By Samson Adeyanju
Agan Community in Benue State came alive as the ‘Strength for the Weak Empowerment Initiative’ and ‘Center for Family Empowerment’, in collaboration with the ‘Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace’ (COFP), hosted a one-day empowerment programme themed “Strengthening Community Resilience through Empowerment, Advocacy, and Menstrual Health.”
The initiative, spearheaded by Tersoo Nande, a COFP fellow, aimed at fostering unity between Christians and Muslims while addressing critical issues of economic empowerment and menstrual health education.
Addressing the gathering, Tersoo Nande explained the significance of the initiative, emphasizing that the COFP fellowship project is designed to foster interfaith collaboration. “My colleague informed me that this community comprises Muslims and Christians, and that is why we brought this project here,” he stated.
The community leader, Chief Patrick Agbaka, urged residents to embrace the lessons shared, stressing that consistent practice would bring long-term benefits.
“If you are taught something and you keep practicing it, it will be profitable to you. But if you don’t master it, it will never profit you,” he advised.
One of the key highlights of the event was a practical session on reusable sanitary pads. A participant demonstrated how to redesign fabric into pads, insert absorbent wool, and properly maintain hygiene by washing the cloth while discarding the wool after use.
In addition, the organizers empowered widows with livestock, equipping them with sustainable means of livelihood. As a symbolic gesture of unity, trees were planted at both the community church and mosque, signifying growth, peace, and resilience.
The initiative was widely applauded by the community.
Expressing his gratitude, the Imam of the community, Ibrahim Tijani said, “I am happy that you came to empower women in our community. I pray that what they have learnt should be useful to them.”
Beneficiaries like Paulina Unum also shared heartfelt appreciation. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she said, “We have never seen such a wonderful thing like this before, but we have seen it today. We wish that this good thing will last forever.”
Another beneficiary, Lydia Ihyamber, acknowledged Cardinal Onaiyekan for his role in the initiative.
“This thing you have done is something we have never witnessed before. May God bless Cardinal abundantly for remembering us,” she said.
For some like Veronica Agan, the training was not just about learning but also about economic empowerment. The unemployed tailor, saw an opportunity in the reusable pads.
“The training is helpful to me. I can sew the pads and sell them. I will hawk them around the community and inform women that something has come to solve their menstrual problem,” she remarked.
The event underscored the power of empowerment, advocacy, and interfaith collaboration in fostering resilient communities.
Through education, economic support, and environmental consciousness, the initiative has sown seeds of lasting change in Agan, with the hope that more such interventions will follow.
