First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Women have trained and empowered some underprivileged widows in the production of various household items.
The skills acquisition, entrepreneurial and economic empowerment gesture forms part of the bank’s activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8, 2019.It is also in line with the financial institution’s commitment to continually impact lives through the goodwill and support of its female employees who have over the years, sponsored several initiatives for women nationwide.
The FCMB Women’s intervention was in collaboration with Jakin N.G.O, a renowned organisation that works with vulnerable groups in Africa to overcome economic, educational and health challenges.
FCMB explained the beneficiaries, 50 widows in all, underwent series of intensive trainings with Jakin NGO in making of liquid detergent, air fresheners, insecticides, the use of beads to make various accessories, and headgear tying, among other household items.
In addition, FCMB Women made donations to buy the materials to set up business for the 50 widows, which will go a long way to provide a platform for them to become entrepreneurs, create employment, generate income, while also enhancing their standard of living.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, in Lagos, FCMB’s Divisional Head, Corporate Services, Felicia Obozuwa, said the gesture is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility and the commitment of FCMB Women to recognise and support the well-being of the underprivileged in the society.
“Beyond celebrating the International Women’s Day, we believe that as a corporate organisation, made up of mothers, wives and sisters, it is necessary to extend the hand of fellowship and love to the underprivileged through empowerment programmes, which will help them generate income in a sustainable manner.
“FCMB Women decided to come to the aid of these widows, following the discovery of the difficulties they faced. We were further inspired to support them because despite the difficult situations they experience, they have been resilient and determined to overcome the odds to contribute to economic growth’’.
The founder of Jakin NGO, Mrs. Olubukola Adebiyi, expressed gratitude to FCMB Women for their noble role in alleviating the challenges encountered by the underprivileged in the society. ‘’We are proud of the various interventions of FCMB Women to make life better for Nigerians. By sponsoring the training of widows and going the extra mile to provide the items they require to start businesses, you have again demonstrated true love and care for the needy’’, she said.
