By Segun Adeyanju

Agan Community in Benue State witnessed a transformative empowerment programme as the Strength for the Weak Empowerment Initiative and Center for Family Empowerment, in collaboration with the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), organized a one-day event themed “Strengthening Community Resilience through Empowerment, Advocacy, and Menstrual Health.”
Spearheaded by COFP fellow Tersoo Mande, the initiative fostered Christian-Muslim unity while addressing economic empowerment and menstrual health education.
Mande emphasized the project’s interfaith approach, noting, “This community comprises both Muslims and Christians, which is why we brought this initiative here.”
Community leader Chief Patrick Agbaka urged participants to apply the knowledge gained, stating, “If you practice what you’ve been taught, it will benefit you. If you neglect it, it won’t.”
A key highlight was a practical session on reusable sanitary pads, where participants learned to redesign fabric, incorporate absorbent wool, and maintain hygiene.
Additionally, widows received livestock to support their livelihoods, while symbolic tree-planting at the community church and mosque underscored peace and resilience.
The initiative was met with widespread appreciation. Imam Ibrahim Tyana expressed gratitude, saying, “I pray that what the women have learned will be useful to them.” Beneficiary Paulina Unum added, “We have never seen anything like this before. We hope it lasts forever.”
For unemployed tailor Veronica Agan, the training opened new economic opportunities. “I can sew the pads and sell them. This will help women in our community,” she remarked.
The event highlighted the impact of education, economic support, and interfaith collaboration in strengthening communities, leaving a lasting mark on Agan with hopes for future interventions.