A non-governmental organisation, Women Interfaith Council has trained 56 women on cosmetology and baking.
The interfaith group also urged women in Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State to be promoters of peace and strive for financial independence by acquiring relevant skills.
The executive director of the Council, Rev Sister Veronica Onyeanisi, made the call on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of 56 participants of a one-week skills acquisition programme for women in Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area, a training facilitated by the organisation.
Onyeanisi urged the participants, who were drawn from both Muslim and Christian communities, to put the training they have acquired to practise to improve their socioeconomic wellbeing and social cohesion, and implored them to use the start-up kits for the purposes they were meant.
She appealed to the spouses of participants to give them the needed support to excel, and contribute to the development of their communities by stepping down the training to other women.
The executive chairman of Jema’a local government council, Comrade Yunana Barde, lauded the organisation for what he described as a noble gesture towards promoting gender equality.
Barde charged the participants to inculcate the skills to their wards to reduce overdependence on white collar jobs, and pledged the council’s support towards empowering women to become self-reliant.
In a goodwill message, the chief of Zikpak, Dr Josiah Kantiok, who was represented by the Wazirin Zikpak, Mr. Samuel Maigida, said women had critical roles to play in the society, and tasked them to promote peaceful coexistence among people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
In his contribution, the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Rev. Father Julius Kundi, who was represented by Rev. Father Aaron Tanko, said the training was about developing humanity first, above any other consideration.
Rabiatu Shehu and Juliana Yakubu, who spoke on behalf of the other participants, appreciated the Women Interfaith Council for the training they received, and promised to use what they had learned and start-up kits judiciously.
Some of the women who were given starter packs at the end of the training, were trained in cosmetology to produce perfume, petroleum jelly, shampoo, and disinfectant, while others were trained in baking and confectionery to bake cake, meat and fish pie, and peanuts.
