The Blooming Dames Centre Ibadan has graduated its third cohort of skills acquisition programme, aimed at empowering women who have renounced their profession in exploitative and harmful circumstances.
The ceremony which took place at the center’s Safe House,Bodija Ibadan also had in attendance government officials, representatives of non- governmental organizations, family, friends and well wishers of the beneficiaries.
The graduation ceremony was preceded by intensive skill acquisition training, weekly discipleship and value-based training sessions for seven ladies of Honour and Virtue trained by the BloomingDames Centre.
This lasted for 6 months out of which 5 weeks were dedicated to the SHE-Leads Survivor Empowerment Training Project, by MeChat with funding from EXIST CKU Rotary/Rotaract Denmark.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, the Executive Director of Pan African Purpose-Driven Women Initiative, one of the partnering organisations for the Programme,said the centre has not just trained the beneficiaries on the needed vocations that serve as a source of income but also built a sustainable economic cycle by adding five new micro-enterprises to the Ibadan ecosystem thereby yielding a high return on human capital for Oyo State.
Mrs.Ogedengbe who hinted that the women have received the necessary tools of trade for their chosen vocations said the centre which has also become a haven for survivors of SGBV, has also been equipped with different vocational tools for subsequent trainings through the MeCAHT funding.
She said the Safe House will continue to serve as Blooming Dames training ground for ensuring a permanent legacy and enabling many women to transit from exploitation into decent work and economic growth which represents SDG 8.
She noted that though seven women started the program, five of them completed the training.
Delivering an inspiring keynote address, a guest speaker, Mrs. Patricia Abokede challenged the women to embrace excellence and commit to advancing their lives and the lives of those around them.
Mrs. Abokede urged them to be intentional about their lives to avoid living carelessly, and to ensure that their actions are guided by wisdom while their presence bring peace.
Also speaking, the Co-founder Blooming Dames Centre and Executive Director, Connecting Hearts of Women For Positive Change Initiative, Mrs. Abimbola Okutinyang said the capacity building has empowered the women to be able to generate income for themselves and sustain their families.(SDG 1- no poverty).
While expressing her appreciation to sponsors and partners, Mrs. Okutinyang explained that the centre has received support from various women who volunteered to train the beneficiaries out of compassion, commending the moral and in kind support received so far from the government which affirms SDG 17, partnership for the Goals.
“With the supports we’ve gotten, our next step is to enroll more women.” She said.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperative, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi Olabode, represented by Mr Albert Williams, stated that the ceremony is a celebration of transformation, resilience, and renewal.
He said ” These five exceptional women graduating today represent courage in the face of adversity”.
Mr. Albert said the five women have moved beyond difficult circumstances and embraced the opportunity to rebuild their life through skill acquisition, discipline and determination.
He added that the tailoring and fashion design, catering and confectionery, and professional hairdressing are not just vocational skills but they are viable economy pathways, sectors with strong demands with Nigeria’s local economy and significant potential for scalability.
Also speaking at the event was the Hon. Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, who through his representative, Mr. W.A. Tiamiyu, applauded the BloomingDames Centre empowerment initiative as an avenue towards creating jobs and alleviating poverty. He also encouraged the graduands to make the most of the knowledge acquired as well as the enterprise tools they were given.
The State Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) Oyo State Command, Mr. Kayode Alfred who expressed his delight to be present at the occasion, stated that unemployment and poverty are two push factors of Human Trafficking as an organised crime which could be curtailed to the barest minimum through adequate empowerment of women and girls.
The Commander congratulated the five graduands, while advising them to stay focused and make the best use of their empowerment packages and commending the Directors of Blooming Dames Center for a job well done.
A highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of the CAC Business name registration certificates done probono for the ladies by the legal adviser of Pan-African Purpose-Driven Women Initiative, Mrs. Funmi Adedoyin Esq.
Other highlights of the event includes presentation of certificates of completion of training and start up tools as well as copies of complete Bibles for spiritual growth to the excited graduands who expressed deep appreciation to the Blooming Dames Centre.
