Abinugbola Foundation Empowers Artisans With Over N4Million Worth of Tools, Equipment and Business Support in Ijebu Igbo

The Abinugbola Foundation has empowered artisans across Ijebu Igbo with tools, equipment and business support worth N4,128,500 as part of its unwavering commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and economic growth within the community.

The empowerment programme, personally funded by the Oluomo of Ijebu Igbo, High Chief Alhaji Ismail Olawale Lawal Abinugbola, provided beneficiaries with working tools, business equipment and financial assistance to help them establish, expand and sustain their various trades.

Among the beneficiaries, a tailor received support worth N350,000, while a bakery entrepreneur benefited from N330,000 for the purchase of a bakery oven and other business equipment. Another fashion designer received N390,000 for tailoring materials and shop renovation.

A shoemaker was empowered with equipment valued at N355,000, while a graphics designer received N198,000 for the purchase of an iPad to improve productivity. Other beneficiaries included a carpenter who received N325,000 to establish a workshop, a tailor who benefited from a zigzag sewing machine worth N185,000, a business owner who received a generator valued at N340,000, a workshop owner empowered with equipment worth N263,500, a shoemaker who received tools worth N50,000 and an AAP student and fashion designer who benefited from a sewing machine valued at N150,000.

One of the major highlights of the empowerment programme was the additional intervention for Asekun Kafayat, a fashion designer who had previously benefited from the foundation through the provision of a sewing machine and the payment of her freedom fee to her former boss.

To further strengthen her business and ensure long-term sustainability, the foundation provided her with an additional empowerment package, which included a standard industrial sewing machine valued at N150,000, a furniture stand and table worth N50,000, a generator valued at N350,000, pressing and charcoal irons worth N55,000, tailoring materials valued at N250,000, and two years’ shop rent worth N140,000.

Speaking on the initiative, the Oluomo of Ijebu Igbo, High Chief Alhaji Ismail Lawal Abinugbola, said the empowerment programme is personally funded by him through the Abinugbola Foundation as part of his commitment to reducing unemployment, supporting skilled artisans and creating sustainable sources of income for families.

The beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to the philanthropist for the life-changing support, describing the intervention as timely and impactful. They prayed for Almighty Allah to continue to bless and strengthen him while granting the Abinugbola Foundation greater capacity to continue transforming lives through its humanitarian programmes.