Ibadan – Some foreigner participants at the empowerment programme of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, have lauded the initiative and pledged their support.
They spoke at separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while giving their overall assessment of the programme.
In her assessment, a Brazilian, who prefers to be called Yeye Omileye, said that the programme was more empowering than expected.
“The knowledge shared and gained was so relevant and timely.
“I love what we were told about the African traditional knowledge and herbs, especially as it does not exploit the people.
“I am particularly interested in the black soap (Ose Dudu) industry.
“When I get back to Brazil, I will like to organise a group of young men and women, link them with Nigerians who produce them for good business,” Omileye explained.
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She said that there had been a number of skin diseases in the West, which black soap had been discovered to be good in curing.
According to her, people feel okay using it, without being exploited and while the sellers will definitely make profit.
She said that the lowest cost of a black bar soap is five dollars and when liquefied, a bottle could sell for between 10 dollars and 15 dollars, depending on the location.
Mrs Akiko Yoshino, Japanese, said that attending the conference was such a huge eye opener.
Yoshino said that Nigeria was a land with such abundant treasure, but that Nigerians could not maximise them.
She said that if such empowerment programme was organised on regular basis, the nation would be the better for it.
“In Japan, we have never heard about black soap, but with what have learnt here, I will take the knowledge home and share it with fellow Japanese.
“I think that it will do Japan a lot of good,’’ Yoshino said.
Among the participants are some traditional medicine practitioners and `Orisa’ worshippers. (NAN)
