By Ikenna Asomba
The Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo Foundation, has mapped special empowerment programmes targeted at women and youths to alleviate poverty, as well as offering future prospects.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Foundation to commemorate his 40th Birthday Anniversary, a glamorous event held at the Great Banquet Hall of Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Founder of the Foundation and Chairman, Kazeem Royal Properties Limited, Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo, pointed that the poor socio-economic conditions of youth and women have become quite worrisome in Nigeria and there is need for a new structural and sustainability approach to tackling the menace.
Eletu Odibo, who was recently awarded an honorary Doctorate and United Nations Ambassadorial award in Washington DC, USA, decried that the poverty level among Nigerians especially the young ones who hold the prospect of better future deserves to be tackled with basic amenities that can make them useful to the society at large.
True to his philanthropic gestures, no fewer than 40 beneficiaries comprising of Artisans such as Hair Dressers, Barbers, Tailors, Indomie Sellers, Tie-and-Dye makers, Caterers, Make-up Artists, Plumbers among others were empowered with vocational skills working tools. Some of the items doled out to the beneficiaries include electric jugs, ovens, electric kettles, bags of parboiled rice, sewing machines, dryers, clothes, etc.
According to Eletu Odibo, “Many young ones and other less privileged in the society would be reached with support to help them provide the basic amenities needed to live above the poverty level.”
Born February 14, 1978, Ambassador (Dr.) Prince Kazeem said the focus of the Foundation is working to eradicate poverty through education and personal development programmes including school improvement, access to quality education and community motivation and participation predominantly in some less privileged areas across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, present at the unveiling were eminent personalities comprising of respected monarchs, envoys, career diplomats, academics, politicians, former and serving leaders at the Federal Level and across the States of the Federation, his business associates among others.
Earlier, in a statement, the Executive Director of the Foundation and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the event, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, expressed happiness over the berth of the Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo Foundation, saying “the Foundation has come to alleviate poverty and foster the social and economic condition of the disadvantaged in our society.”
Gotevbe said: “As we celebrate this monumental milestone of making the Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo Foundation a reality, it is important to take a moment to appreciate the Almighty God who has made it possible for us in creating a positive change for a brighter and better tomorrow for the less privileged which is our Mission: To alleviate poverty and foster the social and economic condition of the disadvantaged in our society. Our Celebration is not so much a festivity but a solemn occasion to pause and recollect that our country, Nigeria since its independence undoubtedly shows that it is blessed with enormous natural and human resources but remains a paradox; with so many people living in poverty. Hence, it is a reminder to look ahead the mountains we must climb in bringing succour to the needy.”
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Bolanle Adebayo, stated that, “in order to accomplish its goals, the Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo Foundation shall frequently join efforts with organizations, institutions and individuals; provide financial support, awards scholarships and prizes on a competitive basis; organize charity events; assist in the organization of symposia, conferences, seminars, exhibitions etc.”
