Fruit Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has empowered about 200 women mostly living in Lagos with vocational, entrepreneurial and technological skills to enable them to become financially independent and valuable to society.
Sola Adesakin, president and chief executive officer of the foundation said that empowering women is her way of giving back to society.
She revealed that the vision to empower underprivileged women came about 12 years ago, and that prompted her to establish the foundation.
According to Adesakin, the best way to help women is to empower them economically.
“These women were privileged to learn skills such as catering, hairdressing, tailoring and digital marketing.” “We also took it a step further by taking them through the basics of entrepreneurship, record-keeping, and business plan among others.”
In her keynote address at the graduation ceremony, Tewa Onasanya spoke to women about the need to have the right mindset to succeed in life.
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She said, “There’s nothing like having the right mindset.” Nothing happens without a positive mindset. Be visionary, and learn to speak positive words daily,” she added.
Adesakin who is a recent winner of the Eloy Awards for Social Enterprise, disclosed that this project was made possible with support from the US Consulate in Lagos, which partnered the foundation with a grant to make the dream a reality.
The beneficiaries of the empowerment had a colourful graduation ceremony held in their honour in November, with several dignitaries in attendance. They were elated at this gesture and also went home with certificates, cash prizes, and kits, among others.
Other special guests who graced the occasion include Idowu Aikulola, Dolapo Afebuameh, Lara Odeniyi, Mariam Sanusi, Mojisola Benson- Adeeko, Hannah Ojomo, and Adepeju Olukokun, founder of Kokun Foundation among others.
