A non-governmental organisation, Women Advocating for Gender Solutions and Mentorship in Minna, Niger State, has embarked on training 30 women in leadership development across the state.

Founder of WAGSM, Fauziya Kure, made this known to journalists on Saturday in Minna during a two-day workshop to prepare the women for four-month leadership development training.

“This two-day workshop will prepare these women for four months of training in civic education, leadership development and advocacy,” she said.

Ms Kure said the 30 women, drawn from across the 25 local government areas of the state, would undergo two-month leadership training, one month of mentorship and one month to execute micro-projects in their communities.

She said the micro-projects would enable them to train girls in public and private schools in leadership development and also establish leadership clubs in their schools.

According to Ms Kure, it is going to be a continuous exercise to ensure sustainability.

She noted that the women were selected based on vulnerable women with disabilities and women from 18 to 35 years.

Other criteria include women with experience in the public and private sectors and those successful in the organisation’s online questionnaires.

Ms Kure said that out of the 423 women that applied for the programme, only 30 were selected.

She explained that the objective of the programme was to have more women in leadership positions in Africa and also to contribute to decision-making.

Inaugurating the training, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Fati Ibrahim, assured WAGSM of government support.

Ms Ibrahim, represented by the Director of Social Welfare in the ministry, Rachael Twaki, commended the NGO for the gesture.

Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Bilqees Shabafu, said that the training exposed them to management of people and disaster.

“We also learnt some lessons in community management and community hygiene,” she said.

Ms Shabafu, who hails from Lavun Local Government Area of the state, promised that they would work as a team to instill leadership qualities and confidence in women and girls in their communities.

The project is being sponsored by the Nigerian Youth Future Funds and Leap Africa.

 (NAN)