By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

As part of its efforts to tackle poverty in the society, the Oluwole Foundation has empowered over 70 congregants of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Ilorin District Headquarters, with tools and equipment worth N42 million.

Items distributed at the epoch-making event, largely targeted at artisans, small-scale traders, and agro-entrepreneurs, include deep freezers, aluminum fabricators with cutting machines, and poultry farming equipment with relevant inputs.

Speaking at the empowerment programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Ademola Popoola, said the initiative is designed to uplift hardworking Nigerians by equipping them to become business owners through mentorship and support systems.

“This is not just charity, it is a seed. We’re empowering food vendors with deep freezers, aluminum fabricators with cutting machines, and poultry farmers with relevant inputs. Our goal is to match people with what they genuinely need to succeed,” Pastor Popoola emphasized.

According to the Chairman, the foundation has recorded over 70 percent success in its previous empowerment schemes and is working towards increasing that rate this year, adding that, “some people take it seriously and build something worthwhile out of it, while others, unfortunately, treat it like a handout or part of their own national cake. But our aim remains to support those who are ready to work”.

Pastor Popoola said the programme’s long-term strategy is to empower at least 70 people annually, lifting hundreds of families out of poverty in the next decade, adding that, “if others can emulate this initiative, the impact will multiply. Nigeria needs more of this at the grassroots.”

To the beneficiaries, Pastor Popoola cautioned them against wastage and complacency. He added: “It’s a privilege and not a right to be helped. But if God gives you a window, don’t waste it on birthday parties or status symbols. This support should be employed to grow your income and empower others in return.”

The event also featured a motivational session led by a university lecturer who recounted how he survived a national economic crisis without salary for a long period of time. “People need to hear from someone who has lived through hardship. We want them to understand that endurance and wise choices matter,” Popoola said.

On healthcare, Pastor Popoola urged wider enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), stronger investment in health workers, and better-equipped hospitals. “No Nigerian should have to travel abroad for minor illnesses. We must fix our own health system,” he said.

Also speaking, Pastor Tunde Ogunbiyi, Provost of Orimolade Theological Institute, said hunger was the root cause of Nigeria’s insecurity, urging the three tiers of government to assign roles to traditional rulers in community policing to improve local safety.

“People must work and earn what they get,” Ogunbiyi declared. “Poverty cannot be solved by government alone. Wealthy individuals and organisations must play their part. I commend Oluwole Foundation and call on others to do the same.”

He encouraged the beneficiaries to pray, work hard, and use their materials and funds wisely. “This is an opportunity to rise. Use it well,” he admonished.

As the 2025 edition wraps up, the Foundation hopes its model of empowerment will not only change individuals lives but also inspire a broader cultural shift from entitlement to enterprise in Nigeria’s fight against poverty.