The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has launched a livelihood empowerment initiative targeting women in oil-producing communities across Anambra, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Cross River States.
Unveiled during a two-day training in Uyo, the program—titled "Livelihood Support Training for Women in Frontline Extractive Communities (WIFE)"—aims to equip women with the skills to form and manage cooperatives, improve financial literacy, and build sustainable sources of income.
Centre LSD's Executive Director, Mr. Monday Osasah, emphasized the programme's goal of enabling women to rise above poverty and drive economic development despite facing severe environmental and economic challenges due to extractive activities. He noted that women in these areas often contend with land loss and water pollution but continue to support their families and communities.
The training includes lessons on cooperative formation, savings and loan management, entrepreneurship, and building community support systems. Participants receive manuals with simplified guides, real-life stories, and interactive activities.
Dr. Vincent Dania, the programme's project manager, described the conditions of women in extractive regions as "deplorable" and stressed the importance of the program in fostering long-term empowerment and access to funding beyond the life of the project.
Dr. Happiness, one of the participants and President of the River Swimming Cooperative Federation Alliance Limited, expressed appreciation for the opportunity and promised to extend the knowledge to others.
The initiative is expected to help participants establish financially viable cooperatives, drive local entrepreneurship, and create a ripple effect of empowerment across the region.
