A non-profit organisation,EGO Foundation, committed to empowering women in Nigeria, has flagged off the Women Traditional Textile Design (WTTD) at the weekend, in Lagos.
The flag off symposium was designed to orientate applicants and share invaluable insights into the fashion and art world.
The training will run through a month to empower women with the requisite skills needed to be self-sufficient and financially independent.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Executive Director of EGO Foundation, Toluwase Olaniyan stated that the WTTD project seeks to not only increase the participation of more women in the existing markets, but to increase their access to and control over productive resources, and access to decent work.
He stressed that the project will further help in bridging the economic divide while promoting Art, Fashion and Entrepreneurship.
“Women are indeed the major drivers of economic growth and need to be properly equipped with the requisite skills, resources, and knowledge to play their role adequately,” he said
Also, Vice Chairman, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Barr.Olufunke Rakiya Hassan said the initiative is the type that keeps Nigeria boiling and alive, noting that they are not only empowering women, rather they are enriching them with skills and keeping the tradition.
She stressed that, Nigeria needs to turn from the importing and consuming nation to an exporting nation which can be met if handled properly.
“Like swiss are known for their chocolate why can’t Nigeria be known for its exquisite textile, it is about having the creativity and imagination, turning an open space into a textile village, not only are we exporting our textile, we would become a centre point for tourism as well so the opportunities are boundless,” she said
She also stressed that the initiative will equip women with the right skills to enable them contribute to the socio-economic development of their families and communities.
