwara for providing the enabling environment for mining to thrive through adequate security.
According to him, at least 70 percent of those in his employ are indigene of Kwara, a strategic move to ensure that they get a decent means of livelihood, adding that it is not political.
Cheques totalling the sum of N250 million were issued to various categories of beneficiaries, targeting at least 1,800 indigenes of the state.
In the category of N500,000, Ameenat Alao Saadu, Ibraheem Rabiat Atonitenu, Adeoye Bola Elizabeth, Khadijat Sheriki and others emerged as beneficiaries.
Similarly, Fatai Olajumoke Soma, Shaibu Balikisu, Oyewole Wale Femi and several others benefitted from the N250,000 category.
Several beneficiaries also emerged from the N50,000 category.
In his remarks, governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed gratitude to the foundation for its support and collaboration with the state government in ensuring that poverty is fought among indigenes.
While applauding the selflessness of Yahaya Seriki, the governor also thanked him for using his platform to meaningfully engage several youths of Kwara State, noting that such efforts help in nation-building.
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