The Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), in partnership with the Karis & Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, has empowered women to enable them to be self-reliant, thrive in their businesses, and become better home-builders.

The NBC ‘EmpowerHer’ Project initiative, which is part of the activities marking its 70th anniversary in Nigeria provided women in the Ikeja environment with vocational training skills in baking, bagmaking, shoemaking, wig & hairstyling, makeup artistry tie & dye design, and production of household cleaning items, and business classes.

At the closing ceremony, which was held at NECA Hall, Alausa Lagos, Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the governor of Lagos, was represented by Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, wife of the Ojodu Local Government chairman, commended NBC and Karis Foundation for the initiative to empower women to be financially independent, thereby drastically eradicating poverty and rejuvenating self-awareness.

She added that “when women are empowered and supported to thrive in their businesses and careers, they stand a better chance to build a home properly which in turn would have a positive multiplier effect on the society at large.”

The first lady called for more efforts to be made to reach more women in underserved areas and peri-urban communities so as to drastically reduce the poverty index in Lagos and the country

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu congratulated the beneficiaries and admonished them to make the best of the life-changing opportunity that has been provided by NBC and Karis & Eleos Foundation to kick start their business. “It requires discipline, dedication, and determination”, she said.

Also speaking at the programme, NBC, Ekuma Eze, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director in Nigeria and West Africa reaffirm her commitment to women empowerment in Nigeria, adding that, the Nigerian Bottling Company is able to ensure that women are given the opportunity to thrive on a level playing field in the society.

“The EmpowerHer Project initiative reflects the company’s commitment to enriching communities and will be targeted towards empowering youth and women.”

Eze revealed that the presentation in Lagos is the first of the others states to be visited across the nation.

According to him, other states where the empowerment programme will take place are Oyo, Edo, Borno, Imo, Kano, Rivers, and Abuja.

In her remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Bolaji Dada, who was represented by Funmi Raji, said: “The Ministry commends the Nigerian Bottling Company on their laudable impact in alleviating poverty amongst the citizenry and the state in general, by empowering vulnerable women and young girls in the society through their various programmes. I encourage women everywhere to continue to avail themselves of various opportunities to become empowered, self-reliant, and independent financially.”

About 125 women were trained with 25 of them being presented with start-up kits, while three others were provided with trade assets including coolers, tables, umbrellas, and Coca-Cola beverage products, having completed their training modules on financial literacy and business skills.

Bukola Bamiduro, Founder Karis &Eleos commended the beneficiaries for their tenacity and determination to improve their lots economically.

She also charged them to be good ambassadors of the foundation, by making the best use of the resources handed over to them by effectively deploying the skills and assets in the running of their businesses profitably and sustainably.