Alice Wanny Development Foundation (AWDF) has empowered at least 100 women and youths in Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) techniques, painting, and entrepreneurship skills.
The three-day training with the theme; ‚Raising Innovative Women in P.O.P Techniques, Painting and Entrepreneurship‘ in collaboration with Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) was aimed at empowering the girl-child and preparing them to embrace some particular fields that were hitherto dominated by the male folks.
AWDF is a girl-child organisation whose focus aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Project, 17 SDGs.
The organisation, however, streamlined its focus into three of the SDGs – including no poverty Acquisition and Empowerment (SDG 1), Promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3) and Quality Education (SDG 4).
Owan Alice Ada, the founder and CEO of AWD, said the objective of the training was to empower the girl-child to embrace some fields that were hitherto dominated by male folks, like construction and real estate.
“Today, we are gathered here with a shared vision: a future where women are no longer an exception in fields traditionally dominated by men because there are many opportunities for women in those fields that need to be harnessed.
“At AWDF, we are proud to lead this effort by promoting STEM education for the girl-child. Our mission is to equip young girls with the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – fields often seen as male domains.
“We know that when girls are empowered with these skills, they can break barriers and pursue careers in industries that shape our cities, economies, and future,” she said.
She expressed her gratitude to NBRRI and NASRDA for supporting the initiative and embracing the vision, adding that by opening their doors to the foundation, they have set the stage for a brighter future and meaningful collaborations.
Dr Lovette Ononuga, Director of Taxpayers Services with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a keynote speaker at the training, said that getting rid of self-limiting thoughts was one of the critical foundations for success.
“Today is about these young women coming out here to find out what they can do for themselves and not being told that they can’t do it, that it is only for men.
“They are the future. They are the change because they are young and have their whole lives ahead of them.
“Believe in yourselves, embrace your uniqueness, pursue your passions, surround yourselves with positivity and take care of yourselves because it is only when you are emotionally well and physically strong that you can take care of others,” she said.
Professor Samson Duna, the Director General of NBRRI, praised the founder of AWDF for her aggressiveness and commitment to ensuring that the training becomes a reality.
“Let me extend my wishes to all those who participated in the training. I am thrilled to see people willing and ready to learn artisanship.
“It is not easy to see a female gender in the construction industry, but I can see the passion, interest and determination shown by these girls,” he said.
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