No fewer than 200 persons ranging from orphans, widows, as well as the physically challenged in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, were empowered with relief materials worth millions of Naira by the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association, IEYDA.

The distribution exercise which took place at the Emir of Ilorin's palace yesterday attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including traditional and religious leaders, legal practitioners, academicians and politicians among others.

Nigerian Pilot reports that items distributed include sewing machines, clippers, generators, NAPTEB forms, crate of soft drinks, food stuff among others, while beneficiaries were indigent students, widows, petty traders among other less privileged persons across the five local government areas that make up Ilorin Emirate.

Chairman of the association, Mallam Abdullahi Babatunde Salau, said the variety of items distributed was based on the request of each beneficiary. He said the empowerment programme which was the second edition, was borne out of the association's desire to impact positively on the lives of the less privileged members of the society.

This, the chairman noted would go a long way in reducing the rate of poverty, stressing that the project was financed through members' contributions and donations from philanthropists in the community.

Various speakers at the event included the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, who was represented by the Magaji Are, Alhaji Aremu Zubair. He noted that the initiative was worthy of commendation.

Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kwara State University chapter, Dr Issa Abdulraheem, said the gesture would go a long way in reducing the rate of unemployment in the society.

He urged the beneficiaries to be prudent in the management of the items and to remain committed to their various businesses for them to excel. In their remarks, an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abdulrazaq Woleola, and the acting Director, Centre for Community Development, KWASU, Mr. Oloungbebe Lawal, said the initiative was rewarding in the sight of Allah as it was in conformity with a tradition of Prophet Muhammad which says 'Givers never lack'.

Dignitaries at the occasion were Balogun Gambari, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed; Balogun Ajikobi, Alhaji Issa Muhammed Jimoh; National President of IEDPU, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi; representatives of the Vice Chancellors of the University of Ilorin and KWASU; representative of a former Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Hajia Mariam Ishola who chaired the event among others. Some of the beneficiaries were full of appreciation and promised to use the items for the intended purpose.