Date: 2019-07-05

An Ilorin-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Salman Shagaya Foundation(SSF) has empowered 700 people to start small businesses. Speaking during the presentation to the beneficiaries in Ilorin, the founder of the foundation, Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya, said the empowerment, which comes up every three months, is one of the Foundation's way of encouraging self-reliance.

He said there was an increase in the numbers of beneficiaries this time against the 600 that were given last time because of the pressing needs to reach more people deserving the empowerment.

Sheriff said he is delighted to always have a positive impact on people’s lives.

"It's delightful and I feel great seeing the smiles on the peoples’ faces and that's enough an inspiration. I can only hope they use the money judiciously," he said Sheriff explained further that the beneficiaries are the aged, widows, traders and start-up artisans. Beneficiaries are drawn from every part of the state while the foundation targets another 1000 beneficiaries before the end of the year.