CHIEF NIKE OKUNDAYE
NAN-ELS-2
Training
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Nike Okundaye, Chief Executive Officer of Nike Arts Gallery, on Thursday, said she had trained no fewer than 1, 400 women across the nation in 2017.
Okundaye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that she had been doing this for the past 15 years and it was borne out of her quest to ensure that more women are self reliant and financially independent.
The artist said that the training was in beading, sculpturing, carving, tie and dye, weaving, painting and other forms of arts.
According to her, the training was done in four different locations with 450 trained in Lagos, 200 in Abuja, 300 and 450 trained at Ogidi and Oshogbo respectively, bringing the total to 1,400 women so far trained.
She said that the number of benefoiciaries had increased this year because she had more facilitators for the training as only 900 women benefited last year.
“I derive great pleasure in training my fellow women to be self reliant and financially independent, which will motivate them to be self sufficient.
“Enough had not been done for women in the society, most especially the downtrodden as their male counterparts always want to suppress them.
“Am sure that if they know their worth and how to use their hands to make wealth, nobody will be able to push them around and they will be financially independent as well as support their partners.
“We were able to train just 900 last year and in 2017, it increased to 1,400 and I know and sure that we will do more next year by God’s grace.
“I believe strongly in that adage that says, when a women is educated, the whole nation is educated, because such knowledge does not die with her alone, “she said.
The artist expressed excitement over positive feedbacks she received from some of the women that had benefited in previous trainings, who now have their shops and are doing well in their respective businesses. (NAN)
PTB/KOLE/MTM
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Tukur Muntari.