The Initiative for Gender Empowerment and Creativity (IGEC), which was created to inspire creativity and empower vulnerable women, has unveiled its Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility project funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation on July 28, 2021.

L-R: Mrs Bolanle Emmanuel, State Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); Mr Samson Ilori, Head of the Atisbo LG, representing the LG Chairman; Executive Director, Initiative for Gender Empowerment & Creativity (IGEC); Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, and Mrs F.F Akande, Secretary, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, at the launch of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility project, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, recently.

The NGO officially launched the much-anticipated project at a commemorative event in Tede, Oyo State, following a grant awarded by the Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company.

The project, one of many to receive funding from the Coca-Cola Foundation this year, is focused on supporting rural community women who make a living through farming and trade in the Shea Butter value chain.

Speaking at the launch of the project, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, director, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola, emphasized the economic opportunities the facility presented to the women of Tede community and expressed her faith in the implementing partners, IGEC, to deliver beyond expectations.

In her remarks, she said, “The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) is deeply committed to improving lives and creating a better-shared future for its host communities. 2020 was a challenging year that taught us more about how to adapt to new realities in the face of a harsh economic situation.

“We are confident that this grant that has been awarded to IGEC will go a long way in economically empowering the women in the Tede community.

“The Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility is a project that offers these women in the less privileged communities a competitive edge in shea butter production while providing economic opportunities for the community at large.’’

Ekuma Eze, director, Public Affairs & Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), expressed delight as the Oyo State has hosted its bottling operations for so many years.

“As the company celebrates its 70 years of doing business in Nigeria, we believe there is no better time to unveil this project.

“we are deeply excited at the huge impact the project will have on the community and the economy.

“The Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility offers unprecedented economic opportunities and inclusion for the women.” he added.

Shea butter production is known as a major preoccupation of the rural dwellers in the Tede community and most of the Shea processors are women, often without formal education.

Over the years, these Shea processors have relied on crude techniques that are often time-consuming and physically demanding.

As part of efforts to support sustainable community initiatives around the world, TCCF awarded this grant to IGEC, an NGO that has sought to alleviate poverty through economic empowerment in less privileged communities.

The project, which runs through 2021, birthed the establishment of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility in the Tede community.

Olasunmbo Adeleke, executive director, Initiative for Gender Empowerment and Creativity (IGEC), lauded the financial support from TCCF, reflecting on the positive impact that this project will have on the community.

“At IGEC, we are very honoured to receive the grant towards the establishment of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility which will empower women and youths in Tede Community.

“With the establishment of this facility, there are now huge economic opportunities for women in this community in Shea butter production. Undoubtedly, this project will empower the women of Tede who are the most involved in this trade and create job opportunities for others in the production and supply chain.

“We are very pleased to be implementing this exciting project and thank our partners Coca-Cola System for providing us with their support,’’ she said.

A community water project was also deployed with three source taps which would provide the community with treated potable water.

The facility was unveiled by the ATISBO local government Chairman, Honorable Adeagbo Fasasi Ademola and the wife of Onitede of Tedeland traditional ruler who commended Coca-Cola for this impactful intervention.

Other dignitaries in attendance include the Nigeria Export Promotion Council represented by Mrs Bolanle Emmanuel, Oyo state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Raw Materials Research and Development Council and many others.