By TAIYE BAIYEROHI
A Nigerian philanthropist, Chief Temitope Ajayi, has given out interest-free loans to 35 Lekki #EndSARS protesters and one Person with a Disability in order to engage them meaningfully.
Ajayi, while giving out the loans Sunday night to the beneficiaries in Lekki, Lagos, expressed her displeasure at the level of destruction of properties during the protests. She believed the loans would positively impact the youth.
According to her, this was her own way of wading into the problem of youth restiveness. The philantropic gesture was done in partnership with Mr Barry Baruwa, Chief Executive Officer, Masterplan Finance.
Mrs. Ajayi further explained that the N1 million loan was disbursed to all the beneficiaries after they had gone through a business academy where they were tutored on business management.
Beneficiaries who were among the Lekki protesters were identified with the help of her personal security officers.
She reasoned that the youth might have been compelled to engage in the protest due to poverty and lack of jobs – and therefore, need help.
“As a financial consultant, I made these loan beneficiaries go through some courses on business management that will help them be successful businessmen and women.
“I was able to do all these with the help of my partner, Mr Barry Baruwa and some friends in the Diaspora: Mrs Dennis Mobolaji-Williams, Mrs Lilian Ajayi-Ore and Mr Miguel Castilas.
“Each of these people contributed some amount of money.
“Youths, at this stage need love, attention, patience and constant guidance. We will be providing these for them,” she said.
Commenting on the terms and conditions, the philanthropist explained that the loans were to be repaid in instalments on weekly basis after disbursement. Defaulters automatically lose the opportunity of accessing more loans.
She expressed interest in partnering with the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to empower Nigeria youths and the nation for a better future.
The News Agency of Nigeria which covered the event reports that many of the loan beneficiaries opted for businesses such as: recharge card sales, food, fishing, fairly used cloths, computer accessories sales, etc.
NAN also reports a person with physical challenges, Mr Olanrewaju Sanni, receiving a 2020 model electric wheelchair along with the loan, to accelerate his mobility.
Ajayi said that Sanni, a Computer Engineer, was opportuned to have the wheelchair worth N2 million due to his academic excellence in some computer courses in Nigeria and abroad.
Sanni, who could only move around dragging himself on the ground appreciated the benevolent gesture. He would describe the entire scenario as a dream come true.
He said, henceforth, life would be easier for him as a computer engineer.
“ I am excited, this is actually a dream come true, this is what I have been believing God for and He has done it in a mighty way.
“I’m indeed excited. Each time I think about life without the wheelchair, I come close to tears. It’s been hell, but with this, my life has changed and it becomes easier for me to continue with my job.
Mr Olarenwaju expressed good will to the sponsors of the humanitarian gesture.
Earlier, Baruwa advised the beneficiaries to use the loan efficiently, that way, they can access a second tranche which will be higher than the previous.
He urged them to live responsibly, to be useful for themselves and society as well as utilize the loan to ensure they become financially self-reliant.
“I beg you in the name of God, use the money properly, we want to make you happy, don’t be liabilities to your family members.
“ Whoever invests his or her money well will get more, we have observed that the Nigerian economy is in shambles, so this is our own way of rendering some corporate social responsibility to the public,” he said.
