REALITY BITES
With Palang Kasmi
A NON-Govern mental Organisation (NGO), Total Stage2Screen, in partnership with Barnabas Aid and Power of the Womb Foundation, has through its economic i ntervention programme, Project Restore, trained and graduated 50 widows and other vulnerable women in Plateau State on local snacks production.
The graduation ceremony, held on September 4, 2025, at the Project Restore Training Centre, opposite the ITF Training Centre in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area, attracted stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, represented by Director of Women Affairs in the Ministry, Maureen Dakim, commended the organisations for embarking on what she described as a life-saving intervention. She noted that the project would have a far-reaching impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and their communities.
“It is not easy for an organisation to come up with funds to embark on such capital-intensive trainings. Therefore, when you gain as a beneficiary, it is expected that you also make a difference by going back to your communities to step down what you have learnt, especially to our younger women and girls. Empowerment programmes like this thrive because people must eat to survive. Even if there are leftovers, your family will not go hungry,” she said.
The Commissioner described food empowerment as one of the most viable business ventures and disclosed that a similar project by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, recently empowered 500 vulnerable women in the state with agricultural support.
She further advised the graduating women to package their products properly and register them with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as well as her Ministry for legal backing and recognition.
She also warned against the growing menace of human trafficking in Plateau State, urging widows to resist handing their children over to traffickers under the guise of seeking greener pastures or sending them to orphanages.
Beneficiaries share tears of joy
The beneficiaries of Project Restore were full of appreciation, many shedding tears of joy at the life-changing opportunity.
One of them, Yosi Titus, narrated how the programme restored her health, confidence and livelihood.
“I was very sick but today I am very healthy. I came from Mangu LGA devastated from my experience, but a good neighbour invited me to the Project Restore Centre where we were mentored spiritually, socially and psychologically. We were taught how to make local snacks like ‘Awara’.
“Someone gave me N2,000 and I started producing cassava cakes. Today, after undergoing 12 weeks of training on making Awara and Masa, I am proud to be graduating. We will soon open our factory called ‘Waina Factory’ to begin commercial production.”
Another beneficiary said: “The day I came, I was crying but now I am laughing from my heart. Many things have turned around for me physically and spiritually. I was discouraged, downcast, but with all the teachings and empowerment we received, I was able to pick up the pieces of my life again. Today, I am hopeful.”
She added that with the little money she had, she began making snacks for sale, and now supplies to local shops.
A timely intervention
The Executive Director of Total Stage2Screen Media, Alice Jumoke, explained that the project was born out of the need to use media as a tool for social impact.
“We saw needs in our society that went beyond media advocacy, so we ventured into humanitarian work like free training for young people in media and performing arts, and now Project Restore. For over three months, we have been empowering women in clusters of 50, providing spiritual, emotional and economic empowerment.
“In Bukuru, we trained women on Masa and Awara production, while in Miango we trained others in grain processing. The aim is to help crisis victims pick up their lives and move forward.”
Jumoke stressed that restoration must begin even before insurgency ends completely. She highlighted the project’s dual focus: training young people aged 15-25 in media and performing arts to bridge educational gaps caused by violence, and empowering widows and women through skills in food processing and production.
At the Bassa centre, she revealed, women are producing products like ‘Shinkama’ social mix for swallow and pudding, and TAGGS Special Pudding’, a healthy blend made from guinea corn, groundnuts, accha, tamba and spices.
According to her, Project Restore has helped women regain hope, confidence and purpose.
“Widowhood once seemed like a dead end, a hopeless and bleak future. But now, these women have become hopeful and see bright futures. They are restored and have become restorers.”
Future goals, vision
Looking ahead, Jumoke disclosed that the vision of Project Restore is to provide lifelong empowerment to vulnerable women and young people. She explained that the 50 women recently graduated were given training in hygiene, packaging and marketing, alongside seed grants to establish a factory where they will work collectively.
She enthused: “As soon as we secure a suitable facility in Jos South for a snacks restaurant, and another in Miango, Bassa LGA for grain products, the women will be able to produce on a larger scale. Our goal is to open the ‘Waina House’ as a sustainable cluster enterprise. Cluster empowerment is the best model because every member contributes to the success of the business.”
Calling for more support from well-spirited individuals and organisations, she expressed optimism that similar interventions could be extended to other states and communities affected by violent attacks and insurgency.
“If we have more such cluster economic empowerment projects, I believe it will go a long way in restoring vulnerable people and rebuilding communities.”