'Charity giving can reduce poverty in Nigeria'

• Published date: 08 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

One better way to reduce the pangs of hunger and by extension poverty in Nigeria is for all well-meaning individuals to embrace philanthropy, Eugene Onyeabo Aligbe, has said.

Aligbe, who sits atop as Chief Executive Officer of Stelonyx Group, an indigenous firm with diverse interest in travels and tours, PR, advertising, thrifty ventures, philanthropy, to mention just a few, emphasised that the growing strife and hunger in the land could be attributed to lack of empathy on the part of many otherwise rich Nigerians who were no longer their brother's keeper.

According to the Delta state -born entrepreneur who spoke at the annual end of year retreat for members of the Stelonyx Welfare Funds, one of the core values of his organisation is charity giving, a development, he said has endeared them to the hearts of many, especially the less-privileged in the society.

Going down memory lane, Aligbe, who recalled that his organisation, duly registered as a business with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), decided to veer into philanthropy in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak over two years ago, said it was heartening to note that few lives have been impacted positively.

'The organisation was a child of necessity of sorts. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, we set up shop ostensibly to help people manage the fallouts of the pandemic through the dissemination of the right information but slowly it became apparent that philanthropy was also our core as we were inundated with all manner of requests from individuals across Nigeria in dire need of lifeline due to job losses, amongst other crisis.'

An elated Aligbe who said the welfare arm of the group which is made up of 3, 000 members spread across Nigeria and overseas, noted that though they had a humble beginning, things are picking up gradually.

While lauding the generous donors who have remained steadfast and untiring in their charity-giving, Aligbe however said to prevent donor-apathy the organisation has since embarked on some...