An Abuja based Non Governmental organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, in collaboration with the Rasaq Okulaja Empowerment Initiative, have empowered no fewer than 122 people in the capital city.
The beneficiaries, made up of mostly widows, and the less-privileged, were engaged in a skills acquisition programme in Kubwa, Abuja, from 31st May to 2nd June.
After an intensive 3-day training in soap making, confectioneries, makeup and hat making, adire making (tie and dye), among others, all trainees were, over the weekend, given certificates of attendance, while those with outstanding performance were given starter packs, including sets of sewing and milling machines,
The President, Helpline Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, while speaking to journalists at the event, pledged to do more in subsequent years to uplift the needy, and ensure that they in turn empower others.
“This year is just the beginning. Next year, we are going to come back to see that most of our trainees today will train other women.
“They are going to grow from this little handouts we are giving them here today to become big employers of labour.
“I want to challenge the women that have been trained in the past three days not to take this training for granted. Package your package very well, and market your package. With this training, you can go to the international market depending on how well you package your products”, she charged.
Earlier, Mrs. Toyin Rasaq Okulaja, President, the Rasaq Okulaja Empowerment Initiative, said that the Non-governmental Organisation, named after her late husband, Rev. Rasaq Okulaja, and launched on his one-year memorial, was designed to actualise his plan to establish such project to support the less privileged in society.
Mrs Okulaja advised the widows: “Don’t look down on yourselves. Put to good use what you’ve learnt. Whatever you touch will prosper”, she prayed.
High point of the event was the exhibition by the trainees, of items they produced after the three-day empowerment programme, as they all expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to them to be self-sufficient, pledging to use the knowledge and items judiciously.
