By Omotayo Akinola, Ayanlakin Qudus
The Akinkanju Network Empowerment Initiative and September Fifteenth Enterprise have expressed a strong interest in forging a strategic partnership with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to promote industrial growth and sustainable development in Osun State.
This initiative was unveiled during a courtesy visit by Mrs. Bosede Akere Nwachi, Founder of both the Akinkanju Network and September Fifteenth Enterprise, to the Osun State Coordinating Office of the RMRDC.
Mrs. Akere commended the Council’s efforts in fostering industrialization within the state, noting that RMRDC’s objectives align closely with her organizations’ mission. “I am truly impressed by the Council’s initiatives. They reflect the kind of impactful work we aim to achieve, which is why we are seeking collaboration to leverage RMRDC’s resources and technical expertise,” she said.
She highlighted the Akinkanju Network’s empowerment programs, which have trained over 1,000 beneficiaries in vocational skills such as fashion design, soap making, and Adire textile production. Her enterprise, September Fifteenth, has received international acclaim for its innovative textile designs rooted in Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
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The organization currently collaborates with the Osun State Ministry of Empowerment and Cooperation, as well as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), on initiatives aimed at enhancing local capacity. Among its flagship programs are the Empower Project and the ECO Builder Project, which promote sustainable development through the use of local materials, including eco-friendly laterite bricks for construction.
Mrs. Akere extended an invitation to the Osun-RMRDC team to visit Egbedi, in Egbedore Local Government Area, where construction of a training center is underway. The facility, built using environmentally sustainable methods, is expected to serve as a hub for community-based skills development.
In response, the Osun State Coordinator for RMRDC, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed A., welcomed the partnership proposal and provided an overview of the Council’s mandate. “RMRDC is tasked with promoting the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials. We also advise the government on raw material policy and champion the cause of local content development,” he stated.
Mr. Adeyemi also introduced the proposed 30% Value Addition Bill, a legislative effort aimed at enhancing domestic production and stimulating industrial activity. He noted that the bill could significantly benefit Mrs. Akere’s ventures by improving access to raw materials and increasing the value of locally produced goods.
Both parties expressed optimism about the proposed collaboration, emphasizing its potential to accelerate local content development, empower communities, and contribute meaningfully to Osun State’s economic transformation.
