Prominent Nigerians, including Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe; Maurice Iwu, former INEC chairman; Emmanuel Ebok-Essien, a senator, and Kennedy Iyere, have called for the implementation of policies and programmes targeted at ending poverty and hunger in the country.
They spoke at the Entrepreneurship Enhancement Fund (FeeFund) launch in Abuja, where they also decried the country’s insecurity level and its economic implications.
The FeeFund is an initiative of FUND-YES, a grassroots cooperative society, aimed at fostering economic self-emancipation, poverty alleviation, and wealth-building among Nigerian youth and women.
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FUND-YES is dedicated to creating a national cooperative business community where Nigerian entrepreneurs can connect with local and international investors. The goal is to generate income, build wealth, and empower families, contributing significantly to the Nigerian economy.
Abubakar, Iwu, Ebok-Essien, Lami Adamu of the National Council for Women Societies, and Pogu Bitrus of the Middle Belt Forum, among others, at the launch, lauded the initiative as a crucial step towards addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
They highlighted the urgent need to combat poverty, hunger, and insecurity through job creation and entrepreneurship. They also emphasised the importance of partnerships between wealthy Nigerians, private sector organisations, and all levels of government to support FeeFund’s objectives.
Kennedy Iyere, founder of FUND-YES, explained that the FeeFund was established to drive self-employment and entrepreneurship among youth and women. He stressed that many unemployed Nigerian youths are intelligent and skilled but lack access to necessary business financing. FeeFund aims to provide this financial support and enterprise development assistance, enabling them to start and grow their businesses.
Iyere warned of the dangers of rising youth unemployment, describing it as a “ticking time bomb” that could lead to social unrest if not addressed. He urged for immediate action to prevent a potential crisis.
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The “FeeFund Global Donation Campaign” is set to begin on June 7, 2024. This campaign will involve public figures, celebrities, business leaders, and philanthropists working together to raise funds. Iyere called on wealthy Nigerians, philanthropists, and the government to support the initiative to foster economic empowerment and development in Nigeria.
