Unilever Inks Deal with Kaduna on Economic Growth

Unilever Nigeria Plc has concluded arrangements with Kaduna State Government to launch initiatives targeted at improving the economy of the state.

The initiative, ‘Knorr Force for Good’ and Women Empowerment Shakti which are centred on women and teenage girls in the state would boost the livelihood of the concerned and promote their physical wellbeing.

Shakti is a women empowerment programme that seeks to address unemployment and reduce poverty by offering support to women who have entrepreneurial drive but with no access to funds while ‘Knorr Force For Good’ is a social mission initiative that seeks to create awareness and champion the fight against iron deficiency amongst women and their daughters while also educating them on nutritional cooking skills through a behavioural change programme.

Speaking at Government Girls Secondary School, Gwazo, Kaduna, where the deal was sealed, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Aisha Ummi Garba El-Rufa’l expressed delight over the partnership, describing it as timely and needful. She thanked the management of the company for choosing the state and expressed confidence in the positive impact the partnership would yield to both parties.

“The women of Kaduna State are most elated that Unilever Nigeria Plc places high premium on nutrition and women empowerment. This partnership will go a long way in addressing poor nutrition and improving the livelihood of women in the state,” she enthused.

Senior Vice President of the organisation, Savoury Cathryn Sleight, explained that the partnership was one that the company truly valued as it aligned with the company’s vision of improving lives.

“We believe that businesses must be part of the solution to social challenges, and this is why our business model focuses on tackling issues the world faces with our brands and operations. We’re working with key partners all over the world to shine a light on some of the global issues that impact the planet and everyone on it. This awareness is what we are spreading across various states in Nigeria and we intend to do more,” Sleight said.

Referencing the World Health Organisation, WHO, Unilever Marketing Director, Foods, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe observed that majority of adolescent girls and women did not meet the iron requirements of 20 milligrams per day as recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), hence the company’s interest in the ‘Knorr Force For Good project ‘which underscores the importance of vegetables in meals.

“We are happy that this partnership allows us to further our advocacy for iron-enriched meals as a means to fighting iron deficiency anemia,” she said.

At the event, students were trained on simple and easy ways to cook nutritious meals that would help them fight iron deficiency anemia.

Also, the Shakti women entrepreneurs were trained on basic finance skills and empowered with means to set up own businesses including start off ‘loan’ of the company’s products.

Unilever Women Empowerment Manager in Nigeria, Mrs. Aviv Okwonkwo added that “SHAKTI’s objective is to lift women’s self-esteem, confidence and their abilities to support themselves and their families. The programme has successfully moved women who were earning next to nothing to micro-entrepreneurs earning a steady income. It is thus helping to create jobs in rural communities, providing these communities with brands to improve their overall hygiene and nutrition.”