SOS Children’s Village awards N120m grant to women

The SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria has disbursed N120million seed grant to 12 women’s associations in Ijebuland, Ogun State, as part of efforts to empower women and vulnerable communities in the country.

The beneficiaries drawn from different groups under the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) around the SOS Children’s Villages in Owu-Ijebu, Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.

VSLAs consist of groups of 20 to 25 women who come together with the goal of running small businesses, serving as income – generating ventures to improve the livelihood of their members.

Speaking on Monday during the disbursement of seed grant in Owu – Ijebu, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse explained that the women who are facing obstacles in scaling their businesses due to economic hardship had submitted a proposal to the organization for a seed grant to support their initiative.

Erhumwunse represented by the Chief Program Officer, Ayodeji Adelopo, said the SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria supported the initiative because it would positively impact the lives of the beneficiaries’ children and young people.

“The grants being awarded today are designed to empower them, serving as a strategic measure to foster economic growth and enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable community members.

“This initiative also aims to strengthen social cohesion and develop collective problem-solving skills within these communities,” he said.

The State Government represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,
Mrs Adejumoke Adewole applauded the SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria for the seed grant and promised that the government will monitor the beneficiaries to ensure they adhere strictly to the agreement signed on the usage of the grant.

Responding on behalf of the God Grace VSLA, Mrs Odujobi Yewande, said the group will be venturing into palm and plantain plantation with the N10m grant.

While applauding the organization, Yewande said the grant will impact positively on the business and further assist in catering for the welfare of the families.