Over 300 women empowered in Osun for upward social economic mobility

The Finlite Grassroot Initiative (FGI), with the support of the Bank of Industry (BOI), has empowered over 300 rural women in Ife Central, Ife North, Ife East, Ife South and Atakumosa West in Osun State through a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing their social and economic mobility.

The initiative, which focuses on providing women with the necessary skills, resources, and financial support, marks an important step towards promoting gender equality and economic development in the region.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Director, FGI, Enitan Kuku-Omonijo, mentioned that the initiative is dedicated to helping low-income women startup or scale their existing businesses for upward social-economic mobility

The director of Programs and Operations, Lizzy Edward, said women got tailoring machine, industrial gas burner, freezers, grinding machines, hair dressing equipment, oven and food support, noting that the initiative offers women a hand up and not a handout.

The Director of Women Affairs, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs in Osun, Olayemisi Oladele, emphasised that government can’t do the impact alone as they need partnership with organizations and stakeholders to move the state more efficiently empowered.

“Women empowerment is vital to the growth on any economy and prosperity,” she said.

Director of Strategy and Implementation, FGI, Adebisi Odeleye, encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the assets as it the power to provide decent livelihood for them.

One of the beneficiaries, Wumi Falana, commended the organisers, emphasized that the program has changed her life as she now has the skills and the confidence to start her own business. She revealed that she has learnt a trade two years ago but could not afford asset, however, the initiative has empowered her.