The Chief Executive Officer of Window Story Nigeria Ltd, Chief Hilary Uchechukwu Okpara, has announced the establishment of Omenife Foundation, a platform focused on mentorship, entrepreneurial guidance, and youth empowerment.
Okpara disclosed this during an excursion visit by Architecture students from Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, to the company’s manufacturing facility.
According to him, the foundation was created as part of efforts to give back to society by supporting young people with mentorship opportunities, entrepreneurial direction, and leadership development.
He explained that the initiative is designed to nurture and support young minds towards becoming innovative entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and solution-driven contributors to national development.
Okpara also stressed the importance of collaboration between the industrial sector and academia in shaping the future of Nigeria’s built environment and manufacturing industry.
He encouraged the students to move beyond dependence on imported concepts and begin exploring indigenous materials and local innovation as pathways for developing globally competitive African solutions in architecture, manufacturing, and interior systems.
The CEO further highlighted the importance of collaboration in positioning Nigeria for greater industrial and economic growth, considering the country’s abundant human and natural resources.
The visit formed part of efforts to expose students to practical industry realities and broaden their understanding of opportunities within Nigeria’s building and manufacturing sector.
Activities during the excursion included factory tours, innovation discussions, manufacturing exposure, architecture and interior systems engagement, practical demonstrations, and networking sessions.
The event was hosted under the theme, “Bridging Architecture and Modern Interior Window-Covering Systems in Nigeria’s Building Industry.”
One of the major highlights of the engagement was an interactive session where students asked questions on entrepreneurship, resilience, innovation, manufacturing, and business growth.
In her welcome remarks, the Executive Managing Director of Window Story Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Helen Uchechukwu Okpara, described the event as an important step towards strengthening collaboration between the industry and academia within Nigeria’s architectural community.
Drawing from her architectural background and professional experience, she urged the students to look beyond architecture as only design and structural drawings and begin to appreciate technical detailing, manufacturing systems, material innovation, and practical industry solutions as important drivers of Africa’s development.
According to her, professionals within the built environment have a responsibility to promote innovation-driven thinking capable of advancing local manufacturing, indigenous solutions, and sustainable industrial growth across Nigeria and Africa.
She also explained that the engagement was designed to help architecture students better understand modern interior window-covering systems beyond classroom learning by exposing them directly to manufacturing processes, technical applications, and real-life building solutions.
During the technical review session, she further explained the functional role of interior window-covering systems in contemporary architecture and demonstrated their practical applications during the factory tour and interaction sessions.
Speaking on the purpose of the excursion, the Head of the Architecture Department at Nile University, Prof. Oluwafemi Akande, said the visit was aimed at exposing students to the practical realities of their academic training and professional future.
He commended the management of Window Story Nigeria Ltd for opening its doors to the institution, noting that the experience went beyond a regular excursion and became a source of inspiration for both students and lecturers in the areas of local manufacturing, innovation, and the future of Nigeria’s architecture and building industry.
Prof. Akande led the delegation alongside Associate Prof. Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo and Dr. Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh.
Also present at the event was former Secretary General of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Moradeke Okunrinboye, who congratulated the students and encouraged them to remain committed to their studies and future professional growth.
A representative of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Abuja Chapter, Bosede Idegbesor, also commended Window Story Nigeria Ltd for organising what she described as a timely and impactful intervention within the architectural community.
According to her, the discussions and theme of the engagement would inspire more manufacturing-oriented architects and future industry innovators.
The event concluded with reflections on innovation, local manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and the future of Nigeria’s built environment, with participants describing the experience as educational, inspiring, and impactful.
Window Story Nigeria Ltd is a Nigerian manufacturing company specialising in modern interior window-covering systems. The company focuses on the design, production, and installation of contemporary window-covering solutions that combine functionality, aesthetics, energy efficiency, ventilation control, privacy, and environmental responsiveness for residential, commercial, and institutional projects.
Through its commitment to local manufacturing, technical development, and industry innovation, the company continues to promote indigenous solutions while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s built environment and manufacturing sector.
