Gilbert Ekezie
Joan Agha Foundation (JAF), a non-governmental organisation, has restated her commitment to empower women with cheap and affordable technologies for small-scale entrepreneurship. The foundation said the ultimate aim was to industrialise the nation.
This was the revelation at its sixth Annual Lecture for Women Entrepreneurs held in Lagos recently. The theme was ‘Women Entrepreneurs: Catalyst for Development’.
Among speakers at the event were Director General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Professor Gloria Elemo, Director General, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACIMA) Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni; Managing Consultant, Rickela Consulting Limited, Mrs Ojini Olaghere as Guest Speaker and Pioneer Director, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University, Peter Bankole.
READ ALSO: Bill to make June 12 Democracy Day passes 2nd reading
Founder and President of the foundation, Mrs Joan Agha stated that the motive behind the foundation was to impact lives, especially women and the youth. She said the foundation had granted scholarships to 39 brilliant indigent students from primary to tertiary institutions, just as it had also empowered 64 women with loans without interests. “Three years ago we gave out grants of N100, 000 each to four youth entrepreneurs,” she added.
She also informed that her foundation last year gave out a million naira to empower women. This year, it has spent N1.1million on the same project.
Agha, relying on the National Bureau of Statistics, said Nigerian women constitute 70% of the informal economy, and one-third of Nigeria’s formal small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She pointed out that despite the influx of women entrepreneurs, not much has been recorded due to limited access to finance, markets and entrepreneurial skills.
She said the essence of the annual lecture was to continually creating a platform and unique opportunity for women entrepreneurs, to ensure that they are equipped to conceptualize, initiate and operate successful enterprises, which will develop into future big businesses.
Director General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Professor Gloria Elemo, who was the keynote speaker, stated that the challenge for the women was how to start their own businesses.
While decrying the issue of recession and unemployment, she said women have the key to industrialization of the nation, adding that FIIRO on their part, have introduced simple technologies that have very high potential for growth, and which would help to economically empower the women and families.
READ ALSO: EFCC seals-off 6 landed property allegedly belonging to Fayose
“Women, you know, actually serve as strongholds and background of any family structure. So they need to be empowered. They need to be informed
Speaking on how women could solve the problem of funding their businesses, Elemo said government had opened up so many initiatives that could give one quick access to funds.
“You have the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, special programme by CBN, Microfinance Houses, and the rest. So, when you come, our success is that you are able to establish. So we try as much as possible to link you to the relevant institutions,” she said.