OGSG, NEPC, NGO TRAIN WOMEN ON EXPORTATION OF SHEA PRODUCTS
In line with its drive to boost non-oil export and promote inclusiveness, the Ogun State government in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), ImpactHER and ToolUp has commenced a three-day training and empowerment programme for women on "Enhancing Shea Cosmetics Production for Export" which will enable the best two participants to get $500 grant each to start their businesses.
Speaking at the training programme, held at the Ministry of Industry. Trade and Investment Conference Room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Olu. Ola. Aikulola said the free training which is attended by 20 women would afford participants the opportunity to learn how to add value to Shea Butter and export the processed product so as to earn foreign exchange and improve the economy as well as their lives.
He noted that adding value to Shea products before exporting could strategically help readjust the Nigerian economy through increased foreign exchange adding that the Ministry in partnership with the NEPC had consistently trained farmers and relevant stakeholders on how to add value to cashew, vegetables and adire before exporting their products.
Aikulola urged the participants to take advantage of the programme urging participants not to misuse the grants given to them. ‘’You should embrace the knowledge gained and use it to improve your lives’’.
Also speaking, State Co-ordinator, NEPC, Mrs Franscisca Odega said the programme has been organised to empower women exclusively to process, package and export Shea Butter and earn increased income instead of exporting raw Shea Butter adding that the Council was already envisioning having a common facility center where the product would be processed for exportation in the State.
In her message, a representative of ImpactHER, Miss Victoria Ekiran stated that the NGO focuses on training and empowering women and had directly trained 76,100 African women entrepreneurs across 53 African countries and linked over 1,500 women to potential funders, disclosing that two of the best participants at the training programme would each get a $500 grant.
Speaking in separate interviews, two of the participants Miss Oluwatobiloba Vera-Cruz and Mrs. Afolabi Shakirat, said the knowledge gained at the programme had exposed them to a wide range of benefits available through regular use of Shea products, adding that they were inspired to sell the product internationally to earn foreign exchange.
Wale Osunbiyi,
Press Officer, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
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