Over 10 Female Vocational Trainees Receives Empowerment from IWD: HOJ Foundation

The HOJ Foundation celebrates International Women’s Day 2024 in grand style. Over 10 vocational trainees who are beneficiaries of a fully sponsored and funded internship programme were empowered by the foundation. 

The event held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 and theme of this year’s event, ‘Count me in’ was exercised at the empowerment programme as start-up capital, laptops, and other monetary donations were given to beneficiaries.

Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, the founder of the HOJ Foundation, member, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, told press that the foundation was created for the pressing need to enhance the female gender andempower women. 

He said that, about 60% of the microeconomic drive of the world, especially Nigeria, is dominated by women. In this 21st century, women can be the president of Nigeria, and the HOJ is prepared to ensure the success of women. 

And the theme ‘count me in’ shows how excluded women are; all HOJ seeks is to make women included and the heart of the discussion. The foundation aim is to empower more women in the future. 

Hon. Okey-Joe expressed his profound value for women, which is why the drive of HOJ is to empower women in the areas of skill acquisition, home management, and financial management to utilise the qualities in them. 

He mentioned that the HOJ Foundation is breaking barriers where all women and girls are valued. “When a woman has access to finance, she can provide a better education for her children, afford the best possible healthcare for her family, and afford better housing. Through financial security, she gains greater economic power.”

“Women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power, and knowledge as equal citizens. Equipping girls and boys, women and men, with the knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills to tackle gender disparities is a precondition to building a sustainable future for all.”

In addition, Mazi Chuks Sunday Nwosu, the S.A. media to Hon.Okey Joe, said this year’s theme, ‘COUNT ME IN’ is created to encourage the inclusion of women in male-dominated sectors of society.

 He admonished the Nigerian government to acknowledge women politically, hence corroborating the need for inclusive governance, and also advises men to encourage their wives, sisters, and friends in their career paths. 

Mrs. Uchenna, the convener of the International Women’s Day programme for the H.O.J. Foundation, stated that the theme of 2024 event, ‘COUNT HER IN’, is to encourage women to take up the challenge to achieve their aspirations in male-dominated sectors, thereby promoting gender equality in the society. She noted that HOJ has achieved a lot in the few years of its existence, having trained over 20 women in make-up, catering, web design, and graphics. Empower them with laptop tools for work as well as start-up capital for the commencement of their journey as entrepreneurs. It reveals that the foundation is neither tribalistic nor religious or background-based, but for all. Every woman should be financially independent to enhance family wellbeing.

Special guest of honour at the HOJ annual celebration of International Women’s Day, Aisha Yesufu, spoke on the need for women to achieve their dreams despite societal disparities. She gave an insight on the challenges faced in life during the course of getting an education but succeeded immensely. Aisha told women on the occasion to make a list of goals to achieve, irrespective of perceived challenges, portray humility and respect in all spheres of life. 

Other keynote speakers include Mrs. Toluwani Kennedy Jinadu, who elaborated on the need to empower women to enhance the drive for gender equality; Dr. Chioma Emma Nwachukwu, who also educated the audience on “Taking care of your health through a modified lifestyle,” Claribel Tabansi Ekhator, and Adebisi Atewologun.

Awardees at the event also include: High Chief (Sir) Ifedi Jellily Chukwuhumeyan, Head of Corporate Marketing & Export Marketing Manager of SoulMate Industries Limited; Chief Amb. Dr. Prophet Monday Akunna Ukwa-Achinaka Ihitenansa, Executive Chairman, Greenfield Estate CDA; Abioma Evelyn Agoziem; Comr. Bolaji Belinda Bayode; Humphrey Erumaka (Journalist);.

The highlight of the event is the presentation of cheques, laptops, and monetary donations to beneficiaries of the HOJ Foundation.