By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Dumelo Empowerment Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has empowered over 200 residents of Enugu State with scholarships, cash grants, soft loans and other items meant to improve their lives and businesses.

The beneficiaries include 20 students for educational scholarships, 120 widows and widowers received grants for business improvement, 80 artisans receiving soft loans and some individuals received self-contained houses among others.

Presenting the scholarship awards, grants and soft loans on Wednesday in Enugu, the President of the Foundation, Mrs. Loretta Enwezor, said that the foundation, which started in 2007 as a cooperative society, was out to uplift the downtrodden in the society.

She noted that the Foundation, which is made up of 200,000 members across the country, was designed to give financial help packages to hard working Nigerians in order for them to live above poverty.

According to her, the thematic priorities of the foundation are on humanitarian services, caregiving services, charity and empowerment with women, men, youths and the aged in focus.

“My dream and pet project is to ensure that the downtrodden, especially young widows in our society remain resolute and determined to succeed, not minding the circumstances surrounding the demise of their spouse,” she said.

A special guest at the occasion and a United Nations volunteer, Dr Ayinde Agidi, who donated N5 million to support the newly unveiled logo of the Foundation, advised the group to shun divisive tendencies of politics.

Agidi said that the Almighty God has a special way of rewarding those that care for the poor, needy and down trodden in the society.

“I urge members of the foundation to continue in their good works to better humanity and check poverty in all ramifications among our people within the country,” he said.

Mr. Kingsley Ngoka, the Public Relations Officer of Association of Heads of Federal Establishments in Enugu State, gave a lecture titled: 'Multiple Streams of Income.'

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emeka Nwajagu, said that the foundation was formed to alleviate poverty and lack among Nigerians.

Nwajagu appreciated the members of the foundation as well as other public-spirited individuals that had contributed in the various empowerment programmes of the group throughout the country.

“Dumelo quest to uplift the downtrodden in the society should be supported by all especially those that God gave the enablement and are well-positioned in life,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme, Miss Joy Chukwurah, thanked the foundation for giving her hope of completing her tertiary education after suspending her programme due to financial constraints.

Highlights of the event included: unveiling of the new logo of the foundation as well as cutting the anniversary cake.

It would be recalled that the NGO had earlier provided educational textbooks to the students of Oak Bridge School, Mpape, Abuja.

The group also uplifted and empowered widows of Christ Apostolic Church, Kuchigoro Local Government Area of Nasarawa and artisans at the Beans Market, Nasarawa.