In a bid to support women’s economic empowerment at the grassroots level, Tasth Foundation, in collaboration with the Aisha Achimugu Foundation and the Rachel Owan Enoh Empowerment and Care Foundation, has trained women in Lugbe, Abuja, on various vocational skills.
The skills include soap and Vaseline making, lip gloss production, Ankara bag, shoe making, and makeup artistry.
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.
Speaking at the event, Rachel Owan Enoh, President/CEO of the Rachel Own Enoh Empowerment & Care Foundation, emphasized the crucial role of women in economic development.
“Women are at the heart of every thriving community. 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 noted that many women, including married ones, face financial struggles.
“If a woman is financially dependent, it creates a burden. 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,” she added.
She encouraged the women to take full advantage of the opportunity, emphasizing that such initiatives are rare.
“Not everyone gets such opportunities. They should focus, learn, and use these skills to improve their lives,” she said.
Enoh highlighted the financial challenges of running an NGO, stating that her foundation has been solely funded by her for the past 17 years.
“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.
She also announced that participants would receive start-up kits to help them begin their businesses.
“For example, those learning lip gloss production will need materials to start. We will provide financial support to enable them to take off,” she explained.
Enoh urged the participants to be serious about the training.
“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.
She also revealed plans to expand the initiative beyond Abuja.
“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.
On her part, Rosemary Etta Abuta, Founder of Tasth Foundation, highlighted the organization’s role in youth empowerment and social development.
“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,” she said.
She added that 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.
“We believe in giving back to society rather than waiting for the government to do everything,” she added.
Abuta emphasized the importance of financial independence for women.
“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,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Program Director of the Aisha Achimugu Foundation, Kiema Ogunlana stated that Women Empowerment Initiative 2025-Abuja Edition was the first of its kind at this scale.
“This is an opportunity for us to empower women through capacity building. We are training 50 women, many of whom are at risk. The goal is to make them self-reliant so they can support themselves and their families,” she said.
Ogunlana stressed the importance of long-term empowerment.
“There is a saying: ‘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.
She further emphasized the need for paying it forward, stating that knowledge and skills should be shared to strengthen communities.
“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,” she added.
Ogunlana also highlighted the growing issue of poverty and quick-money mentality in Nigeria.
“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.
She reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to providing starter packs to help participants set up their businesses.
The initiative serves as a beacon of hope, equipping women with practical skills, financial independence, and the ability to contribute to national development.
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