CSR Education News

Grooming Centre Renovates Abia School, Enhances Learning for Local Students

In a boost for education in Abia State, the non-governmental organisation Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre has completed a large-scale renovation of St. Peter’s Secondary School in Awomnuzie, Ikwuano Local Government Area.

The initiative has transformed the school with state-of-the-art classrooms, advanced science labs, and modern digital learning tools, which leaders hope will improve educational opportunities for local students.

Founded in 2006, Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre is known for its work in financially supporting Nigeria’s economically active poor, but its mission extends well beyond financial aid.

By investing in education, Grooming Centre aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for economic independence. The renovation at St. Peter’s Secondary School is one of several education-focused initiatives the NGO has supported.

At the handover ceremony, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, Founder and CEO of Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre, emphasized the organization’s commitment to community empowerment through education. “Empowering communities goes beyond providing financial services,” he stated. “It’s about shaping a future where poverty is reduced through education and opportunity. We believe that every child, regardless of background, deserves access to quality education. That’s why initiatives like this are at the heart of what we do.”

The project, completed in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, involved renovating classrooms and equipping laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology. The school now also features a computer lab and new administrative offices. Interactive whiteboards, projectors, and other digital tools are part of the upgrades, creating an environment designed to prepare students for a technology-driven world.

Speaking on behalf of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ukpong, Bishop of Umuahia, praised the organization’s commitment to empowering youth. “The management of Grooming Centre, led by Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, has provided students with an enabling environment that nurtures future leaders,” he said. “Their dedication to quality education is making a huge impact on the lives of these students, and we are grateful.”

Other projects by the organization include the Lady Kate Okafor Scholarship Scheme, an initiative offering scholarships to 931 secondary school students across Lagos. This program, now in its eighth year, funds Senior Secondary School fees for deserving Junior Secondary students, providing a foundation for them to pursue higher education and career opportunities.

Through scholarships and initiatives like the school renovation in Abia, Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering educational development in Nigeria.

CSR Community News

DONATION TO FEET OF GRACE FOUNDATION

We made a donation to Feet of Grace Foundation, to support their prosthetic rehabilitation of Eight (8) amputees and an awareness charity walk in Lagos State. This reflects our unwavering commitment to assisting those in need and giving back to our community. We remain committed to empowering people.

CSR Community Uncategorized

COLLABORATION WITH SESOR

Grooming Centre renewed its partnership with SESOR Empowerment Foundation on the 1st of August 2023 by donating Twenty Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (₦20,740,000) towards the provision of relief, housing and psycho-social support to Internally Displaced women in Lagos and Benue states. The renewal of this partnership took place at Grooming Centre’s Head Office, with the Management teams of both organizations fully represented.

News Press Release

DR. GODWIN NWABUNKA MADE “THE GUARDIAN’S top 50 MOST INSPIRING AND DEFINITIVE CEO’s in 2023

Dr. Godwin Nwabunka made “The Guardian’s Top 50 Most Inspiring and Definitive CEO’s in 2023”. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian Newspaper, the CEO of Grooming Centre shared insights into the Centre’s journey, the impact on communities across Nigeria and the vision for the future. During the interview, the CEO highlighted the Centre’s evolution from its inception to becoming a leading player in financial inclusion and community development. He emphasized the Centre’s commitment to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable growth, citing initiatives such as microfinance services, corporate social responsibility programs, and partnerships with international organizations. The CEO also discussed the challenges faced by the Centre, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the Centre adapted by leveraging digital resources for seamless operations. He emphasized the importance of digitalizing processes to enhance efficiency and serve clients better, reflecting the Centre’s dedication to innovation and client-centric approaches. Discussions also revolved around the CEO’s extensive experience, drawn from previous roles in multilateral agencies like UNDP and UNICEF. His insights into client-centric approaches and strategic partnerships underscored the Centre’s ethos of prioritizing the welfare of its clients and staff and leveraging collaborations for impactful outcomes. Overall, the interview with The Guardian Newspaper provided a platform to showcase the Centre’s achievements, aspirations, and ongoing efforts to drive socioeconomic progress in Nigeria. Through transparent dialogue and shared insights, he reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to empowering communities and transforming lives across the nation.

News

Global SME FINANCE AWARDS

We are proud to announce that Grooming Centre has been recognized by the SME Finance Forum with an Honorable Mention in the Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs category of the Global SME Finance Awards 2023, from the most competitive pool of applicants ever. Organized by International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and endorsed by the G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the Global SME Finance Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of financial institutions and FinTech companies in delivering exceptional products and services to their SME clients.

Special thanks to our clients, staff, and partners. The Honorable Mention from SME Finance Forum is a shared achievement, celebrating our commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs. Grateful for your contribution to our success!

CSR Community

Donation to Feet of Grace Foundation

Our CEO Dr. Godwin Nwabunka received the Founder of Feet of Grace and her beneficiaries at our office recently as beneficiaries of the Feet to Grace Foundation, an organization providing prosthetic limbs to amputees, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Grooming Centre, a major sponsor, for transforming their lives.

CSR Community

Collaborating with SESOR

The Centre sustained its commitment to providing humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria by renewing its ongoing partnership with SESOR Empowerment Foundation with a donation of ₦17.84 million. The donation was made on July 21, 2022 to support the provision of relief materials, funding and housing to the Internally Displaced Persons in Lagos and Benue States, and the completion of Sesor’s Safe Day Space Centres.

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University Grant Scheme

The third phase of the Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme was concluded within Q4 2021, with a total of 68 candidates out of 155 applicants emerging as winners. These 68 winners, composed of 34 Undergraduate students and 34 Postgraduate students, received their awards at the 2021 Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme Award ceremony on Thursday, December 9, 2021. Undergraduates received One Hundred Thousand Naira each, while postgraduates received grants of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each. Due to strict COVID-19 protocols, only 29 winners were present during the award ceremony.

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Grooming Talent Hunt 2021

The Grooming Talent Hunt, which was created to empower the youths and discover exceptional talents, kicked off its 3rd edition in July with auditions and held the grand finale on the 13th November, 2021. Out of over 250 registered participants, the final 10 participants performed at the grand finale where the Chrysolite dance crew from Ibadan, Nigeria emerged winners of the grand prize of One million Naira. Additionally, a violinist, CJAY and a singer, Franca won the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Naira and Four Hundred Thousand Naira respectively as runners-up.

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Investor Relations

Following the virtual due diligence and conclusion of funding negotiations with Global Partnerships, a Seattle-based impact-first investment fund manager dedicated to expanding opportunity for people living in poverty for a loan facility, the Global Partnerships team based in Nairobi, Kenya paid a visit to the Centre’s Head Office and branches on Thursday, December 3, 2021. The visit involved high level discussions with key members of the Management team to better understand the Centre’s operating environment and structure.