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IWD: How Esther Tonlagha foundation is driving women, youths empowerment
The commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, in Effurun , Delta State, will go down in for annals of history as one of a kind.
The reason for this is not farfetched: the message delivered by Deaconess Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Tonlagha resonated far beyond ceremonial celebration.
It was a call to conscience, a demand for accountability, and above all, a reaffirmation of action.
Against the backdrop of persistent global inequality, Dr. Tonlagha used the 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” to spotlight not only the structural barriers confronting women but also the transformative potential of deliberate investment in their empowerment.
For her, International Women’s Day is not a ritual of flowers and speeches. It is a platform to measure progress, confront injustice, and recommit to building systems where women and girls can thrive.
Yet beyond the eloquence of her speeches lies a more compelling narrative, the work of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha (EMT) Foundation, the humanitarian organisation she founded, which has steadily become a beacon of hope for underserved communities in Delta State and beyond.
Over the decades, societies across continents have been shaped by conflicting political, economic and social interests, often leaving the most vulnerable trapped in cycles of poverty and exclusion.
As governance structures struggle to close widening gaps, grassroots actors increasingly carry the burden of restoring dignity to those pushed to the margins.
In Africa, many of these quiet reformers are women, driven not by political ambition but by moral conviction. In Nigeria, Dr. Tonlagha stands among this league of change makers.
Fondly called “Mother of Hope” by young people in her community, she has, through the EMT Foundation, devoted years to protecting rights, expanding opportunity and empowering individuals to rise above deprivation.
Her advocacy echoes the conviction of global education activist Malala Yousafzai, who once declared that she raises her voice “so that those without a voice can be heard.”
From its operational base in Effurun, the EMT Foundation has translated that philosophy into structured programmes focused on youth empowerment, education support, health interventions and economic inclusion, particularly within the Niger Delta region.
In her International Women’s Day address, Dr. Tonlagha referenced data from the International Labour Organisation emphasising gender disparities in labour participation, wage equality and unpaid care responsibilities. These statistics, she argued, demonstrate why investment in women must move from rhetoric to measurable implementation.
In August 2025, the foundation trained 36 young graduates in vocational and entrepreneurial skills including cake-making, fashion design, makeup artistry, ‘gele’ styling, culinary arts and salon services. The graduation ceremony was not simply the conclusion of a training session; it was the unveiling of possibility.
“These are not just skills,” Dr. Tonlagha told the beneficiaries. “They are tools of empowerment. Whether you start a business, support your family, or teach others, your hands now carry the power to build something meaningful.”
Her words captured the essence of the foundation’s model: equipping individuals not merely to survive, but to create value within their communities.
The programme drew commendation from the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, represented at the event by Pastor Ambrose Omafuwe.
He described the initiative as “a statement of hope, dignity and transformation,” noting that the foundation’s work extends beyond training to free medical outreaches and renovation of community health facilities such as the Okenrekonko Cottage Hospital.
Beneficiaries attest to the impact. Alero Excel Efi described her selection for the programme as life-changing, praising the foundation’s transparency and structured delivery.
For many like her, empowerment meant more than income, it restored confidence.
In December 2025, EMT Foundation scaled its intervention further by empowering 30 young entrepreneurs and market women with N500,000 each, disbursing a total of N15 million to expand small-scale enterprises.
For Onochie Dumebi Elvis, one of the beneficiaries, the financial support represented more than capital injection. It was validation.
“This is not small,” he said during the programme. “For someone starting a small-scale business, this is a strength. It will boost everything I am going to do.”
The model reflects Dr. Tonlagha’s belief that young entrepreneurs often possess innovative ideas but lack the capital required to translate them into viable ventures. By bridging that gap, she argues, communities gain sustainable economic actors rather than temporary aid recipients.
In a country where millions lack reliable access to primary healthcare, EMT Foundation’s health outreach initiatives have become critical lifelines.
The organisation has organised medical outreach programmes to underserved communities and provided N20 million in support to 200 individuals living with sickle cell conditions.
These interventions go beyond financial assistance.
They symbolise inclusion, ensuring that vulnerable citizens are not forgotten in national health conversations.
Dr. Tonlagha maintains that healthcare, education and economic empowerment are interdependent pillars of sustainable development. Remove one, and the structure weakens.
Aligned with global development goals, EMT Foundation’s education support initiatives include distribution of school materials such as bags, books and writing tools to pupils in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State.
More importantly, its structured skills acquisition programmes equip hundreds of young people annually with practical expertise in culinary arts, fashion, event management and other vocational fields.
The approach is holistic.
Training is often paired with mentorship, financial literacy and business guidance, reinforcing the foundation’s emphasis on sustainability rather than one-off charity.
“At EMT Foundation, compassion is more than a feeling,” Dr. Tonlagha often reiterates. “It is a force that transforms lives.”
Central to her philosophy is a nuanced understanding of equality and inclusion. Equality, she explains, ensures everyone has access to the same rights and opportunities. Inclusion goes further, creating environments where diverse voices are not only present but empowered.
“Equality opens the door,” she says. “Inclusion ensures everyone feels welcome once inside.”
This framework guides EMT Foundation’s outreach across gender, socioeconomic and community lines, reinforcing its commitment to dignity-first development.
During her keynote address marking International Women’s Day 2026, Dr. Tonlagha celebrated Nigerian women who have demonstrated leadership excellence, citing figures such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as examples of what becomes possible when talent meets opportunity.
But celebration, she insisted, must be matched by systemic reform.
She urged men in positions of authority to become allies in dismantling structural barriers and called for deeper reflection among leaders at family, spiritual and political levels on how best to support women’s aspirations.
Her advocacy aligns with global gender equality frameworks and reinforces the idea that investing in women yields generational dividends.
Dr. Tonlagha’s humanitarian trajectory has led to her being considered for an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to community development and social impact. Yet, recognition appears secondary to mission.
Her leadership philosophy remains grounded in service and transformation. She believes that communities flourish when individuals are equipped with knowledge, tools and dignity.
In a world where governance systems often struggle to meet grassroots needs, the EMT Foundation has positioned itself as a complementary force, bridging gaps through structured empowerment.
From youth empowerment and direct capital support to health outreach and education intervention, EMT Foundation’s multidimensional programmes demonstrate a belief echoed in United Nations development discourse: young people are demanding more equitable and progressive opportunities, and institutions must respond decisively.
By investing in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and inclusive development, Dr. Tonlagha is not merely addressing immediate poverty indicators. She is nurturing future employers, mentors and community leaders.
As International Women’s Day 2026 drew to a close in Effurun, one theme remained dominant: giving is not loss. It is multiplication.
Through the EMT Foundation, Tonlagha is embodying that principle, beaming a torchlight of empowerment into spaces darkened by inequality, and reminding communities that sustainable transformation begins when compassion meets strategy.
If grassroots impact is the measure of commitment, then in Delta State and beyond, the seeds being planted today may well define a more dignified and inclusive tomorrow.
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