By Daniel Agbor
Thirty-three women from host communities around the Calaro Oil Palm Estate in Mbarakom, Akamkpa Local Government Area, were on Friday, March 13, 2026 empowered with vocational skills, sewing machines and start-up capital by Wilmar International as part of activities marking this year’s International Women’s Day.
The beneficiaries, who had undergone intensive tailoring training at the Vocational Training Centre located at Camp 2 within the operational corridor of Biase Plantations and Eyop Industries, subsidiaries of Wilmar International, graduated at a ceremony organised under the theme of the 2026 celebration, “Give To Gain.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Hon. (Ophot) Felix Akposi KSJI, commended the multinational agricultural company for what he described as a thoughtful initiative aimed at strengthening families and communities through women’s empowerment.
According to him, “The slogan ‘no woman, no nation’ is very true, and if we are to expand on this, the explanation will be very long.”
He explained further that women play a unique role in sustaining families and communities.
“If a woman makes wealth, everything goes to the family in totality. It is different from a man who will have other things to settle and in the end, only 20 per cent or 30 per cent may be taken home,” Akposi stated.
The council chairman also applauded Wilmar International for what he described as its consistent and responsible modus operandi in the execution of corporate social responsibility initiatives. He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity provided to them by building sustainable livelihoods from their newly acquired skills.
Akposi further thanked the company for its broader contributions to economic development within the local government and the state, noting that Wilmar remains one of the largest employers of labour in the area and a responsible corporate entity that maintains prompt payment of taxes.
He also used the occasion to appeal for deeper collaboration with the local government council.
“We are appealing to Wilmar International to partner with the Local Government Council and extend this gesture by setting up a Vocational Training Centre within the council to train more people so that together we can create a progressive society,” he said.
In his remarks, the General Manager of Biase Plantations and Eyop Industries, Mr. Saridin Damanik, welcomed guests to the facility and expressed appreciation to stakeholders and community leaders for their continued cooperation with the company.
He also acknowledged the gratitude expressed by the beneficiaries, noting that women across the world are increasingly asserting their rightful place in society.
According to him, “Women emancipation did not start today. In my country, it took the courage of one woman to speak out so that others could be liberated educationally, and today many are benefiting from that courage.”
“The story is not different anywhere in the world,” he added.
Damanik assured the gathering that Wilmar International would continue to support initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and economic independence, noting that the company intends to build on the foundation already laid by the Vocational Training Centre.
Providing insight into the initiative, the Head of Administration, Mr. Antigha Essiet, traced the history and concept behind the centre, describing it as a strategic corporate social responsibility project designed to equip members of host communities with practical skills.
“Every uniform, costumes, props and accoutrements we use are produced there. This is our way of encouraging them and giving back to the people,” Essiet explained.
He further noted that the selection process for trainees is transparent and inclusive.
“Beneficiaries are drawn from our host communities through balloting without any form of segregation,” he said, describing fairness as a sine qua non for sustainable corporate-community relations.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chairman of Council, Hon. Mrs. Emilia Katame, the Leader of Council, Hon. (Princess) Magdalene Ekpe, and the Gender Committee Chairperson of Wilmar, Mrs. Thelma Osam, commended the company for its deliberate investment in women.
They stressed that the theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day, “Give To Gain,” highlights the transformative impact of empowering women, noting that when women are supported, the benefits extend to families, communities and the wider society.
In his royal blessings, the Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa, His Royal Majesty Ophot (Dr.) Amb. Agbor Ewa Ebani, prayed for the prosperity of the beneficiaries and urged them to manage their new ventures with discipline and dedication.
The monarch also reflected on the historical decision of community leaders to open the area to investors.
“What the people of Mbarakom and other host communities are enjoying today is because of the wisdom demonstrated by our forefathers who gave out this land to investors,” he said.
“Over the years investors have come and gone, but today Wilmar International has shown that truly responsible investors still exist.”
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of 33 brand new sewing machines alongside start-up capital of one hundred thousand naira each to the beneficiaries who had completed their training at the vocational centre.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Jimaima Asuquo Nyong and Osam Blessings expressed profound appreciation to Wilmar International for what they described as a life-changing opportunity.
They noted that it was the first time many of them had benefited from such support and pledged to make good use of the skills and resources provided.
The ceremony concluded with colourful cultural performances and group photographs, capturing a memorable celebration that reaffirmed the growing importance of corporate-community partnership in advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive development.
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