Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
The need for women in Nigeria to be financially independent has been emphasised by wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Women Empowerment Programme of Future Assured in Lagos on Thursday, Mrs Buhari tasked the graduands to use vocational skills to generate personal income and employ other women.
The empowerment training for Lagos women, which graduated 2200 women in various skills is the second in the series organized to hold around the country. Kano recently concluded its own training.
Mrs Buhari, speaking through wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, stated that, “The empowerment of women helps them to be more self-confident and puts them in a position to assist their spouses in family upkeep, thereby making them more relevant in their respective homes.”
The skills acquired by the women include hair braiding, manicure, pedicure and weaving, tie and dye, soap and pomade making, as well as catering and sewing.
Others include hat making, bead stringing and cap making.
Also speaking at the event, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, commended Mrs Buhari for using her personal resources for the public good.
She said an empowered woman has enough muscle to do more for her home by assisting with family upkeep.
She also believes that women empowerment reduces cases of domestic violence.
Mrs Adefulire called on the women to imbibe the culture of putting their hands to work, rather than expect handouts.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event thanked the President’s wife for her kind gesture.
Popular gospel artiste, Kenny St. Brown, said she joined the catering class and learnt local and international cuisine, such that today she can organize group feeding even at short notice.
She called on women to have a skill-based pastime even when they are well-to-do.
Mrs Florence Otu, another beneficiary who learnt fashion design, called on other influential Nigerians to toe the line of the wife of the President by empowering women both with skills training and start up packs or fund.
Highlight of the occasion included the presentation of certificates to beneficiaries and inspection of their finished products.
