A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Together Inspiring Kindness Family (TIKFamily), says it is targeting the empowerment of no fewer than 1,000 less-privileged persons in its 2025 annual festive outreach.
The Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Samuel Adelaja, said during the outreach on Wednesday in Lagos that the initiative was aimed at bridging the gap between the rich and the poor during the yuletide and other festive periods.
Adelaja said the group, which comprises professionals from various parts of the world, has been organizing the initiative for the past five years.
He explained that the programme is funded through personal contributions from members and friends, adding that since its inception, the organization has reached hundreds of beneficiaries across different locations.
“We as a group have already reached hundreds of people across different locations, but our goal for 2025 is to impact 1,000 lives,” he said.
Adelaja noted that while the organization runs programmes throughout the year, the festive outreach is unique because it is being extended to other parts of the country beyond Lagos State.
“Our aim is to reach the less-privileged who are wondering where their next meal will come from during this festive season.
“We also want to encourage others to show kindness so that the world can be a better place,” he added.
Another member of the group, Mr Adewumi Mogaji, said the NGO was shifting its focus towards sustainable empowerment, particularly for youths.
Mogaji explained that the move was aimed at preventing political manipulation and reducing social vices among young people.
He also stressed the need for the organization to grow beyond self-funding, noting that it was open to partnerships with corporate bodies and individuals to expand its reach in 2026.
“We intend to impact teenagers and youths through vocational training and empowerment. When people are stabilized and can stand on their own, they cannot be easily manipulated by politicians,” he said.
Mogaji added that small grants could make a significant difference, noting that as little as N20,000 could help someone start a small business.
“If we can get more support from the government and the private sector, we intend to reach as many as 20,000 people in the coming years,” he said.
A beneficiary, Mrs Fatou Bangura, testified that the group transformed her life with a N300,000 business grant after she was displaced from her home.
“They met me when I had nothing and was looking for help. They gave me money to start a business. I now sell clothes and can afford to rent a house,” Bangura said.
She appealed to the organization to focus more on vocational and skills training for street children, noting that while money could be spent, skills would last a lifetime.
Meanwhile, a police officer from the Oko-Oba Division, Mr Richard Balogun, who provided security for the event, commended the organizers for the orderly conduct of the outreach.
“What they are doing is commendable because not everyone has the heart to give. We were deployed to ensure security, and everything went smoothly.
“If initiatives like this continue, people will be happier and society more peaceful,” Balogun said.
