A non-governmental organisation in Ilorin, Aigoro Foundation has pledged to complement efforts of the state government in alleviating poverty with plan to empower about 1800 unemployed persons in Ilorin and its environs as parts of measures to make them self employed in their various communities.

Speaking during the flag-off of the empowerment programme in Ilorin, the financier of the foundation, Alhaji Mashood Bolakale Aigoro, said the essence of the programme was to reduce the unemployment level in the state.

Alhaji Aigoro, who said the empowerment programme would be in form of a revolving loan, added that beneficiaries would be given 50 crates of soft drinks, a refrigerator and a cooler.

He also said that traders among the beneficiaries would be assisted with mobile metal-made shops and N50,000 to start a business with.

He said the idea behind the revolving loan is to support others who need little capital to start a business of their own.

Alhaji Aigoro also said that the foundation was planning to procure vehicles to be distributed to youth for commercial activities, while they would be expected to pay back the money for the car within five years period to become their own.

He said that the foundation is also planning to establish a kampala/tie and dye and polythene factories where people would be trained on how to produce the materials and sell, towards achieving self employment.

He urged other wealthy Nigerians and donor agencies to collaborate with the foundation to enable it achieve its set goals in alleviating suffering of the people.

In her remark, one of the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme, Mrs. Folashade Omotosho, a mother of three, from Ilorin, commended the efforts of the foundation, saying the gesture would help to take care of her family and enable her to remain in business.