An Abuja-based lawyer, Pius D. Pius, is aiming to empower and support 500 persons in his rural community through his NGO, the PD Pius Development Initiative.
The NGO which runs under the law firm, PD Pius and Associates, is “specially dedicated to corporate social responsibility, trying to give back to the society that made us who we are”, Pius disclosed.
During the 9th edition of the programme, held in his hometown, Zing LGA, the law firm offered scholarships to 25 students drawn from various higher institutions in Taraba State and 3 students from secondary schools in Zing.
Also on the offer are Pro Bono legal services and free medical tests for the people.
The young lawyer elaborated on activities of his NGO and what he envisions for the future.
He said: “Every year, we try to hold an event targeting secondary school students by organising essay competitions for them where we give them prizes and awards at the end of the exercise. We pay their school fees, buy textbooks for them and so on. We also engage medical teams to give free medical care and counselling on different diseases.
“We also have the tertiary institution scholarship by partnering with willing individuals that are interested in sponsoring. In the past years we have been dealing with Rev. Father Charles Nyame who has been providing the funds for the scholarship.
This year’s event, the funds were provided by Hon Innocent Umar. About 25 students from different tertiary institutions benefited. Also, during the programme, we offered free legal service. We are open to partnership with anyone that is ready to work with us in the future.
“Presently, we have been holding the event annually and the target individuals are not more than 200. In the future, we are targeting 500 beneficiaries and getting to do the programme quarterly instead of annually. That depends on if we get willing partners to partner with us”, he said.
