The need to lend a helping hand to the less privileged has again been brought to the fore, given the harsh economic realities many Nigerians are currently passing through.
This, is coming as an Abuja based Non-governmental organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has urged Nigerians to engage in acts of charity to help alleviate poverty among the populace. 
The group said the call has become necessary in view of the impact of the removal of petroleum subsidy, stressing that the policy is biting hard on the economy and the populace.
President of the Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, made the appeal in a message to commemorate this year’s International Day of Charity.
She, however, commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for the recent palliatives distributed across the states of the country, while appealing to state governors to ensure that the palliative items get to the targeted audience.
“Such efforts has helped in alleviating hardship, not just among the poorest in the communities but also the jobless, the youths and other groups”, she said.
While calling on governments, corporate bodies, NGOs and individuals to do more in assisting the needy, Dr. Ahmadu argued that giving was a decision, noting that one must not wait until he or she has enough before lending a hand to the less-privileged in the society.
According to her, “such acts of charity will help attain the United Nations (UN) Agenda on Sustainable Development for the eradication of poverty 2030.
“In whatever condition, at whatever level you are, someone is wishing he or she was like you. And the little you can offer, don’t hold back, and when you give, do it as unto the Lord, without expecting anything in return; and I am sure God will replenish you in hundred folds”.
Dr. Ahmadu also stressed that the value of giving was what prompted the establishment of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, aimed at bringing about empowerment programmes such as skill acquisition, cash transfer, and starter-packs to help the needy improve their livelihood and reduce poverty.
She also commended various non-governmental organisations for their philanthropic activities towards the less privileged and urged them not to relent in the good work.
While appealing for donations from well meaning Nigerians to be able to distribute to identified less privileged persons in the FCT and its environs, Dr. Ahmadu said gifts of all kinds are acceptable by the Foundation to further increase number of items to be distributed.
Dr. Ahmadu maintained that increased involvement of well-meaning Nigerians in philanthropism was necessary because government alone cannot eradicate poverty in the country.
Recall that the International Day of Charity was established by the United Nations with the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs and stakeholders around the world to help others through volunteerism and philanthropism.
The Day was chosen to draw attention and efforts to humanitarian crises and human suffering within and among nations, as well as in recognition of efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the Mother Teresa.

***gets rousing welcome from constituents

The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Empowerment Foundation is set to distribute 9,000 bags of grains to constituents in 60 wards across the five local government areas in Yobe North.

The intervention is in support of efforts by the Yobe state government and the federal government to ease the hardship faced by the people.
Lawan, the immediate past president of the 9th Senate, was received by thousands of the constituents from Yobe North Senatorial District on Friday afternoon at Wachakal airstrip
A statement by his Media Adviser Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo indicated that he arrived at Wachakal in the Nguru local government area of Yobe state from Abuja at exactly 12:40pm.
According to the statement, the former Senate President, during his tenure between 2019-2023, facilitated the reconstruction of the airstrip.

“The approval for the revival of the Wachakal airstrip – one previously considered the hub for local and foreign missions within the North East region – was given by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in August 2021.”

The statement pointed out that Lawan’s visit to Yobe North Senatorial District, is to flag off the distribution of palliatives to his constituents by his foundation – The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Empowerment Foundation, on Saturday.

President Bola Tinubu has indicated that his administration will pay N8,000 to 12 million Nigerian families for six months to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.

Tinubu had announced the removal of subsidy on petroleum products during his inaugural presidential on May 29 causing the prices of petroleum products to jump over 200% and an increase in food prices and transportation.

Amid threats by labour unions to down tools over the rising cost of living, Tinubu maintained that the government has plans to address citizen’s needs.

On Thursday, Tinubu wrote to the Senate seeking the approval of the Senate for $8OO million palliative loan from the World Bank.

“You may also wish to know that the purpose of the facility is to expand coverage of shock-responsive safety net supports for all and vulnerable Nigerians and the cost of meeting basic needs,” Tinubu said in a letter to the Senate.

Tinubu explained that “under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the federal government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of 8000 a month to 12 million poor and low-income households for a period of six months with a multiplying effect on about 60 million individuals.”

The World Bank facility, Tinubu said, would be utilised to scale up the National Social Safety Net Programme.

“In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries accounts and mobile wallets,” Tinubu said.

“It is expected that the programme will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector and improve nutrition, health, and education outcomes for beneficial households.

“Giving the above, I wish to invite the senate to kindly grant approvals for additional loan facilities USD800milliom to be secured from world bank for the national social safety net programme.”

Tinubu on Wednesday asked the House of Representatives to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act to provide N500 billion to fund palliative measures against the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Tinubu is seeking to extract N500 billion from the N819,536,937,813 supplementary budget.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari introduced the supplementary budget in 2022 for capital projects due to the impact of the floods on farmlands and road infrastructure.

The life span of the budget has since been extended till 31 December.

“Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary budget of N819 billion for the provision of palliative. I hope the House will consider this request expeditiously,” Tinubu said.