By Omotayo Akinola & Orunmuyi Korede
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has partnered with Akinkanju NGO to launch the Empower Her Training Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at equipping women with vocational skills and entrepreneurial knowledge. The program’s primary objective is to empower women to take control of their financial futures by creating opportunities for self-employment and sustainable livelihoods.
Mrs. Bosede Akere Nwachi, the convener of the Akinkanju Empower Her Project, delivered a passionate and insightful address to the participants. She emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship as a transformative tool for individual empowerment and broader societal development. According to her, financial literacy and entrepreneurship are fundamental to the growth of any community, especially for women. She highlighted that in today’s rapidly evolving world, understanding the principles of entrepreneurship is not just beneficial but essential for economic survival and prosperity. Mrs. Nwachi stressed that entrepreneurship empowers women to take control of their financial future by creating opportunities for self-employment. She spoke about the various benefits of becoming an entrepreneur, particularly for young women who may lack access to traditional employment opportunities. By developing vocational skills, women can break free from economic dependency, generate income and create sustainable livelihoods. She encouraged the participants to stay focused, dedicated and resilient, noting that the road to success in business might be challenging but that the benefits far outweigh the difficulties.
The Osun State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed A, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the alignment of the Council’s mandate with the objectives of the Akinkanju Empower Her Project. He commended Mrs. Bosede Akere Nwachi, the convener of the program, for her visionary leadership and commitment to women’s empowerment. According to him, this initiative is a bold step toward economic and social advancement, particularly for women. Mr. Adeyemi explained that RMRDC is a Federal Government agency under the Federal Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology, established to promote the sustainable development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s local raw materials. The training areas covered in the program, such as Adire textile production, soap making and souvenir bag production, directly align with RMRDC’s focus on value addition and entrepreneurial transformation. He highlighted the leadership of RMRDC’s Director-General, whose strategic vision is to drive raw materials development and utilization across the country. Under this direction, the Council is committed to helping Nigerian entrepreneurs—not just extract raw materials but transform them into valuable products for domestic and global markets. Mr. Adeyemi reiterated the Council’s willingness to support such initiatives through technical assistance, facilitated raw material sourcing and market linkages to help scale businesses and ensure global competitiveness. He strongly affirmed that empowering women is not just a social necessity but an economic imperative. Investing in women’s skills and entrepreneurship unlocks powerful engines for growth, innovation and national development.
Going forward, Mrs. Funke Alakinde, the CEO of Eliza Aladire and one of the trainers, welcomed the students warmly. She spoke passionately about the value of handcrafted skills in today’s economy, emphasizing the financial rewards that can be derived from mastering such trades. She encouraged the participants to embrace dedication and perseverance as the keys to building sustainable businesses that could lead to financial independence. According to her, with the right skills and mindset, women can create profitable businesses that not only support their families but also contribute to the local economy. She urged the participants to take advantage of the training program and maximize the opportunities presented to them.
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Mr. Sola Oduleye, another resource person, shared his advice for success. He urged the participants to remain focused and dedicated, stressing the importance of staying attentive and committed to learning and honing the skills that would be crucial for their future ventures. According to him, success in business requires hard work, determination and a willingness to learn from failures. He encouraged the participants to ask questions, seek feedback, and continuously improve their skills to stay ahead in the competitive business environment.
In addition, Mrs. Adesina Blessing, the CEO of God’s Favour Creativity, introduced herself and her areas of expertise, including catering, cake making, event decoration and bag production. She explained how these skills could evolve into profitable business opportunities and motivated the women to explore their creativity and approach their crafts with an entrepreneurial mindset. According to her, with the right training and support, women can turn their passions into successful businesses that bring financial rewards and personal fulfilment.
The Empower Her Training Program reflects a collaborative commitment to women’s empowerment through practical and sustainable skills development. By investing in these young women, Osun State is taking firm steps toward a more self-reliant, economically vibrant, and inclusive society.
The training program has achieved significant success, with over 90% of participants demonstrating improved skills in Adire textile production, soap making, and souvenir bag production. The program has also led to the establishment of over 20 new businesses, creating employment opportunities for women in Osun.
