No fewer than 122 persons in Abuja benefited empowerment Program by Helpline Foundation for the Needy. The scheme was carried out in partnership with the Rasaq Okulaja Empowerment Initiative.
The beneficiaries, made up of mostly widows, and the less-privileged, were engaged in skills acquisition programme at Church of God Mission International (CGMI) Vocational Training Centre in Byazhin, Kubwa, from 31st May to 2nd June.
After an intensive 3-day training in soap making, confectionaries, makeup and hat making, adire making (tie and dye), among others, all trainees were, over the weekend, given certificates of attendance with different kinds of gift items, while those with outstanding performance were given starter packs, including sets of sewing and grinding machines,
President, Helpline Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, while speaking to journalists at the event, in an emotion-laden voice, pledged to do more in subsequent years in uplifting the needy, and ensuring that they in turn empower others.
“This year is just the beginning. Next year, we are going to come back to see that most of our trainees today will train other women.
“They are going to grow from these little handouts we are giving them here today to become big employers of labour.
“I want to challenge the women that have been trained in the past three days not to take this training for granted. Package your package very well, and market your package. With this training, you can go to the international market depending on how well you package your products”, she charged.
Earlier, Pastor (Mrs.) Toyin Rasaq Okulaja, President Rasaq Okulaja Empowerment Initiative, said the non-governmental organisation, named after her late husband, Rev. Rasaq Okulaja, and launched on his one-year memorial, was designed to actualize his plan to establish such to support the less privileged in society.