P&G Partners Kebbi State Government to Empower Women

Procter and Gamble, leading Consumer Goods Company in Nigeria has entered into a partnership with the Kebbi state government to empower and train women in Kebbi. The partnership was announced in Kebbi on 19th of October where both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

As part of the partnership, P&G will support the Kebbi Women Entrepreneurs Project (KWEP); a brainchild of the first lady of Kebbi state, Dr. ZainabShinkafiBagudu to train Kebbi state women on financial literacy, and various technical skills required to grow a business and to succeed in the business environment. P&G will also provide 300 boxes of Always Sanitary Pad for the women to resell; generate funding and continue the business of buying and selling. In addition, P&G would commence its Always School program in Kebbi in order to educate young girls on reproductive health and hygiene.

The Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency, Abubakar Bagudu who was the special guest of honour while speaking at the event acknowledged that Kebbi state is dedicated to ensuring that women are given the right boost to start and maintain a business and participate in contributing to the economic growth of the state. Having an organization that supports us to do this is admirable.

Commenting on the partnership, TemitopeIluyemi, Director of Government Relations Africa at P&G said, “This partnership is in line with our commitment to impact lives through sustainable investments and remove barriers to women’s economic empowerment. We are committed to empowering women to live to their fullest potential. Economic equality can only make our world stronger. Through our company and brand impact programs, we are helping to make gender and economic equality possible. When a woman is empowered, her family is empowered and by extension, the society is empowered. We will thus not relent in our efforts to give women a platform to become self-sufficient”.

First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. ZainabShinkafiBagudu also stated: “I am very passionate about training and empowering women because I understand the huge contributions that women can make in the society. However, I cannot do it alone and that is why I am grateful to have the support of a corporate organization like P&G, lending its voice and resources to support me in the cause of women empowerment. I am confident that this partnership will yield great results, not just for the women individually but also for the society at large”. Present also at the signing were Commissioner of Women Affairs, Haj. TsharaBawa, Members House of Assembly, Representatives of various departments from P&G Company, Permanent secretaries from Ministries of Education and Women Affairs, Directors, among others.

Since it commenced operations in 1992, P&G has been committed to developing Nigeria through social activities and reforms, including the Always School Program, the Pampers Baby Care Hospital Program and Mobile Clinics, Children Safe Drinking Water Program, Pampers/UNICEF Tetanus Vaccine Program, and, the Building Futures Program, amongst others.