By Komolafe Oluwatoyin
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has taken a significant step towards empowering women in Osun State through a collaborative meeting with the Akinkanju women’s group. The meeting, held recently, aimed to explore ways of promoting indigenous raw materials and supporting innovation in the state.
During the meeting, the leader of the group Mrs. Bosede Akere Nwachi warmly welcomed the RMRDC team and emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration and empowerment among the women. The participants introduced themselves and shared their various trades, including soap making, adire/Kampala production and pap powder processing.
The Osun-RMRDC State Coordinator Mr. Adeyemi S.A. gave an overview of RMRDC’s mandate, highlighting the Council’s commitment to economic transformation through the sustainable use of Nigeria’s agricultural and mineral raw materials. He noted that rural clusters like Akinkanju are critical drivers of local industrial development and national economic growth.
One of the highlights of the visit was the Akinkanju women’s innovative use of laterite, a naturally abundant resource in Egbedi, Osun State. The women have successfully produced compressed laterite bricks, which they are using to construct a dedicated multi-purpose facility for their cooperative activities. Notably, the laterite bricks used in the building construction were inter-locked without cement, showcasing the durability and sustainability of this innovative approach. This method not only reduces construction costs but also makes the use of laterite more economical, thereby increasing its potential for income generation and job creation. This innovation aligns with RMRDC’s mandate to promote indigenous raw materials and support innovation.
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The RMRDC team expressed interest in supporting the women’s group and confirmed that they fall under the SME Development Programme of the council. Mr. Adeyemi pledged the Council’s participation in their upcoming Capacity Building training and highlighted the forthcoming Investor Forum in Osun State, focused on the sweet potato value chain.
The meeting was productive, with enthusiastic participation from the women, who asked relevant questions about support, access to raw materials, capacity building and potential collaborations. The RMRDC team responded to all queries, providing clarity and guidance. With this collaboration, the women are poised to take their businesses to the next level, contributing to the state’s economic growth and development.
