Wakanow.com launches CSR Programme, empowers youth, women in travel business

Photo Caption:
CEO, Wakanow Nigeria, Adenike Macaulay flanked by Chuckwunonso Onny-Ezeh, Chair, Advocacy Committee, WIMBIZ (1st Left); Molade Adeniyi, Chair, Programmes Committee, WIMBIZ (2nd Left) and Hannah Ogunsulire, Vice President, Sabre (right) at the Wakacares CSR project, Skill Up with WIMBIZ in Lagos, Tuesday October 17, 2023.

Wakanow.com Nigeria, a leading travel tech company known for flight booking, Hotels & other services, is embarking on a journey to empower youths and women aspiring to be entrepreneurs and promote gender equality in Nigeria through its CSR programme, Wakacares.

Adenike Macaulay, Wakanow.com Nigeria CEO, made this known in Lagos on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, during the second phase of the company’s Skill Up initiative aimed at training members of the Women In Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ) on business opportunities in the travel industry and skills to start and build a travel business.

Macaulay expressed Wakanow.com Nigeria’s commitment to addressing crucial SDG Goals, particularly Goal 5 – Gender Equality and Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: “At Wakanow.com Nigeria, we believe that empowering women and fostering economic growth are pivotal to societal development. We see this as a responsibility, and our CSR program, Wakacares, is designed to make a meaningful impact,” Macaulay stated.

The launch of its transformative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Wakacares in May, is part of Wakanow.com Nigeria’s commitment to engaging and empowering communities while aligning its CSR initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This initiative represents a significant step forward in the company’s dedication to making a positive impact on society.

In her remarks at the Skill Up with WIMBIZ training, Shola Ipinmoroti, Vice President, Commercial at Wakanow.com Nigeria, emphasized the life-changing potential of the WIMBIZ Women’s Training: “Empowering women is not just about transforming individuals; it is about transforming entire families and society by extension,” she stated. The WIMBIZ training event attracted dozens of participants in person, while others participated virtually. Some of the trainees, who also won tablet devices to help them hit the ground running in setting up their travel businesses with Wakanow.com’s white label technology stated that the training event was insightful and informative.

According to Oluwatoyin Kayode: “I was really looking forward to this event and I wasn’t disappointed. I am new to the travel booking and this event came at the right time and gave me the knowledge and a launching pad for the business and I look forward to partnering with wakanow.com Nigeria as I evolve in the travel industry.“I am super excited about winning the tablet device. It wasn’t expected but it was a welcome cherry on top of a great event”, Kayode said.

Similarly, Nike Adetutu, who expressed enthusiasm about having a second stream of income from the travel industry said: “I would never have thought one can run travelling agency as a side hustle and make cool cash from it. The knowledge about being an affiliate, the benefits are super amazing and I really can’t wait to start making money via this opportunity. “As for the tablet device I won, I did not believe it at all and I am still in awe. I would like to say a very big thank you to Wakanow.com Nigeria. I truly appreciate it”, Nike said.The first phase of Wakacares’ inaugural projects, Skill Up Imo was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government of Imo State and empowered two hundred and fifty aspiring entrepreneurs with specialized training in the travel industry. This program has created opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship, impacting not only the participants but the broader community.

Gbenga Onitilo, Vice President B2B at Wakanow.com Nigeria, shared insights into the profound impact of the Skill Up Imo program on youths on the side-line of the WIMBIZ training event.

This initiative, Onitilo noted, “has not only provided essential skills but has encouraged entrepreneurial thinking and self-employment, fostering economic growth and decent work.”

Wakacares serves as the cornerstone of Wakanow.com Nigeria’s commitment to social responsibility. It is worth mentioning that the training program for youths at Skill Up Imo and the training of women at the Skill Up with WIMBIZ have participants of the training being onboarded as Affiliate Executives with Wakanow.com Nigeria, making a living through independent sales of flight tickets and deals. With the Wakacares CSR program, Wakanow.com Nigeria is taking concrete steps toward achieving gender equality and promoting economic development in Nigeria. These initiatives have already impacted a considerable number of women and youth, illustrating Wakanow.com Nigeria’s commitment to making a difference and creating a better future for all.