A non-governmental organisation based in Kano State, ELs Empowerment Foundation, has empowered over one million Nigerians through skill acquisition, health outreaches and advocacy programmes over the years.
The organisation made this known at the ongoing 8th Kaduna International Film Festival on Thursday where it is conducting free skills training for youths and participants.
Speaking to journalists at the festival, the Foundation’s Coordinator, Musa Aliyu, explained that the partnership with KADIFF was aimed at equipping young people and film enthusiasts with practical skills to help them earn a dignified living.
Aliyu said the Foundation had earlier collaborated with the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency and was now extending its reach through the film festival.
“So, that is why we partnered with the Kaduna International Film Festival, to actually deliver our value,” he stated.
According to him, the training sessions at the festival covered bakery, shower gel production, hair cream, burger making and bar soap manufacturing.
He said the choice of skills was deliberate, considering the economic hardship in the country.
“The essence is to equip participants and attendees with relevant skills. We all know the economic situation in Nigeria today. Having practical skills is a big plus in addition to certificates,” he explained.
The Foundation’s representative said the beneficiaries of the training cut across social classes.
“Some of the people here are ordinary Nigerians, some are elites, some are students, and others are film enthusiasts. We are here to give them practical skills that can add to their lives and help them make a dignified living,” he noted.
Aliyu disclosed that the Foundation, since inception, had touched over one million lives, especially in northern Nigeria.
“For years, we have impacted more than one million lives in Nigeria, basically in the North. We are into skill acquisition, but also school outreaches and health outreaches. We raise awareness on different kinds of issues – social vices, health, education and we engage stakeholders on policies made in Kano, northern Nigeria and the country at large,” he said.
He added that the Foundation was committed to holistic empowerment, not only teaching trades but also building resilience and shaping positive choices among young people.
On the role of government and other agencies, Aliyu said the Foundation had implemented several projects independently but also partnered with stakeholders where necessary.
“Actually, a lot of our projects, we do on our own because our President, Ambassador Adesua Udo, has passion for humanity. She is a philanthropist. Some of our projects, we partner with stakeholders, with the government and other relevant agencies. But a lot of our programmes we have been carrying out in our own way,” he said.
Speaking on the organisation’s takeaway from this year’s festival, Aliyu said the theme, ‘social change,’ resonated strongly with the Foundation’s vision.
He noted that the team had met several filmmakers who expressed interest in producing films that inspire people to overcome economic hardship and pursue meaningful lives.
“The filmmakers told us their new focus is to make films that would inspire people, especially in the face of the current economic crisis. They were happy with what we have done here, and in fact, it resonated with what they wanted to do in the next 10 years,” he revealed.
Aliyu stressed that the synergy between empowerment initiatives and the creative industry was crucial to building resilience among Nigerian youths.
“For us, the major takeaway is meeting stakeholders. These filmmakers have actually told us that their plan for the next decade is to produce films that have economic value. That aligns with our aim and objectives as a foundation,” he added.
