FG gives grant, start-up packs to 140 female artisans

The Federal Government recently gave grants and start-up packs to 140 female artisans who have undergone three week’s residential capacity training under the Nigeria intervention project of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD).

The 140 artisans were trained in plumbing and piping, generating set repair and maintenance, air conditioner and refrigerator repair, tiling and masonry depending on their area of interest.

The Director General of NCWD, Barr. Mary Ekpere-Eta, during the graduation ceremony said, they have been able to groom the beneficiaries to change the stereotype around the ability of females to do well in nontraditional trades, adding that if men could delve into the so-called area meant for women, like hair dressing business and do well, nothing should stop women from excelling in any chosen field.

“We are confident that they will represent the various communities they have come from as our agents of change and show the ability of women to excel, be empowered to maintain and carry out basic maintenance and installation work in areas they have chosen.

“With what they did during their practical and the maintenance work in our offices, we are sure that we are sending out qualified artisans that can compete favourably with the men.”

As the beneficiaries received their start-up packs and take-off grants, Barr. Ekpere-Eta urged them to make good use of the opportunity given them with the tools, adding that they should not sell off the tools but use them to advance their lives, impact on others and also develop the economy of the country.

The president, 2018 artisans, Sumaiya Sani from Zamfara State said, they were leaving with great knowledge and skills that every one of them would treasure, adding that they have learnt much both technically and physically and will apply same as they go out.

“The training has changed our lives and we are more confident and capable to handle any task in our chosen fields. We will try as much as we could to also impact the lives of women around us as we kick-start our businesses,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Asma’u Salisu, who was trained in air conditioning and refrigerator repairs, said she was motivated to apply for the training because the work was seen as only limited to men, adding that there were some places where one might not want a man to enter into, a woman’s room for instance for such repairs.

The beneficiaries were selected in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).