The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD )is set to empower women from oil producing communities in Anambra, Imò, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Cross River States.
The non-governmental organisation revealed this in Uyo during its two-day programme tagged ‘Livelihood Support Training for Women in Frontline Extractive Communities (WIFE)’.
The programme aims to empower women with the skills and knowledge needed to manage their own cooperatives and improve their livelihoods.
Executive Director, Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, said the training program is designed to support sustainable, women-led solutions in extractive communities.
In his words “The training is not just about bringing women together, It is about how to lift women out of poverty and promote economic development in their communities.
“In many extractive communities across the Niger Delta, women like you face daily challenges such as loss of farmland, polluted water, and fewer ways to earn income. Yet, despite these struggles, women continue to work hard to feed their families, support one another, and build better futures.
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“This training is part of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development’s (Centre LSD) effort to support sustainable, women-led solutions. Over the next three days, you will learn how to: Understand and form your own women’s cooperative Keep simple records of savings and loans Manage and grow money through savings and small business ideas, Work with other women to create a strong support system in your community.
“This manual is your guide. It contains short lessons, stories from women like you, and group activities to help you think, plan, and act. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need an open heart, a clear mind, and the courage to start something new.
“By the end of this training. you will be equipped to lead a local cooperative, support other women, and take the first step towards a more secure and independent livelihood. you and your group.
Also speaking, Dr. Vincent Dania, Project Manager for the programme, highlighted the challenges faced by women in extractive communities. “The situation of women in these communities is deplorable and very sad, They are marginalized and vulnerable, and their livelihoods are often affected by pollution and loss of land.”
He said the programme aims to empower women with the skills and knowledge needed to manage their own cooperatives and access funding from government programs. “We are hoping that what we want to do is to catalyze the process such that the cooperative will have run even after the lifetime of this project,” Dr. Dania said.
One of the participants, Dr. Happiness, President of River Swimming Cooperative Federation Alliance Limited, expressed her gratitude for the training program. “I’m happy to be here because this training is helping me. I will reach out to more people and help them understand the importance of cooperatives.”
Our correspondent reports that the training programme covered topics such as cooperative formation, financial management, and entrepreneurship. Participants are expected to understand how to keep records of savings and loans, manage and grow money through savings and small business ideas, and create a strong support system.