TEN to empower 8m, lift 40m Nigerians out of poverty – Founder
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Empowerment Network (TEN) Poverty/Alleviation Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation says it will empower 8 million, lift 40 million Nigerians out of poverty, and return 16 million children back to school within 10years.
Dr. Isaiah Wealth, the founder of
TEN powered by ‘The Isaiah Wealth Initiative’ (TIWI) humanitarian outreach empowerment said the initiative was launched as a major burden for societal and human development through charity and welfare.
Wealth said that the empowerment network is a poverty alleviation and empowerment initiative of “Lifted” an indigenous, independent, and Non-Governmental Organization that with eleven thousand Naira every Nigeria will be removed from poverty.
“As at today, Nigeria has about a 86.9million people in extreme poverty, with almost 100 million people living on less than a $1(N480) a day, despite publicized economic growth.
“This programme will benefit 8 million breadwinners who have a minimum of five dependents each, with at least two of these out of school.
” No fewer than 50 households have benefited from already from the empowerment network grants,” he added.
He explained that
TEN works through volunteers to provide properly guided skill sharpening training to its beneficiaries, and thereafter provide the first phase of financial empowerment.
“Beneficiaries are monitored closely by volunteers to ensure that they utilize the grant as intended, and also make compulsory savings before qualifying for the next round of empowerment”.
He said that TEN is now working to provide these services to the entire unemployed labour force in Nigeria.
“This structure is intended to be carried out through Local Empowerment Centres that would be established in all the seven hundred and seventy-four (774) Local Governments Areas in Nigeria, with a minimum of one Empowerment Centre in each local government.
Wealth added that in a month, the LIFTNIGERIA website will be launched, and believed that this unique platform will help well-meaning Nigerians both home and abroad to play their roles in alleviating poverty in Nigeria, by contributing meaningfully to the lives and the causes of the less privileged.
While speaking about the importance of the empowerment network initiative, Bishop Wesley Arije, Presiding Bishop March of Faith Int. USA, said TEN is designed to address the narrative of the younger generations that the church may lose through social devices.
Wesley urged Christian leaders to join hands together to change this narrative around the gospel in Nigeria with collaborative effort as a church to win the battle.
“It will help in the unity of the church, poverty in Nigeria will be a thing of the past, if the church join forces through all the empowerment initiative from other organization because when two come together things change,” Wesley advised.
A 29year old beneficial, Miracle Franscis who hails from Akwa -Ibom said that with the programme, Nigeria youth have hope, adding that when he sees such programme on television is convinced it is real.
“I am a painter with no assistance since after my parents passed on but my dream has come through, I want to set up my own business with this grant and God almighty will perform it.
“I will use this medium to appreciate Dr Isaiah for his kind gesture,” Francis said.
Another beneficiary Mrs Margret Oni, a 30year old mother, who deals on natural fruits said she was overwhelmed that through the grant she received, she can now boost and make more profit from her business.
She said she had applied for a loan from Small Medium Entrepreneurship Grant (SME) which was not granted.
The launching of the initiative was witnessed by the former governor of Adawama Hon James Bala who advised individuals to emulate the convener in stepping up such opportunities for a vulnerable persons in the society.
Bala said, our youth are vibrant when they have something doing, they will not think of committing crimes with the current situation now many believe there is no future.
He noted that if the youth is engaged in programme like this, they will be no form of youth recklessness in Nigeria and the nation will be free from criminal activities.
