By Katherine Abayomi.
In bringing empowerment to the Ogoni people, President of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, Dr. Douglas Fabeke has embarked on a massive financial empowerment program aimed at benefiting over 5000 thousand individuals across Ogoni communities in Rivers State.
The empowerment programme which targeted men, women, and youths, is to promote economic independence and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Beneficiaries are to receive funds to establish,expand small and medium-scale businesses, enroll in vocational training programmes, and improve their overall livelihoods.
During the event at Bori, in Khana local government area of Rivers State, Dr. Fabeke highlights the significance of grassroots development, stressing that true progress begins with self-reliant communities.
“We are empowering about 5,000 people from Ogoni with financial benefits to build support for the communities and all members of the NGO,” he said.
“We are not receiving funds from the government. Rather, the NGO has partnered with individuals and organizations to secure resources that will enable us to support small and medium enterprises.”
He added, “This is also a form of compensation for the challenges our people have faced while campaigning for Ogoni freedom. We want to show that we can take action to help ourselves.
“The empowerment event underscores OLI’s commitment to addressing the economic challenges faced by the Ogoni people and fostering sustainable development in the region.”
Local leaders and beneficiaries praised the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention in a region struggling with longstanding environmental degradation and economic hardship.
Stakeholders believe that if scaled and sustained, such empowerment schemes could play a major role in reducing poverty, boosting local economies, and fostering peace and stability in underserved communities.
As calls grow for more inclusive economic policies, financial empowerment is emerging as a key tool for building resilient and self-reliant societies.
The empowerment scheme is expected to stimulate local economic activity, reduce unemployment, and contribute to long-term peace and development in Ogoniland.
Previously, Dr. Fabeke has been involved in various initiatives, including advocating for environmental cleanup, addressing mismanagement of funds intended for community development, and collaborating with international organizations to train Ogoni youths in modern agricultural practices.