Not less than 152 beneficiaries comprising widows, elderly women, young women and single mothers have benefitted from an empowerment programme titled “Her Rise Nigeria Women, Wealth and Power Seminar” organised by The Bennie Griffins Foundation, also known as The Bennie Griffins Sisters.

The programme held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church Hall, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos, focused on entrepreneurship and financial literacy aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of vulnerable women and youths.

Speaking at the event, the Convener, Pastor Bennie Griffins, said the foundation remained committed to empowering women, while also extending support to young men through skill acquisition initiatives such as cinematography.

According to her, the foundation recently completed a free primary school in the community for children, including those of homeless families.

“The foundation has just built a free primary school for boys and girls in this community, including children of the homeless, with a capacity to accommodate 100 pupils by September this year.

“It is a free school with free tuition, free stationery and free meals,” she said.

Griffins, who is based abroad, explained that the outreach, which started in November 2010, was driven by her passion for humanitarian service and Christian values centred on caring for the needy and vulnerable.

She appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to support community development projects and contribute meaningfully to improving the lives of ordinary citizens.

“We cannot leave everything for the government. We need to contribute and help build the country. It starts from looking beyond our immediate families and helping strangers who cannot repay us,” she said.

The cleric disclosed that the foundation organises monthly food and financial support for over 100 families, while also intervening in cases of domestic violence, family disputes and social crises affecting women and children.

She said the organisation had over the years trained women in tailoring, soap making, catering and other vocational skills, while also providing start-up support such as sewing machines and business funds.

Griffins added that plans were underway for a business pitch programme in September where beneficiaries would present business ideas before professionals and financial institutions for possible support.

She noted that the current seminar served as a preparatory platform to equip participants with financial management and entrepreneurial knowledge necessary for sustainable economic independence.

The Parish Priest, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Isheri Olofin, Fr. Patrick Oshuntoyinbo where the event took place commended the efforts of Griffins, adding that under the normal circumstance, every one blessed is expected to be a channel of blessing to others.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Victoria Jishigutu, 71, expressed appreciation to the foundation for its consistent support to struggling families.

“The Lord has used this foundation to bless my family greatly. They have supported us with money, food, clothes and many other things over the years,” she said.