By Gami Tadanyigbe
Aisha Achimugu Foundation, in collaboration with Tasth Foundation and the Rachel Own Enoh Empowerment & Care Foundation, has trained over 50 women in Lugbe, Abuja, on various vocational skills, including soap and Vaseline making, lip gloss production, Ankara bag, shoe making, and makeup artistry.
In a bid to support women’s economic empowerment at the grassroots level, these non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities by providing women with the skills needed to achieve financial stability and self-sufficiency in the country.
The Program Director of Aisha Achimugu Foundation, Mrs. Kiema Ogunlana, at the event said that Women Empowerment Initiative 2025-Abuja Edition was the first of its kind at this scale.
According to her, it is an opportunity for the organizations to empower women through capacity building, with the aim of making them self-reliant and to enable them support themselves and their families.
However, she stressed the importance of long-term empowerment, especially with women, saying that ‘When you empower a woman, you empower a generation.’
It’s better to teach someone how to fish than to give them fish. Instead of just giving handouts, we focus on imparting knowledge and skills that can be used for financial gain,” she explained.
Besides, She further emphasized the need for paying it forward, stating that knowledge and skills should be shared to strengthen communities.
The Program Director also highlighted the growing issue of poverty and quick-money mentality in Nigeria, adding that the foundation’s are also commitment to providing starter packs to help participants set up their businesses.
“Society cannot thrive without human capital development. We must move away from being a consuming nation to a producing one. Women are resilient and dedicated to national development, and we need to invest more in them.
“There is too much hunger in the land, and our value system is eroding. Everyone wants to make quick money. But we need to go back to the dignity of labor. When you make clean money, it is fulfilling,” she said.
Meanwhile, Rachel Own Enoh, President/CEO of the Rachel Own Enoh Empowerment & Care Foundation, said the initiative serves as a beacon of hope, equipping women with practical skills, financial independence, and the ability to contribute to national development.
The president affirmed that women are at the heart of every thriving community, adding that when you empower a woman, you uplift entire families, communities, and society at large.
By investing in their economic independence, we are not just changing individual lives; we are transforming entire households and breaking cycles of poverty,” she stated.
She said if a woman is financially dependent, it creates a burden, noting that many women, including married ones, face financial struggles.
However, she encouraged the women to take full advantage of the opportunity, emphasizing that such initiatives are rare and highlighted the financial challenges of running an NGO, stating that her foundation has been solely funded by her for the past 17 years.
“That is why we came together to give back to society by training these women. Some are learning soap-making, others are training in makeup, and some are making lip gloss. This is the essence of our gathering today.
“We targeted 50 women in the FCT. We have never received external funding. When I spoke to them, I told them that if they take this seriously, their lives will change. We will track their progress over the next three months and, by God’s grace, we will empower them further,” she noted.
“If you are in school but not paying attention, you won’t learn anything. The same applies here. They need to understand that they are here to build a future for themselves, not just to pass time. Financial stability is key,” she stressed.
“Our focus is not just on the FCT. We plan to reach different states. If not all 36 states, at least a reasonable number, empowering women and children, and promoting self-development,” she said.
Also at the program, Mrs. Rosemary Etta Abuta, Founder of Tasth Foundation, highlighted the organization’s role in youth empowerment and social development.
According to her, the foundation is also sponsoring six girls through university, with beneficiaries studying at the University of Calabar, University of Abuja, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The founder also emphasized the importance of financial independence for women, and she reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to providing starter packs to help participants set up their businesses.
“We have carried out several outreaches, training young people to identify issues and solve problems. Our foundation also runs ‘First Impression Boutique,’ an annual initiative that provides decent clothing for vulnerable youths.
“We are not looking at years; in just three months, we expect to see them using these skills to generate income. This is why we are doing this.
“We believe in giving back to society rather than waiting for the government to do everything,” she added.