By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

ABUJA — Founder and Chairman of the New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative (NEWOMCII), Bolaji Raji, has said that empowering women remains the most effective way to drive growth and development in communities across Nigeria.

This was stated during the official launch and book unveiling of the organisation, themed “Advancing Humanitarian Impact For Sustainable Women and Community Development,” on Tuesday in Abuja, where stakeholders gathered to promote practical solutions for grassroots empowerment.

Raji explained that the idea behind NEWOMCII came from the visible gap in many communities where women and young people have strong potential but lack access to opportunities and support systems.

He noted that the organisation focuses on delivering real impact through agribusiness, arts and creative enterprise, skills development, and community-based interventions aimed at improving livelihoods.

He said, “A simple but powerful reality inspired the birth of NEWOMCII: across our communities, especially at the grassroots, many women and young people possess immense potential, yet lack access to the tools, opportunities, and support systems needed to succeed.

“We saw the gap. We saw the need. And we made a decision to be part of the solution in complementing our government in its endeavours.”

Raji stressed that partnerships would be key to achieving nationwide impact, noting that the organisation is open to collaboration with government, private sector, development partners, and the media.

In her welcome address, National Coordinator of NEWOMCII, Hajia Sa’adatu Bokane Adamu, said the organisation is committed to strengthening women and uplifting communities through practical, grassroots driven programmes.

She stated that NEWOMCII operates in key areas including agribusiness, arts and craft development, youth empowerment, and community support initiatives.

Adamu noted that within a short period, the organisation has already impacted several women groups and communities across the country, especially in agriculture, creative skills, and social and medical support services.

Delivering the first keynote address, Managing Partner, Liberty Law Firm, Monrovia, Liberia, Chief (Barrister) Tupee Enid Taylor, emphasised the central role of women in development and nation building.

She said, “Women are not just participants in development, they are drivers of transformation and lasting change.”

Highlighting the challenges faced by women, she added, “Yet, despite their immense contributions, many women, especially at the grassroots, were continually faced with barriers such as limited access to finance, lack of opportunities and infrastructure, restricted opportunities for growth, lack of required supports, and cultural norms.”

Taylor also stressed the need for collaboration across sectors, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved when governments, private sector, and development organisations work together.

In his keynote address titled Humanitarian Work: A Multidimensional Approach, Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Professor Ayo Omotayo, highlighted the economic value of investing in women and the need to change the perception of women from being vulnerable to being strategic contributors to national development.

He also called for sustained action and partnerships to ensure that empowerment programmes translate into measurable impact across communities.