Alhaji Elias Ayinde Banmeke, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Al-Nusi Imran Foundation, ANIF, has revealed that over 300 Nigerians have been empowered by the Foundation in the last five years of its existence.

Banmeke revealed this, at the Foundation's headquarters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during the 20th quarterly empowerment programme of the Foundation.

The Foundation, a Non-Governmental, Non-Religious and Non-Profit Organisation, is promoted by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Architect Lekan Adegbite, on behalf of his deceased parent.

20 other beneficiaries were part of the 20th programme of the Foundation, making a total of 353 beneficiaries in the last five years.

- One of the Beneficiaries, Pedro Aleem (r), demostrating the usage of capsulating machine to the Chairman, Alhaji Banmeke (l)

Speaking at the event, Banmeke urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the benefits, reminding them of the process they went through before being picked.

He also advised the beneficiaries to stay away from extravagant and needless spending, with a view to protecting their investments.

While asking the beneficiaries to pray and take a cue from the Promoter, Banmeke explained that the Foundation came into being as a result of the philanthropy of the Promoter.

In his short sermon at the event, a member of the Board, Abdulazeez Adebayo, enlightened the beneficiaries to the effect that the Foundation does not run on government fund but rather, a personal investment of the Promoter.

According to him, members of the Board were witnesses to how the Promoter invested in the Foundation by disposing his personal properties.

He however called on the beneficiaries to take a cue from the Promoter by also cultivating the habit of giving and helping the less privilege in their own little ways.

The Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Sulaiman Fasasi, encouraged the beneficiaries to cultivate the habit of stock and record taking in their various businesses.

The Executive Secretary who urged the beneficiaries to take into account their waiting period before they were considered added that the Foundation expected nothing in return from them except successful businesses.

- Some other empowerment items  

He also corroborated the earlier positions that the Promoter has not been listed as one of the richest persons anywhere, but has only developed spending habit to better the lot of humanity.

Fasasi explained that the Foundation focuses on three areas of empowerment, business support and training, adding that the Foundation has focused more on empowerment and business supports in the last three years.

He whoever appealed to those whose applications are still pending before the Foundation to exercise more patient, saying ANIF doesn't forget anybody.

He praying for the Promoter to be elevated further in life, adding that with his elevation, humanity will benefit more.

- The Chairman, Alhaji Elias A. Banmeke; BoT member, Abdulazeez Adebayo, and another beneficiary

Highlight of the event was the handover of empowerment items to the new beneficiaries, which included industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, chest freezers, and other business supports.