………As “Becoming Women Conference” Urges Resilience, Skills Acquisition And Social Media Growth For Women
………”When you train a woman, you train a nation” – Lawmaker
Emmanuel Clement
Okota, Lagos— It was a day of hope, empowerment and renewed energy for women in Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency as hundreds of women benefitted from grants, sewing machines, grinding machines and business training at the “Becoming Women’s Conference & Empowerment” organized by the Hon. Okey Joe Foundation in conjunction with Voice of Hope Foundation. 
The event, held at Purple Hall, Okota with the theme“Empowering Women to Lead, Build and Prosper”, featured skill acquisition graduates, market women, and mentorship sessions aimed at lifting women out of poverty and into economic independence.
Convener of the programme and Executive Director of HOJ Foundation and Voice of Hope Foundation,Mrs. Uchenna Ofomata, said the conference was designed to help vulnerable women discover their potential and also help women to discover the “giant in them.”
“We found out that women really want to be more.Most women don’t really know the giants in them because they do not really believe in themselves,” she said.
“Today’s programme was to make women really know that they can become better versions of themselves. And at the same time, we’re also empowering some women who have gone through skill acquisition.”
Mrs. Ofomata disclosed that HOJ Foundation, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, sponsored 11 women at the Ejigbo skill acquisition centre for 6 to 9 months in computer training, catering, and arts.
“Many of them are already making money without being empowered yet through what they’ve learned.If you go into the hall now, you will see a lot of big bags, some of their creative arts they’ve done,” she noted.
She added that sewing machines were provided to fashion trainees while two grinding machines were donated to market women to ease their businesses.
“We went to the market, asked who might need a grinding machine for their business, to help them.”
The member representing Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency,Hon. Barr. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi,said the partnership with Voice of Hope Foundation was borne out of his conviction that women are the engine of national development.
“My foundation has been able to empower,train women and to source women because a nation that trains their women is a nation that grows,” he said.
“The moment a woman is trained, you have empowered the nation. The moment a woman is empowered, you have empowered the kids.”
Hon. Okey-Joe explained that the initiative started over three years ago and involves training women in sewing, soap making, fish farming, computer training, and providing them with start-up capital and equipment.
Addressing funding, he said the programme is supported through budgetary allocations and personal commitment.
“Last time we gave grants to women, over 200. Part of them are in the budget. Part of it is a personal passion that I like to train women.”
He described women as “the microcosm of any economy” and “the oasis of any economy,” noting their multiplier effect.
“Any time you train a woman, you are training a new nation. When you give a woman 10,000, next time she can give you 15,000. But if you give a man, he might use it for personal gain,but if you give a woman, she will first of all focus on her family to ensure that her family grows.”he submitted
The Keynote speaker, Toyin Akan, CEO of Life Changing Sales Academy, who has trained over 63,000 small business owners, urged women to embrace resilience and digital tools despite Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“One strong message I want women to take home is this: be resilient and never give up,” she said.
“Despite the fact that things might be difficult.There is information available that can help any woman to go from zero to abundance. One word: social media.”
She advised: “The phone in your hand is enough. Just clean the camera lens, take your products outside when the sun is shining.
The data that you are using to do Instagram blog, use that same data to change your life.”
Also speaking,Ogundimu Olusola Raphael, a seasoned finance and business advisory professional, enlightened the women on practical steps to raise their finances and manage resources to support their husbands and homes.
He emphasized budgeting, savings, multiple income streams, and reinvesting business profits as key to building financial stability and contributing meaningfully to family welfare.
Other speakers at the event included Chief Dr. Chinyere Okpe and Mrs. Nneka Ezeani who encouraged women to believe in themselves, build capacity, and take leadership roles in their communities.
The event also received corporate support as Onga distributed food seasoning packs to the women in attendance. The gesture was well received by beneficiaries who described it as an added boost to their households.
Speaking with newsmen,in his message to constituents, Hon. Okey-Joe said his first term has recorded visible impact across Oshodi-Isolo II.
“You can see our records speak for themselves. I know if you go to the nooks and crannies of Oshodi, you can see the development we have brought.
You can see the roads we have done. You can see the boreholes we have done. You can see the solar lights we have provided in dark areas,” he said.
He also cited sponsorship of JAMB forms for students and overseas training opportunities for constituents.
“Being a first timer, it’s difficult to make sense. But a lot of people, we have surpassed people who were there before us.
I must say that we are 24 in Lagos. Our work speaks for us all over Nigeria. And in the National Assembly, we are a voice.”he stated.
Earlier,the Convener in her address urge the women to look beyond their present situation take a decision as true leadership begins with self mastery before it extends to communities and national platforms.
She noted that the conference would help them to gain practical tools,financial intelligence and operational structures needed to turn enterprise ideas into resilient,long lasting realities.
“Prosperity is your birthright. it goes beyond financial wealth to encompass impact,well being,legacy and the capacity to lift other women as you rise. This conference is your incubator,all you need is to shatter glass ceiling and build legacy”she said
Ofomata went further to appreciate the lawmaker representing Oshodi Isolo 2 Federal Constituency,Hon Okey Joe Onuakalusi,the Speakers,Excos,Zonal leaders,women in the voice of hope community and Onga seasoning for supporting the vision.
The event ended with the presentation of grants and equipment to beneficiaries as they showcased products made during training.
Beneficiaries thanked the organizers and sponsors, describing the empowerment as “timely” and “life-changing” for their families and businesses.
