By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Over 60 vulnerable persons in Benue State have received financial assistance of N50,000 each and other relief materials from the Danjose Care Foundation as part of its efforts to improve the welfare of disadvantaged members of society.

The beneficiaries, comprising persons with disabilities, widows, petty traders and visually impaired persons, also received food items, toiletries, plastic tables and other essential materials to support their livelihoods.

The intervention was part of activities marking the 50th birthday of the founder of the foundation, Lolo Anthonia Agbasi, who disclosed that the organisation had spent close to N70 million on humanitarian services in Benue and other states in the last three years.

Speaking during the empowerment programme in Makurdi, Agbasi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Chikadef Global, said the foundation had reached more than 5,000 beneficiaries through its various interventions.

She explained that she deliberately chose to celebrate her 50th birthday by assisting the less privileged, “rather than organising an elaborate party, because of my passion for humanitarian service.”

Agbasi said the foundation, which was established three years ago, was named after her late parents, who devoted themselves to helping widows and other vulnerable persons.

“I coined the name of the NGO from my parents’ names because they were involved in helping widows and doing all kinds of charity. They are late now, so I decided to continue from where they stopped,” she said.

The founder explained that her commitment to helping the needy started long before the establishment of the foundation, adding that she had consistently supported vulnerable persons even before moving from Gboko to other parts of the state.

She said “the foundation’s programmes are aimed at alleviating the immediate difficulties faced by disadvantaged persons while providing them with opportunities to improve their economic circumstances.”

As part of the birthday activities, Agbasi disclosed that the foundation had visited Benue State Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre and General Hospital, North Bank, Makurdi, where it paid the medical bills of indigent patients unable to afford their treatment.

According to her, some of the patients had spent several months in hospital because they could not settle their bills, while others received financial assistance to meet their immediate needs.

“Some people had been in the hospital for four months without money to pay their bills and secure their discharge. When we visited, we settled their bills, while others received financial assistance of N50,000,” she said.

She added that the foundation also distributed diapers, sanitary pads and other essential items to patients during the visits.

Agbasi reiterated her commitment to sustaining the foundation’s humanitarian programmes, particularly those targeted at widows, orphans, vulnerable children, persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups.

She said the organisation would continue to combine the provision of relief materials with financial empowerment to help beneficiaries become self-reliant.

One of the beneficiaries, Lucky Onoja, a person with a disability who operates a shoemaking business, expressed appreciation for the support, saying the money would enable him to expand his business. “I have benefited from this Danjose Empowerment Programme. With the money they have given me to support my business, I believe my business will grow. I want to thank the founder for all she has been doing, and I pray that God will continue to bless her,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Moses Geri, who operates a Point-of-Sale business, said the assistance would help him address the capital challenges limiting the growth of his business, while Mrs Eunice Anyortor thanked the foundation, saying she would invest the money received in expanding her business.