A Non-governmental Organisation based in Kano, Mai Dattako Network for Empowerment and Development, has trained 32 women on fashion design under its women empowerment programme for them to become self-reliant.
The founder of the NGO, Alhaji Umar Farouq disclosed this during the graduation ceremony for beneficiaries in Kano over the weekend.
He said the women, who were trained for six months at the Mai Dattako Fashion School, were equipped with skills in tailoring, basic book keeping, personal hygiene and safety.
“This initiative was launched in February 2019 as a vehicle to produce thoroughbred fashion designers equipped with skills in tailoring and others,” he said.
According to him, another batch of 30 women would commence similar training programme for the same period under the second phase of the programme on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
“All the beneficiaries will be given sewing machines, certificates and take-off capital to enable them start their business,” Farouq said.
He said since the NGO was established in October 2017, it had empowered no fewer than 232 women and youths with training, materials and capital for take-off of their businesses in the state.
“In October 2017, a total of 111 micro entrepreneurs were trained in the art of soap making and fashion costume crafting in addition to 10 other women who received grinding machines to support their families,” he said.
The founder said under the NGO’s educational support programme, over 700 primary school pupils had been provided with uniforms and learning kits adding that the kids are mostly orphans drawn from 10 wards of Gwale local government area.
“Under Gwale health support initiative which is an ongoing programme under which senior citizens diagnosed with hypertension and/ or diabetes are provided with routine prescription drugs to enhance their wellbeing.
According to him, the organisation had under its fight against Malaria programme, carried out fumigation of public areas in 10 wards of Gwale LGA and sensitisation of residents on the need fight malaria by ridding environment of stagnant water and heaps of refuse.
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Saidu Zakari, called on well-to-do individuals to establish similar NGO with a view to support indigent and other vulnerable groups in the society.
The occasion was attended by prominent personalities including Hajiya Samira Sani Dangote of Dangote Foundation.
