By Patrick Obia
A leading producer of cement in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Lafarge Africa Plc has empowered twenty-five women from it’s host communities of Mfamosing, Abiati, Ekong Anaku, Mbobui and Akwa Ikot Effanga in Akamkpa and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
The empowerment ceremony held Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Anyamurua Estate, Atimbo, Calabar, where the women of the host communities were presented certificates of beneficiaries and starter kit.
The empowerment exercise is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to its host communities. Each of the beneficiary is empowered with 50-day old chickens, bags of feed, feeders, lanterns, drinkers and drugs.
The women had earlier undergone training in poultry farm and entrepreneurship management. It is expected that the program will help the women and their families become self reliance and improve their social status in their various communities.
In a goodwill message, the Community Relations Manager, Miss. Brenda Effiom said the gesture is necessary to empower few of its landlord communities who will inturn empower their community in agroecology.
Beneficiaries were charged to make judicious use of the inputs given to them. They were also advised not to sell the inputs as there will be a team who will monitor and evaluate how they are faring and possible assistance.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Rita Effiom, thanked Lafarge for the empowerment, saying they are lucky and will leave up to expectations.
“We want to thank Lafarge for what they have done for the women because you’re doing the right thing. When you empower the woman, you empower the value thing. You know women are good managers, by the time we are been empowered we empower our husbands, our children and our communities at large.”
High point of the ceremony was presentation of certificate, poultry inputs and group photographs. Pictures below:
