By Adeola Ogunlade
The Founder of African Fashion Development and Empowerment Centre, (AFDEC) Adeola Ogunkolade has called for increased investment in women economic empowerment.
She said this will help to reduce poverty and enhance economic growth in the country.
Ogunkolade spoke recently at the Nike Art Gallery in Lagos during a partnership workshop by (AFDEC) and Nike Art Gallery to commemorate International Women’s Day, (IWD).
The programme featured over 100 women from all walks of life who explored the beauty of Nigeria’s culture, fashion and indigenous craft.
Hundreds (100) of women were also trained in indigenous craft of tie and die popularly called ‘Adire’.
Ogunkolade noted that women make up slightly above 50 percent of Nigeria’s population adding that their contribution to the growth and stability of the country cannot be underestimated.
According to her, empowering women economically will bring stability to homes, communities which will result in the desired peace to the society at large.
Ogunkolade added: “The goal of the programme and her foundation is to empower as many women as possible and alleviate poverty from the society. Women’s independence is pivotal in achieving this because of their abilities to easily grasp fashion or crafts.”
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On why she chose arts and culture, she said: “Since the olden days, artworks have always meant something significant to Nigeria and Africa, by extension.
‘These are the things we celebrate – history in our culture – and the foreign people are fascinated about us because of the richness in this way of life.’
She revealed that after the training programme, trainees will join a network of over three thousand (3000) network which are under AFDEC for ideas exchange, project partnerships as well as grants opportunities to boost their businesses.
A DR Congo fashionpreneur who also benefited from the training program, simply identified as Mirabo, thanked AFDEC for “daring to make women self-reliant,” adding that this was in tandem with #EachforEqual, the United Nations’ 2020 campaign theme for IWD.
“This is a lifetime opportunity for me and now is just an opportunity for me to thank all the facilitators. Particularly, I like the idea of helping ladies maximize their capacities and secure their positions in the world today and which is what Adeola Ogunkolade is trying to do with her Foundation and I am really proud to be part of this.
“As a fashion designer, this new skill will really help me to promote the Nigerian culture”, Mirabo added.
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