By Oluwafunke Ishola
The President of United Way Worldwide, an international non-govermental organisation (INGO), Angela Williams, has pledged more support and investment for Nigerian youths to enable them contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.
Williams, the first African-American woman to lead the 135-year-old NGO, made the promise at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos as part of activities to mark her first official visit to Nigeria.
She described Nigerian youths as talented and resilient.
Williams said that she would invest in Nigeria’s next leaders to enable them to thrive and be their best globally.
She also said that the NGO would bring more solutions to Nigerian communities, adding that Nigeria is important to Africa and the world.
She said that the organisation had partnered government, private companies, individuals to achieve its goal because many societal challenges could be solved through strong collaborations.
“In Nigeria, we want to see how we can continue to meet the needs of communities because the government cannot do it alone.
”Through United Way, communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic mobility, and health resources,” she said.
Also speaking, Deola Durodola, Executive Director, United Way Greater Nigeria, said the NGO had impacted three million Nigerians directly and indirectly through its programmes since inception five years ago.
Durodola said that the company had raised over $350,000 for its impact activities, adding that it currently has projects in 12 states.
She said that some of its programmes in health, education and financial stability includes elder healthcare, mental health awareness, WASH, promoting virtual learning and STEM education.
Others are life skills and financial literacy programmes, food security initiatives and Skills to Employment Programmes (STEP) among others.
Durodola said that William’s visit to Nigeria would strengthen the organisation’s work and widen its partnerships and impact in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that United Way is one of the largest privately funded philanthropies in the world, working in over 40 countries and 1,800 communities worldwide.
It seeks to improve lives by mobilising the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.
In 2020, the organisation gave more than $168 million in grants to build strong, equitable communities where everyone could thrive.
In Nigeria, it works through its local partner – UWGN, a non-profit organisation, that focuses on health, education and financial stability of individuals. (NAN)