By Tina George, Minna
The Alubarika Women Cooperative Group in Fazhi community in Edati local government area of Niger state, has received shea butter processing centre from the PZ Cussons Foundation.
The Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees of PZ Cussons Foundation, Mrs Jacqueline Ezeokwelume, at the handing over ceremony, said that the aim was to support women and make them economically viable.
Represented by Mr Peter Ozondu, she said that the project would further empower the women and help in addressing some of the economic challenges faced by women in the community.
“The project is an opportunity to give back to the society and we are committed to executing more sustainable projects that will be beneficial to the country,” Peter said.
PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc is a commercial enterprise that has presence in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya and manufacture household goods.
Ezeokwelume then called on others to emulate the same gesture by harnessing the abundant human and natural resources to add value to the country.
The President of the National Shea Product Association of Nigeria (NSPAN), Mohammed Kontagora applauded the organization for bequeathing such a project to the women saying it would be highly beneficial to them.
He described the women as committed and highly enterprising, adding that they will not disappoint the organization in the management of the processing centre.
He promised to give all necessary support to the women to enable their group and products to meet the international standard.
Kontagora urged the women and the community to take ownership of the project to add value to their products, while warning against felling of economic trees.
The Chairman of Edati local government, Zubairu Mamangi said the project would bring about economic development to the area and commended PZ foundation for the gesture.
He called on the foundation to extend the same gesture to other women across the state.
