The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI) has facilitated a seven million Naira grant for 70 vulnerable persons in the FCT.
The beneficiaries including Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), received the grant after a three-day entrepreneurship training in Gwagwalada.
The Executive Director of JDPCI, Rev. Sebastian Sanni, announced this at the closing ceremony of the training on Sunday.
Sanni said the programme was implemented in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International.
He said that the intervention aligned with the vision of the Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, to reach the most vulnerable.
He explained that the beneficiaries were selected after being identified as individuals genuinely struggling with their businesses.
He added that a monitoring team had been set up to track the beneficiaries’ progress for the next three months.
The cleric also revealed plans to scale the programme to other area councils across the FCT.
The Programmes Director at JDPCI, Mr Timothy Ejeh, in his remarks said that PWDs and other vulnerable groups had been left behind for too long.
He said that the empowerment programme implemented under the Bold Action to Strengthen Inclusive Care in Communities (BASICC) project, had demonstrated that vulnerable groups possess untapped potential that could contribute significantly to nation building.
”Having been trained and given grants, we expect them to put the skills they have acquired to good use, side by side with the financial support provided.
”This way people can see that the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) model works and beneficiaries will be able to demonstrate their capacity when future opportunities come,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Comfort Shewa, described the training as a privilege, pledging to apply the knowledge gained.
”I own a business, but I was not managing it properly. With this training, I now understand the importance of a business plan, bookkeeping, and income-generating strategies.
”By God’s grace, I will put everything into practice,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Ms Sarah Ijanmi, speaking through a sign language interpreter, expressed gratitude for being included in the programme.
”I learned bookkeeping and how to be innovative in business. I am grateful to the organisers and sponsors for including people with disabilities,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Abdul Rojali said the training transformed his mindset from simply being a business owner to becoming an entrepreneur.
”This programme has built my capacity, especially in understanding business risks and the policies that help businesses grow.
”The stipend given after the training will help us expand, reach untapped markets, and practise financial discipline.
”I am a Muslim, yet this programme was open to everyone, Christians, Muslims, PWDs, and other vulnerable groups. It is truly inclusive,” he said.
Rojali added that the intervention would have a multiplier effect on families and communities.
”At the end of the day, we are going back to our families. This support will help us provide for them and improve our standard of living.
”I am deeply grateful to JDPCI and CBM for this life-changing opportunity,” he said.
