By Cecilia Ogezi (Correspondent, Abuja)
A non-governmental organisation, Prime Unique Women Initiative ((PUWI) in collaboration with Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa Gateway, has empowered 25 widows and youths in Bmuko community of Bwari area council in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the event, the president, PUWI, Dr. (Mrs) Folake Joy Yobah, explained that the organisation's main focus is to empower many women within their capacity. She added that widows are a sensitive group in the society and youths are the majority in global population. She noted that getting it right with them will impact greatly on the society.
Yobah reiterated that women are a powerful group as they play a fundamental role in nurturing children which when done rightly, can make society better. She described a good number of widows as vulnerable. According to her, some of them relied solely on their spouses while they were alive leading to extreme poverty when they pass on, especially in a difficult economy.
The president noted that their slogan: "Empower Women, Empower The Nation", came from the conviction that when women and young girls are empowered, it fosters a strong nation.
She disclosed that there would be free vocational training, certification and community food program after which the beneficiaries will be given N20,000 cash each to start up their businesses. She further noted that the training which mainly is in baking and snacks making, will go a long way to help them sustain themselves.
Rotary district governor, district 9125, Ayo Oyedokun, in his message, pointed out that the empowerment will have a ripple effect as it would benefit others in the same community who will learn closely from the beneficiaries. The governor who was represented by the past district governor, Joshua Hassan, also noted that the skills learnt, if well utilised, will impact on families of the beneficiaries.
President of the club, Rotarian Chimezie Ojiabo, explained that PUWI president was earlier awarded by the club during his investiture ceremony as she qualified for humanitarian award due to her contributions to women empowerment programs which she had done. He added that she pledged to support the clubs empowerment project even as he disclosed that she earmarked about N400,000 in cash to distribute to beneficiaries.
The executive director PUWI, Nse Clement, on his part, disclosed that the community came up while the club was doing it's need assessment. He explained that as a rotarian with the club, he worked on both ends to ensure that the program materialised. He pointed out that their main aim is to reduce poverty.
The Emir of Bmuko, Ibrahim Yahaya Dangana, who expressed his gratitude to the group, said empowering women means empowering the nation. He disclosed that the women and the youths were chosen based on the most reliable amongst them in the community to ensure they can carry out the task. NNL.
