Kano State Ecstatic for The Coca-Cola Foundation’s ‘Equip 60,000’ Initiative

…as outstanding beneficiaries receive grants

The ancient city of Kano was abuzz with excitement at the closing ceremony of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s ‘Equip 60,000’ youth and women empowerment initiative on March 31, 2022.

The Coronation Hall at the government house was packed full with beneficiaries from Kano and three other adjoining states. Some exceptional participants, it was gathered, received grants from The Coca-Cola Foundation, for their outstanding performance throughout the duration of the trainings under the empowerment initiative.

The project has so far directly empowered 20,700 residents of Kano State and over 71,000 youths and women digitally across the 36, states of the Federation.

 

Traditional rulers

 

Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, was represented on the occasion by Alh Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, Commissioner for Youth and Sports.

Dr Zaha’u Mohammed, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Children Welfare, Kano State, also graced the occasion.

 

 

The two commissioners and executives of Coca-Cola, Nigerian Bottling Company, Whitefield Foundation

 

 

Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, explained that the objective of this initiative was to help women and youth across communities recover from the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Grant Presentation (N200k)

Grant Presentation (N200k)

 

Ekuma Eze, Director, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), thanked the Kano community for the great reception of the project throughout its duration in Kano. He also commended the enthusiasm demonstrated by both youth and women which had made the Equip 60000 a resounding success.

 

Cross section of the grant winners

 

 

 

Funmi Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Whitefield Foundation, opined that the Equip 60,000 is a unique opportunity for transforming lives through intensive training sessions and subsequent business grants.

 

Kano had shown much zeal in embracing the initiative, which the organisers commended.

 

Cross section of the attendees

Cross section of the traditional rulers

Grant Presentation (N200k)

 

Classified – Confidential