By Funmi Falobi

Karis & Eleos Hand of Hope, a Non-governmental organisation, has trained women on entrepreneurship in order to reduce poverty in the society.

The empowerment initiative tagged, “Catalyst for Change 2.0” was carried out in five local government areas of Lagos which include Surulere, Ijora, Agidingbi, Onigbongbo and Alimosho with support from Coca-Cola Foundation. The beneficiaries were trained in textile designing – adire, tie & dye, baking, make up, wig making, gele, shoe and bag making, household items – izal, liquid soap and bleach.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Executive Director, Karis & Eleos Hand of Hope, Bukola Bamiduro said the initiative was to empower women and girls and to create equal opportunity for them.

“Catalyst for Change is a post Covid intervention to bring women out of poverty and reduce violence so that they can cater for themselves.
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“At this ceremony, 200 women are benefiting today making the total of 5,133 beneficiaries so far. We will follow them up. I encourage you to be the catalyst and also encourage others to be empowered,” she said.

She said the beneficiaries are expected to train 10 women each in order to see that women move from $1 a day to $10.

While encouraging the trainees to believe in themselves and conquer the world, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria said the essence of the programme was to build sustainable community and reduce rural-urban migration.

“There shall be seed tool kits for the selected beneficiaries to complement their work.
The oday marks 10,000 women have received life skill training and we understand they have impacted other women.

“For us at Coca-cola, the essence is to build sustainable community and reduce rural-urban migration. We need to actually be our change makers and be the change you want. Be at your best, believe in yourself and conquer the world,” she advised.

Oluwakemi Ogunsakin, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Specialist, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd charged the trainees to start small, but think big.

Admonishing the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity, Head of Department, Women and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Alimosho Local Government Area, Mrs. Oluwakemi Omisore enjoined them to “be determined to stand out” in their work.

Baale of Oke Ijora, Chief Tajudeen Igbalaiye also encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity.

There was exhibition by the beneficiaries to showcase what they had done.