LAGOS- The Lagos Branch of the Nnewi Women’s League has said it planned to raise N100 million for community projects, including building of 25 schools in the Nnewi Local Government Area.
The league told newsmen in Lagos that the projects were part of its effort to bridge the gap caused by government’s dwindling provision of funds for such projects.
The Legal Adviser of the league, Mrs. Terry Odigboh, said that apart from the schools, the group also planned to institute an annual multiple primary communal scholarship scheme.
Other projects which she described as part of the league’s commitment to the advancement of women include micro credit for widows in rural areas, and sponsorship of women’s skill acquisition programmes.
The group said it would also honour 25 eminent Nigerians who had excelled in their chosen professions and contributed to the growth of Nigeria.
Odigboh said those to be honoured were selected from across the country and were people who attained their current status from humble beginnings, without being corrupt.
“They are people who have followed and believed in what they do, and who have selflessly contributed to the socio-political growth of Nigeria ,’’ she explained.
She said the group wanted to use the awards to show the youth that there was reward for hard work, especially in a society that was adrift with corruption.
“As mothers, we are striving to better the society and instil the value of hard work in the youth, as a sure way to morality,” she added.
Odigboh also said the awards would be conferred on the Nigerians on Oct. 12, during the formal inauguration of the scholarship scheme and women empowerment programme.
The awards, it was gathered, will be in two categories — “Pillars of Development’’and “Movers of Our Time.’’
Among those to be honoured are the Chief Executive of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chief Stella Okoli, a retired Commissioner of Police and first Nigerian woman to head the Interpol, Mrs. Lauretta Koyi, and the Deputy Governor of Anambra, Mrs. Virgy Etiabia.
The league’s legal adviser said the group had so far spent more than N4 million as micro credit for some 25 widows in the Nnewi Local Government Area.
She explained that the league’s focus on education was primarily to assist indigent students as well as promote and facilitate the study of Igbo language and culture.
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