CEO of Nike Arts Gallery, Lagos sets the pace in Women Empowerment

All for one, One for all

Mrs Nike Okundaiye, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nike Arts Gallery, Lagos, on Wednesday said that she trained 590 women in artistic skills in 2015.

Okundaiye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the programme was to sharpen the participants’ skills and make them become self–reliant.

She said that there had been an improvement in women's participation in art related skills as 350 women were trained in 2014 while 590 were recorded in 2015.

She said that 120 women were trained in Osogbo, another 120 women trained in Abuja, 100 in Lagos and 250 in Ogidi, Kogi.

The artist said that the training was to empower orphans, widows and the less privileged and make them responsible individuals.

She commended Adara Foundation and the British Council for collaborating with Nike Arts Gallery to co-sponsor the training.

'' We can account for 590 women trained in adire-making, tie- and- dye, carvings, hat making, paintings, bead making and lots more.

'' My aim for organizing the training is to give opportunities to the rural women, the less privileged, orphans and widows to be financially independent after being trained.

'' After the training, they will have things to do that can fetch them money, though depending on how they display the skills acquired .

'' These women are happy at the end of the training because they will no longer be jobless but will be self reliant,'' Okundaiye said.

She said that the youths should be culturally oriented , adding that an exploration of the country’s culture was capable of enriching several people .

'' This is because these artistic works are products of our culture.

'' A lot of people are out there who are willing to be empowered,'' she said.

Credit: NAN  Source: http://nannewsnigeria.com/artist-empowers-590-women-2015