Blog

Date: 2nd May 2025
Location: Akugbe Union, Benin City
Organised by: Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF)
Facilitator: Favour Ogbonna

What does eating for longevity really mean to the everyday market woman in Nigeria?

That question brought 30 amazing women together on a warm Friday morning at the Akugbe Union hall in Benin City. They weren’t there for business as usual. No tomatoes, no ogbono sales. This time, they came to learn something far more personal — how to eat well, live long, and take control of their health.

The Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) hosted the final session of its MarketCare workshop series, and the focus was simple but powerful: food as medicine.

🥬 Small Changes, Big Results

Facilitated by the ever-energetic Favour Ogbonna, the session was not just informative — it was lively. There was laughter, “ah-ha” moments, and some honest confessions about love for garri and late-night rice. But by the end of the day, the message was clear: what we eat really matters.

Many of the women were surprised to discover that small tweaks — like swapping yam for cocoyam, custard for millet pap, or heavy fufu for starchless garri — could help manage blood sugar and digestion. Even better? These changes didn’t require fancy diets or imported ingredients. Everything discussed could be found right there in the market stalls they work in daily.

🌶️ Spicing Up Health — Naturally

One of the biggest hits of the day was learning about the power of natural spices. The women buzzed with excitement as they explored how everyday ingredients like ginger, nutmeg, curry leaf, cinnamon, and moringa could be used not just for flavour, but for wellness.

“I didn’t know that cinnamon could help with sugar control,” one woman exclaimed, clutching her notes like gold.

There were gasps, jokes, and plenty of nodding when someone suggested soaking bitter leaf to make a morning detox drink. You could feel the mindset shift happening in real time.

💧 More Than Food: Lifestyle Talk Got Real

The workshop wasn’t just about what’s on the plate. It also touched on:

• Prioritising meals before diving into market hustle
• Drinking more water (not just soft drinks!)
• Watching salt, sugar, and alcohol
• Finding simple ways to move their bodies daily
• Understanding digestion and even… bowel movements (yes, we went there!)

The conversations were raw, relatable, and often hilarious. But behind every laugh was a genuine hunger to do better.

👩🏽‍🏫 Women Leading the Change

The energy in the room was contagious. These weren’t passive attendees — they asked bold questions, shared their own home remedies, and even challenged some health myths. By the end, many were pledging to not just change their own habits, but to teach their daughters, neighbours, and even fellow traders.

Some expressed interest in getting home-test kits for blood sugar checks. Others were eager to learn more about mental wellness, family planning, and even eye care.

💬 In Their Own Words

“This training was different. I learned things I can actually use. I’m going home to throw away that custard and soak millet tonight!” — Workshop participant

“Please invite us again. We need more talks like this — especially on hormones and body changes as we grow older.”

🙌 A Few Thank Yous

To Favour Ogbonna for bringing both expertise and humour into the room — thank you.
To the Akugbe Union Women, your warmth, openness, and eagerness to learn made this session unforgettable.
To our team — we couldn’t have done this without you.

🚀 So, What’s Next?

Though this was the final workshop in this round, it’s really just the beginning. We’re already exploring more topics like:

• Hormonal health and menopause
• Family planning awareness
• Mental health and stress relief
• Eye care for women over 40

And yes — future sessions may just include some live cooking demos (because who wouldn’t love a taste test?).

📣 Final Thoughts

This workshop reminded us of something important: health education doesn’t need to be boring or intimidating. When you bring it to where women are — in their language, on their terms — real change happens.

So here’s to fewer processed meals, more mindful eating, and women who are rewriting the story of wellness, one market at a time.

📸 Scroll down to see photos from the session
📨 Want to partner or sponsor future workshops? Email us!