By Sani Idris

Hajiya Binta Hamidu Haruna, the Founder of a Non-governmental Organisation, Bintalya First Foundation, says she has empowered no fewer than 10,000 people from 2004 to 2010.

Hajiya Binta said this on Thursday at a business, leadership and entrepreneurship (BLE) seminar held at Arewa House in Kaduna.

She noted that her empowerment was aimed at poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship, educational empowerment and leadership training particularly for vulnerable groups.

Hajiya Binta stressed that "In the last two and half decades, the Foundation has celebrated important milestones in empowerment for education, poverty alleviation as well as entrepreneurship training".

She however said that the foundation reduced the number of beneficiaries to 1,000 each year from 2012 to date.

"Our value, purpose and steadfastness have been fundamental to our success and are so much instrumental to us as we progress," she said.

Hajiya Binta noted that the foundation's dream was to become into a world class which seeks to improve livelihood and welfare of people's life.

"In September this year, we are planning to organise a skills training and economic empowerment programme to strengthen the capabilities of local people and promote communities self reliance through sustainable strategies.

"One key success factor of our programme is involving beneficiaries in planning and implementation of development efforts that would shape their lifes, the seminar is organised to discuss all this and many more issues regarding business, leadership and entrepreneurship.

"In our contemporary societies, experts, managers and people with vast experience in the field have been invited to make presentations on the strengths and weaknesses of specific topics," Hajiya Binta said.

She thanked the crowd who graced the occasion and urged them to be entrepreneurial in order to assist themself and lessen the burden on government.

"Most of the people we invited for this event who are engaged in one business or the other, came because of the love and good wishes they have for us because of our giant stride in enhancing education, and encouragement and empowerment in ensuring self relianc in Kaduna State".

Also speaking, Engr. Zayyad Muhammad Yakubu, Chairman of the BFF, said they were doing their best to ensure that the beneficiaries are genuine.

"We earlier discovered some lupe holes in dealing with groups or associations, we now resolved to directly engage our beneficiaries individually even if they came through associations.

"When ever we empower them, we ensure proper monitoring to avoid misuse or mismanagement," he said.

Speaking to Journalists at the sideline of the event, some beneficiaries of BFF gesture, said "Bintalya has has worked for over 20 years in ensuring that children, youths, adults and old people live a better life.

"It is high time the government heavily begin to complement the efforts of great people who have the welfare of the people at heart by encouraging and also assisting them to do more," they said.

Also, Ishaq Abdullahi, representative of the lame in Unguwan Sanusi, thanked BFF for the empowerment, noting that it was not the first of its kind.

On his part, Alhaji Bala Tijjani, the District Head of Doka, called called on other stakeholders to emulate from BFF in ameliorating the sufferings of the common people.

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News Local

U.S. to build its world's largest consulate in Lagos

NURUDEEN SHOTAYO

March 31, 2022 5:28 PM

The N223bn building, when completed in 2027, will be the largest U.S. consulate in the world.

U.S. to build its world's largest consulate in Lagos. [Twitter:@jidesanwoolu]

The United States Government has laid the foundation for a $537million (approx N223bn) consulate building in Lagos which will be its largest in the world.

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This was revealed by Ambassador Mary Leonard and Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the consulate.

Located at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, the 10-storey consular complex is set to be completed by 2027.

According to Ambassador Leonard, the initiative will inject about $90milion into the Lagos and Nigerian economy.

Commenting on the development, Sanwo-olu in a series of tweets on his page said the investment is a proof that the global community is confident in the economy of Lagos state.

The Governor also expressed his happiness and reiterated his resolve to ensure that the state remains a safe destination for local and international investments.

Sanwo said, "I attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the new United States Consulate building at Eko Atlantic City today. The building of this consulate is a demonstration of the confidence the global community has in our economy and a measure of the resilience of our state.

"We are glad with this investment by the government and people of the United States. We want to assure yet again that we will always work to make Lagos State a haven for local and international investment," he concluded.

The U.S. Embassy in the city of Baghdad, Republic of Iraq, is currently the largest embassy in the world.