In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL) reinforced its commitment to women’s empowerment by hosting beneficiaries of its Segilola Women’s Initiative Programme (SWIP) and Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP) in Osun State. This event, marking significant strides in local empowerment, showcased the dedication to fostering women's advancements in business.
Collaborating with the Ilesa Business School, SROL conducted a business training session that equipped over 200 women with vital entrepreneurial and digital skills necessary for strengthening their businesses and improving their economic standing. Launched in 2021, SWIP is designed to empower women in host communities by providing business equipment, along with essential financial literacy training to support their entrepreneurial ventures.
Through the LRP, which offers additional support alongside paid compensation to project-affected persons, SROL ensures these individuals can cultivate sustainable livelihoods. The training sessions focused on crucial topics like business decision-making, marketing strategies, digital literacy, and financial management, providing practical knowledge for participants to successfully navigate and grow their enterprises.
Omolade Onileke, Assistant Community Relations Administrator at SROL, emphasized the company’s steadfast commitment to supporting women’s economic advancement: “At SROL, we believe in providing an environment where women, particularly in our host communities, are not just supported but are empowered to succeed. We are equipping women with the right skills, resources, and confidence to take their businesses to the next level. Women are at the heart of community development, and by investing in them, we are investing in the future of the local economy,” she stated.
In addition to classroom learning, participants engaged in expert-led sessions that fostered the development of entrepreneurial mindsets, specifically tailored marketing for rural enterprises, and the integration of digital literacy into their business growth strategies. Participants were introduced to innovative methods such as using social media for increased business visibility and leveraging digital payment systems for seamless transactions.
To further ensure sustainable business growth, each attendee received essential business equipment, allowing them to apply their newly acquired knowledge immediately. Dr. Olu Olujide, President of the Ilesa Business School, lauded SROL’s commitment, saying, “Kudos to Segilola for this impactful initiative. Providing ongoing support, training, and mentorship is key to helping these women build sustainable businesses and stand out in the market. At Ilesa Business School, we are proud to have partnered with Segilola to develop the capacities of their SWIP and LRP beneficiaries.”
In a broader context, on February 22, 2025, a significant conference was hosted by the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran to commemorate International Women’s Day 2025. This event attracted distinguished political leaders, human rights advocates, and supporters of the Iranian Resistance from over 80 countries, emphasizing a united front in the quest for women’s rights and empowerment globally.
Among the notable speakers was Helena Carreiras, the former Minister of National Defense of Portugal, who delivered a noteworthy speech at the IWD 2025 event in Paris. This engagement, like the one in Nigeria, reinforced the vital role of women in shaping societal progress and advancing human rights.
As the world transitions into an era where women’s contributions are increasingly recognized, initiatives like those from SROL and events organized by the Women’s Committee reflect a critical acknowledgment of the challenges women face and the collective actions needed to overcome them.
Both events underscore a growing understanding of women's empowerment as a cornerstone of societal advancement. By providing resources, training, and celebrating notable achievements, these initiatives are not just uplifting individual women; they are laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive.
As SROL continues to invest in sustainable empowerment programs, it reaffirms its dedication to creating lasting impacts and expanding opportunities for women in business. Conclusively, these celebrations of International Women’s Day 2025 highlight the importance of solidarity in the women's rights movement, demonstrating that while challenges persist, hope and resilience are integral to ongoing global endeavors.
