By Genesis Ogiri
ABUJA — Building on the success of its landmark birthday anniversary outreach, MaryCrown Foundation, under the leadership of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Dr. Mary Olubunmi Gbadewole, has increased the number of beneficiaries from 2,000 to 4,000 across Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin , New Jersey, United States.
The expanded intervention followed the inclusion of hundreds of widows, vulnerable women and other disadvantaged persons, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to extending hope and economic opportunities to more people in need.
The development comes barely days after the Foundation staged a multi-city empowerment programme to commemorate Dr. Gbadewole’s birthday anniversary, an initiative that attracted participants physically and virtually across the four locations. The colourful grand finale, held at Staff Community School, Asokoro, Abuja, drew an array of distinguished personalities, government officials, business leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and community stakeholders, all of whom commended the Foundation’s growing humanitarian impact.
The latest phase of the intervention saw additional widows and indigent families enrolled into the programme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,000. Beneficiaries continued to receive direct cash grants through physical disbursements and electronic transfers facilitated by officials of Wema Bank and Taj Bank, while others were equipped with productive business tools, including wheelbarrows, market umbrellas and plastic chairs. Hundreds of households also received food palliatives comprising bags of rice and cartons of instant noodles to cushion prevailing economic hardship.
Speaking with our correspondent, Ambassador Dr. Mary Olubunmi Gbadewole explained that the decision to expand the outreach was informed by the overwhelming humanitarian needs encountered during the exercise.
«”The responsibility has increased, and necessity has called on us. We could not ignore the cries of more widows and vulnerable people who needed support. That is why we decided to increase the number of beneficiaries. Our mission has always been to restore hope and empower people to become self-reliant,” she said.»
She reiterated that the Foundation’s interventions are designed to promote sustainable livelihoods rather than temporary relief, urging beneficiaries to regard the financial assistance and business tools as seed capital for enterprise development. According to her, prudent management of the resources can transform small businesses into sustainable sources of income capable of supporting families and creating employment opportunities for others.
Dr. Gbadewole also reflected on the inspiration behind the empowerment initiative, recalling that the programme began in 2023 following what she described as a divine instruction from the Holy Spirit. Starting with only 100 beneficiaries, she said the annual outreach has continued to grow because of the life-changing testimonies recorded from previous recipients whose businesses and livelihoods have flourished through the Foundation’s support.
Sharing her personal entrepreneurial journey, the philanthropist recounted how she started an ice block business with just ₦1,000, explaining that perseverance, hard work and faith in God transformed the modest venture into a multimillion-naira enterprise. She encouraged beneficiaries not to despise humble beginnings but to maximise the opportunities provided through the empowerment programme.
Her husband, Dr. Amos Kayode Gbadewole, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Luxury Properties, had earlier described generosity as an inseparable part of his wife’s character, noting that she remains committed to helping others regardless of personal circumstances. He commended her consistency in humanitarian service and expressed confidence that the Foundation would continue to expand its impact across Nigeria and beyond.
With the latest expansion to 4,000 beneficiaries, MaryCrown Foundation has further strengthened its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading humanitarian organisations. The birthday anniversary celebration has evolved beyond a personal milestone into a far-reaching platform for economic empowerment, social inclusion and community development, bringing renewed hope to thousands of vulnerable Nigerians and extending its humanitarian reach to the international community.