By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The Heart of Gold Empowerment Outreach has taken another decisive step towards poverty reduction and economic inclusion in Edo State, as it empowered 30 indigent persons in Idumu Ikhala community, near Uromi, with productive skills and starter tools.

The beneficiaries, drawn across gender, age and social strata, were equipped in diverse vocations including salon and hairdressing, dressmaking and fashion design, baking and confectioneries, grinding machine operations, plumbing, welding, fabrication and spray painting.

Speaking at the well-attended 2025 empowerment edition, tagged “Empower to Bloom,” the initiator of the programme, Chief (Mrs.) Ehiagwina Joy Patrick, Erelu Yeyemeso of Ikoyi Ekiti, said the initiative was conceived to promote self-reliance, skills development and sustainable livelihoods across Edo Central.

She explained that the scheme was designed to identify individuals with entrepreneurial potential who lacked the necessary support to thrive, stressing that empowerment through skills remained a more sustainable pathway out of poverty than handouts.

According to her, the number of beneficiaries doubled from 15 in 2024 to 30 in 2025, despite prevailing economic challenges in the country.

“At about this time last year, 15 carefully selected beneficiaries were empowered. Feedback from our monitoring team shows that our confidence in them was well placed, as many have begun to experience positive changes in their lives,” Patrick said.

She noted that the success stories recorded from the maiden edition, which was limited to Idijie community, informed the decision to scale up the programme and extend it to Idumu Ikhala, which also hosted this year’s event.

Patrick expressed optimism that with sustained support, the outreach would gradually cover Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area and, ultimately, the entire Esan Land and Edo Central Senatorial District.

She added that empowerment items were deliberately selected to align with each beneficiary’s chosen vocation, describing every supported idea as a “seed” capable of growing into a viable source of livelihood when nurtured in an enabling environment.

“Every idea or dream is a seed. What we are doing today is providing the enabling environment for these seeds to bloom and see the light of the day,” she stated.

While describing the empowerment of 30 beneficiaries as a significant milestone, the outreach founder acknowledged that the figure still represents only a fraction of those in need. She therefore appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and governments at all levels to partner with the Heart of Gold initiative to tackle poverty through sustainable empowerment.

She emphasised that equipping people with productive skills not only enables them to cater for themselves but also positions them to contribute meaningfully to community development.

Patrick also appreciated key stakeholders and supporters who contributed to the success of the programme, thanking God for guidance and acknowledging the support of her husband, Dr. Patrick Ejedawe, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Heart of Gold Support and Care Initiative, as well as her parents, Sir and Lady Sunny Ehiagwina, the Lagos-based team and members of the Home Committee.

The event climaxed with the presentation of empowerment items to beneficiaries amid goodwill messages, prayers and renewed calls for collective action towards building economically resilient communities.

The Heart of Gold Support and Care Initiative, she said, remains committed to grassroots-driven interventions aimed at restoring hope, dignity and opportunity across Edo Central and beyond.