The Coca-Cola Foundation in partnership with Whitefield Foundation said it would empower Kano State Women and Youth with transformative skills and knowledge that will boost their standard of living.
The programme tagged ‘Project EQUIP’ is being championed by the Philanthropic arm of the leading beverage company, in collaboration with Kano State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals among others.
After the launch of the programme in Lagos last November, the project seeks to ensure the economic empowerment of 20,000 women and youth in Kano, as well as thousand across 4 other states totalling 60,000 beneficiaries.
The project will also give hybrid approach towards transformative skills and knowledge.
According to Saadia Madsbjerg, President, Coca-Cola Foundation, “the project’s official launch in Kano signals a commitment to remedying socio-economic problems identified within the region, especially around skill acquisition and financial inclusion.
She said, the initiative seeks to drive women empowerment and youth development in vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
“We are particularly proud to finally launch Project EQUIP in Kano State.
“It is no secret that we believe the Kano community will benefit greatly from this initiative, considering the recent developments and trends with regards to the lack of opportunities for women and youth to break the cycle of poverty through transformative skills,” Saadia Madsbjerg.
Speaking earlier, the Director Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, said “Northern Nigeria is dear to us for many reasons. Just last year, we donated medical equipment worth billions of naira to the Aminu Kano Medical Centre through the Safe Birth Initiative which ensures the reduction in child and maternal deaths in the North.
“This year, we plan to tackle another stress area, particularly employability and skill acquisition in the State. Our interest in the North extends beyond the bottom-line benefit, which is why we continue to invest heavily in Kano State, the Northern Nigeria region, and its people.”
In his speech, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Sport and Youth Development, Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, lauded the potential impact of the initiative, adding that it will help progress the State’s development and ensure sustained economic growth.
The launch of Project EQUIP sees Coca-Cola press on with its quest to engineer positive change across underserved communities in Nigeria.
With partnerships, grants and investments worth millions of dollars, the company has recorded significant feats across its key sustainability pillars including Women Empowerment and Youth Development, Water Stewardship, Waste, and Wellbeing.
