By Roseline Okafor, Lafia
More than 500 women and secondary school children have benefited from an empowerment and healthcare outreach organised by the Oveysha Foundation in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The programme, held in Lambaga, attracted beneficiaries from seven electoral wards and featured the distribution of educational materials, clothing items and healthcare support.
The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mr. Albert Ovey Bashayi, said the intervention was part of his longstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society.
Bashayi, popularly known as Oveysha, said his humanitarian activities began about nine years ago, before his entry into politics.
“This is beyond politics. For over nine years before I joined politics, I have been supporting the less privileged,” he said.
He described humanitarian service as a calling and encouraged individuals with the means to support vulnerable people in their communities.
Among the items distributed were wrappers for women and complete school uniforms for secondary school students.
The foundation also offered free medical consultations and treatment, while beneficiaries with visual impairments received medicated eyeglasses.
Youth development was another major feature of the programme, with trophies and prizes presented to winners of the Oveysha Ward Football Competition.
The football competition was designed to promote grassroots youth engagement, strengthen community relationships and provide opportunities for young talents to be identified.
Community members who attended the event commended the foundation’s interventions in education, healthcare, women empowerment and youth development.
Some beneficiaries said the support had provided relief to families facing economic challenges and expressed appreciation to the organisers.
Speakers at the programme also encouraged residents to support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Bashayi is currently seeking election to the House of Representatives on the platform of the NDC, while the foundation said its humanitarian activities predated his political ambition.