On 20 April 2026, Caritas Nigeria commenced the distribution of agricultural capacity-building and value chain inputs to 200 households across Ekiti West and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Ekiti State under the Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Vibrant Communities (B-SLiC) Project funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
The distribution exercise took place in Aramoko Ekiti and Igbemo Ekiti communities, where beneficiaries who previously received training in cassava processing, fish production and processing, as well as tomato and pepper processing, were provided with corresponding trade start-up equipment. The support items included cassava processing machines, fish production and processing tools, and tomato and pepper processing equipment aimed at helping beneficiaries establish and sustain income-generating ventures.
Speaking during the empowerment programme, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Peter Audu, stated that the initiative is designed to restore dreams, strengthen families, and promote sustainable livelihoods within vulnerable communities. Also addressing participants, the Director of Humanitarian Services, Nkese Udongwo, encouraged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity by using the support responsibly and growing into employers of labour.
Community leaders described the intervention as a significant contribution toward poverty reduction and economic empowerment in the affected communities. Beneficiaries equally expressed appreciation to Caritas Nigeria and pledged to make productive use of the equipment provided.
