TCNews

By Our Reporter

The African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), Nigeria’s Promotion of Women Empowerment & Rights (POWER) Project has been launched at Abuja.

Presenting a Keynote Address during the event, the Minister of State, Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, Amb. Miriam Katagum commended AWEP Nigeria for their bold enterprising and creative spirit to provide women with knowledge and opportunities to access the market, finance, rights and exposure to new business opportunities by using what we have to meet our needs.

According to her, “there is no better time than now when most women are in dire need of this kind of gesture especially in the promotion of the SDG goals 4, 5, 8, 10 and 17. The event is indeed a welcome and timely initiative as it is in line with Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment toward boosting our economy through gender focused activities that foster an enabling environment and stimulate economic activities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).” 

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to deepen collaboration and working relationship with  other Ministries, Departments and Agencies and NGOs like AWEP to improve the lot of women.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo congratulated and applauded the leadership and co-founders of AWEP for the initiative and assured them of the Ministry’s continuous collaboration to actualize the project locally and nationally in the promotion of Women Empowerment and Right.

He acknowledged that the economic development of women and girls bring benefits to the welfare of their families and the society in general.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Deputy Director Gender in the Ministry further stated that “Effort should be put in place for necessary mechanisms required for the elimination of gender discrimination so as to ensure that gender parity is strengthened.

“If women are granted their pride of place in history, this gesture and development will assist the process of effectively eradicating poverty, end hunger, achieve food security, ensure healthy lives and stimulate sustainable development”, he opined.

Earlier in her Welcome Address, the National President of African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Ajala appreciated the funding partners of the POWER Project, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation and the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) for collaborating with AWEP to train 600 women beneficiaries from ten communities in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.

She explained that the training would provide the knowledge and necessary skills to help beneficiaries succeed in life.
Mrs Ajala also stated that,  “the training will take you through the basic skills and knowledge of the following: Group formation and benefits, Agriculture as a business, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Record Keeping,Marketing and access to markets and Financial Management”.

She therefore challenged all the trainees and participants to use the opportunity wisely to change their lives, impact their communities and change the poverty trap narrative in many communities.

The trainees were drawn from five communities in the FCT and five in Nasarawa State including,  Karu, Kuje, Kwali, Pyakasa and  Jikwuoyi, Kokona,  Garaku,  Shabu, Tatara and  Murya in Nasarawa State.

The Launch was attended by a cross section of society including representatives of ACT Foundation, Ahmed Umar, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) Team Lead and Oluchi Okoroafor, the Monitoring & Evaluation Associate; members of the Executive Council of AWEP, Nigeria including Hajia Lami DanBuram, the National Deputy President, Hajia Zainab Jaji, Past President and General Secretary, AWEP, West Africa, Dr. Emilia Csaszar, General Secretary, Dr. Grace Okaro, National Public Relations Officer, Mrs Bukola Adeshina, Auditor; Hajia Ruqayyah Hussaini, Treasurer, Ms Amede Achingale, Financial Secretary & POWER Project Director, Mrs Nelly Ndaguba-Osagie, Assistant General Secretary & Power Project Coordinator,  Dr. Jackie Ikeotuonye, representatives from the various benefitting communities to mention a few.

Part of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the maiden edition of the National Directory of AWEP to the Minister  and group photographs.