Group Empowers Over 400 Women, Persons with Disabilities in Katsina

Francis Sardauna in Katsina 

Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, convened over 400 women from diverse backgrounds under the theme, ‘From Potential to Power: Advancing Women Into Opportunities’.

Speaking at the event, Senior Strategy Consultant at Jobberman Nigeria, Oladoyin Kolawole, described the initiative as the first of its kind in the state, aimed at amplifying women’s voices across various sectors and helping them access opportunities.

“Our focus is on women who are entrepreneurs, professionals, Persons With Disability and those who are internally displaced. Today, we are challenging the systemic barriers that limit their access to opportunities and saying clearly that those doors must be opened.” Kolawole asserted.

In her keynote address, the Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Zulaiyath Dikko Radda, called for stronger commitment to women’s empowerment through education, financial independence, and improved healthcare.

Represented by her Senior Special Assistant, Esther Angulu, she highlighted the vast but untapped potential among women and girls, especially in rural communities.

“Women are often described as the backbone of the family, but a backbone that remains in the shadows cannot move the body forward,” she said.

She emphasised the need to create enabling environments for women to succeed, identifying education as the foundation of empowerment and stressing the importance of not just school enrollment, but completion.

She also underscored financial independence, noting that equipping women with skills in areas such as agriculture, tailoring, and technology can transform them into job creators.

The First Lady further highlighted the critical role of healthcare, particularly maternal health in enhancing women’s productivity and overall well-being.

She described women’s empowerment not as charity, but as a strategic investment, noting that women often reinvest their earnings into their families and communities.

Activities at the event included panel discussions, financial literacy training, free health and wellness sessions as well as free career and business advisory services.

Participants also benefited from basic medical screenings and took part in a trade fair showcasing women-led enterprises. To ensure inclusivity, support services such as childcare and laundry were provided, particularly for women with caregiving responsibilities.

Participants shared positive feedback, describing the programme as impactful and inspiring.

A small business owner, Maryam Yusuf, who deals in women’s fashion items, said the event met her expectations by equipping her with practical ideas to grow her business and boost her confidence.

Similarly, Halima Shehu Musawa, a physically challenged person volunteering at the event, praised the initiative’s inclusivity, noting that it successfully brought together women from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds for shared learning and empowerment.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation to advance women’s rights and economic inclusion, with participants encouraged to build networks and turn acquired knowledge into meaningful action.