Alhaji Tajudeen Onil, an Ilorin-based philanthropist, has given N350,000 to 35 indigents in an effort to help the less privileged in Kwara.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the 35 recipients included the elderly, widows, and petty traders chosen from various wards in the llorin emirate.
Each of the recipients received N10,000 to help them with their petty trades.
When presenting the grants to the recipients, Onil stated that the gesture was intended to alleviate the sufferings of the society’s less fortunate members.
He stated that as the country’s economy deteriorates, several downtrodden people, particularly the elderly and widows, are facing difficult times.
Onil stated that he began the empowerment program to supplement President Muhammad Bihari’s efforts to eradicate poverty among Nigerians.
He went on to say that the gesture was also meant to emulate the poverty-eradication programs of Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq and Senator Dr. lbrahim Oloriegbe of Kwara Central.
Onil advised the recipients to make wise use of the small sum to help their businesses grow.
He urged wealthy Nigerians at home and abroad, as well as corporate bodies and organizations, to support the government’s efforts to eradicate poverty among Nigerians.
He observed that no government, no matter how benevolent, could solve all of the people’s problems on its own.
Alhaji Fatima AbdulRaheem and Mallam Amanda Kadir-Okelele, two of the recipients, expressed their appreciation to Onil for the gesture.