The Alheri Neighbourhood Women Empowerment Initiative has empowered nine young women in Tundu Wada South, Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, with sewing machines to enable them establish tailoring businesses and become self-reliant.
The beneficiaries received the sewing machines and certificates at a ceremony held at the Alheri Community Hall, Tundu Wada South.
Founder of the initiative and Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area, Dr Mustapha Jibril Alheri, said the empowerment was designed to complement the efforts of the administration of Governor Umaru Bago in improving livelihoods through skills acquisition and economic empowerment.
Alheri, who was represented by the Secretary of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Baba Dokotako, said the sewing machines would provide the beneficiaries with the necessary tools to put their acquired skills into practice.
He explained that the initiative was not merely about distributing equipment but about creating opportunities for young women to establish businesses, generate income and contribute to the welfare of their families.
He recalled that the Chanchaga Local Government had earlier empowered 1,100 people with N20,000 each to establish small businesses, while another 150 people had also benefited from similar interventions.
The chairman urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the sewing machines and turn their skills into sustainable sources of livelihood.
The beneficiaries had undergone almost one year of apprenticeship in tailoring and fashion design under Mrs Habiba Abubakar of New Omar Fashion Designer.
Abubakar, one of the trainers, presented certificates to the beneficiaries after the successful completion of their training and encouraged them to remain committed to improving their skills.
The Chanchaga Local Government Coordinator of the foundation, Mr Mohammed Baba Ibrahim, said the beneficiaries were selected and trained without political considerations.
He said the programme was aimed at helping the young women transform their tailoring skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Also speaking, the Chairman’s Special Adviser on Political Strategies and Economic Affairs, Mr Muhammad Garba, called for greater investment in vocational and technical education.
Garba noted that practical skills could help young people become self-reliant, stressing that government employment alone could not provide opportunities for everyone.
The Women Leader of Tundu Wada South, Hajiya Amina, commended the initiative and appealed for similar empowerment programmes to be extended to women in other age groups.
One of the beneficiaries, Khadija Shafi Muhammad, expressed appreciation for the support, saying the sewing machine would enable her to practise her skills, earn an income and support herself and her parents.
Another beneficiary, Fatima Adamu, also thanked the organisers for providing her with both the training and equipment to begin her own tailoring business.
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