Coca Cola, others lift 5000 women from Covid-19 pandemic crunch
As part of its corporate social responsibility program, the Coca-Cola Foundation has come up with an initiative aimed at supporting women in five communities in Lagos State. Consequently, the beverage giant has set up a capacity building programme to equip the beneficiaries with relevant vocational skills acquisition and business trainings.
Partnering with two Nigerian-based non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Coca-Cola Foundation has through the initiative empowered 5000 (five thousand) women with the aim to helping them recover from the harsh economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.
The company stated that 1,000 of these women would receive funding and support to set up small-scale enterprises.
Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe said recently that the grant would enhance the business acumen of the women and scale up micro enterprises to sustenance them and their families during this trying times.
She added that the initiative was another way Coca Cola was contributing to economic recovery following the devastating global pandemic.
Onyemelukwe further stated that the programme, tagged ‘Catalyst for Change’, will be implemented across five communities, including Iwaya, Oworonshoki, Sangotedo, Magboro and Ogijo communities.
She added that business training modules which would be delivered by experienced facilitators will focus on personal and product branding, business foundations and basic accounting.
The five month long training for artisans, she noted, would cover courses in wig making, make-up, fashion and designing, household essentials, shoe making, amongst others.
Also speaking on the programme, Founder of Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, Bukola Bamiduro, expressed gratitude for the grant. She identified poverty as the greatest threat to human existence as it fuels crime, despair and vices.
In her words: “The impact of COVID-19 has further escalated poverty in Nigeria, so we are delighted with this partnership and the execution of the programme as these women will become catalysts in their communities by pulling their families out of poverty.”
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