Date: 2018-02-06

About 3000 people have benefited from free medicare, open sales and career talks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The gesture came from a non-governmental organisation (NGO), MMGIVIT Charity Initiative.

Founder of the initiative, Prof Mohammed Akanbi said the gesture is aimed at marking his birthday in January.

He added that this year's event was different as the NGO engaged women and 50 community development associations for orderliness.

Akanbi, son of the pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said, "Rather than celebrating birthdays with pomp and pageantry, I have resolved to channel the money to touch human lives.

"I actually inherited that trait of giving to the less privileged from my late mum. Subsequent year's events will be better prepared and bigger. We are doing this for the community. We believe if there is love, care and charity, current challenges bedeviling the country will be solved.

"I cannot quantify the amount being expended on the project in Naira and Kobo, but God has endowed me from fantastic friends.

On this year's event, the law professor at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) said, "This year we are engaging the services of women to send out a message as we are in a conservative society. This is a society that does not recognise the potential in women.

"This is to let the women here know that they can also be leaders. That is the philosophy we are promoting. We are going to be developing and nurturing girls that will be successful mothers and leaders."

Speaking, Chairperson of the occasion and former member, Ondo state House of Assembly Folajimi Olasehinde-Vincente said that "the existence of the organisation in our present Nigeria is a blessing and a relief to the entire citizenry."

She added that "the initiative annual charity scheme with the aim of uplifting the status of the less privileged has enhanced reduction in poverty and unemployment rate of the society through the provision of skills, capital, machines and equipment to the indigent members of the society, thus giving hope to both the youths and old alike."

The ex-lawmaker, who spoke on the topic "The role of non-governmental organisation in community development," added that many NGOs in the country face the challenges of funding and shortage of volunteers.