*The Aisha Achimugu Foundation, in collaboration with TASTH and Rachel Owan Enoh Foundations, trains over 50 young women in various vocational skills, providing them with necessary tools to start own their businesses, in Abuja

Prosper Okoye

The Aisha Achimugu Foundation (AAF), in collaboration with TASTH and Rachel Owan Enoh Foundations, at the weekend, trained over 50 young women in various vocational skills, and provided them with the necessary tools to start their businesses, in Abuja, FCT.

Dr. Kiema Ogunlana, AAF Programme Director, said the outreach marks a shift in programming approach, aiming for sustainability. 鈥淭he beneficiaries are still vulnerable women; however, we are not just giving them palliatives. We are empowering them to be self-reliant, so they can, in turn, fend for themselves and their families.”

Ogunlana stated that the initiative would have an impact despite the growing quest among young Nigerians for quick and easy money, which she attributed to the decline of family value systems.

The Programme Director of AAF also noted: 鈥淕one are the days when we put our hands to the plough. Now, we see people turning to nefarious activities in pursuit of quick money, a trend I attribute to the decline of family value systems.

“Yet, there is still dignity in labour鈥攑eople don鈥檛 need to be swayed by social media trends. Everyone has a skill or talent.”

She explained: 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 assign skills to the women beneficiaries. Instead, we offered them a range of options and encouraged them to choose one they鈥檙e passionate about. “With commitment and diligence in their training, they could earn two or three times more than the value of their starter kits, setting them on a path to growth.鈥�

Furthermore, the Programme Director decried the shortfall of corporate organisations in implementing corporate social responsibility. 鈥淢ost of the time, they claim to be giving back, but the impact is not visible.

“While some organisations have their own foundations, there is a need to collaborate with other NGOs within the communities they operate in to create meaningful change.

“This way, as they profit, the lives of the people can improve,鈥� she added.

Ogunlana urged the government, and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to accelerate actions and partnerships to reach more vulnerable Nigerians.

The outreach was part of the activities commemorating International Women鈥檚 Day 2025.

Speaking at the event, Rosemary Ebuta, Founder of TASH Foundation, emphasised the ripple effect of the empowerment programme.

Ebuta said: 鈥淲e told the women earlier that they should learn as much as possible鈥攏ot only to earn from it but also to become trainers and empower other women in their communities within the next three months.鈥�

The Founder of TASH Foundation disclosed similar empowerment schemes would be held in all 36 states of the country, echoing the need for support from the government and other funders.

She added: 鈥淎 man may have a noble initiative, but it takes the help of the entire community to bring it to fruition.”

The women, who participated in the training, benefited from skill sets, including training in Ankara bag and shoe making, lip gloss production, makeup artistry, as well as soap and Vaseline production.

In her remarks, Rachael Enoh, Chairperson of the Rachael Owan Enoh Foundation, noted that the empowerment programme empowerment programme comes at a critical time, given the widespread hardship affecting the country.

Enoh said: “Times are so tough that survival without work is nearly impossible. Even married women can no longer rely solely on their husbands without risking being perceived as burdens.”

She encouraged beneficiaries to see this initiative as a vital opportunity to learn and enhance their lives, assuring them that follow-ups would be conducted to monitor their progress and provide further support as needed.

Among the beneficiaries was National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Areu Hannah, who is training in makeup artistry.

Hannah stated: “The training is going well. I鈥檓 passionate about becoming a makeup artist. “I鈥檝e been practicing at home, but I鈥檝e struggled with blending properly, so I joined this programme to improve my skills.

“I hope to refine my techniques and eventually earn millions of Naira from this business.”

Mojisola Johnson, who is learnt Ankara fabric and bag making during the programme, expressed her excitement about being selected.

She said: “I鈥檓 grateful to the organisers.

“I chose to focus on Ankara bags because it has always been a passion of mine.

“I love that it represents an African brand and celebrates our culture.”

Funke Adebe, who is training in soap making, shared her experience, and said: “After this training, I believe God will help me start my own business.

“Soap is something people always need.”

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