By Umoru Ileonikhena
The Ananafe Foundation has launched a multisectoral intervention programme providing educational materials, vocational training and healthcare support to residents of Ayuele Kingdom in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The programme was unveiled on Sunday at the Oba Palace Grounds in Agbede, with government officials, traditional and community leaders, school administrators, teachers, vocational trainers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders in attendance.
The foundation’s chairman, Hon. Saliu Braimah Ananafe, said the initiative was established to support vulnerable residents and promote self-reliance. He listed education, youth empowerment, healthcare, agricultural support, poverty alleviation and humanitarian assistance among the foundation’s priority areas.
Ananafe said the foundation’s intervention model was based on “Assess, Train, Equip and Sustain,” adding that its programmes would be tailored to identified community needs and supported with the tools required to improve beneficiaries’ livelihoods.
As part of its inaugural education intervention, the foundation distributed books and other learning materials to schools and pupils across Ayuele Kingdom. Ananafe said more than 10,000 notebooks, 250 school bags and other learning materials had been assembled for the programme and pledged continued support for areas requiring assistance in the education sector.
The foundation also unveiled support for artisans and vocational training, including a partnership with fashion design trainers to equip youths with practical, income-generating skills.
Representing the Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike, the vice chairman, Comrade Isa Tijani, described the intervention as timely and commendable. He said it coincided with the council’s first education intervention, launched a few weeks after the administration assumed office.
Tijani described Ananafe as an “uncommon breed” whose philanthropic efforts had benefited the community. He urged the government, private individuals and charitable organisations to strengthen collaboration in addressing challenges in education and other sectors.
Headmasters, headmistresses and staff members of the seven government primary schools in Ayuele Kingdom welcomed the donation, saying support from individuals and organisations would complement government efforts to improve learning conditions.
The youth empowerment segment featured fashion design trainers, popularly known as “Madams,” alongside beneficiaries. The trainers praised the partnership, saying vocational education was essential to helping young people acquire practical skills and become economically independent. Beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the training opportunity and support.
The event also included a health advocacy programme organised in partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Health. Residents underwent medical tests and received drugs for illnesses identified during the exercise.
The foundation said the health programme was part of a broader community welfare initiative and described the launch as the beginning of expanded interventions in education, skills acquisition, healthcare, agriculture and other areas of community development.
