KW-SAPZ Trains Women on Leadership, Capacity Building

KW-SAPZ Trains Women on Leadership, Capacity Building

The Kwara State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project has trained women in the state on leadership and capacity building in order to model their attitude towards achieving change and high productivity in their agricultural endeavours.

The workshop which held today in Ilorin, was organised for women drawn from the five local government areas of the project locations (Baruteen, Kaiama, Ifelodun , Asa and Moro), with the theme, "Leadership Academy and Capacity-Building Training for Women".

Declaring the workshop open, the state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Honourable Oloruntoyosi Thomas, expressed satisfaction on the participants' enthusiasm and attention at the event; and described women as great teachers and leaders that society cannot do without.

She emphasised that empowering women is critical to achieving sustainable agricultural development, economic growth, and improved livelihoods, noting that women play a vital role across the agricultural value chain and should be provided with the tools, confidence, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to decision-making and development.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, the Commissioner affirmed that the training is part of the state government's deliberate efforts to change the narrative of underrepresentation of women in leadership.

She also advised the participants to understand that leadership is beyond leading alone and urged them to accept leadership responsibilities like guiding others, helping groups make better decisions and helping everyone move forward.

She further sensitised the participants that in their respective farmers' co-operatives, they should prioritise planning, budgeting to achieve identified objectives Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator, Engr. Dr. Busari Toyin Isiaka, revealed that the Kwara State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ ) Project is designed to revolutionise Agro-Industrial landscape in the state by creating enabling environment for processing, adding value to lives.

He stated that the workshop brought together women from various communities, farmer groups, cooperatives, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders to equip them with the knowledge and practical skills needed.

He assured the participants that the SAPZ Project will continue to give support on women-focused initiatives, projecting that if the participants embrace the project, it will boost productivity in their farm produce.

The Coordinator charged the participants to start putting into practice the leadership skills learnt, transfer the knowlegde to others at their various homes, and always emulate female models of repute in society, adding that women's voice can decline any suppression only if they are sensitised, enlightened and re-orientated on social dimensions.

The Gender and Social Safeguard Officer, Mrs Kuburat Sola Agunbiade, explained that since the Kwara SAPZ project priorotises women and youths' participation, hence the need for equipping women with leadership training and the metric of communication to preclude submergence of the voice of women and any gender impediment in the process of implementation.

She then called on the participants to always focus on aspiration to the peak, stressing that the training brought courage to women to be able to make change in society, tasking the women on attitudinal change for overcoming stereotypes.

The Resource Person, Mrs. Halimah Olayinka Egbewole from the University of Ilorin, engaged the participants on "Empowering Women to Lead, Grow, and Inspire Others for Leadership", affirming that the training will make them stronger, braver,better in business and as leaders.

She observed that it is high time for women, who farm, process food and sell in the market, and women with disability to be

strengthened in agribusiness skills through mentorship.

Some of the participants at the event expressed gratitude to the state government and pledged their readiness to make use of the skills garnered to boost productivity in their farm produce.

In attendance were the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply of the Ministry, Alhaji Yusuf Rafiu; representatives of Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication;Jonapwd Kwara State Chapter, Nigeria Association of Women in Agriculture; Small Scale Women Farmers of Nigeria; Centre for Gender Studies, University of Ilorin; and Nigerian Women in Livestock, Kwara State Chapter.

Sangodare Ayinla, Ph.D

KMCO

Kwara SAPZ Project

07033530735

9/7/26