The Gbonse Foundation for Economic Development, a community development NGO based in Igando, conducted a medical and business development outreach for traders at Ikotun Market in Lagos on Saturday, April 25, 2026, despite heavy rainfall.
Mission and Impact
The foundation stated that the initiative forms part of its mission to support underserved communities through financial empowerment, health promotion, and social welfare programmes. It aims to improve quality of life and empower citizens, particularly those at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum. Since its inception seven months ago, more than 100 women have received support.
Activities During the Outreach
Activities included basic health checks such as blood pressure screening, blood sugar testing, health education, and referrals where necessary. The foundation also provided loans and business advice to women entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the market, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Helen Olaniyan, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting women-owned businesses and promoting education for the girl child. “We also care about their health like what we are doing today, creating awareness and advising them health-wise on what they can do to stay healthy and also providing them with medication,” she said.
Financial Support and Loan Terms
On the level of financial support, Olaniyan stated: “We can quantify our support for them but we have provided them with loans with clear terms because we believe that empowering a woman means empowering a whole family, and by extension, the nation. We give loans as low as N40,000, and we have given over 100 women since we started on October 25, 2025, and the women have been appreciative.”
She added: “Apart from the financial and other support, we also provide legal advice and help children who want to further their education or learn a trade or other things.” On how the foundation handles loan defaults, she explained: “We try to find out what the problem is, give them advice and help them diversify.”
