By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 18, 2024 – Alice Wanny Development Foundation (AWDF) has empowered no fewer than 100 women and youths in P.O.P techniques, painting, and entrepreneurship skills.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day training on women and youth empowerment with the theme; Raising Innovative Women in P.O.P Techniques, Painting and Entrepreneurship was in collaboration with Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI).
AWDF is a girl-child organisation with its area of focus in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Project (i.e., the 17 SDGs).
The organisation, however, streamlined its focus into three of the SDGs. These include
SDG 1: No poverty-Skill Acquisition and Empowerment.
SDG 3: Promoting good health and well-being
SDG 4: Promoting Quality Education.
Owan Alice Ada, the Founder and CEO of AWDF told newsmen that the objective of the training was to empower the girl-child to enable them embrace some particular fields that were hitherto dominated by the male folks e.g Construction and Real Estate.
“Today, we are gathered here with a shared vision: a future where women are no longer an exception in fields traditionally dominated by men because they are alot of opportunities for women that need to be harnessed from those fields.
“At AWDF, we are proud to lead this effort by promoting STEM-Education for the girl-child. Our mission is to equip young girls with the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – fields, which are often seen as male domains.
“We know that when girls are empowered with these skills, they can break barriers and pursue careers in industries that shape our cities, economies, and future,” she said.
She expressed her gratitude to NBRRI and NASRDA for supporting the initiative and embracing the vision, adding that by opening their doors to the foundation, they have set the stage for a brighter future and meaningful collaborations.
She also appreciated the foundation’s esteemed partners; Penthouse properties, Gift Lupus Foundation, and NAIM Helping Hand Initiative, adding that their commitment underscores the power of partnership in advancing opportunities for women and girls.
“Together, we are building a future where women thrive in fields shaping our cities and economies,” she said.
Dr Lovette Ononuga, Director Tax Payers Services with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a keynote speaker at the training, said that getting rid of self-limiting thoughts was one of the key foundation for success.
“Today is about these young women coming out here to find out what it is that they can do for themselves and not been told that they can’t do it, that it is only for men.
“They are the future. They are the change because they are young and have their whole lives ahead of them.
“Believe in yourselves, embrace your uniqueness, pursue your passions, surround yourselves with positivity and take care of yourselves because it is only when you are emotionally well and physically strong that you can take care of others,” she said.
Professor Samson Duna, the Director General of NBRRI, praised the founder of AWDF for her aggressiveness and commitment in ensuring that the training comes to a reality.
“Let me extend my wishes for all those who participated in the training. I am very happy to see people who are willing and ready to learn as far as artisanship is concerned.
“It is not easy to see a female gender in the construction industry, but I can see the passion interest and determination shown by these girls,” he said.
Gift Egbede, a professional painter and producer, said she was so passionate about what she did even though she was in a field traditionally dominated by men.
She urged the girls to always express confidence in whatever field they find themselves, adding that what a man can do, a woman can do it better.
NAN reports that the three-day training, which began on Monday, ended on Wednesday in Abuja.(NAN)
