A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Holy Infant Jesus Pilgrim Centre, has identified skills acquisition as a vital tool for tackling poverty, unemployment, and rising social vices in Nigeria, while appealing for support towards the construction of its permanent headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Founder and Chairman of the organisation, Mrs. Ezeala Benny Nkechi, made the appeal during a media briefing ahead of the formal launch of the NGO, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Mrs. Nkechi explained that the organisation was established to extend love, care, and compassion to vulnerable members of society, particularly widows, orphans, children, persons living with disabilities, and indigent youths.
She noted that equipping vulnerable persons with vocational and life skills remains one of the most effective ways to promote self-reliance, reduce poverty, and enable beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to economic development.
According to her, the organisation has spent the past six years carrying out humanitarian interventions across communities in Abia State through welfare support, advocacy, and empowerment programmes.
She added that the NGO also campaigns against prostitution, drug abuse, cultism, examination malpractice, armed robbery, and sexual and gender-based violence among young people.
“We focus on the whole person, not just physical training. Our aim is to restore dignity, hope and purpose to the vulnerable in society,” Mrs. Nkechi said.
She appealed to donor agencies, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and public-spirited individuals to partner with the organisation in expanding its humanitarian and empowerment programmes.
Mrs. Nkechi further disclosed that the organisation is seeking support to establish a permanent secretariat and skills acquisition centre in Umuahia to enhance its operations and accommodate more beneficiaries.
She explained that the proposed facility would comprise classrooms, counselling and trauma recovery centres, as well as modern learning facilities capable of training more than 2,000 beneficiaries annually from within and outside Abia State.
She assured prospective partners of transparency, accountability, and prudent management of resources, stressing that every contribution would be invested in sustainable infrastructure that would positively impact generations to come.
The NGO founder also commended the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for their commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable youths and victims of gender-based violence across the state.
She further revealed that the organisation would present a special gift to Governor Otti during its official launch in recognition of his service and contributions to the development of Abia State.
The formal inauguration of Holy Infant Jesus Pilgrim Centre is expected to attract government officials, development partners, community leaders, religious stakeholders, humanitarian organisations, and other dignitaries from within and outside Abia State.
