Hope rises for women entrepreneurs in Kano
As they gathered at the Grand Central Hotel in Kano one could see hope and the confidence to succeed in them. The women appeared determined to thrive in their chosen trades if given the necessary incentives.
It was at a workshop organized by the Business Women and Entrepreneurs Forum (BWAEF) for Kano women on how to start and grow their businesses.
Over 200 women from different endeavours participated in the training to enable them grow their businesses and access funds from government and nongovernmental organizations.
Participants at the one-week workshop agreed there was need for women to be selfreliant in their various trades. They were, therefore, charged to be determined and believe in themselves so as to succeed in any business they engage in as the state government is ready to give them the necessary support.
The state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Rabiu Bako charged the women to utilize their gifted talents and limitless potentials to make them become self-reliant and excel in their respective trades. “Please do not limit yourselves. Believe you can do it”, he urged.
He told the women that government was committed to supporting, encouraging and empowering them in any trade or profession they choose to engage in. “The state government has taken several measures to support and encourage women towards self- reliance, and it will still do more for you,” he said. Bako told them not believe that without
to professional certificates, they could not become successful entrepreneurs. He said they should always believe in themselves as capable of succeeding in any trade they venture into.
Maryam Yunusa Abubakar, one of the organisers of the workshop, said its objective was to educate the women on how to succeed in their businesses and link them with government and non-governmental organisations so that they can access funds and become selfreliant.
Abubakar added that BWAEF was committed to training women in the state on how to grow their businesses. “Now we want to take it to the next level with the support of government and non-governmental organisations. We will talk to government to see how the women can be empowered through funding and other support to encourage and grow their businesses,” she said.
Over 200 women participated at the workshop. “They came because a lot of them wanted to get funds and support for their businesses. They have the zeal to do the businesses and that is why they are here. As you can see, they are so excited about it,” she said.
A participant at the workshop, Hajiya Zainab remarked that the training was an eye-opener for her and other women who were privileged to be at the workshop. “We are very happy this is happening to us. This workshop has rekindled my hope as a housewife who has always wanted to do my own business. We are so grateful to BWAEF and the state government for this opportunity,” Zainab said. The Federal Government has promised to partner with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in developing the Nigerian economy.
Speaking at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of the MAN yesterday in Lagos, President Mohammadu Buhari, represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said manufacturing is critical to Nigeria’s economy growth. “There is no way we can grow without diversifying the economy,” the president declared.
He also pledged that the government will be consistent in its policy decision to the manufacturing sector and to engage with the manufacturers very soon.
In his welcome address, President of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs said the association is ready to support government in solving the unemployment problem in Nigeria.
According to Jacobs, this year’s annual general meeting theme, “The future of manufacturing”, was chosen because of MAN’s belief in the Buhari administration to achieve its campaign promises of job creation and improved economic development.