School alumni establishes fund to empower indigent members
Fund
By Martha Agas
Jos, Aug. 12, 2018 (NAN) As part of efforts to extend love and support to members, the Set of 1998 Alumni of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Bakori, Katsina State, has established a fund to empower indigent members.
The fund was launched at an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the alumni association.
Ms Fatima Adamu, a member of the set, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos that the gesture was to show love and concern to members who might be facing challenges.
“We know that not all of us are doing well; some have lost their lives, some are facing economic hardship, while some are finding it difficult to even cater for their homes.
“The fund will help to empower this set of people by providing them with finance to start-up businesses and take care of some basic needs.
“We have started contributing monthly to that effect and will sustain the contribution to enable many to benefit from the scheme,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the Set of `98 Alumni of the school has offered assistance to classmates who were hospitalised and helped members whose homes were gutted by fire, among others.
In its recent reunion celebration, one of its members, Mrs Hauwa Liman, an entrepreneur, presented a paper on the importance of establishing personal businesses to make extra income.
Liman, the Creative Director of Afrikabaya, a fashion design company, advised members to start businesses to enable them to enjoy multiple streams of income.
According to her, starting any business requires patience, interest and perseverance as most starters will want to immediately start making profit which may not be possible.
“I started small as a fashion designer, but I was not discouraged despite having many setbacks.
“I participated in the Tony Elumelu Foundation entrepreneurial competition, fashion shows in Nigeria all in a bid to showcase my works to bigger platforms.
“I was the only northern fashion designer in a telecom competition with my fashion line of northern designs which was not even the trendy fashion of the commercial city of Lagos, but I emerged the winner.
“It is very important for entrepreneurs to believe in their dreams and to not belittle starting small,’’ Liman said.
The fashion designer implored her classmates to look for a need in the society and fine tune their ideas to meet such needs.
NAN reports that the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee of the association, Mrs Tina Anaveh, said the event was not only for merriment, but to share in the pains of classmates and to expand businesses and professional networks, among others. (NAN)
MAA/HAS/TA
Edited by Hajia Sani/Tajudeen Atitebi