Story from Rabi’atu Lokoja

The Nigeria Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), said it’s investing heavily in women empowerment because of its belief that economically empowered women will go a long way in the stability of homes.

The  Managing Director, Barrister. Justin Ezeala stated this in Lokoja at the kick-off of the Women Skills Acquisition program for NGMC host communities in North operations states.

Barrister Ezeala who was represented at the event by the Deputy Manager Service, Mr Idorenyin Ekpo said NGMC, which is a subsidiary of NNPC will continue to empower more women as a means of building a more stable society.

“As a responsible and responsive company, we remained committed to developing a robust and sustainable relationship with our host communities. Their well being is paramount and forms part of our corporate social responsibility thrust. This is why we are here today.

“We believe that when a woman is empowered, the home will be stable. We, therefore, enjoin all participants to make good use of the opportunity and acquire the skills which they have enrolled for.

“The beneficiaries who were carefully nominated by executives of their host communities shall undergo intensive three-week training in catering, tailoring/fashion design, hairdressing, and make-up including pedicure/manicure/Gele tying.

According to him at the end of the exercise, the trainees shall be handed over starter packs and take-off grants to enable them to become self-employed and future employers of labour.

The company however seeks maximum co-operation from the host communities in the area of peace and support for business growth, stressing that it’s only in the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity will the people of the host community and Nigeria benefits immensely.

One of the trainees, Deborah Agbonika said she looks forward to the training and hope that it will afford her to achieve the dream of becoming self-reliant in life.

Speaking a community leader from Geregu in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state, Mall Muktar Abdulmalik commended the organization for empowering the women, noting that this will go a long way in assisting their various households.