WREP HOLDS A TWO DAY TRAINING ON ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS IN MAKURDI
Erdoo Due
Women’s Right to Education Programme (WREP) in partnership with Extractives Global Programmatic Support (EGPS) has held a two day training 27th-28th April, 2021 for alternative livelihoods and new income streams focused on making of hand sanitizers and liquid soap under the project: Mitigating the Impact of Covid -19 pandemic on Women and Children in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining in North Central Nigeria.
The training which featured 45 participants drawn from three communities; Mbayion, Mbatiav in Benue State took place at the Benue Centre for Enterprise Development and Innovation Makurdi, Benue State.
In her opening remarks, the Deputy Executive Director WREP-Mrs Violet Ocheikwu welcomed and appreciated all participants for availing themselves to be trained stating that, “the aim of this training is to explore alternative sources of income for the Artisanal woman in addition to Agriculture. Covid- 19 has brought a lot of hardship and paved way for increased gender based violence as such, this will serve as an approach to combating the violence against women.” According to her, the major objectives of the training are; to create a safe space for Female Miners in the informal sector through providing alternative livelihoods and new income streams, equip women (Trainees) with the knowledge of hand sanitizers and liquid soap production as well as practical application of the knowledge received.
Ocheikwu further stated that, the project covers not just Benue but also Nassarawa State with expectation that, the trainees will utilize the knowledge given them by producing the soap and hand sanitizers for sale as well as step-down the training to other community members respectively.
Good will message from the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs delivered by Stephen Isah pointed out the role of the ministry in enhancing the lives of women in the State: “the women interest and promotion is one major role of the ministry. In light of this, I truly appreciate WREP for the initiative it is very resourceful because women, vulnerable children and the elderly are all functions of the Ministry. This training has eased or lessened the burden of work for us especially in this era of covid 19.” Isah further pledged support and collaboration of the Ministry to WREP and other CSOs.
Dorcas Iorkusah who facilitated the soap and hand sanitizer production sessions said, women have suffered due to poor finance or lack of money and poor grading, culminating into adverse poverty. She urged all participants to pay attention. Materials needed for liquid soap production include; a rubber bucket, stirring stick, face mask, Nitrosol (for immediate production) or Antisol (for overnight production), SLS, Sulphuric Acid, Caustic Soda, Soda ash(main stain or dirt removal), preservative, perfume and colour while those required for hand sanitizer production are; Glycerine (softener),Nitrosol, Alcohol(ethanol) Glycol, Perfume and Hydrogen. Iorkusah also enjoined the trainees to focus on quality rather than maximize profit with poor production quality.
Anenge Roseline from Mbayion expressed enthusiasm to start up her production. She said “I have being in the dark because of no source of income but now that I have been given the opportunity, I will start making the soap and sell to improve my life and family.”
Margaret Sesugh of Mbatiav said soap production is one thing she has craved but has no money to acquire the skill. She appreciated WREP for finding her worthy of this great opportunity.
Mrs Licia Dough of Ushongo said “I have bought liquid soap over the years for virtually everything that requires cleansing in my house ranging from washing to floor cleaning but with the knowledge acquired today my cost will be cut down, the sanitizer also is very important especially in this era of pandemic a lot of money will be made from its production.”
Highlight of the training was a demonstrative production of liquid soap and hand sanitizer led by Dorcas Iorkusah.
