A Non-Governmental Faith -based Organization, Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) has raised a set of 39 fresh female Muslim entrepreneurs in Ogun State who are expected to contribute to the economic growth and development of local communities and Nigeria at large.
National Amirah of Al-Mu'Minaat, Alhaja Jelilat Abdul Hameed addressing the graduands at the Ogun State Women Development Centre in Abeokuta, the State capital, explained that the training was packaged by Entrepreneur Office of the organization in line with its mission
to empower Muslim women and build a strong Muslim community through education and welfare projects for self-actualization and sustainable national development”
She added that the graduands who were trained on how to produce bags, shoes and purses using locally made Adire and Ankara materials in Ogun State, would serve as trainers for further expansion of the entrepreneurship programme
The Amirah then called on philanthropists and well-wishers to partner with Al-Mu'Minaat to enable the organization replicate the training held in both Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta, to other branches across the country for more Muslim women to benefit from the initiative
"This set of graduands would serve as trainers to other women. As we hope to scale up and replicate this training in other States of the Federation, we call on philanthropists and well-wishers to partner with us in funding as we cannot do it alone" , she stated
Alhaja Jelilat was full of appreciation for members at National and State levels as well as the donors, trainers and Rector of the Women Development Centre at Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta for providing conducive environment for the trainees
She described the free training programme as further demonstration of the Al-Mu'Minaat's committment to the empowerment of members
"This achievement will impact positively on at least 5 of the 17 SDGs, namely goals 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10. It is our desire to ensure that Muslim Women are empowered enough to contribute their quota to the growth and development of their families, local communities and the nation at large"
"It is with great sense of joy and achievement that we are graduating Muslim women who hitherto have suffered neglect in the scheme of things because very few people look their way for empowerment. We have been contributing to the advancement of women in general and Muslim women in particular for close to three decades"
Al-Mu'Minaat according to her , was established on the 1st of October 1995 basically to raise and sustain religious, economic, and socio-political awareness of Muslim women across the country.
"Al-Mu’minaat Organisation operates in Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Kwara, Osun, Ondo and Oyo States of Nigeria presently and in Pobe in the Republic of Benin. It is our plan to extend further by opening branches in more Northern states and South Eastern cities of Nigeria."
Also speaking Hajia Aminah Abdussattar-Yahya, an ardent educationist and entrepreneur in her keynote address on the theme "Financial Independence through Skill Empowerment", charged the graduands to strive for success in their respective businesses, saying it will inspire others coming behind them to succeed
"The empowerment you have gained through this programme doesn't end with you, it extends to your families, your communities and future generation of women. By sharing your knowledge, mentoring others, supporting fellow women in their journey, you can create a ripple effect of empowerment", she stated
Hajia Aminah asked the graduands to see their journey to financial independence as a continuous process which requires dedication, preserverance and continuous lifelong learning
"But with the skills you have gained in Adire and Ankara bag making, you are already on your way, you have the power to create, innovate and transform not only your life but the lives of those around you", she charged
Similarly Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Adejumoke Adewole in the ministry's goodwill messages lauded the initiative of Al-Mu'Minaat for not only focusing on spiritual training but equally giving attention to development of the Muslim women by creating wealth for them through vocational training
''This is indeed a milestone in the fight against poverty amongst our women in the State, especially the Muslim community"
"Let me State here that the Government recognizes the plight of women and the rate at which they are been affected by gender inequality and that is why State Government through the Ministry resuscitated this Vocational Training Centre we are using today in the year 2012 and since its resuscitation over 5,000 women in the State have benefited and have been empowered in different vocations"
She expressed readiness of the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration to continue to empower all women economically through various empowerment initiatives including Nigeria for Women Project in partnership with World Bank under which had empowered over 20,000 women in the state
While encouraging Al-Mu'Minaat to compliment government's effort by sustaining the empowerment initiative, she urged the graduands to use their skills and expertise to create wealth for other women in their respective communities, saying "this will be a multiplier effect on the number of women and youth that are economically empowered in the state "
Similarly former National President of League of Muslim School Proprietors, Alhaji Tijani Mikhail Taiwo to make good use of training acquired to create wealth for themselves, so as to continue to make meaningful impact in the society
Hajia Rafia Olaleye, the principal of Alaye High School Senior Ayetoro in Yewa North, a guest of honour at the event, described the free training programme for members in Egba-Yewa and Ijebu Remo /Sagamu Zones as a testament to the Al-Mu'Minaat's commitment to empowering Muslim women and fostering financial independence within the community.
"I commend the organizers and facilitators for their dedication to sharing their knowledge and skills with us. By learning the art of making adire and Ankara bags, we have not only acquired a new craft but also opened doors to potential income generation"
"Let us remember that our newfound skills are a blessing from Allah (SWT). We should strive to use them in ways that benefit ourselves, our families, and our community", she charged
High point of the event was presentation of certificates to the 39 graduands on their successful completion of vocational training
No comments:
Post a Comment