BATN Foundation Supports 200 Women in Anambra

Bennett Oghifo

Following the successful rollout of its EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project in Jigawa State, BATN Foundation has expanded the initiative to Anambra State, empowering 200 rural women from Okija, Ogidi, Okpoko and Akpu communities with 4,000 Noiler birds, feeds, medications, training and technical support to help them establish sustainable poultry enterprises and improve household incomes.

The project was officially flagged off at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, bringing together government officials, community leaders, project partners and beneficiaries.

The Anambra intervention builds on the Foundation’s broader commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through agriculture and follows a similar programme implemented earlier in Jigawa State, where women beneficiaries received poultry production assets and enterprise support to establish viable businesses. Through the expansion of EMPOWER-Her, BATN Foundation is scaling a proven model designed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women across rural communities in Nigeria.

Under the project, beneficiaries received Noiler birds and feeds, alongside practical training in poultry management, business development and enterprise sustainability. Training was conducted across four local government areas namely Ihiala, Idemili North, Ogbaru and Orumba South LGA before the official handover, ensuring participants were equipped with the knowledge and skills required to manage and grow successful poultry enterprises.

The flag-off ceremony underscored the importance of expanding opportunities for women to participate more actively in agriculture and income-generating ventures. Beneficiaries described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity that would enable them to improve their livelihoods, support their families and contribute more meaningfully to their communities.

Speaking at the event, Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATN Foundation, said the Foundation’s decision to replicate the project in Anambra reflects its confidence in women as catalysts for economic growth and community development.

“When women are economically empowered, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. They strengthen households and improve livelihoods. Following the implementation of the EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project in Jigawa, we are pleased to extend this opportunity to women in Anambra State, providing them with the assets, skills and support needed to build sustainable businesses and improve their economic wellbeing.”

He noted that the Foundation’s approach goes beyond the distribution of production assets by combining practical support with capacity building to ensure beneficiaries can sustain and grow their enterprises long after the intervention.

“Our goal is not simply to distribute birds. We want to see thriving businesses, increased incomes, stronger household resilience and women who are empowered to take advantage of opportunities within the agricultural value chain.”

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, commended BATN Foundation for extending the EMPOWER-Her Poultry Project to Anambra State, describing the initiative as a timely intervention that will expand economic opportunities for women and strengthen household livelihoods.

Mrs. Onyekesi expressed gratitude to BATN Foundation for its continued investment in women and rural development, noting that empowering women economically remains critical to community development, poverty reduction and inclusive growth across the state.

The women beneficiaries equally expressed their gratitude to BATN Foundation for the opportunity to participate in the programme, describing the intervention as a welcome boost to their efforts to build sustainable livelihoods through agriculture. They noted that the support would help them improve their income, support their families and expand their participation in economic activities within their communities.

The beneficiaries also thanked the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and Hon. Bridget Obi, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, for their support and commitment to initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and economic inclusion in the state.

The expansion of EMPOWER-Her from Jigawa to Anambra demonstrates BATN Foundation’s commitment to scaling interventions that create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and rural communities across Nigeria. By equipping women with productive assets, practical knowledge and ongoing support, the Foundation aims to empower more women to build successful agribusinesses and contribute to local economic development.