As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) has facilitated a four-day capacity building workshop for 62 Akwa Ibom women. The training has as its theme: Enhancing Local Food Production Beyond Subsistence: the case of oil palm refining, cassava, plantain, yam and corn.

The women were called on to equip themselves and take food processing beyond the scope of domestic kitchens and empower themselves with entrepreneurial skills for a better standard of living.

The event was coordinated by Pillar Forum, Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, a non-governmental organization (NGO) and sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN).

The Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Join Venture Operations, MPN, Mrs. Regina Udobong, said the sponsorship of the workshop was initiated and endorsed as part of the Joint Venture’s strategy to combat poverty through knowledge and entrepreneurial development, particularly among women in Akwa Ibom state.

Apart from income generation, Mrs. Udobong also said the workshop was also aimed at promoting constructive engagement of women who are interested in enhancing capacity and output of their micro processing facilities.

Mrs. Udobong reiterated the Joint Venture’s support for women development and capacity building as demonstrated in the various women empowerment initiatives MPN had executed over the years.

Her words: “It is targeted at increasing the income levels of the rural women in Akwa Ibom state to enable them contribute to the welfare of their families and the economy of Akwa Ibom state.

“The strategy is to enhance the capabilities of women in the processing of core staple foods of the region; such as cassava, plantain, oil palm, yam and corn into various finished food forms, as well as in marketing of such products beyond the level of subsistence.

“We believe the lessons gathered in the course of this programme will be put to practice by all participants. As much as practicable, we urge you to share what you have learnt during the workshop with other women after the training.

“Having been empowered with knowledge and skills, it is your place to appropriate the power to your advantage and to the good of your families, communities, state and the nation at large.”

The representative of Pillars Forum, Mrs. Doren Allwell, thanked Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) for the sponsorship of the programme.

Allwell said: “Training these women takes a lot of money. As long as we will have more sponsors we will be willing to do more of this training.”

Source: World Stage Group