The Mardebra foundation established by the gospel musician, Tope Alabi and her family, organised an event to support widows on Friday, December 22.
The event tagged, “Comforting widows hearts for Christmas” was held at Room 22 event centre, Abiodun Kuye rd, new Oko-Oba, Abule-Egba, Lagos.
The founder of the foundation, Tope Alabi, said the gesture was to reduce hunger and help out widows during this Christmas period due to the current economic situation.
Presenting the raw food items, popcorn making machine and cash to the less privileged, in Abule Egba, Lagos, she said the foundation exists to give back to the society.
The musician also spoke about the fact that part of her motivation to help out the less privileged is because she grew up in poverty and that she “knows what poverty is.”
Speaking on the vision of the foundation, she said: “Every year since its inception 11 years ago the foundation has organized events to help widows and orphanage homes.”
She further highlighted that the goal of the foundation is to “lay down a template for her kids who the foundation is named after in the first place.”
One of the beneficiaries of the event, a widow with three kids Mrs. Adeyemi Rachel said that “she was grateful to Mrs. Tope Alabi for her heartfelt love for widows and she prayed that God will promote and make her greater.”
Another widow with five kids, Mrs. Sola Olajide said she learnt about the event from her church, she also prayed for the gospel musician expressing appreciation for her gesture.
The event was attended by over 300 widows who were given Popcorn machines, rice, and cash. Many of the other attendees were grateful to be in attendance and sang along to the musicians worship songs.
Anchor International Outreach Ministry through its training arms Anchor Leadership Academy(ALA) has distributed 250 free Africa Study Bible to church leaders in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.
The church leaders, including pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Apostles and teachers were drawn from different denominations.
They participated in the Next Generation Leaders’ Summit in Ibadan at Molete Baptist Church organised by ALA with the theme “Transformational leadership style “
President of Anchor International Outreach Ministry, Dr Bolarinwa Omotosho launched the Oyo State Centre of the ministry in Ibadan during the leadership Conference.
The benefitting church leaders came from Oyo State, Ogun and Kwara States, including conference speakers like Rev. Dr. Oyekola Bamidele, President Ibadan Baptist Conference, who led the participants through prayers and Rev.Dr. Edward Alabi the Senior Pastor of Molete Baptist Church and Chairman, of Pastors Fellowship Ibadan Baptist Conference, Oyo State.
There were also Rev. Adeolu O. Akinwumi, Chaplain to the Methodist Archbishop of Ibadan; Dr. (Mrs.) Priscillia Omotosho, member BOT Anchor International Outreach Ministry; Oyo Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Rev. Samson Ajetomobi, who was represented by Bishop Matthew Ayoola Olubusuyi, General Overseer Kingdom Life Global Christian ministries Ibadan; Apostle Ibiyemi A. Olagoke Area Secretary, The Bible Society of Nigeria Oyo Area; Rev. Adepoju Ezekiel Babatunde Moderator, Oyo East Baptist Association; Dr. Olusegun Daodu Oyo State Coordinator International Institute of Church Growth, the Centre coordinator CSP Ven. Moses Adekola and Protestant Chaplain, Oyo State Police Ibadan Command, Eleyele.
Omotosho, an expert in Next-Generation Leadership coaching, crisis management, peace studies and author of numerous books, spoke on on Raising Next-Generation Leaders.
He challenged the church leaders to learn how leaders raised Next-generation Leaders in the Bible.
Omotosho also spoke on “Ministers, Marriage and their Ministry” He said that Ephesians 5:12 declared in a straight word that husband and wife submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
“I think this is a correct perspective but unfortunately, many of us as leaders and ministers in the ministry, aiming to advance God’s kingdom and multiply ministries are doing the contrary, this is disobedience to God’s word.
“All ministers of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus must balance marriage and ministry together because balancing marriage and ministry is like walking a tightrope. Advancing kingdom work cannot be achieved in isolation of a peaceful home,” he added.
At the end of the conference, 250 participants received a copy of the Africa Study Bible worth $77 each, two books, 25 ministry enrichment e-books, kitbags and a certificate.
The participants appreciated Anchor International Outreach Ministry and their Partner Oasis International Ltd, USA.
“A special appreciation to the leadership of Anchor International Outreach Ministry and Oasis International USA. The lectures, Free Study Bible, and the gifts packaged are laudable. More of God and grace to impact the world the more in Jesus’ name,” said Pastor Noah Oyelade of Sinai Baptist Church, Apata ,Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The Anchor Leadership programme is very impactful, qualitative and kingdom-oriented. I am refreshed and charged for greater relevance in God’s vineyard. Appreciation to the Convener, all team members, and Partners, especially Oasis International Ltd USA for the gift of the African Study Bible. God bless you all,” The Rev. Adeolu O. Akinwumi, Chaplain to the Methodist Archbishop of Ibadan.
“I, on behalf of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Oyo Area lauded Anchor International for the success of the leadership training organized in Ibadan. We equally appreciate Oasis International for the gift of the Africa Study Bible and support, it’s our prayer that God will continue to strengthen you to make more impact in His vineyard,” Apostle Ibiyemi A Olagoke Bible Society of Nigeria, Oyo Area Secretary stated.
To empower, inspire, and drive positive change, the International Billionaire Christian Conference (IBCC) has announced the second edition of its meeting with the theme: power’, wealth and technology. This year’s conference will have the added attraction of the launching of startup fund to bridge the gap between Christian youths with brilliant business ideas and capital.
The next edition of the meeting, fixed for January 26th and 27th, 2024, at the Redemption Camp, in Ogun State, promises to deliver a transformative experience that goes beyond the ordinary, embracing the intersection of faith, business, and technological innovation.
Announcing the details of the second edition of the conference, Pastor Olatayo Ajiboye, the Convener of the IBCC, said: “We want to bring a system in place for an annual conference. God wants me to dwell in a city without poverty; recruit billionaires to promote the last phase of the Gospel; to repair the things that are not being properly done”.
As the yuletide season draws nearer, top-list gospel artistes continue to dominate major gospel concerts and shows, leaving little or no space for younger talents to thrive. ADEOLA OGUNLADE writes about the need for the church to open the space for new talents to blossom
I have a record label called Spotlite Nation. We are doing quite a lot. We are managing eight artistes who are under 23 and they are doing marvelous things. We are not losing the young artistes we are encouraging them.”
That was the submission of a fast-rising gospel artist, Moses Bliss Uyoh Enang, popular known as Moses Bliss, as he shared his story of rising to the top with our correspondent in Lagos, yesterday.
According to him, his rising was divine, adding that God and his church were instrumental to his success in ministry as a young artist.
Bliss, 28, who had his debut single in 2017 titled: ‘E No Dey Fall My Hand,’ said that there are a good number of young gospel artistes who are doing well in the gospel music industry.
Bliss cited the scriptures saying: ‘Seeth thou a man diligent in his business,: he will not stand before mean men but he will stand before kings. Be diligent and you will stand before great men.
“A lot is happening and help is available. Those who are doing the other music, maybe that is what they want to do. God has children-son and daughters who are ready to go all the way with him all the way,” he said.
Also, a songwriter and gospel artist, Tope Alabi, who has collaborated with up and coming artistes, said that the established gospel ministers are trying their best and as they get to know God the more, they will get it right. Jesus is the only way.
She stated that up and coming artistes must be patient and persevere as Rome was not built in a day. ‘ You want to move on the staircase and move from one to sixty at once, it is not possible”.
On her part, a worship leader, Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, known professionally as Sinach, stated that she aspired for the biggest stage when she started. “I was helped in so many ways. Mentoring is a big part of it. I want to speak to young people from my heart. The fact that you are not making gains at first in serving God, does not mean you will not make gains later. Find where God has called you and don’t allow the devil to deceive you into error because of wealth, fame, and prosperity”.
Sinach posited that helping young gospel talents is huge. “We are setting up a process to help young artistes and creatives in different ways. If they are good., they can see that the future is so bright.
Also, a trumpeter and producer, Evangelist Nathaniel Bassey said “I think that by living by example and setting the example for young talents to follow is the way to go in raising new gospel talents in our generation.
“From time to time, I take the bull by the horns through mentorship sessions and training people. We have a project tagged: 50. It is a close meeting of emerging gospel ministers. We put them together to speak, train, and answer questions, and then from time to time, we create opportunities for them and just identify great talents and mentoring”.
“I am sure that with a platform like The Experience, young talents hope will be greatly increased. I remember at the Experience in 2008 when it was raining, I was worshiping and singing You are Alpha and Omega. I came to love the Lord and sing and I just felt something in my heart that The Experience painted the picture of my future. Here, I am ministering back to back at The Experience. With platforms like this, we are creating hope and a bright future for our young artists. We, as top gospel artistes must live a life worthy of emulations and we expect them to follow us as we follow Christ”, he said.
Role of the church in raising new talents
A front runner in gospel ministry and Publishers of Today’s Music, Mr Faith Ajiboye said that the need for the church to create platforms that will help up and coming artistes is crucial and imperative. A church like Christ Embassy is leading the way in raising new gospel artistes by setting up a studio and giving the artistes a platform to encourage them. Artistes like Buchi, Eben, Sinach, and Moses Bliss have benefited greatly from the church. The church must provide the opportunity for their artistes to ‘blow’ and find expression for their talents. The church must be deliberate in disciplining their congregants including their artistes. If our youths are properly disciplined, nothing outside of Christ will entice them. I have been singing since 1989 and am still here by the grace of God. It is a function of the teachings and training I had when I started that nothing in this world will move me away from Christ. Unfortunately, discipleship is not the emphasis in many churches today as prosperity and healing messages have become the priority. It is a dangerous trend for the church
“There is a level of discipleship that people receive that even if the church does not give them anything, they will stay there because they know their service is not to the church but to God. When you know that your service is to God, it does not matter what the world offers you, you will not look there. Teachings, discipleship, and training are major roles the church can play”, he said.
Also, a musicologist, Professor Albert Oikelome said that the role of the church is so huge, stating that so many pop musicians started from the church and were given the foundation from the church, and because the church did not follow up on them, they left the church. Some people feel they should be given some incentives, which I think is okay.
Oikeolome, who was the National Choir of Deeper Life Bible Church, said that the church gave incentives to it choir members in those days and it was indeed an enabler for them to come. The church has the money. The church has the style of music and a ready market for gospels talents. Every church is a market for gospel artists.
He cited Christ Embassy as a church that has a huge market for talents. The church can boast of 100, 000 congregants, it is a huge market for talents. What the church leader or set man of the church needs to do is to raise the CD or Album of the artist in front of the church and the whole church will buy it. The church should encourage artists to create songs, and let them sing these songs. Some churches missed it at the beginning. What they refused to do in the 80s or ’90s with the thinking that when they supported their artistes, that would make them shine and if possible outshine their churches. All the so-called A-lists gospel ministers in Nigeria, a good number of them had their upbringing in Deeper Life. They will tell you they started in Deeper Life and because there were no opportunities for expression, they had to leave. They will tell you they started from Baptist. Micheal Jackson and Whitney Houston started at Baptist Church and because the church was highly conservative, it affected them. They are churches learning in a fast way, that are opening their doors to their gospel artises.
Role of the artists
Oikolome noted that artistes who hope to be great must be at the right place at the right time with the right people and under the right mentorship of the right personality. “Be in the right place means that there are places where they kill talents. There are a thousand and one place where talents can be appreciated. The Bible says that the talents God has given to you is to profit wither. Profitable to people around and the person himself. and if you are not profitable, you are the one to be blamed. If you have the right genre of songs, you can blossom where you are planted. If you feel you are planted in a place of tears. Times are of the essence to young people. It is like women who have biological clocks. Talents have a clock. Stay with people who understand you. Learn from young people like yourself. You have to search for yourself. You will find people who believe in you so you create your niche. Find a mentor. You cannot be an island. In looking for expression, look for mentors who can help you through those expressions. You can even work for free. You can’t replace experience with money.”
Oikeolome posited that the disciples for three years were under the apprenticeship of Christ. “I believe the apprenticeship is what a lot of youths are missing. You can gather your talents with people In the process of learning as an apprenticeship, you will learn so much you can see in schools. Duscin Oyekan started at a loss. He composed his songs years ago and they were not accepted but with consistency he became one of the most sought after gospel artistes in Nigeria. Consistency is the key, Oikeolome said.
A former member of the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Uche Nwole, has recently testified at Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMOM) about how his Christian ministry and business witnessed a positive turnaround after he joined the Evangelist Ebuka Obi-led prayer ministry.
Hon. Nwole, who represented Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, told the audience at Zion City at Okota, Lagos, that he flew in from the United Kingdom to testify to what God did in his life through Evangelist Ebuka.
He said when he noticed all his family in the UK were addicted to the ministry online, he started praying and challenged God with an offering and asked that if Evangelist Ebuka was a true prophet, God should make him mention his name in his prophecies. This became a reality on February 9 this year when Ebuka prophesied about him during his online Open Heavens programme.
He stated that the Evangelist also mentioned something only a few people who knew him were aware of – a family deity which he was supposed to serve but because he rejected it and founded a church, his business and ministry became crippled.
Hon. Nwole confirmed to the congregation, however, that after the prophet mentioned his case and prayed for him, things started turning around for good.
“This convinced me that the prophet is real and I came down to Nigeria to step my foot on Zion ground and confirm to everyone that Evangelist Ebuka is a rare gift to the world”.
The National President, of Ministers of God Prayer Network International, Bishop Bola Oyegbami has assured Nigerians that the country will prosper again.
She gave the assurance at the end of seven days of prayer for peace in Nigeria which took place in Lagos where the Lagos State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite also emphasized on the need for the prayer on peace and stability in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
Oyegbami also hinged the prayer for the nation on the need to align the throne of the presidency with the throne of God to enable the government actualise its plans to take Nigeria out of the woods and move the nation forward.
“We believe when any matter is settled in the spiritual realm, the actualisation in the physical would be easily implemented.
“For us to prosper in Nigeria, we must discourage the exodus of our youth.
“The fact is that Nigeria will not develop and prosper if our youthful tech., savvy population leave the country daily as it is apparent that our demographic dividend is gradually disappearing with the ‘japa syndrome’. Our skilled youth professionals leaving the country to develop another country is nothing but a brain drain.
“The essence of this seven days prayer and fasting is also to call on God to repair all those foundations of people that are in government for prosperity to come to our nation spiritually because spiritual must be taken care of before the physical,” she said.
Adegbite who was represented at the event by CAN Chairman, Ikeja South, Ambassador Enoch Adesola advised Nigerians to always say good things about Nigeria because every negative pronouncement about the country will bounce back on them.
He advised the government to make the country conducive for the youth and create an empowerment that will discourage them from running away from their country.
He advised the government to stop importation, adding that Nigeria has enough resources to develop and produce what the populace needs.
The Presiding Shepard of Harvest Centre Mission), Prophet Wale Ojo David has advised President Bola Tinubu and his cabinet ministers to carry out their work in the interest of Nigerians.
David said this in a statement issued to The Nation yesterday in Lagos, said that the choice of President Bola Tinubu is God’s choice for Nigeria and that Mr. President is a man of honor with a high vision and has full understanding by the grace of God to examine the crises and weaknesses of Nigeria today, to rescue our Nation from the high cost of items.
“Mr. President that the good people celebrate today not in Lagos only but, across the globe should work more as Nigerians need a better transformation that will come as a new story according to the word of God”, he said.
This is because of the erroneous motive we now have that the high cost of items can never go down but rather will continue to increase.
“Mr. President that the good people celebrate today not in Lagos only but, across the globe should work more as Nigerians need a better transformation that will come as a new story according to the word of God”, he said.
David urged Nigerians to continue to pray as stewards for more strength and wisdom toward building a better country, stressed that all the leaders and government functionaries should also work against wrong policies that can fight for the people’s comfort in Nigeria.
Nigerians have been advised not to despair despite the challenges facing the country.
Speaking during a session with the press in Lagos on the state of the nation and the prophecies for 2024, the Founder of Wisdom Church of Christ International, Prophet Bisi Olujobi, said 2024 would be a better year for the nation.
According to him, while 2024 will start on a platter of uncertainties, he said the economy would eventually pick up and “this will favour a lot of Nigerians as Tinubu’s government will score a reasonable landmark in this regard.”
He described as normal criticisms that President Tinubu is currently getting from some quarters, especially regarding his policies adding that “if you do good, people will criticize you, if you are not doing good they will criticize you, that one is a normal thing. But what we believe as prophets is what God said to us.
“Nigerians should be hopeful, the man is going to work.”
Narrating his experience on the events leading to the pre -2023 presidential election, he said “I remember what God revealed to me about him (Tinubu), I was praying for him. I could remember the time, I did three days dry fasting for him, it was not that he came or he should come and give me money, no! but I was only doing according to what God revealed to me not according to what I was going to gain. The Lord will bless him and be with him. “Things are going to work well in this country.
“They will criticize him that is normal, there is no government that will be on the throne that they will not criticise.”
Olujobi disclosed that his prophesies of the result of 2023 election that Tinubu would be first, Atiku would be second, Obi third and Kwankwasi fourth, came to pass but this did not go down well with some people. ” I was threatened, they said they were coming to burn my church, they came here to set fire on my church, they told me on the phone that they were coming, they said why was I supporting Tinubu, maybe he has given me something.
“I still remember some people that waylaid me on the street because of Tinubu.
“I have never met the man one on one, discussing with him, no, but I just said what God told me then
“Thank God they did not poison me, they wanted to poison me that time, the Lord revealed it to me, thank God for the prayer we prayed then. I could remember 31 people gathered together praying for him,
“They asked me reasons for praying for Tinubu, and I told them you are not the one that made him, the maker is God, let Him judge. We thank God that he got to the place. And the Lord will be with him. But he needs to pray more, he should not rely on people because there are some cabals that will operate beyond his own capacity, he will get to a point where he will be fed up with the cabals. They will force him to do what he does not desire to do.”
The cleric advised former Vice President Atiku not to bother to contest election again, saying”Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should not waste his time and money as his political career profile has expired spiritually. I remember I recently told some of his spiritual confidants who came to me for spiritual counsel that the man has no political future again as far as Nigeria is concerned, he should be advised to retire as not to suffer more ridicule and defeat.”
He also revealed that the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki will bounce back politically, ‘he will be courted as a new bride. The chance is still available for him if he can pray. If Saraki can start working now, the room is already open to become president in the future.I’m not saying he going to become president now.
He should not relent on his efforts, he is still young, there is still hope for him.. He needs to work more because the mark of God is upon him. This country should not underrate him.’
On Wike, Olujobi said the Lord revealed to him that the minister would still encounter more heavy betrayals, all his efforts to use federal connections would fail him as I had initially forewarned. They will betray him, there is nothing he can do about that one will surely come. “He just needs to be careful so that he will not lose his life, I pray that the Lord will be with him. He needs to be extraordinarily careful.”
The seer also revealed that while one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in the Southwest will disintegrate, the leader of the church is likely to pass on if he does not seek the face of God.
Naira Marley, Wizkid, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, David Adeleke, Rotimi Akeredolu, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, all need to seek the face of God over one challenge or the other.
He also disclosed that Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State will stand as a heavy force in the north, “the man will make heavier remarkable political feats. But he needs to pray and be wary of women.”
Speaking on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, he said the commission will have a remarkable score as more secrets would be revealed.
He warned that some prominent traditional rulers in the Yorubaland will join their ancestors, saying if they can pray, they could have their lives elongated.
On the new Kogi governor, Usman Ododo and his Zamfara State counterpart, Dauda Lawal, he said they need lots of prayers. If they pray very well, the Lord will still show mercy on them.
Delphine Okoronkwo is a top celebrity makeup artist and cosmetic manufacturer. As the CEO and Creative Director of Bare to Beauty, she has successfully grown her brands and mentored others. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she opens up on her success story, inspiration, working with celebrities, and more.
Tell us about your experience as an entrepreneur.
My entrepreneurial journey has been a very interesting one. I knew I ultimately wanted to be a beauty entrepreneur, but I needed to raise the capital. So, I started a series of businesses including procurement and logistics, subcontracting with Hitech Construction Ltd, and real estate, all to get me where I needed to go.
What inspired you to go into the beauty sector?
I have always gravitated towards beauty. I have always liked makeup. When I was in university, I used to do makeup for my friends. I am self-taught, this is my natural talent. So when the time came for me to leave the corporate world, I already knew that the beauty business was a no-brainer.
What are some of the achievements and challenges?
I have won both local and international awards as a brand and as a makeup artist. Bare To Beauty is a household name not just in Nigeria but all over Africa and soon to be all over the globe.
Like most entrepreneurs in Nigeria, I have faced economic challenges such as the exchange rate issue, inflation, taxation, and finding dedicated and competent staff.
What is your assessment of the performance of women in the sector?
Beauty has mostly been a female-dominated sector in Nigeria. I feel like women have thrived in this industry and it shows. There are women who have become established symbols of inspiration in the beauty industry and have and are still paving the way for aspiring up-and-comers. Amazingly, women can become extremely successful and make a good and sustainable living from beauty as a business.
What are the things that drive what you do?
Simply put, as my brand name (Bare To Beauty) implies, the joy of seeing the happiness and satisfaction on my client’s faces after a makeover or using any of my products is all the drive I need.
How would you describe your experience working with established brands and multi-national organisations and how has it influenced your business?
I have worked with quite a few multinationals on various projects and have noticed a few common themes that I have been able to effectively apply to my business. Discipline and consistency are key. You have to maintain a global professional standard always, to which you must hold yourself accountable. Strategy before action is critical. It is important to weigh and measure all the moving parts when embarking on a project.
Tell us about your experience as a makeup artist and working with celebrities.
As much as there are a lot of upsides to being a makeup artist, it comes with its own challenges which require a lot of patience. I work regularly with celebrities and high-end clients with hectic schedules who may not keep to appointment schedules, which can cause an overlap with another client’s appointment. Shout out to Aunty Mo Abudu with whom I have traveled around the world as her makeup artist. Her punctuality never ceases to amaze me.
What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the country today?
For the country? Honestly a better, safer, more prosperous Nigeria. But specifically for the beauty industry, I would love to see more unity, collaboration, coordination, regulation, and structure.
Did you have mentors at the beginning? What has been their impact?
At the time, I never really had mentors in the space, but there was an American makeup artist called Jay Manuel who was also the creative director for America’s Next Top Model. His energy and enthusiasm for beauty fueled my passion.
What advice do you have for young people about the current challenges in the beauty industry?
My advice is that they should try as much as possible to be consistent. Don’t give up, just like any venture in any other industry, the makeup and beauty industry is filled with many ups and downs but you must continue to push and one day, you’ll get your big break.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?
My mother, because of her tenacity. She is truly one of the most hardworking people I have ever known.
What lessons has life taught you?
Life has taught me many lessons, but one of the most important ones is putting God first in everything you do.
With the humongous wealth potentials hidden in the shea industry, more Nigerian women are beginning to buy into the shea tree farming, as a means of escape from poverty. However, there are challenges to be surmounted. Yetunde Oladeinde, who interacted with stakeholders, explores.
Shea butter is a popular moisturiser among women. A source of beauty for cosmetics as well as a huge income earner for rural women.
According to experts, over 16 million women are involved in the processing of shea butter across the sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated 1.84 billion shea trees.
Despite the health hazards and cumbersome conditions under which the women work to export over 500,000 tonnes per year, revenue and export in the past 13 years has tripled.
Experts have however, also noted that there is a lot more to be explored. The big question is: could this be because it is mostly driven by women.
Mobola Sagoe, CEO, Shea Origins goes down memory lane to talk about the challenges, opportunities and some of the interventions carried out.
“The focus should be, how we can move forward in the Shea sector using technology to achieve success, especially in the export market. As a manufacturer of Shea butter, we have a group of women who are moving in the same direction when it comes to export. Over the years, we have seen the different challenges and till date there are still quite a few challenges, knowing very well that we have so many products in Nigeria”.
Sagoe goes on to talk about branding and packaging for the products. “Most of the brands are as good as global brands but the problems is packaging. We need to move to the next level using technology. Not just the machines but the different apps that you can also use to generate income.”
Technology, she opines, is the way to go. “If you don’t get into it, then you can’t take your products far. Tech is to educate you about the opportunities, it is the tool needed to move forward. The project that we have done in the past few months have helped to transform lives, especially in the rural areas. The rural women can be your only source of supply and if they are not trained, nothing is going to happen. We have gotten to the level now where we can work with what we have and sell on the platforms.”
Their capacity, Sagoe added, has also witnessed tremendous improvement and growth. “We have moved those women used to producing say 10 tonnes to producing up to 200 tonnes as a cluster.”
In addition, Sagoe and her team have been able to get them to team up as organisations, and give them proper training on the job.
“This project has really taken a lot of rural women to the next level and we the manufacturers of the finished products now have access to quality butters. Technology is important to enhance the work of the rural women. We don’t see their challenges. You don’t know the different things that they go through on a daily basis”.
Sagoe added: “When we started, very few people knew about Shea but the quality of the butter was not good enough. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) partnered with us and set up centres in Taraba, Kebbi, Niger, Oyo and Kwara state. This processing centres have transformed shea butter production. But we still have a long way to go. As long as we keep moving, technology would take us to the next level where we can compete favourably with international brands”.
Sagoe continued: “They do not have knowledge at all. If they know what has been done, they would have taken it to another level a long time ago. Today, there is so much going on in Nigeria and people don’t know which one to hold onto. So for that reason, I cannot blame the government. What I can blame them for is that they need to seek knowledge about the quality of what we have in Nigeria”.
This, she stressed, is important not only in shea but every single commodity because of export.
“How can you talk about export, when you have so many things that you can import here in Africa. Then you don’t know the volume, you don’t even know the capacity”.
The employment opportunities in the sector have not been explored. “To be honest with you, I cannot give you a specific figure. What I know for sure is that if we have 21 states producing shea butter and we have trees in these states, then you can begin to imagine the multiplier effects. You can imagine if all those states are empowered by mini factories, production centers in the different villages or different local government. That alone can generate a lot of income and remove poverty from that environment”.
She added that making use of solar energy and other tools had helped to improve the capacity of the women in different ways. “Recently, we started talking about putting solar system for electricity in Shaki, Oyo State, because we have major issues when it comes to electricity. We were not able to access the generator, and while it continues to pollute the environment, we started looking for solutions via solar”.
In 2016, Sagoe and her team introduced a cook stove to the women. “This cook stove is regenerating technique, where you are able to reduce emission of free radicals. We are able to reduce the firewood that they use for cooking. You are able to reduce that smoke that causes cancer. So, you eliminate that with the cook stove. We were able to give out these cook stoves to a thousand women at the time and we still do it once in a while”.
To buttress her point, Sagoe explained that they usually want the women that they have worked with to understand that it is not just about you giving back to the society, they must also contribute their quota.
“We also want these women to understand that it is not about having free gifts. Now, it is no more free but we are still not charging. What we do is that when you have done something that we are able to say thank you, we use that as an opportunity to give it as a gift”.
Next, she talked about financial support using the cooperative society. “We have the cooperative that has moved from where they used to be to a better level by pushing and also taking the training to another level”.
Shea as substitute for chemical products
One thing that Sagoe is also passionate about is the need to use natural products like shea for beauty instead of chemicals which comes with a number of side effects. “For someone who has also been in the beauty sector for 38 years, I don’t believe in those things. I believe in all natural and at the same time why they do those things is that everybody wants to look good. But nobody wants to walk the walk. So, fast track is what they like. But at the end of the day, you crash land. When something is supposed to live a lifespan of 10 decades and then you want it to do 20 immediately.
“Definitely, there is going to be some damage somewhere. This is where cancer comes in for some people. You g for things like regenerating your skin. Or you can decide to cut part of your skin to do this and that. It has to come out somewhere else. God created you to be in a particular way, He has also made all things available. We heard that Cleopatra, one of the most beautiful women used shea butter. She didn’t go out looking for hydroquinone or whatever. They have been using all these natural products since the olden days. So, why are we not following that?”.
For Patrick Gouka, an expert from the Netherlands, who has been with CBI since 2006, it is important to encourage the stakeholders to maximise the opportunities in the sector.
“What we do is to support local SME supporters to get credit to do business in European markets. We do that in potential export sectors and one of this sectors is the shea sector. We noticed that there is an increase in demand for this ingredient used for cosmetics in the European market”.
Gouka goes on to talk about the opportunities in the cosmetics industry. “We are already working with 12 selected exporting companies and we have helped majority of them to European markets”.
Now you want to know how much Nigeria can get yearly in terms of foreign investment and how it can be properly harnessed.
“I don’t know that by heart but we think it is quite considerable. Up till now, Nigeria cannot supply the quantity that is demanded in the European market.”.
Next Gouka talked about some of the challenges encountered. “These include quality and what is required for European markets. It is not just about delivery of the products but doing it in a sustainable way. Sustainable issues are high on the agenda of European clients, gender, employment and drawing attention to climate issues. We try to focus on youths as a target group so that they can find employment in the sector.
Gouka believes that things would get better when all hands are on deck in the sector. “I think one of the main points in the shea sector is getting the public and private sectors working together; create opportunities and trust each other. We have been working on branding as well. It is also important to link up with the buyers, understand the local, financial and legal requirements for the European markets “.
And now Peter Hurst who has worked on different projects for Africa takes you into the focus and the supporting agencies. “What spurred me is the potential. It is a product which is wanted everywhere. Sadly, Nigeria is not performing. Nigeria has the largest crops of sheanuts in the 21 countries. We are focused on export development “.
What exactly is the problem you ask?
“There hasn’t been enough investment in processing. That is why we are going to Ghana. In so many ways, Ghana has taken the lead justifiably in foreign investments. We need to take our place and maximise the potentials available “.
Who should invest and how?
Hurst responds this way: “It should be both the public and private sector; particularly some of the large buyers. They have been a bit reluctant to invest in Nigeria and they have got investment in Ghana. We are in a process of transformation and over the next years, we will be measuring the impact of what we are doing “.
Hurst continued: “There are 21 countries below the Sahara where shea is grown and 16 million women are involved in that process. The women are dominant. But they get the worst benefits because they are not rewarded for their efforts”.
Managing Director of SecureID, Kofo Akingkugbe, believes that a collaborative approach will help to strengthen the projects and bring about the required changes. “Every entrepreneur’s journey starts with a dream. There are four pillars that have defined my entrepreneurship journey. Entrepreneurship, the spirit of enterprise, is required to ensure that the industry becomes the desired industry. I have a dream and that dream has taken roots today. The dream was to substitute import and to actually produce this smart cards locally. That dream is now a huge factory in Isolo with staff strength of over 500 people and exported to 21 countries across Africa”.
Cornelius Karkraba of the Global Shea Alliance, which was established in 2011 also gave an overview of the shea sector.
“Our focus includes industry promotion, sustainability and maintaining standards. We have 1.84 billion she trees existing currently. Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso are the largest producers and it boast of 85 per cent cocoa butter equivalent. There has been $125 million sustainability investment pumped in from 2018 till date”.
He added: “The alliance and USAID works with 12 partners in Nigeria. There are 43 warehouses and 34,541 women reached distributing about 17,500 shea seedlings in the past two years. There is a resilient agro forestry shea farm model and three francophone countries have adopted the model based on the success stories”.
Transporting the product is also a big challenge with bad roads and poor infrastructure. Mrs. Elizabeth Olowofila, Managing Director of Think Bikes takes you through the options available on how to improve mobility in the sector.
“The opportunities are many but we need to network, improve quality control as well as data decision via analysis. The present limitations are linked to infrastructure and it is important to give this the attention required”.
She stressed that Think Bikes has helped to reduce the challenges for the women. “We are exploring innovative solutions that are affordable. The bikes enhance mobility and logistics in shea processing. It is electric, eco-friendly, efficient and enhance profitability. It is faster for delivery and there is a 95 per cent reduction on maintenance. We target waste recyclers and small farm holders.”
