By Desire Uzochukwu
Thor Explorations, through its Nigerian subsidiary, Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), has deepened its investment in host communities in Osun State, empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting the education of students through business equipment, scholarships and learning devices.
A total of 96 beneficiaries from Iperindo, Odo-Ijesha and Imogbara communities benefited from the 2026 Segilola Women Initiative Programme (SWIP) and the SROL Gold Scholarship Programme (SGSP).
Under SWIP, 30 women entrepreneurs received equipment tailored to their businesses, including freezers, sewing and stoning machines, digesters, multi-purpose grinders, gas burners and cooler sets.
The intervention is designed to help the beneficiaries increase productivity, expand their businesses and build more sustainable sources of income.
The company also provided additional equipment to three previous SWIP beneficiaries, one from each host community, as part of its business monitoring and upscaling initiative.
In Iperindo, a beneficiary was upgraded from a domestic sewing machine to an industrial sewing machine to increase production capacity. In Odo-Ijesha, another beneficiary who had previously received a pepper grinder received a flour and maize grinder to diversify her processing business.
In Imogbara, weaving and button-cover machines were added to an existing sewing business, enabling the beneficiary to broaden her services.
One of the returning beneficiaries, Adesuyi Titilope Elizabeth, said the support would help her expand her customer base and improve her income.
“I appreciate SROL for recognizing the needs of women in our community and providing practical support. This equipment will help me serve more customers and increase my income. I hope to become an example to other women.”
Since its launch in 2021, SWIP has supported more than 200 women across SROL’s host communities with practical tools and equipment aimed at promoting financial independence and participation in the local economy.
In the education sector, SROL awarded scholarships to 63 students from the host communities, comprising 28 secondary school students and 35 tertiary students.
The SROL Gold Scholarship Programme recognises outstanding academic performance while providing support to enable beneficiaries to pursue their education and realise their potential.
Top-performing students in each category also received laptops and other learning devices to support digital learning and encourage continued academic excellence.
Speaking at the event, Community Development and Stakeholder Manager, SROL, Madhurii Sarkar-Amoda, said the company viewed its host communities as partners in progress.
She said: “When a company creates initiatives that directly address community needs, the impact is real. At Segilola, we see our host communities as partners in progress.
“Women and youth are central to entrepreneurship and sustainability. These programmes provide immediate support while laying the foundation for long-term growth and self-reliance.”
The 2026 awards were presented on August 20 at the Iperindo Community New Town Hall.
SROL said the initiatives form part of Thor Explorations’ broader commitment to creating shared and lasting value in communities surrounding its operations through continued investment in education, entrepreneurship, livelihoods and skills development.
