A Successful Youth and Women Empowerment Programme in Uduophori Community, Delta State, Nigeria

We are delighted to report on the successful Youth and Women Empowerment Training Programme held in Uduophori community, Delta State, Nigeria, from August to September 2025.

This initiative stemmed from observations made during our “Teens Day Out” workshop in February of this year, which involved coordinating workshops for approximately 197 teenagers (aged 15-20, both boys and girls). Following this, the Uduophori community recognized the critical need for in-depth empowerment for their young people and women and subsequently requested the intervention of the Mary Aikenhead Centre Ibadan. This programme represents a significant achievement for both Uduophori and its neighbouring villages.

The training programme, fully sponsored by the community, provided 30 participants, including individuals from a neighbouring village, with skills in catering services and antiseptic production. The participants displayed immense enthusiasm and appreciation for this impactful initiative. They extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Religious Sisters of Charity (Mary Aikenhead Centre, Ibadan) for their commendable outreach efforts to underserved rural communities across various states, and to their sponsors for their vital support in promoting youth and women empowerment.

Remarkably, immediately following the training, several participants launched small-scale businesses. These ventures include catering services producing various snacks, as well as the production of air fresheners, body perfumes, liquid wash, and baby jelly. We are particularly encouraged by reports that customers are coming from different villages to purchase these products.

This success story brings immense joy to our Centre, affirming the value of extending our work to other states.

The training was comprehensive despite the timeframe, and we are grateful for its successful outcome. We are also pleased to note that “The Delta State Empowerment” programme was featured in the Delta State Empire Newspaper, Volume 1, No. 269, on October 5th, 2025 (South South, Page 2). Certificates were presented to the participants at Uduophori community on November 2nd, 2025, by the community Presidency Chief Ado ThankGod, and the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Opkuvwie.

Through such initiatives, we continue to fulfil the mission of the Congregation and our Charism.

Sr. Francisca Obosherinor, RSC
Coordinator, Mary Aikenhead Centre Ibadan, Nigeria.