Aaraj Empowerment Foundation @ 10: “We’ve Invested About N10m In Osun Market Women” – Aaraj

No fewer than 500 market women have benefitted from the N20,000 naira interest-free loan scheme sponsored by Aaraj Empowerment Youth Foundation.

In an exclusive interview with the OsunReporters News in Osogbo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Raji Kehinde popularly known as Aaraj disclosed that the foundation has been empowering market women with an interest-free loan in the past three years.

A few years ago when I went to family house at Isale-Osun Osogbo, I was crying because I am a bit privileged and they are not, that was why we embarked on N20,000 interest-free loan for market women and they all appreciate and add value to their income.”

“Their living condition wasn’t favourable and then I prayed to God to bless me so that I will do more for my people and make sure I put smiles on their faces.”

“In a span of three years, we have disbursed 10 million naira to the market women, widows in Osogbo. They fill a form with their guarantors and are given #20,000 to be refunded instalmentally on a weekly basis.

“In five months, they finish paying up interest free. That has been ongoing in the last 3years and by God’s grace, we will start again next month but we are starting from Osogbo,” Aaraj said.

Engr Raji Kehinde Aaraj

Engr Kehinde Raji further revealed that the foundation recently subsidised the beneficiaries of the Osun State Health Insurance Scheme, OHIS medical bills.

He encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians engage in initiatives that will foster development in their cities and the country at large.

“The government can not do everything, so people that are blessed should look into this. I will encourage them to do more for the people,” Aaraj added.

He however promised that the foundation will not relent in empowering people to boost Osun economy.