The Nigerian government has been urged to provide more support for empowerment to improve the lives of women in the country.
At a conference on Thursday 28th November, 2024, aimed at connecting and inspiring women, convener, Stella George said women need support to access fund and information in growing their businesses.
She added that with more support, it would be sustainable in growing the society.
“We expect more collaboration, more synergy, more support for the women. We want to see that their businesses strive in the era of sustainability, she said.
Former Women Affairs Minister, Aisha Ismail encouraged women to strive and excel in elective or appointed positions to assist other women.
Mrs. Ismail said women must get themselves exposed to business opportunities, not just at the community level but, at the national level, Africa and international; adding that “without us in trade, there won’t be any trading”.
“If we cannot empower ourselves, then, who will do it for us? We need to start thinking differently”, she stated.
Dr. Adebayo Benjamin Laniyi, the Pioneer Mandate Secretary, Women and Children Affairs, FCTA said women are primed to be distinct, an inspiration and drivers of change.
“You are the difference the world will see because, you become the difference you want to see. It begins with you being the original girl you were born to be, being the original woman by calling.
“You are called to embrace your identity and become a reference, not just for history but, your own story”, Dr. Laniyi stated.
She continued by revealing that a woman’s agenda is about impacting the world and said that when a woman is being invested in, it rubs off on the community.
“And when you invest in the society, you invest in legacy”, she enumerated.
While adding that the renewed hope initiative for women, through Her Excellency, Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu is one that has impacted women in agriculture, digital interest and women in space of enterprise trade grants, she said the initiative is working, not as a political drive but, as an agenda for every woman with impact.
Efosa Onyezebe, the Executive Director, Misedi Empowerment Initiative for Africa, while speaking on the Entrepreneurship: A Gateway to Women Empowerment, said women can be exporters in different categories and must not be one of the famous, which is, having a physical product and taking it to another country.
“You can be a commodity export vendor, one of the traditional ways. Another way is to become an export agent, facilitating trade between two entities – the buyer and seller”, she said.
Mrs. Onyezebe emphasized on women placing more value on relationship and network, describing the two as great assets. “Your network is your net worth. That is money for you, that is what some people do with their lives.
They facilitate contact relationship and earn a fee for it”, Onyezebe added.
She encouraged women not to think that what they see as local can’t exported internationally.
Financial support of a hundred thousand naira each were given to some women at the conference.
Convener, Stella George said the Women In Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference (WOILEN) was put together to empower and support women in their business endeavours.
The theme for this year’s event is Empowered to Lead, Inspired to Succeed: Women Shaping the Future.