KEHINDE AKINPELU
ILORIN
A non-governmental organisation,The MAI Foundation, has supported 100 women in Ilorin, Kwara State, with a cash gift of N50,000 each to enable them to prepare adequately for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The organisation with a focus on women and youth empowerment, reached out to the beneficiaries on Saturday, May 22, 2026.
The empowerment programme, held at the Ajia Ogbonde Compound in Ilorin, attracted women from different political parties and households within the community, who gathered to receive financial support.
Speaking shortly after the disbursement, the founder of the foundation, Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia, said the initiative was aimed at easing the burden on vulnerable women and helping them celebrate the festive season happily.
According to him, the gesture was part of the foundation’s continuous commitment to supporting communities, especially during difficult economic times.
“Today, we deliberately decided to support our women in preparation for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration (Odun Ileya).
“We understand that this is a difficult period for many people, and one of the ways to show that we care about our community is through this empowerment programme to support them during the festive season.
“As a practice, we regularly support communities. We believe charity should begin at home, which is why we selected women from different households within this community and gave them tokens to assist them during the Ileya celebration,” he said.
Ajia, a philanthropist known for supporting the less privileged through his foundation, disclosed that he ventured into politics after leaving the security service in order to create more opportunities for the needy and improve the living conditions of the poor.
He urged wealthy individuals in Kwara State and across the country to always remember and support the less privileged in their communities.
“We urge well-meaning Nigerians to always consider the needy and support them.
“That is why we selected 100 women within our community today and supported each of them with N50,000,” he added.
Ajia also assured the public of the foundation’s continued support, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.
“We will continue to do this and extend the gesture to other communities, as we have always done,” he assured.
One of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Fatima, expressed appreciation to the foundation and prayed for greater blessings for Ajia.
“I am overwhelmed today. This is not the first time I have benefited from his foundation.
“He once rebuilt four rooms in my house that collapsed,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Ahmed Mariam, disclosed that Ajia had earlier sponsored the payment of WAEC fees for her children.
Others also cited various forms of assistance received from the foundation, including payment of hospital bills, provision of industrial sewing machines, and financial support for them, their husbands and children.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
