Lagos Backs Faith-Based Partnerships as KSM Unveils ₦2bn Charity Endowment
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has advocated deeper collaboration between government and faith-based organisations as the Knights of St. Mulumba, KSM, Nigeria unveiled a ₦2 billion endowment initiative to provide long-term funding for humanitarian programmes.
The initiative, launched by the Lagos Metropolitan Council of KSM in Lagos, is expected to support interventions in education, healthcare, skills acquisition, legal aid, prison apostolate and assistance to widows, orphans and victims of violence and crime.
Unlike a conventional fundraising programme where donations are spent directly on projects, the ₦2 billion endowment is structured to preserve the principal sum.
The fund will be invested, while returns generated from the investment will be channelled into the organisation’s charitable programmes, creating a more sustainable source of financing for its humanitarian activities.
Speaking at the event, Hamzat said partnerships involving government, religious organisations and other stakeholders could strengthen society’s ability to respond to economic and social pressures.
He noted that developments in other parts of the world could have consequences for Nigeria, making it necessary to establish systems that protect vulnerable citizens and equip young people with education and relevant skills.
“There will definitely be shocks around the world. What happens in other countries of the world may affect us. Therefore, we have to protect ourselves to help build the nation, especially by empowering the young people through scholarships and skills,” Hamzat said.
The Deputy Governor also challenged young Nigerians to take greater interest in politics and governance rather than continue to wait for a future opportunity to lead.
“We keep telling the young ones that they are leaders of tomorrow. I believe they are tired of hearing that. It is time the youths started participating and engaging actively in politics to enable them contribute their quota to building of the country,” he said.
Hamzat commended KSM for adopting an endowment model aimed at sustaining assistance to people in need.
Representing the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Metro Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ayeni, expressed support for the initiative and encouraged members and other stakeholders to contribute towards its success.
He described support for the endowment as an investment in humanity, particularly because of its potential to provide lasting assistance to vulnerable people.
KSM leaders at the event included the Supreme Knight, Sir Steve Adehi; Deputy Supreme Knight, Sir Dan Egwu; and Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Lagos Metropolitan Council, Sir Nosa Ehigiator.
Ehigiator said the organisation was adopting the endowment approach because growing humanitarian demands could no longer be sustainably addressed through members’ contributions and periodic levies alone.
With more people seeking assistance amid prevailing economic difficulties, KSM said it needed a funding structure capable of supporting its charitable responsibilities over the long term.
The organisation’s interventions include scholarships and educational assistance, healthcare support, vocational and skills training, assistance to widows and orphans, legal aid and support for victims of crime and violence.
Its prison apostolate also includes interventions aimed at supporting prison decongestion and helping released inmates reintegrate into society.
KSM’s earlier “Feed the Hungry” intervention has also expanded into the “Helping Hands” programme as the scope of humanitarian needs confronting the organisation increased.
The organisation said income from the endowment would enable it to sustain these interventions without repeatedly depending on special fundraising exercises and levies on members.
The programme, themed “Investing Today, Sustaining the Mission, Empowering Generations,” featured a Holy Mass and the formal unveiling of the endowment initiative.