50 Beneficiaries Receive Business Tools Under Project Empower

Leading communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has equipped 50 persons with disabilities in the Karonmajiji community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with business support equipment to help them grow their businesses and achieve financial independence.

The donation, carried out under the company’s Project Empower initiative, saw beneficiaries receive items including sewing machines, generators, freezers and hairdressing kits during a ceremony held in the community.

Unlike conventional empowerment programmes that provide cash grants, the initiative focused on supplying practical tools identified through a community needs assessment to enable beneficiaries expand their existing businesses and build sustainable sources of income.

True Empowerment Goes Beyond Financial Assistance’

Speaking during the presentation, Director of Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, said the intervention reflects the company’s commitment to creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to thrive economically.

At IHS Nigeria, we believe true empowerment goes beyond financial assistance. By providing productive business assets, we are giving beneficiaries the opportunity to strengthen their businesses, become more self-reliant and improve the wellbeing of their families. Through Project Empower, we are advancing inclusive development while contributing to sustainable economic growth within our host communities,” she said.

Oguntuga explained that the company deliberately adopted an asset-based approach because it delivers more lasting impact than one-off financial support.

She noted that the donation aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Community Commends IHS Nigeria’s Commitment to Inclusion

The Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman  Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani, expressed gratitude to IHS Nigeria for what he described as a life-changing intervention.

“This is more than a donation; it is an investment in the future of our people. These tools will help many of our members expand their businesses, earn sustainable incomes and better support their families. We sincerely appreciate IHS Nigeria for listening to our needs and standing with our community,” he said.

He added that the company’s continued engagement demonstrates a genuine commitment to promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Stakeholders Rally Behind Inclusive Development

The event brought together traditional rulers, government officials, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners including the Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute, as well as other community stakeholders.