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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
As part of its global efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment, UN Women has commissioned a Food Hub in Bayelsa State with the donation of 300 bags of 50kg fertilizers and cassava stems to women affected by flood.
Also, the event witnessed the graduation of 100 women who were trained in food processing management and packaging as part of the intervention of the global body in the agricultural sector.
The initiative of the UN Women aims to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience among Bayelsa women.
The UN Women which spearheaded the empowerment and training programme with technical and funding support executed it in partnership with the Office of the Wife of the Governor and the Fostering Achievement of Community Empowerment (FACE) Initiative, a non-governmental organization.
The project falls under the Support for Rural Women in Bayelsa State program, designed to provide women and girls with the necessary skills, resources, and infrastructure to excel in food processing and entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the commissioning, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, who highlighted the significance of the intervention said supporting the establishment of the food processing centre, training 100 women entrepreneurs in food processing and packaging, and providing fertilizers and cassava stems to 300 women farmers marks UN Women’s first engagement in Bayelsa State.
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Eyong while disclosing that UN Women had recently extended similar support to Niger and Ebonyi states, which benefitted over 500 rural farmers with farm inputs, stated that there are plans to introduce clean cooking biogas technology to 1,900 households across six states—Kwara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Niger, Ebonyi, and Yobe—by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
The programme facilitator, Skillporte was commended for playing a crucial role in delivering high-quality training in business management and food processing, equipping participants with practical knowledge and industry-relevant expertise.
The organisers stated that the newly established Bayelsa Food Hub is now set to serve as a dedicated facility where women and girls can process food products in a hygienic environment using state-of-the-art equipment.
According to them, the Food Hub would contribute to food security, economic independence, and sustainable livelihoods, while the donation of improved cassava stems and fertilizers to rural farmers is a strategic intervention aimed at mitigating the impact of perennial flooding in Bayelsa State, ensuring increased agricultural yield and stability for local communities.
The UN Women stressed that the milestone event reinforced its ongoing commitment to gender equality, economic empowerment, and poverty alleviation for women and girls in Nigeria, thereby reducing vulnerabilities that contribute to gender-based violence and social inequality.
Other dignitaries that attended the event include the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Diri, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Professor Beke Sese, Bayelsa lawmakers, Hon Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown (Sagbama Constituency 2) and Hon Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba (Yenagoa Constituency 1,), Commissioners for Blue and Marine Economy Dr.Faith Zibs, and her Trade counterpart, Dr Ebieri Jones.
